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Central North Island Geothermal Explorer

Black swan Pohutakawa coast trail NZ
Black swan at Pukorokoro Shorebird Centre
MIRANDA PUKOROKORO SHOREBIRD CENTRE
Putaruru view, New Zealand
Putaruru view
PUTARURU BLUE SPRINGS
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Polynesian pools
POLYNESIAN SPA
The Rotorua redwood trees in New Zealand
Rotorua redwood trees
REDWOODS CANOPY BOARDWALK
@tamakimaorivillage
Tamaki Village
TAMAKI VILLAGE
Tongariro River walks, New Zealand
Tongariro River walks
TONGARIRO RIVER TRAIL

Discover a world of magnificent caves and underground caverns glittering with glowworms at Waitomo. Jet boat to the thunderous roar of the Huka falls. Find a world where the earth’s crust exposes its molten core. Boiling geysers fountain hot steam jets and bubbling mud pools thrill the senses. Resorts, hot pools and springs await.

 

The geothermal highway is a superb year round attraction. Scenery unfolds with the season. Summer bright blue lakes, green foliage contrast with autumn golds and winter’s snow capped peaks. Beautiful photo moments throughout the year.


Duration: 5 nights, 6 days – detours galore

Camera Stops
30 and counting

Nearest Airport
Auckland / Hamilton / Rotorua / Taupo

Join the geothermal explorer journey at Rotorua, Taupo or Napier. 

  • Napier, Hawke’s Bay art deco beauty, wine trails are tempting. To join the Central North Island geothermal explorer from Napier travel on Napier to Taupo road trip.
  • Rotorua is arguably the best bit of the tour show stopping geysers & hot mineral pools to soak in
  • Taupo is loved for its breathtaking lake and forested hills

 

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Rotorua has an excellent domestic airport connecting to towns such as Wellington (capital city) and Christchurch. Christchurch is a gateway city to the glorious South Island. Keep going south and find out more about New Zealand. 

WEATHER – Mid 20°C in summer with brisk sharp winters average temperature 11°C. Expect most rainfall between May to mid-December. July is the wettest month.

Summer:  Taupo beaches, swimming, picnics & fish early morning

Spring & Autumn: Walk in the brisk cool autumn, foliage colour, fishing around dusk. 

Winter: Walks, indoor cafe experiences & soak in geothermal hot pools

Follow the Pacific Highway coastline to Matamata home of Hobbiton (Lord of the Rings).

DRIVING DISTANCE: 194 km 

KEY PLACES: Auckland, Firth of Thames, Miranda shorebird centre, Te Aroha, Matamata

 

Cows of Morrinsville
Giant ferns in Whakarewarewa redwood forest, Rotorua, New Zealand
Giant ferns in Whakarewarewa redwood forest, Rotorua

Hobbiton and Beyond – Rotorua

Emerald green dairy country dotted with cows, pockets of native bush, outstanding Putaruru springs, Rotorua where the Pacific ring of fire puts on a display of might and power.

DRIVING DISTANCE: 84 km

KEY PLACES: Matamata, Tirau, Putaruru Blue Springs, Rotorua

 

Putaruru blue springs pristine beauty

Rotorua – All-day Exploration

ALL DAY (OR SEVERAL) EXPLORING ROTORUA

DRIVING DISTANCE: less than 20 km

 

Rotorua to Taupo Geothermal Highway Express

Rotorua to Taupo. Unearth and explore natural attractions on the geothermal explorer, state highway (SH) five between Rotorua and Taupo. The journey is picturesque with rolling hills and farmland interspersed with several major visitor destinations on the route. 

The 80 km stretch of road is well travelled with considerable traffic between the two tourist destinations. There are eight great places to pull over and enjoy. Check out Rotorua to Taupo: Geothermal Scenic Highway – Best Bits for tips.

DRIVING DISTANCE: 80 km 

KEY PLACES: Orakei Korako Thermal Park, Tamaki Village, Waimangu Valley, Huka falls

Taupo – All-day Exploration

Lake Taupo’s inky blue crystal clear water is fringed by lush native bush and pumice beaches. The glorious scenery has a stunning backdrop of the three snow-tipped peaks of Tongariro National Park mountain ranges.. It is the stuff of holiday dreams with the picturesque landscape encouraging water sports, adventures from jet boating, rafting and kayaking or walking tours soaking up the views.

  • Adventure beckons Taupo visitors, go BUNGY JUMPING
  • Maori Rock Carving cruise, kayak or sail. Catch superb views of the iconic carvings as they majestically rise from Lake Taupo
  • Take a selfie against Taupo’s graffiti street art trail

DETOURS (NEARBY TAUPO)

TAUPO – WHERE TO GO NEXT IN NEW ZEALAND?

  • TAUPO – NAPIER – TAUPO HIGHWAY – Hawke’s Bay wine trails, coastal scenery, rural towns and off the beaten path destinations.
  • TAUPO – HAMILTON – Waitomo Caves, Te Awamutu roses, Raglan surfing mecca
Sunset along the Waikato River in Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand
Sunset along the Waikato River in Hamilton

OPTION TAUPO – HAMILTON – Waitomo Caves, Raglan Tours & Adventures

Visit the MIGHTY WAIKATO with Hamilton, one of New Zealand’s largest cities wrapped around the majestic flow of the Waikato river. The Waikato is the city’s calling card.

KEY PLACES:  Cambridge, Hamilton – onward to Auckland

Trelinnoe park, Napier, New Zealand
Trelinnoe park, Napier

OPTION – NAPIER – TAUPO HIGHWAY  

Take in the contrast between the central North Island plateau and Lake Taupo with art deco coastal Napier. The route traverses the highest North Island hill pass. This route can be reversed from Napier to Taupo. 

  • Find Trelinnoe Park and relax among mature trees and rhododendrons. 
  • Take time to walk to a waterfall. Ponder about the narrative of Opepe Reserve, NZ Land Wars, sawmilling and lonely graves. 
  • The sweeping road was a construction feat giving Napier a vital link to the central North Island. The road follows, in part, traditional Maori walking tracks.
Napier to explore

 

Suggestions Where to Go Next from Napier, North Island

 

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BEST BITS TRAVEL GUIDE

Best Bits travel guide is published by nzjane.com. Owned and managed by PacificJane Ltd.

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