Rotorua driving route for: Rotorua - Waitomo - Napier - Rotorua. Find driving directions, information and maps to guide you on your self-drive holiday starting in Rotorua, taking you to Waitomo then to the art deco city Napier before returning you to Rotorua. Discover the amazing underground caves at Waitomo, go caving, canyoning or black water rafting through the cave systems.

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Driving Route : Rotorua - Waitomo - Napier - Rotorua

Start: Rotorua
Finish: Rotorua
Recommended Length: 5 Days
Distance: 995 km (622 miles)

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Route Summary

Travel time is approximate only, based on an average driving speed under normal road conditions.

  Travel time Km (Miles)
Day 1
Rotorua to Waitomo Caves		 1.5 hrs 136 85
Day 2
Waitomo Caves to Taupo		 2 hrs 163 102
Day 3
Taupo to Napier		 1.75 hrs 139 87
Day 4
Napier to Waikaremoana (Urewera National Park)		 2.25 hrs 181 113
Day 5
Waikaremoana (Urewera National Park) to Rotorua		 4.75 hrs 376 235
Totals for Driving Route 12.25 hrs 995 622

The Central North Island Round Trip

The Central North Island Round Trip

This itinerary circles the central North Island region.

Rotorua provides geothermal and Maori cultural attractions.

Then take the cross country route to Waitomo Caves, where there are various ways to explore the huge limestone caverns.

Trout fishing, hot pools and geothermal parks are things to enjoy in Taupo.

In Napier, architecture and vineyards are the main attractions.

At Lake Waikaremoana, you can do some serious walking and fishing before you take the road back to Rotorua.

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