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DHL Lions Series - Ultimate Route

Start Rotorua / Finish Auckland
Recommended Length: 25 Days
Distance: 5,371 km (3,357 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 Taupo
1 hr 81 51
Day 2
Taupo to Wanganui
3 hrs 221 138
Day 3
Wanganui to New Plymouth
2 hrs 166 104
Day 4
New Plymouth to Hamilton
3.25 hrs 252 158
Day 5
Hamilton to Raglan
0.75 hr 48 30
Day 6
Hamilton to Napier
3.25 hrs 249 156
Day 7
Napier to Masterton
3.5 hrs 236 148
Day 8
Masterton to Wellington
1.25 hrs 98 61
Day 9
Wellington to Christchurch
7.5 hrs 439 274
Day 10
Christchurch to Dunedin
4.75 hrs 365 228
Day 11
Dunedin to Invercargill
3.5 hrs 271 169
Day 12
Invercargill to Stewart Island
1 hr 72 45
Day 13
Invercargill to Queenstown
2.25 hrs 181 113
Day 14
Queenstown to Lake Tekapo
4.5 hrs 362 226
Day 15
Lake Tekapo to Christchurch
3 hrs 230 144
Day 16
Christchurch to Blenheim
4 hrs 313 196
Day 17
Blenheim to Palmerston North
5.25 hrs 265 166
Day 18
Palmerston North to Masterton
1.25 hrs 101 63
Day 19
Masterton to Martinborough
0.5 hr 45 28
Day 20
Martinborough to Wellington
1 hr 79 49
Day 21
Wellington to Turangi
4 hrs 322 201
Day 22
Turangi to Auckland
4.75 hrs 365 228
Day 23
Auckland to Whangarei
2.25 hrs 167 104
Day 24
Whangarei to Dargaville
3.5 hrs 258 161
Day 25
Dargaville to Auckland
2.25 hrs 185 116
Totals for Driving Route 73.25 hrs 5,371 3,357

DHL Lions Series - Ultimate Route

DHL Lions Series - Ultimate Route

After a steamy start in Rotorua, you're on your way to New Plymouth via the volcanoes of Tongariro National Park.

New Plymouth to Hamilton takes you past Waitomo, where the ground is riddled with caves.

Then you'll trace the east coast to Wellington—it's all beaches, wine and rural scenery.

Cross to the South Island and head to Dunedin, with a relaxing stop at Hanmer Springs along the way.

The coastal road to Invercargill will show you a variety of wildlife.

Take the Southern Lakes route to Christchurch—Queenstown and Wanaka are alpine perfection.

Go whale watching in Kaikoura on your way to Palmerston North.

Then it's on to Wellington, via the vineyards of Wairarapa.

Pause at Lake Taupo before you catch the match in Auckland. A Northland excursion fills in time before the final test.

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