Arrowtown, New Zealand
Auckland, New Zealand
Beach, New Zealand
Fiordland, New Zealand
Lake Matheson, New Zealand
Mount Maunganui, New Zealand
Queenstown, New Zealand
Rotorua, New Zealand

Driving Route : Auckland - Napier - Wellington

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Day 3 : Tauranga to Rotorua

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

  Travel time Km (Miles)
Tauranga - Rotorua 1 hr 82 51
Totals for Day 1 hr 82 51

Tauranga - Rotorua

82 km (51 miles)
Approximately 1 hour
Road Conditions: State Highway

The prosperous city of Tauranga sprawls along the edge of an attractive harbour. There's a well developed café culture and boat charters are available to take you big game fishing, snorkelling or dolphin watching. Nearby Mt Maunganui is a destination for surfing and beach walking.

It's an easy drive to Te Puke, a town that has turned its kiwifruit industry into visitor entertainment. Paengaroa is the next attraction—shop here for honey products.

Then the road climbs up and over the Mamaku Range before descending towards Lake Rotorua, which is actually a large crater filled with water. At Okere Falls Scenic Reserve you can walk to see the hydroelectric power station.

Rotorua sits squarely on the Pacific Ring of Fire, so volcanic activity is part of the city's past and present. Explore the geothermal areas and discover the unique culture of New Zealand's Māori people. Rotorua is entertaining in any weather, at any time of the year.

View more Auckland driving routes.

Directory Information

Tauranga, Bay of Plenty:
Accommodation, Attractions and Activities, Tours, Transport, Visitor Information

Rotorua:
Accommodation, Attractions and Activities, Tours, Transport, Visitor Information

Featured
 
Mainstay New Zealand Hotels

Mainstay NZ Hotels

Large collection of independent hotels.

Choice Hotels

Choice Hotels

Holiday packages for any occasion.

Hawkdun Rise

Hawkdun Rise

Boutique vineyard-stay near the town of Alexandra.

Featured
 
Mainstay New Zealand Hotels

Mainstay NZ Hotels

Large collection of independent hotels.

Choice Hotels

Choice Hotels

Holiday packages for any occasion.

Hawkdun Rise

Hawkdun Rise

Boutique vineyard-stay near the town of Alexandra.