Driving Route : Auckland - Rotorua - Wellington

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Day 1: Auckland to Waitomo Caves

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

	Travel time	Km	(Miles)
Auckland - Hamilton	1.5 hrs	127	79
Hamilton - Waitomo Caves	1 hr	71	44
Totals for Day	2.5 hrs	198	124

Auckland - Hamilton

127 km (79 miles)
Approximately 1.5 hours
Road Conditions: Motorway/State Highway

Auckland, New Zealand's largest city, is situated between two enormous harbours and dotted with 48 extinct volcanic cones. It's a place to enjoy marine adventures, wine trails, forest walks and urban sophistication.

As you cruise down the southern motorway, suburban scenery gradually gives way to the farmland of South Auckland, an area favoured by bloodstock breeders. You'll enjoy motorway speeds all the way to Bombay, a major market gardening area.

The Waikato River will accompany you for much of your journey through the green countryside. Places of interest along the way include the wine growing area of Te Kauwhata and the coal mining town of Huntly. Before you get to Hamilton, you'll notice side roads leading to Waingaro Hot Springs and Raglan, a surf resort on the west coast.

The city of Hamilton is carved in two by the mighty Waikato River. Attractions include gardens, riverboat cruising and a giant free flight aviary. Excellent restaurants and cafes can be found at the southern end of the city's main street.

Hamilton - Waitomo Caves

71 km (44 miles)
Approximately 1 hour
Road Conditions: State Highway

The mighty Waikato River brings a unique beauty to Hamilton city. As well as river boat cruising, local attractions include gardens, museums and a giant free flight aviary. At the southern end of the city's main street you'll discover a wide variety of excellent restaurants and cafes.

The trip south takes you through prime Waikato farmland. In summer, you can pause in the town of Te Awamutu to admire the roses. A detour towards the coast will take you to Kawhia, where hot water bubbles up through the sand—you can dig a pool between low and mid tide. Just before the turn off to Waitomo, you'll come to Otorohanga. The kiwi house in this town is a chance to meet New Zealand's national symbol.

The Waitomo Caves region is famous for its subterranean splendour. Beneath the surface of this ancient limestone region is a series of vast cave systems decorated with stalactites, stalagmites and glow-worms. Some caves open to the public, and are easy to walk through, others require specialised caving equipment.

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