Driving Route : DHL Lions Series - Ultimate Route
These driving routes refer to the 2005 Lions Tour. Click here to view our 2017 DHL Lions Tour preview.
| 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
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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