Driving Route : DHL Lions Series - Ultimate Route
- Overview
- Day 1 : Rotorua to Taupo
- Day 2 : Taupo to Wanganui
- Day 3 : Wanganui to New Plymouth
- Day 4 : New Plymouth to Hamilton
- Day 5 : Hamilton to Raglan
- Day 6 : Hamilton to Napier
- Day 7 : Napier to Masterton
- Day 8 : Masterton to Wellington
- Day 9 : Wellington to Christchurch
- Day 10 : Christchurch to Dunedin
- Day 11 : Dunedin to Invercargill
- Day 12 : Invercargill to Stewart Island
- Day 13 : Invercargill to Queenstown
- Day 14 : Queenstown to Lake Tekapo
- Day 15 : Lake Tekapo to Christchurch
- Day 16 : Christchurch to Blenheim
- Day 17 : Blenheim to Palmerston North
- Day 18 : Palmerston North to Masterton
- Day 19 : Masterton to Martinborough
- Day 20 : Martinborough to Wellington
- Day 21 : Wellington to Turangi
- Day 22 : Turangi to Auckland
- Day 23 : Auckland to Whangarei
- Day 24 : Whangarei to Dargaville
- Day 25 : Dargaville to Auckland
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Day 22 : Turangi to Auckland
Travel time is approximate only, based on an average driving speed under normal road conditions.
Travel time | Km | (Miles) | |
---|---|---|---|
Turangi - Taupo | 0.75 hr | 47 | 29 |
Taupo - Rotorua | 1 hr | 81 | 51 |
Rotorua - Cambridge | 1.25 hrs | 87 | 54 |
Cambridge - Hamilton | 0.25 hr | 23 | 14 |
Hamilton - Auckland | 1.5 hrs | 127 | 79 |
Totals for Day | 4.75 hrs | 365 | 228 |
Turangi - Taupo
47 km (29 miles)
Approximately 0.75 hour
Road Conditions: State Highway
The town of Turangi is the trout fishing capital of New Zealand. There are famous fishing spots in almost every direction, including ‘The Delta’, ‘The Hole’, ‘Little Big O’ and ‘Tailrace’ (believed to contain the world's fattest trout).
The nearby hot springs of Tokaanu are another attraction, or you can try rafting the Tongariro River. The walks and skifields of the Tongariro National Park are also close by.
You'll follow the western edge of New Zealand's largest lake (actually an enormous volcanic crater) to reach Taupo township. The drive is very scenic and there are many picnic opportunities along the way. Where streams run into the lake, you'll often see trout fisherman trying their luck.
The resort town of Taupo has everything a traveller could wish for, including an excellent choice of cafes and restaurants. Most accommodation establishments make good use of the underground thermal activity to provide hot spas for relaxation.
Taupo - Rotorua
81 km (51 miles)
Approximately 1 hour
Road Conditions: State Highway
The resort town of Taupo sits on the edge of New Zealand's largest lake, which is well stocked with sizeable trout. You'll find everything a traveller could wish for, including an excellent choice of restaurants. Most accommodation establishments make good use of the underground thermal activity to provide hot spas for relaxation.
The road to Rotorua will keep you entertained with its unusual, volcanic geography and refreshing tracts of plantation pine forest. Near the beginning of your journey you'll encounter Huka Falls, a world-acclaimed golf course and the Wairakei Geothermal Power Station.
If you have an hour or two to spare, take a side road to a geothermal park. You'll discover geysers, silica terraces and craters of boiling mud.
The city of Rotorua sits squarely on the Pacific Ring of Fire, so there's evidence of volcanic activity everywhere you look. 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.
Rotorua - Cambridge
87 km (54 miles)
Approximately 1.25 hours
Road Conditions: State Highway
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.
The first part of your journey takes you past the gondola and luge rides of Mt Ngongataha, then into the unusual terrain of the Mamaku district. Mini volcanic cones dot the landscape, some showing their solidified lava core.
Enjoy plantation pine forest and a refreshing patch of native bush, Fitzgerald Glade, before you drive into the town of Tirau, a village known for its antique shops and animal-shaped corrugated iron buildings.
Cambridge township is located in the heart of the Waikato's affluent horse breeding district. It has a relaxed country atmosphere, lovely tree lined streets and many well preserved heritage buildings. You can shop for antiques and art, attend a horse show, graze the local restaurants or embark on an eco-adventure.
Cambridge - Hamilton
23 km (14 miles)
Approximately 0.25 hour
Road Conditions: State Highway
The town of Cambridge is located in the heart of the Waikato's affluent farming and horse breeding district. It has a relaxed country atmosphere, lovely tree lined streets and many well preserved heritage buildings.
While in Cambridge you can shop for antiques and art, attend a horse show, graze the local restaurants, embark on an eco-adventure or simply enjoy the splendid parks and gardens.
The short trip north takes you through prime Waikato farmland. When you reach Hamilton, you'll see how the mighty Waikato River brings a unique beauty to the city.
Hamilton's attractions include gardens, museums, riverboat cruising and a giant free flight aviary. Excellent restaurants and cafes can be found at the southern end of the main street.
Hamilton - Auckland
127 km (79 miles)
Approximately 1.5 hours
Road Conditions: Motorway/State Highway
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 main street.
The Waikato River will accompany you for much of your journey north. You'll see side roads leading to Waingaro Hot Springs and Raglan, a surf resort on the west coast. Other places of interest along the way include the coal town of Huntly and the wine growing district of Te Kauwhata.
You know you're getting close to Auckland when you reach the motorway at the base of the Bombay Hills. The scenery will change gradually from market gardens to bloodstock farms to suburbia.
As you approach Auckland, you can't miss the extinct volcanic cones that dot the landscape—there are 48 in all. The city also has two huge harbours, so it's an ideal base for marine adventures. Other attractions include wine trails, forest walks and the culinary temptations of the city's restaurant zones.
- Overview
- Day 1 : Rotorua to Taupo
- Day 2 : Taupo to Wanganui
- Day 3 : Wanganui to New Plymouth
- Day 4 : New Plymouth to Hamilton
- Day 5 : Hamilton to Raglan
- Day 6 : Hamilton to Napier
- Day 7 : Napier to Masterton
- Day 8 : Masterton to Wellington
- Day 9 : Wellington to Christchurch
- Day 10 : Christchurch to Dunedin
- Day 11 : Dunedin to Invercargill
- Day 12 : Invercargill to Stewart Island
- Day 13 : Invercargill to Queenstown
- Day 14 : Queenstown to Lake Tekapo
- Day 15 : Lake Tekapo to Christchurch
- Day 16 : Christchurch to Blenheim
- Day 17 : Blenheim to Palmerston North
- Day 18 : Palmerston North to Masterton
- Day 19 : Masterton to Martinborough
- Day 20 : Martinborough to Wellington
- Day 21 : Wellington to Turangi
- Day 22 : Turangi to Auckland
- Day 23 : Auckland to Whangarei
- Day 24 : Whangarei to Dargaville
- Day 25 : Dargaville to Auckland
View more Specialised New Zealand driving routes.
Directory Information
Taupo:
Accommodation,
Attractions and Activities,
Tours,
Transport,
Visitor Information
Rotorua:
Accommodation,
Attractions and Activities,
Tours,
Transport,
Visitor Information
Cambridge, Waikato:
Accommodation,
Attractions and Activities,
Tours,
Transport,
Visitor Information
Hamilton, Waikato:
Accommodation,
Attractions and Activities,
Tours,
Transport,
Visitor Information
Auckland:
Accommodation,
Attractions and Activities,
Tours,
Transport,
Visitor Information