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Day 4 : New Plymouth to Hamilton

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

	Travel time	Km	(Miles)
New Plymouth - Waitomo Caves	2.25 hrs	181	113
Waitomo Caves - Hamilton	1 hr	71	44
Totals for Day	3.25 hrs	252	158

New Plymouth - Waitomo Caves

181 km (113 miles)
Approximately 2.25 hours
Road Conditions: State Highway

The city of New Plymouth is known for its beautiful parks and gardens. Take a picnic to Pukekura Park to admire the rhododendrons. New Plymouth also has a strong arts focus, so check out the current exhibitions. The national park that surrounds Mt Taranaki has spectacular waterfalls and walkways to discover.

Your journey begins with a procession of seaside villages. Whitecliffs Walkway is signposted—a fabulous hike if you have time. At Mokau or Awakino you can enjoy the wild beauty of the Tasman Sea before you drive eastward through a mixture of farmland, forest and rugged mountain country.

Gateway to the Waitomo Caves is the rural town of Te Kuiti, which hosts NZ sheep shearing championships each year.

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.

Waitomo Caves - Hamilton

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

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 are open to the public, and are easy to walk through, others require specialised caving equipment.

The trip to Hamilton takes you through prime Waikato farmland. The kiwi house in Otorohanga is a chance to meet New Zealand's national symbol.

A detour towards the west coast will take you to Kawhia, where hot water bubbles up through the sand - you can dig a pool between low and mid tide. In summer, you can pause in the town of Te Awamutu to admire the roses.

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.