DHL Lions Series - Ultimate Route

Day 22: Turangi to Auckland

On this page: 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 - Rotorua - Cambridge - Hamilton - Auckland

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.

Scenic Highlights

Waipahihi Botanical Reserve
Pack a picnic and wander through the Waipahihi Botanical Reserve, a vast garden of rare alpine plants, rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias.

Kaimanawa Forest Park
Explore native forests and rivers in a large forest park. Short walks pass through a variety of native trees and experienced hikers will enjoy the challenging overnight tracks.

Taupo Lakeside walks
Explore the scenic beauty of Lake Taupo by stretching your legs along one of many lakeside walking trails.

Mine Bay Rock Carving
Take a kayak or boat tour around the scenic Western Bays of Lake Taupo to see the huge Maori rock carving at Mine Bay.

Aratiatia Rapids
Witness an unusual display of raw river power at the Aratiatia rapids, just off State Highway 1 north of Taupo.

Craters of the Moon
Explore a cratered valley that's hissing with clouds of steam. Feel the heat of the earth at the edge of the track, and peer from viewing platforms into cauldrons of boiling mud.

Lake Taupo
Discover the amazing scenery around Lake Taupo. This area of New Zealand blends forests, geothermal activity and fascinating volcanic landscapes.

Huka Falls
At Huka Falls you can witness the phenomenon of natural hydro power - more than 220, 000 litres of water per second.

Activities

Lake Taupo
Boat Cruises (7), Fishing – Fresh Water (21), Rafting (5)

Turangi - Taupo - Rotorua - Cambridge - Hamilton - Auckland

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 Maori people. Rotorua is entertaining in any weather, at any time of the year.

Scenic Highlights

Whakarewarewa Forest
Mountain bike, run or hike on purpose-built trails in a century-old experimental forest with more than 170 different tree species.

Waipahihi Botanical Reserve
Pack a picnic and wander through the Waipahihi Botanical Reserve, a vast garden of rare alpine plants, rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias.

Crater Lakes
Eleven beautiful lakes surround the geothermal town of Rotorua, which is great if you like to hike, bike, fish or kayak.

Government Gardens
Explore historic gardens that surround a Tudor-style spa bath house and an ornate Mediterranean-style public swimming pool. Peer through the steam into ancient bubbling geothermal pools.

Kuirau Park
Take a walk and discover the steaming, hissing and bubbling geothermal activity in this informal public park located right next to Rotorua's city centre.

Geothermal activity
Explore a landscape that has been shaped and coloured by extraordinary volcanic and geothermal forces.

Mount Tarawera
Gaze in awe at Mount Tarawera and imagine the frightening night of June 10 1886, when the mountain's summit split open in a violent eruption.

Lake Rotorua
In the centre of Lake Rotorua is Mokoia Island, the setting for one of New Zealand's most famous love stories.

Lakeside Trail
Walk, run or ride along a scenic lakeside trail on the front porch of downtown Rotorua. Learn about the local birdlife and geothermal activity.

Taupo Lakeside walks
Explore the scenic beauty of Lake Taupo by stretching your legs along one of many lakeside walking trails.

Mine Bay Rock Carving
Take a kayak or boat tour around the scenic Western Bays of Lake Taupo to see the huge Maori rock carving at Mine Bay.

Aratiatia Rapids
Witness an unusual display of raw river power at the Aratiatia rapids, just off State Highway 1 north of Taupo.

Craters of the Moon
Explore a cratered valley that's hissing with clouds of steam. Feel the heat of the earth at the edge of the track, and peer from viewing platforms into cauldrons of boiling mud.

Lake Taupo
Discover the amazing scenery around Lake Taupo. This area of New Zealand blends forests, geothermal activity and fascinating volcanic landscapes.

Ohinemutu
View an intricately carved Maori meeting house and enter a 1901 Tudor-style church set amidst steaming geothermal vents at the edge of Lake Rotorua.

Okere Falls Scenic Reserve
Explore forest walks that lead to a series of beautiful waterfalls, the Tutea Caves and Hinemoa's Steps.

Huka Falls
At Huka Falls you can witness the phenomenon of natural hydro power - more than 220, 000 litres of water per second.

Rainbow Mountain tracks
Explore an active geothermal mountain with coloured rocks and native plants that are unique to geothermal environments. Climb to the summit for a huge view of this fascinating part of the world.

Activities

Rotorua
Cultural Attractions (10), Cycling/Mountain Biking (3), Scenic Flights (1)

Lake Taupo
Kayaking – Fresh Water (4), Sky Diving (3), Volcanic/Geothermal (2)

Turangi - Taupo - Rotorua - Cambridge - Hamilton - Auckland

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 Maori 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.

Scenic Highlights

Whakarewarewa Forest
Mountain bike, run or hike on purpose-built trails in a century-old experimental forest with more than 170 different tree species.

Crater Lakes
Eleven beautiful lakes surround the geothermal town of Rotorua, which is great if you like to hike, bike, fish or kayak.

Government Gardens
Explore historic gardens that surround a Tudor-style spa bath house and an ornate Mediterranean-style public swimming pool. Peer through the steam into ancient bubbling geothermal pools.

Kuirau Park
Take a walk and discover the steaming, hissing and bubbling geothermal activity in this informal public park located right next to Rotorua's city centre.

Geothermal activity
Explore a landscape that has been shaped and coloured by extraordinary volcanic and geothermal forces.

Mount Tarawera
Gaze in awe at Mount Tarawera and imagine the frightening night of June 10 1886, when the mountain's summit split open in a violent eruption.

Lake Rotorua
In the centre of Lake Rotorua is Mokoia Island, the setting for one of New Zealand's most famous love stories.

Lakeside Trail
Walk, run or ride along a scenic lakeside trail on the front porch of downtown Rotorua. Learn about the local birdlife and geothermal activity.

Ohinemutu
View an intricately carved Maori meeting house and enter a 1901 Tudor-style church set amidst steaming geothermal vents at the edge of Lake Rotorua.

Okere Falls Scenic Reserve
Explore forest walks that lead to a series of beautiful waterfalls, the Tutea Caves and Hinemoa's Steps.

Rainbow Mountain tracks
Explore an active geothermal mountain with coloured rocks and native plants that are unique to geothermal environments. Climb to the summit for a huge view of this fascinating part of the world.

Activities

Rotorua
Miscellaneous Madness (6), Performing Arts (1), Volcanic/Geothermal (13)

Hamilton - Waikato
Farms (3), Horse Treks (1)

Turangi - Taupo - Rotorua - Cambridge - Hamilton - Auckland

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.

Scenic Highlights

Waikato walks
Bring your favourite walking shoes to the Waikato region for a gentle stroll along the riverbank or a challenging mountain summit expedition.

Waikato water features
Green and serene, the Waikato region relies on water for its verdant beauty. Wherever you go, there's a natural water feature to admire.

Hamilton Gardens
A botanic garden like no other, Hamilton Gardens is a 58 hectare world of horticultural skill and imagination.

Activities

Hamilton - Waikato
Cycling/Mountain Biking (6), Gardens (7), Horse Treks (1)

Turangi - Taupo - Rotorua - Cambridge - Hamilton - Auckland

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.

Scenic Highlights

Auckland's volcanic cones
Climb green volcanic cones in the heart of a large city to peer into deep craters and explore ancient Maori earthworks. Look out over the harbours, islands and beyond.

Waikato walks
Bring your favourite walking shoes to the Waikato region for a gentle stroll along the riverbank or a challenging mountain summit expedition.

Waikato water features
Green and serene, the Waikato region relies on water for its verdant beauty. Wherever you go, there's a natural water feature to admire.

Devonport & North Head
Discover colonial cottages, stately waterfront homes and World War II defences that run deep into a volcanic cone.

Hunua Ranges
Enjoy nature walks, mountain biking, fishing and camping in the largest mainland forest within the Auckland region.

Auckland Botanic Gardens
Learn about plants from New Zealand and around the world. This beautiful garden offers 64 hectares of cleverly themed displays.

Tamaki Drive and beaches
Enjoy on-street cafes, park-like picnic areas and safe sandy beaches just minutes from Auckland's central business district.

Parnell Historic Walk
Explore the historic houses and buildings of Parnell, New Zealand's first suburb. Be tempted by great cafes and specialty shops along the way.

Coast to Coast Walk
Walk across New Zealand in one day. This 16 kilometre walkway explores parks, volcanic cones and historic suburbs across the Auckland isthmus.

Long Bay Regional Park
Pack a picnic and head for a waterfront park just 20 kilometres from the city centre. Relax on the long sandy beach or hike along the headland.

Auckland Domain
Fly a kite, feed ducks, walk through native forest or follow a trail of outdoor sculptures in this magnificent inner city park.

Auckland's North Shore beaches
Dip your toes into the North Shore's beachy lifestyle. A series of sandy bays stretches from Cheltenham to Torbay.

Motu Manawa (Pollen Island) Marine Reserve, Waitemata Harbour
A haven for wading and sea birds, you can see this marine reserve from Auckland's northwestern motorway.

Motuihe Island
Visit a picturesque island that is becoming a new wildlife sanctuary. Enjoy walks, beautiful sandy beaches and glimpses of the island's intriguing history.

Hamilton Gardens
A botanic garden like no other, Hamilton Gardens is a 58 hectare world of horticultural skill and imagination.

Rangitoto Island
Cross the harbour on a ferry to step onto an alien volcanic landscape. Explore native forests and lava caves on the way to panoramic views from the edge of the summit crater.

Waitakere Ranges
In half an hour you can leave the city behind to explore a vast forest park with waterfalls, rivers, giant kauri trees and wild ocean beaches.

Activities

Hamilton - Waikato
Gardens (7), Horse Treks (1), Rafting (3)