DHL Lions Series - Ultimate Route

Day 6: Hamilton to Napier

On this page: Travel time:   Km/Miles Hamilton - Cambridge 0.25 hr  23/14 Cambridge - Rotorua 1.25 hrs  87/54 Taupo - Napier 1.75 hrs  139/87   Totals for Day 3.25 hrs  249/156

Hamilton - Cambridge - Rotorua - Napier

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 short trip south takes you through prime Waikato farmland. As you near Cambridge you’ll notice fewer cows and more horses.

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. 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.

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 (1), Gardens (7), Horse Treks (1)

Tour and Sightseeing

Hamilton - Waikato
Cycling/Mountain Biking (2)

Hamilton - Cambridge - Rotorua - Napier

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.

On your way to Rotorua you’ll come across the town of Tirau, known for its antique shops and animal-shaped corrugated iron buildings. Enjoy plantation pine forest and a refreshing patch of native bush, Fitzgerald Glade, before you encounter the unusual terrain of the Mamaku district. Mini volcanic cones dot the landscape, some showing their solidified lava core. The last part of your journey takes you past the gondola and luge rides of Mt Ngongataha.

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.

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 (5), Performing Arts (1), Volcanic/Geothermal (8)

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

Tour and Sightseeing

Rotorua
Miscellaneous Madness (1), Volcanic/Geothermal (4)

Tour and Sightseeing

Hamilton - Waikato
Farms (1)

Hamilton - Cambridge - Rotorua - Napier

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 major entertainment on the road from Taupo to Napier is the fantastic scenery. There’s a bit of everything - rugged hills, beautiful valleys, gentle plains and huge vistas. At Tarawera you can walk to the hot springs, which are above the Waipunga River. You might also want to stop at the Waiarua Falls lookout, to view the twin waterfalls.

The town of Eskdale heralds your arrival in Napier. In 1931 a devastating earthquake nearly levelled this city. It was rebuilt in the style of the times, and is now considered the Art Deco Capital of the world. The vineyards of Hawke’s Bay are all within easy reach of Napier. Another attraction is the gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers.

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.

Napier - Art Deco Architecture
Beautifully preserved 1930s architecture is Napier's special point of difference.

Lake Tutira
Lake Tutira is an idyllic place to have a picnic or pitch a tent. Hike the walkway or see how many bird species you can count.

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

Hawkes Bay
Wineries (5)

Lake Taupo
Boat Cruises (5), Fishing – Fresh Water (17), Jet Boating (2)

Tour and Sightseeing

Hawkes Bay
Wineries (13)

Tour and Sightseeing

Lake Taupo
Boat Cruises (1), Fishing – Fresh Water (3)