DHL Lions Series - Test Match Route

Day 11: Rotorua to Whitianga

On this page: Travel time:   Km/Miles Rotorua - Tauranga 1 hr  82/51 Tauranga - Whangamata 1.25 hrs  94/59 Whangamata - Whitianga 1 hr  74/46   Totals for Day 3.25 hrs  250/156

Rotorua - Tauranga - Whangamata - Whitianga

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.

You’ll follow the edge of Lake Rotorua, which is actually a large crater filled with water. At Okere Falls Scenic Reserve you can walk to see the hydroelectric power station. The road climbs up and over the Mamaku Range, then it’s easy driving to Paengaroa, a town known for its honey products. Te Puke makes an interesting stop – it has turned its kiwifruit industry into visitor entertainment.

The Bay of Plenty beachy lifestyle becomes obvious as you near the prosperous city of Tauranga, which sprawls along the edge of an attractive harbour. There’s a well developed café culture and boat charters are available to take you big game fishing, snorkelling or dolphin watching. Nearby Mt Maunganui is a destination for surfing and beach walking.

Scenic Highlights

Te Puna Quarry Park
A dedicated band of volunteers have created a botanical beauty spot on the site of an old quarry.

The Elms Mission House
If you're in Tauranga on a Sunday or public holiday, you can walk through the historic Elms Mission House.

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.

Kaiate Falls
Walk through the forest to Kaiate Falls, where water tumbles down a ravine in a series of cascades.

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.

Tuhua (Mayor Island)
Mayor Island is the summit of a volcano rising from the sea floor. It's both a wildlife and marine reserve.

Motiti Island
Motiti Island is a place to get away from it all. Catch some fish, dive the wreck or just flop on a beach.

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.

Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park
The Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park is a living museum of botanical history with 300 kilometres of tracks to explore.

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

Bay of Plenty
Golf (1), Scenic Flights (1)

Rotorua
Cultural Attractions (6), Off Road Driving Adventure (2)

Tour and Sightseeing

Rotorua
Cultural Attractions (1)

Rotorua - Tauranga - Whangamata - Whitianga

The prosperous city of Tauranga sprawls along the edge of an attractive harbour. There’s a well developed café culture and boat charters are available to take you big game fishing, snorkelling or dolphin watching. Nearby Mt Maunganui is a destination for surfing and beach walking.

The journey to Whangamata will take you through orchard country. Roadside stalls are an opportunity to buy seasonal fruit, such as oranges, kiwifruit and avocados. Roads on the right offer detours to the beach towns of Te Puna and Omokoroa. The rural settlement of Katikati is known for its murals. You’ll enjoy the fresh green scenery of the Athenree Gorge before you reach historic Waihi, a gold mining town.

Whangamata is one of the country’s most attractive surf towns. Enjoy the beach, cafes and bush walks. Dive and fishing tours are easily arranged. You can also hire bikes, windsurfers and kayaks. Several charter companies run day trips to Mayor Island, which is actually the summit of a volcano rising from the sea floor.

Scenic Highlights

Te Puna Quarry Park
A dedicated band of volunteers have created a botanical beauty spot on the site of an old quarry.

The Elms Mission House
If you're in Tauranga on a Sunday or public holiday, you can walk through the historic Elms Mission House.

Wentworth Valley walks
Camp beside a river in a quiet rural valley and walk through native forest to a picturesque waterfall and abandoned gold mines.

Whangamata, Onemana and Opoutere
Great surf breaks, sandy beaches, tranquil harbours, forest walks and rare birds are all part of the magic of these seaside settlements.

Kaiate Falls
Walk through the forest to Kaiate Falls, where water tumbles down a ravine in a series of cascades.

Tuhua (Mayor Island)
Mayor Island is the summit of a volcano rising from the sea floor. It's both a wildlife and marine reserve.

Tuhua Marine Reserve
Mayor Island (Tuhua) is a dormant volcano off the Bay of Plenty coast. It is a sanctuary above and below the water.

Motiti Island
Motiti Island is a place to get away from it all. Catch some fish, dive the wreck or just flop on a beach.

Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park
The Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park is a living museum of botanical history with 300 kilometres of tracks to explore.

Activities

Bay of Plenty
Kayaking – Salt Water (2), Off Road Driving Adventure (2)

Coromandel
Heritage Attractions (1), Zoos (1)

Tour and Sightseeing

Bay of Plenty
Arts & Crafts (1), Kayaking – Salt Water (1)

Rotorua - Tauranga - Whangamata - Whitianga

Whangamata is one of the country’s most attractive surf towns. Enjoy the beach, cafes and bush walks. Dive and fishing tours are easily arranged. You can also hire bikes, windsurfers and kayaks. Several charter companies run day trips to Mayor Island, which is actually the summit of a volcano rising from the sea floor.

On your way to Whitianga you could indulge in a round of golf at Pauanui, a large seaside settlement. A different kind of pleasure awaits at Hot Water Beach, where geothermally heated water bubbles up through the sand - you can dig your own spa at low tide. If you have a couple of hours to spare, take the walk from Hahei to spectacular Cathedral Cove.

The beach town of Whitianga is home to a fishing fleet - expect to eat some excellent seafood while you’re here. Best things to do include surfing, surf casting and beach walks. Catch the ferry to the south side of the harbour – a short taxi ride will take you to Cooks Beach.

Scenic Highlights

Cook's Coast beaches
Catch the ferry to enjoy a string of delightful sandy beaches on the Pacific Ocean coast of the Coromandel Peninsula.

Hahei and Cathedral Cove
From beautiful Hahei Beach you can walk to Cathedral Cove, where a naturally formed archway deserves photographic attention.

Kauaeranga Valley
Explore a large valley furnished with rivers, waterfalls and native forest. Follow established tracks and camp beneath the stars.

Wentworth Valley walks
Camp beside a river in a quiet rural valley and walk through native forest to a picturesque waterfall and abandoned gold mines.

Whangamata, Onemana and Opoutere
Great surf breaks, sandy beaches, tranquil harbours, forest walks and rare birds are all part of the magic of these seaside settlements.

Te Whanganui-A-Hei (Cathedral Cove) Marine Reserve
From Hahei Beach you can walk to the snorkelling trail at Gemstone Bay - a self-guided underwater tour.

Tuhua Marine Reserve
Mayor Island (Tuhua) is a dormant volcano off the Bay of Plenty coast. It is a sanctuary above and below the water.

Activities

Coromandel
Boat Cruises (4), Fishing – Salt Water (4)

Tour and Sightseeing

Coromandel
Boat Cruises (1), Fishing – Salt Water (1)