7 Day Scenic Roadtrip

Budget Motorhomes | Itineraries | Auckland Itineraries Overview |  7 Day Scenic Roadtrip

Auckland to Auckland Day one: Auckland - Paihia Upon arrival at Auckland Airport, pick up your rental vehicle and drive to Paihia and enjoy the scenic Bay of Islands area. Approx 4 hours driving time. The beautiful Bay of Islands is known as the first centre of European settlement in New Zealand, and is rich with historical sites. Maori chief Hone Heke lived and fought here, notably at Ruapekapeka. Paihia is a popular and attractive holiday town. An early missionary centre, (population aprox 1840) it was the site of New Zealand's first church, made of reeds. It's stone replacement, the Church of St. Paul, is still used today. Cruises around the Bays are based from the wharf. This area is very popular with both visitors and locals alike. Day two: Paihia Take in some of the local attractions including the Famous Cape Brett 'hole in the rock' cruise. Explore historic Waitangi. Take a short cruise over to Russell, the original capital city of New Zealand. Or just sit back and relax on one of the beautiful beaches. Day three: Paihia - Rotorua Today you are to drive south to the 'Thermal Wonderland' of Rotorua. Approx 7 hours driving time. Take a leisurely drive to absorb some of the most beautiful scenery in the world along the way. Rotorua is one of the Pacific's most active thermal areas and is a place of vibrant Maori culture. Here you can view magnificent examples of mud pools, geysers and steaming fumaroles. The rest of today is at your leisure to Explore Rotorua. Visit the Polynesian Spa for Hot mineral bathing and spa therapies. Located in Hinemoa Street, Rotorua. Day four: Rotorua Explore more of Rotorua at your leisure. Visit Whakarewarewa, Rotorua's largest thermal reserve and the Pohutu Geyser, which erupts up to 31m high. Ride the gondola to the top of Mount Ngongotaha for the most breathtaking views. Visit the Agrodome sheep show. Visit a marae, enjoy a concert and hangi (traditional Maori meal). Day five: Rotorua - Taupo Drive to Taupo, a journey of approx 1 hour, 20 minutes. Lake Taupo is famous for rainbow and brown trout fishing. Taupo is the largest centre, located on the shores of the lake, this town offers a vast array of adventure activities in this thermally active part of the country. Take a ride with the Huka Jet. Here you can experience an exhilarating, close-up view of the Waikato River's biggest and most spectacular falls. Day six: Taupo - Waitomo Today drive to Waitomo, home to the famous Waitomo Caves (approx 2-1/2 hours drive). The Caves are the area's best known, world famous natural attraction with their vast caverns full of eerie stalactite and stalagmite formations. The huge network of limestone caves are home to millions of glowworms. Take a tour of your choice to admire the glowworms by boat, walks or blackwater rafting Day seven: Waitomo - Auckland Today you are to drive back to Auckland in time to meet your return flight. Your drive will take approximately 3 hours. If time permits stop along the way at the Otorohonga Kiwi House and Native Bird Park, where you get excellent views of the famous kiwi and other rare native birds. Drop off your rental vehicle as per your Rental Agreement.

Budget Motorhomes | Itineraries | Auckland Itineraries Overview |  7 Day Scenic Roadtrip