7-day Travel Plan – Auckland-Waitomo-Taupo-Rotorua

Explore the central North Island on an exciting 7-day itinerary, featuring thrilling adventures, impressive geysers, and stunning limestone caves filled with glowworms. This itinerary is perfect for all ages, families, group sizes and motorhome enthusiasts. In this blog, we'll provide a detailed itinerary and highlight interesting places to visit as you travel from town to town.

Itinerary

Day 1: Auckland to Waitomo (2 hr 30 min) – via SH1

Day 2: Waitomo

Day 3: Waitomo to Taupo (1 hr 53 min)

Day 4: Taupo

Day 5: Taupo to Rotorua (1 hr 18 min)

Day 6: Rotorua

Day 7: Rotorua to Auckland (3 hr 11 min) – via SH27 + SH2

Day 1 – Auckland to Waitomo

Places to visit:

Hamilton Gardens: Hamilton Gardens is a large and elaborate botanical garden that features themed gardens from different parts of the world, as well as an impressive sculpture garden and extravagant themed enclosed gardens.
Hamilton Zoo: Hamilton Zoo is one of the most popular tourist destinations in New Zealand. The zoo features 600 animals from all over the world, including a walk-through aviary and cafe/picnic areas.
Te Awamutu Space Centre: Te Awamutu Space Centre is a museum and activity centre suitable for all ages. Most visitors arrive with no more than a curiosity about space, but end up finding it way more interesting and fun than they imagined.

Day 2 – Waitomo

Places to visit:

Staying at Waitomo Top 10 Holiday Park puts you in a very central location to easily visit and experience all that the region has to offer. Some of the many amazing things to see and do in Waitomo include:

The Glowworm Caves
Black Water Rafting & Caving
Ruakuri Cave
Otorohanga Kiwi House
Waitomo Clay Pigeon Shooting

Day 3 – Waitomo to Taupo

Places to visit:

The Timber Trail: The Timber Trail follows the path of old logging roads and tramlines, linked with a purpose-built single track and a series of thrilling suspension bridges. It runs between the tiny settlements of Pureora and Ongarue, with even smaller Piropiro around the halfway mark.
Waikato River Trails: Ride or walk; there are five trail sections that follow New Zealand’s longest river through native bush, exotic forest, remote farmland, boardwalks, streams, suspension bridges, and magnificent hydropower dams.
Mangakino: A special little holiday spot where you can experience true relaxation in a friendly New Zealand community. Mangakino is a well-known destination for those keen on wakeboarding, waterskiing, rowing, and powerboating.
Whakamaru: Nearby are the Whakamaru, Maraetai, Waipapa, Atiamuri, and Ohakuri hydro lakes and dams, which are all popular for swimming, boating, fishing, picnicking, and hiking, offering stunning scenery in all directions.

Day 4 – Taupo

Places to visit:

Taupo is the adventure capital of the North Island, and its stunning beauty makes this stay a real treat. Some of the many things to do here are:

Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland
Raft the mighty Tongariro River
Enjoy a volcanic wine and craft beer tour
Cruise on Lake Taupō
Bungy Jumping & Bungy Swinging

Day 5 – Taupo to Rotorua

Places to visit:

Visit the thundering Huka Falls: This incredible waterfall is the most-visited natural attraction in New Zealand. It’s hard to tear your gaze away from the endless, mesmerizing torrent.
Lava Glass Blowing Studio: Lava Glass is an amazing art gallery that features a glassblowing studio and sculpture garden. The gallery is perfect for anyone interested in the art of glassblowing.
Huka Prawn Park is a fun-filled day out for the whole family that offers visitors the chance to try their hand at catching prawns.
Aratiatia Rapids: A picturesque dam opens its gates several times a day to unleash a rush of water down the river.
Orakei Korako Cave & Thermal Park: If you're looking for an out-of-the-ordinary tourist attraction in the Taupo region, this park features some of the most active geysers in New Zealand.

Day 6 – Rotorua

Places to visit:

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest
Agrodome Farm
Te Puia, Cultural Hub
Whakarewarewa - The Living Maori Village
Waimangu Volcanic Valley
Kuirau Geothermal Park
Volcanic Hills Winery

Day 7 – Rotorua to Auckland

Places to visit:

Matamata: Hobbiton Movie Set Tours is a sheep farm that offers guided tours of the filming location for the Shire scenes in the Lord of the Rings movies. Visitors can explore a complete set of Hobbiton, which includes different-sized hobbit holes and speciality houses such as those for beekeepers, gardeners, and lumberjacks. Watch the movies first! Matamata is the "Home of the Shire."
Miranda Hot Springs: Miranda Hot Springs is a popular spot for locals and tourists to relax in the thermal waters. This natural spa offers a leisurely experience with no time limit, lockers for belongings, and delicious fish and chips available on-site.

And here is the perfect spot to finish off this itinerary and head back home to Auckland. If you are planning on coming to visit Waitomo, contact us now and secure your accommodation nice and early.