Waitomo–Rotorua Loop

Pick up your campervan from Auckland's branch and head to the city to explore the sights of the city of sails. Not sure where to stay the night? Our pick would be Takapuna Beach Holiday Park, just north of the city centre. Get a good rest before hitting the road in the morning. 

SH1 heads to Hamilton, New Zealand’s fourth-largest city. Make sure you visit Hamilton Gardens – a 50-hectare botanical bonanza. The city has an abundance of green spaces, such as the tranquil stretch of Waikato Riverbank adjacent to the centre of town. Here you’ll find a good selection of restaurants, cafes and bars.

SIDE TRIP - Raglan
If you fancy some beach time on the way to Waitomo, head west from Hamilton on SH23 to Raglan, around 45 minutes drive away. A sweet little town sprinkled with an ‘endless summer’ vibe, Raglan is famous for its surf beaches, with Manu Bay rumoured to have the world’s longest left-hand break. Nearby Ngarunui is a lovely place to while away a day, playing in gentler waves. Watch the sunset from Raglan Kopua Holiday Park, right on the beach and five minutes’ walk to town.

Return to SH3 and follow it through Waikato’s rolling green hills, stopping in Te Awamutu to smell the roses, and Otorohanga to stroll through the Ed Hillary Walkway for a shot of Kiwiana. Stock up here if you’re stopping overnight at Waitomo, 15 minutes’ away to the southwest.

Hidden amidst unprepossessing farmland, Waitomo Caves are a huge surprise – ancient limestone caverns, filled with stalactites, stalagmites and galaxies of glowworms. See the spectacle on a walking tour, or get wet-suited up and delve deeper into the inky abyss on a Legendary Black Water Rafting trip. Waitomo Top 10 Holiday Park is a lovely lawny park with the Huhu cafe and a brewpub next door.

SIDE TRIP - Marakopa Falls
For more not-to-be-missed natural wonders, drive 30 minutes west of Waitomo Caves on SH37 to Marokopa Falls where a short stroll through nikau palm forest leads to a viewpoint of arguably the most beautiful cascade in the country. On the way, stop at Mangapohue Natural Bridge, a staggering limestone gorge leading to a huge arch, the remains of an ancient cave system.

Although it’s marginally quicker to drive to Rotorua via Te Awamutu and Putaruru, a southerly route allows the option of detouring to Taupo. So, rejoin SH3 and head south to Te Kuiti, then across SH30 all the way to Rotorua. Good spots to stretch your legs are the Timber Trail in Pureora Forest near Barryville, and the Waikato River Trail at Whakamaru (20km beyond which SH30 crosses SH1 – it’s less than an hour’s drive south from there to Taupo).

An eggy smell and wafting steam betray the powerful natural forces at work beneath Rotorua. Head to the Rotorua Museum to learn about this region’s fascinating natural and human history, then experience the classic Rotorua combination of geothermal activity and vibrant Maori culture at either Te Puia or Whakarewarewa. For a therapeutic soak, dip into the architecturally fabulous Blue Baths or the private pools at the Polynesia Spa. There are numerous holiday parks close to the town centre; for bushier surrounds head 20 minutes’ drive southeast to Blue Lake Top 10 (great swimming) and Lake Okareka DOC campsite. To get to know the native forest, consider an award-winning Canopy Tour, just one of many exciting outdoor adventures around Rotorua.

Pick up SH5, known as the Thermal Explorer Highway, and drive northwest towards Auckland. On the edge of Rotorua is Zorb, where you can see folks rolling downhill in an over-sized beach ball. Feel free to give it a whirl. An alternative way to break the half-day journey back to Auckland is to call in for lunch in Cambridge, a tree-lined country town 23km shy of Hamilton, or detour to Hobbiton where more underground surprises await.

SIDE TRIP - Hobbiton
Tucked in a verdant hollow amongst rolling farmland, 20 minutes’ drive east of Cambridge, Tolkien’s Middle Earth shire was painstakingly reimagined for the block-busting Lord Of The Rings and Hobbit trilogies. Two-hour Hobbiton Tours provide a fascinating insight into moviemaking while viewing hobbit holes burrowed amidst gorgeous gardens, and finishing with a stein of ale at the Green Dragon Inn. It does get pretty busy over peak season - so make sure you book your spot in advance.