Rotorua/Taupo/Waitomo

Your trip begins from Auckland as you head south to Rotorua following state highway one until you join state highway 2, state highway 27 and finally state highway 5 into Rotorua.

The city of Rotorua sits squarely on the Pacific Ring of Fire, so there’s evidence of volcanic activity everywhere you look.  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. Here you will see the Pacifics most active thermal regions and magnificent examples of boiling mud pools, spouting geysers, steaming fumaroles and massive water-filled craters.  The city nestles beside the region’s largest such crater, Lake Rotorua.  Rotorua is well known for its vast array of adventure activities.  These include unique experiences invented by Kiwis, such as bungy jumping, jet boating, zorbing and the city’s newest adventure, shweebing.  You will want to spend at least 2 days here so you can take part in all that this city has to offer.

When you are ready head for Taupo which is only an hours drive from Rotorua.  Taupo is famous for its trout fishing and the thundering Huka Falls.  Taupo is situated on the shores of Australasia’s largest fresh water lake and has been heralded as “The Events Capital of New Zealand”. 

From Taupo head to Waitomo Caves  which is one of New Zealand’s favourite attractions.  Deep beneath the ground the vast Waitomo Caves are full of eerie stalactite and stalagmite formations lit by millions of tiny glowworms.  For those wanting a more gentle experience the Waitomo Glowworm cave is famous for its magnificent glowworm grotto. 

From here take a leisurely drive back to Auckland .

Out West Discovery

From Auckland City travel along the North-Western Motorway (Route16) taking the 2nd exit off.  There is a brown sign saying “Twin Coast Discovery – Great North Road, which is approx 5 mins drive along this motorway (as long as there isn’t gridlock) from Auckland  City.  Veer left onto Great North Road, stay on this road and you pass the Avondale Racecourse on your left.  The road now becomes Rata Street.  Continue on this road past the big sing “The Warehouse” on your left.  At the traffic lights here (Great North Road & Rata Street) go straight ahead.  You are now on  Titirangi Road – be careful, there are often speed cameras on this road.  Staying on this road to the charming village  of  Titirangi.  Stop now and take a break for some great coffee and  great food.   Fill up at the Shell Service station here – there is no petrol  at Piha.  At the far end of this village is a round-about, take the 2nd left turn, signposted to Piha –Scenic Drive.  You will pass the Arataki Visitors Centre and it is well worth calling in as it is the gatewy to the Waitakere Ranges.  Here you can pick up information brochures or track maps to help you find your way around the park should you wish.  The views of the Ranges from here are breathtaking.  As you pass the Elevation Licensed Café & Restaurant on the right, be sure to take the “low road” on the left to Piha, Continue on this road for approximately 12-15 minutes and you are in Piha.  Take in the stunning views of the West Coast as you drive down Piha Road, Stop at the lookout (along with heaps of others) and take a photo of your first impressions.  The scenery and surf here are big!! This is a great place for adventurous souls. Pack your boogie board, Frisbee, sun umbrella and some goodies to eat and you’re set for the day.  Please do swim between the flags and only when the surf patrol is on duty as this coast line can be very demanding even for the most experienced swimmer or surfer.  There are plenty of  tracks for walkers and pohutukawa to picnic under.  There is accommodation at Piha should  you choose to stay the night here.

From Piha you can travel to Karekare Beach which is not for those who prefer safe landscapes.  There is an over-powering sense of place here.  The moment you arrive you know this is a special place.  At the ca park you can hear the booming surf.  It comes at you like rolling thunder, echoing off the valley walls and pushing into your ears.

Heading back up the coast and past Piha you come to Bethells Beach (Te Henga) . What a place to refresh – blow away cobwebs and get away from it all.  Bethells/Te Henga means sand – black sand for almost as far as you can see.  A beach tower breaks up the skyline, the base for guards watching over the surf “frolickers”.  People love to go fishing here.    Heading up the coast again and you come to Muriwai Beach where you will find the spectacular gannet colony.  Early in the 20th Century a gannet colony established itself on the island of Oaia off the coast of Muriwai.  Since around 1975 birds began nesting on the cliffs of Muriwai due to overcrowding on the island. The best viewing conditions are in a good breeze as  the birds fly higher and there is greater flying activity when it is windy.  It pays to bring binoculars, you will see much much more.  Don’t forget to look down into the water too, occasionally you can see Maui’s dolphin feeding in the sea quite close to shore and sometimes there are NZ fur seals basking on the rocks at the foot of Motutara Island.  Go down to Maori Bay to take a look at the pillow lava formations  in the cliffs above (these are lava flows that originated under water).

So much to do that you might want to extend your stay  and explore other beaches on this great coastline.