The North Island Thermal Explorer Itinerary

Collect your rental car this morning and start your journey by heading South from Auckland, the City of Sails. You will embark on a leisurely scenic drive to the stunning Waitomo Caves.

Under Waitomo’s rolling green hills you will discover the labyrinth of amazing limestone caves, sinkholes and underground rivers.

Exploring the dark caves, your eyes will be lit up by thousands of New Zealand’s unique softly shining glow worms who call the caves home. The maze of limestone caves were created over thousands of years as underground streams pushed through the soft rock to create the intriguing caverns.

As you return back to daylight you will continue on your road trip towards Rotorua, the cultural centre of NZ.

Accommodation: Rotorua - 3 nights 

Approximate distance: 327.5 km | 203.5 miles   Driving time:  4 hours 45 mins

Kiwi Encounter at Rainbow Springs Nature Park

Drop in and meet New Zealand's national bird - the Kiwi - at Rainbow Springs Nature Park. Rainbow Springs is proud to be home of the National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa, the world's leading kiwi hatchery - with over over 1900 kiwi chicks to date, making us the world's largest and most successful hatching centre. Learn all about the efforts of our kiwi husbandry team, discover what it takes to hatch a chick...and if you're really lucky, see baby chicks in person!

Te Puia - Te Po Evening Maori Concert

The ultimate way to experience Maori culture and the geothermal environment is at Te Puia where geothermal wonders are combined with Maori Culture. This afternoon  you will have both the Te Rā Daytime Pass, an exclusive guided tour, plus a banquet of storytelling, entertainment and authentic Māori kai (indigenous food) under lights. 

Embark on a magical zip-line journey through untouched native New Zealand forest, and later witness the famous haka performed before your very eyes.

Rotorua Canopy Guided Eco Tour
High above the forest floor, you'll zip between tree platforms in a stunning redwood forest on a 3 hour guided eco-tour. Suspended up to 22 metres (72 feet) high amongst ancient trees, this journey takes you through an incredible network of trails, tree platforms, zip-lines (flying fox) and swing bridges. Experience the thrill of flying through the changing landscapes with native birdsong ringing in your ears.

End your day with a luxurious soak at the award-winning Polynesian Spa. Here you can lie back in the seclusion of your own private pool and let your cares melt away.
 

Drive back to Auckland today and return your rental car to Auckland Airport where your short but enlightening Rotorua experience ends but the memories you take with you, will live on forever.

Approximate Distance: 228 km | 163 miles  Total Drive Time: 2 hours 49 mins