An outstanding road trip from Auckland to Taupo

Taupo is one of the main tourist highlight of New Zealand. The North Island of the country is flooded with tourists who explore this spectacular place. A road trip from Auckland to Taupo will take around four and a half hour. The journey will give you the opportunity to stop at many beautiful and happening places. The best way to have an amazing experience on your journey is by splitting your trip into a few days. If you are planning to go on a road trip then December is the ideal month. The IRONMAN event is a must attend to all the travelers.

Auckland

Starting from Auckland, travelling south on SH1 you will pass by beautiful farmland. The journey will give you the chance to pass the Bombay hills marking the boundary between the Auckland and Waikato regions.

Your journey will then take you to Te Kawhata. While passing this region you will get an amazing view of the Waikato River- the longest river of New Zealand. After this amazing experience, you will reach the town of Huntly. This town is a mining station that is present on the side of the river. You will then continue to Hamilton the site of New Zealand’s only tea plantation, with plenty of cafes and The Hamilton Gardens.

Cambridge

You can leave the traffic of Hamilton and take a left towards Cambridge via Gordonton just before Ngaruawahia. The trip on this road will be full of sights of paddocks of dairy farms. Cambridge is a place that is known for the horses. Most of the best horse breeders are found here. Cambridge is a town of lively and friendly people. To the south of Cambridge is the beautiful Lake Karapiro where Rowing regattas are a regular event. After this, there is a half an hour drive to Matamata.

After this, you will pass through Tirau. This is a place that has small bustling cafes. Look out for the Information Centre in the shape of a Sheep Dog.

Rotorua

After you cross the Mamaku district the volcanic regions of Rotorua become more prominent. Rotorua is the largest Geothermal region in New Zealand with plenty of active geothermal sights to see. They were formed millions of years ago and are visible due to the erosion of the soil. The place is filled with events that will surprise you and hopefully delight you, make sure you allow time to stop and have a good look around.

Taupo

After this, the road takes you to Taupo. Beautiful Lake Taupo is actually a huge volcano with a fiery history. Its most recent eruption, in 181 AD, was large enough to change the sky as far away as Europe and China. According to Maori legend, the lake is the pulsating heart of Maui’s fish (New Zealand’s North Island).

The lakeside town of Taupo provides a base for visitors who love to fish for trout, ski Mount Ruapehu and explore the local geothermal phenomena. Popular Taupo experiences include Huka Falls, geothermal walks, a prawn farm, lake cruises, New Zealand’s first public cable wakeboarding park and guided kayak expeditions to see the rock carvings at Mine Bay.

Lake Taupo is a fantastic region for year-round mountain biking, with the recent completion of the Great Lake Trail. Along with cycling, there’s excellent hiking and golf opportunities.

A spectacular road trip from Wellington to Taupo

I cannot think of a better place to drive in other than New Zealand. And if you are thinking of a road trip then there can be no better time other than the IRONMAN 70.3 event in Lake Taupo. December marks the beginning of this event. The breathtaking landscapes and the scenic beauty that surrounds you will make your soul happy.

Wellington

Wellington is a place that is compact and full of culture. The area is situated between the harbor and the hills. The downtown area of the city can be easily explored on foot. The specialty of this spectacular place is dance, theatre, and musical performances and of curse the home of our Government.

Your road trip will begin with your ride to Martinborough. While crossing this place you will pass through the Hutt Valley and this will further lead you to the Rimutaka Range. The drive will then get more entertaining after you descend into the Wairarapa range. After this, a beautiful and spectacular place will be found in the way- Featherston. The place has an incredible locomotive museum. After this, drive towards the east in the direction of Martinborough. This place is full of vineyards and interesting restaurants.

Palmerston North

The drive further is filled with the beautiful and scenic beauty. There’s no denying that Greytown is one of the prettiest towns in the North Island with its Victorian buildings, tree-lined streets and surrounding rural landscape speckled with rivers, olive groves and farms. The journey will take you to Masterton. Masterton is the largest town in Wairarapa region, and extremely family friendly.
In the centre of town is the beautiful Queen Elizabeth Park, which has one of the best children’s playgrounds in New Zealand as well as a flying fox, paddle boats, bike hire, miniature train, skate park, swing bridge and mini golf course. Just across the road is Aratoi: Wairarapa Museum of Art & History which holds exhibitions of national significance and explores the region’s history and stories.

The drive towards the Palmerston North will be filled with breathtaking scenes. While driving in the direction of Palmerston North you will find a wildlife sanctuary and amazing town of Eketahuna. After this do stop at Manawatu Gorge if you want to go for an adventure. The place has exemplary bungy jumping and rock climbing offers.

Palmerston North is a splendid place. Heritage collections, art galleries and urban street art are prominent in Palmerston North, and go hand in hand with the colourful array of cafes and dinning options that will take your taste buds on a tour of the world. Take a look around and visit the rose gardens and museums.

Tongariro National Park

After visiting the Palmerston North drive towards Taupo. The Tongariro National Park is something that attracts tourists to this place. The 196 Km ride is an amazing experience. The beauty that you will experience will make your day and enlighten your mood.

Turangi

After experiencing the amazing beauty of the national park, drive towards Turangi. As the unofficial trout fishing headquarters of New Zealand, Turangi invites you to call in and drop a line. The town is on the banks of the Tongariro River, Lake Taupo is only four kilometres away and the Tauranga-Taupo River (another trout haven) is just to the east. For the ultimate trout experience visit the Tongariro National Trout Centre, a hatchery run by the Department of Conservation.

Taupo

After this amazing road takes you to Taupo. Beautiful Lake Taupo is actually a huge volcano with a fiery history. Its most recent eruption, in 181 AD, was large enough to change the sky as far away as Europe and China. According to Maori legend, the lake is the pulsating heart of Maui’s fish (New Zealand’s North Island).