By car, Rotorua is a 3.5hr drive from Auckland. Drive south along State Highway 2, SH25 and onto SH5 that leads into Rotorua
It’s a 6hr drive from Wellington. InterCity Bus operates daily services between Wellington and Rotorua and departs from Platform 9 of the Wellington Railway Station and arrives in Rotorua outside the i-SITE at 1167 Fenton St
From Taupo, a car ride takes around 1 hr and from Tauranga, it’s 1hr 15mins
Baybus runs a regular service throughout the Bay of Plenty and Rotorua region
GrayLine Tours and Great Sights both operate single and return tours to Rotorua
Things to see:
Lake Rotorua
Polynesian Spa
Government Gardens
Mount Tarawera
Wairere Falls
Lady Knox Geyser
Wai-O-Tapu
Te Puia Pohutu Geyser
Papakura Geyser
Te Horu Geyser
Purapurawhetu Mud Pool
Te Tohu Geyser
Tips:
The Buried Village of Te Wairoa is a deserted village located close to the shore of Lake Tarawera. It is a 15min drive from Rotorua city and located along Tarawera Road
Don’t forget to visit the Waitomo Caves decorated with glow-worms. The caves are about a 1hr 55min drive from Rotorua via SH5, SH28 & SH3
Stop at Lake Whakamaru or explore the beautiful Pureora Forest Park