Rotorua & Taupō: Geothermal Wonders and Adventure
If you are planning a New Zealand adventure this summer, then it’s likely that Rotorua and Taupō will be high on your list of potential destinations.
Rotorua and Taupō are two of the best North Island road trips for geothermal sights, hot pools and adventure, linked by a scenic 80-kilometre drive that takes about an hour on State Highway 5. Between them, you can pack Hobbiton tours, colourful geothermal parks like Wai O Tapu, family-friendly hot pools, the thundering Huka Falls and the Skyline gondola into a two to four day self-drive itinerary that works for couples, families and backpackers alike.
At RaD, we have car hire branches in both locations, and our teams are very passionate about their local areas, making them the ideal tour guides when you are planning a trip.
Whether you’re a Kiwi planning their first trip to this geothermal paradise or an international visitor looking to pack as much as possible into a summer adventure, this guide is the perfect starting point for planning your trip. You can also check out our in-depth guides to discover the best things to see and do in Rotorua and Taupō.
Why pair Rotorua and Taupō on a road trip
Rotorua and Taupō sit in the heart of the Taupō Volcanic Zone, a geologically active region known for geysers, steaming lakes and geothermal power. Rotorua is famous for Māori culture and geothermal attractions, while Taupō adds New Zealand’s most visited natural attraction Huka Falls, lake based adventures and free riverside hot pools. Learn more on the official Love Taupo site.
The destinations are only about 80 kilometres apart, which means a drive time of roughly 1 hour on SH5, depending on traffic, but always allow more, especially during the peak season. Many travellers stretch this to a half or full day because the route passes major stops such as Wai O Tapu, Waimangu Volcanic Valley and Huka Falls. This is a route suitable for any of our rental cars, from 2WD and 4WD vehicles to minibuses and more, year-round, as the highway is fully sealed and the car parks at main attractions are sealed or compacted gravel.
RaD Rotorua & Taupō tip: Staff at both branches recommend at least two nights in the region if you want to combine geothermal parks, lake activities and relaxed hot pool sessions. With RaD, you can always collect in one town, drop in the other if you are continuing a longer North Island road trip, or you may simply be passing through the area on a much bigger road trip, having picked up in a main hub like Auckland or Christchurch in the South Island.
Must visit Rotorua attractions
Rotorua is often described as a geothermal wonderland where Māori culture lives alongside geysers, mud pools and hot lakes. Most key Rotorua attractions are within a 10- to 20-minute drive of the town centre, which makes it very easy to explore with a rental car.
Geothermal parks and Māori culture
Te Puia and Whakarewarewa
Te Puia combines the 60 hectare Te Whakarewarewa geothermal valley with Māori cultural experiences. Here you can see Pōhutu Geyser, the largest active geyser in the Southern Hemisphere, along with over 500 bubbling geothermal features. Day passes often include access to the kiwi nocturnal house and the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, where you can see carving and weaving in action. Nearby Whakarewarewa - The Living Māori Village - offers guided walks through an inhabited village where residents use geothermal vents for cooking and communal bathing.
Wai O Tapu Thermal Wonderland
Wai O Tapu is frequently described as one of New Zealand’s most colourful geothermal attractions, featuring the bright Champagne Pool, Artist’s Palette and vivid mud pools. It sits roughly halfway between Rotorua and Taupō, which makes it ideal as a stop on the drive or a half-day trip from either town.
RaD Rotorua staff tip: Start your day at Te Puia or Whakarewarewa, then head to a free lakeside walk such as Government Gardens and the lakefront to give kids or jet-lagged travellers a break from sulphur smells before tackling another geothermal park.
Skyline Rotorua and family-friendly adventure
Skyline Rotorua combines a gondola ride up Mt Ngongotahā with luge tracks, ziplines and mountain biking. This makes it one of the most popular Rotorua attractions for families because different ages can pick their level of adrenaline while sharing the same base.
Family note: Luge tracks are tiered by difficulty, so you can keep younger riders on easier routes while teens choose advanced lanes. Many families buy multi-ride passes to spread runs through the day.
Hot pools and spas
Rotorua is known for its mineral-rich hot pools, which range from simple lakeside pools to full spa complexes. Polynesian Spa on the lakefront is one of the best-known paid options, while smaller complexes and private pools around the city cater to different budgets.
RaD Rotorua staff tip: Keep an older towel or change of clothes in the boot so sulphur smells and damp swimwear do not dominate your rental car. Our team also remind visitors not to wear silver jewellery in strongly sulphuric pools as it can tarnish quickly.
Must visit Taupō attractions
Taupō is built beside Lake Taupō, New Zealand’s largest lake, and acts as a base for lake cruises, trout fishing, skydiving and geothermal walks. It is also home to Huka Falls and popular free hot pools along the Waikato River.
Huka Falls and riverside trails
Huka Falls is a short but extremely powerful waterfall where the Waikato River narrows and forces up to about 200,000 litres of water each second through a tight volcanic channel before plunging roughly 9 to 11 metres. Viewpoints and bridges allow you to watch bright blue water surge out into a wider pool, and interpretation panels explain the flow rates and hazards.
- The Spa Thermal Park - Huka Falls Walkway is a popular 3-kilometre track each way that follows the river from Taupō’s Spa Thermal Park to the falls; most walkers take around 2 hours return.
- Many visitors start or finish with a soak at Otumuheke Stream, a free hot stream that flows into the Waikato River beside Spa Thermal Park.
RaD Taupō staff tip: If you prefer to avoid the busiest viewing deck times, walk in from Spa Thermal Park early in the morning - the track is scenic, parking is free, and you can soak in the hot stream on your way back into town.
Hot pools and lake-based fun
In addition to the free Otumuheke Stream, Taupō has several commercial hot pool complexes fed by geothermal water which offer family pools, hydroslides and adults only areas. On the lake you can book cruises to Māori rock carvings at Mine Bay or try kayaking and stand up paddleboarding in sheltered bays.
Adventure activities
Taupō is known for skydiving with views across Lake Taupō to Tongariro National Park. Altitudes commonly range from about 9,000 to 16,500 feet depending on the operator. White water rafting, jet boating below Huka Falls and mountain biking in nearby forests round out the adventure mix.
RaD Taupō staff tip: If you plan a skydive, book for the morning when winds are often lighter. You can then keep the afternoon free for more flexible activities such as lakefront walks, mini golf or the free hot pools in case weather forces a time change.
Best stops on the drive between Rotorua and Taupō
The one-hour Rotorua to Taupō drive on SH5 is one of the most rewarding short North Island road trips because it threads through geothermal attractions, forest reserves and hot streams.
Top stops include:
- Wai O Tapu Thermal Wonderland for Champagne Pool, Artist’s Palette and vivid geothermal terraces.
- Waimangu Volcanic Valley, which offers walking tracks and boat cruises through a young geothermal valley created by the 1886 Tarawera eruption.
- Kerosene Creek a rustic hot stream and waterfall popular with budget travellers - check current safety advice and respect signage before visiting.
- Rainbow Mountain Scenic Reserve, where a short walk to crater lakes and a longer summit track give views across Rotorua, Lake Taupō and Tongariro National Park; entry is free.
Most of our team in both Taupō and Rotorua agree that Wai O Tapu is the single must-see stop between the two destinations, with Huka Falls acting as a natural finale once you reach Taupō.
RaD joint tip: If you are travelling with children, pick one major paid geothermal park - often Wai O Tapu - then fill the rest of the drive with shorter free stops and lookouts so you avoid “geothermal fatigue”.
Family-friendly ideas and where to eat
Both towns work well for families because so many headline attractions are short walks or rides rather than long hikes.
Easy wins for kids
- Short geothermal walks at Te Puia, Whakarewarewa, Wai O Tapu or Waimangu with clear signage and boardwalks.
- Skyline Rotorua luging plus a soak in a family-friendly hot pool complex.
- In Taupō, the Spa Thermal Park - Huka Falls walk, lakefront playgrounds and easy cruises to Mine Bay carvings.
Food suggestions from RaD staff
- Rotorua: staff often point visitors to Eat Streat, a semi-covered dining area near the lakefront where you can find everything from pub meals to Asian fusion which works well for mixed groups and families.
- Taupō: the lakefront strip has bakeries, burger spots and cafés with outdoor seating; many travellers grab takeaway and eat by the water while kids play on the grass.
- On SH5 between the towns, petrol stations and small cafés give you chances to refuel your car and people. Staff recommend topping up before late afternoon as some rural businesses close early outside peak season.
You get more eating out tips in our dedicated guides to Rotorua and Taupō.
Hobbiton as an add-on to a Rotorua & Taupō trip
Hobbiton Movie Set near Matamata is not between Rotorua and Taupō, but is a natural add-on to a central North Island loop that also visits these towns. The attraction offers guided tours through sets used for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films, including hobbit holes and the Green Dragon Inn and has quickly become one of the most visited film-related attractions in New Zealand.
Route idea:
- Drive from Auckland to Hobbiton; tour in the morning.
- Continue to Rotorua for geothermal parks and hot pools.
- Then drive SH5 to Taupō for Huka Falls and lake adventures before looping back north or onward to Tongariro.
RaD staff in Rotorua note that many international visitors pick up a car in Auckland, stop at Hobbiton and then use Rotorua as their first multi-night base before continuing to Taupō and beyond.
FAQ - Rotorua & Taupō geothermal wonders and adventure
How long is the drive between Rotorua and Taupō?
The distance is about 80 to 85 kilometres on State Highway 5, and most drivers take around 1 hour without stops; many travellers stretch this to 3 to 7 hours to include Wai O Tapu, Waimangu Volcanic Valley, Rainbow Mountain and Huka Falls.
Do I need a 4WD to drive between Rotorua and Taupō?
No. SH5 is a fully sealed, well-maintained highway suitable for all standard rental cars, and all major attractions on the route have sealed or compacted gravel car parks, so a regular 2WD is fine year-round.
What is the must see geothermal attraction on this route?
Many guides and travellers highlight Wai O Tapu Thermal Wonderland as the single must-see stop, thanks to its Champagne Pools, Artist’s Palette and other colourful geothermal features which showcase the Taupō Volcanic Zone at its most dramatic.
How powerful is Huka Falls, and is the walk family-friendly?
Huka Falls sends about 200,000 litres of water every second through a narrow gorge before a drop of around 9 to 11 metres, creating a short but spectacular waterfall; the Spa Thermal Park - Huka Falls track is about 3 kilometres each way and is considered an easy, family-friendly riverside walk.
Are Rotorua and Taupō suitable for families with young children?
Yes. Both destinations offer short accessible walks, hot pools, playgrounds and family-focused attractions such as Skyline Rotorua and lake cruises, and many geothermal parks provide clear paths and viewing platforms so you can safely enjoy the landscapes with kids.
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