Wellington to Rotorua: North Island road trip guide

The North Island of New Zealand is an amazing place to visit, with volcanoes, national parks and plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy as you soak up the amazing scenery around you. And what better way to experience it all than on a Wellington to Rotorua road trip?

It’s time to buckle up and enjoy one of our favourite road trips around New Zealand, creating memories that will last a lifetime. With stops like Whanganui and Tongapōrutu, our road trip itinerary from Wellington to Rotorua will help you to discover this country’s great outdoors at their finest!

Our Wellington to Rotorua Road Trip Itinerary

Stop 1: Wellington to Whanganui

Distance: 194km

Driving time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Before you head off on this road trip, it’s worth spending a night or two at aWellington holiday park to enjoy some of the amazing sites this capital city has to offer. With a huge waterfront promenade, sandy beaches and some gorgeous botanic gardens, there’s plenty to keep you busy.

Whanganu makes the perfect stop on your Wellington to Rotorua road trip. It’s a place you can simply pass through and soak up in a day, or stay a night or two if you have the time. There are plenty of spots to choose from including Whanganui River Top 10 Holiday Park, Caroline’s Outback Camping Ground and Anzac Parade Freedom Camping.

Take yourself on a walk around Virginia Lake or Westmere Lake and if you’re up for it, make the climb up the Durie Hill Tower. If you’ve got a little time the Bushy Park Wildlife Sanctuary makes a great place to visit, with 3.4km of walking tracks through the forest.

If you’re after a little more culture, head to the Whanganui Regional Museums with its famous Taonga Maori Collection. Whanganui is also famous for its glass art with more than 400 resident artists living in the area. You can see why it might be worth spending a night here!

Stop 2: Whanganui to Tongapōrutu

Distance: 212km

Driving time: 2 hours 38 minutes

Tongapōrutu is home to the Three Sisters Beach, which is easy to miss if you don’t know it’s there! It’s just a short and rocky walk away, but one that is well worth taking. These 25-metre rock formations are the perfect spot for a photo and some amazing views. You can also keep an eye out for the Maori rock drawings that are scratched inside the nearby caves.

When you’re done, head to the aptly named Three Sisters Burger Bar for a bite to eat. There are plenty of nice walks you can take during your stay, but there’s nothing wrong with using this place as a stop off on your way to Rotorua.

If you do stay, head to the Waitoetoe Campsite on the beach for some great views during your stay. You can also use Tongapōrutu as a base to explore the rest of the Taranaki region, including New Plymouth, Mount Taranaki, and the many museums scattered in the region.

Stop 3: Tongapōrutu to Rotorua

Distance: 225km

Driving time: 2 hours 51 minutes

It’s well worth staying a night or two in Rotorua to experience everything on offer. Use your first afternoon there to check out the hot springs at Kerosene Creek for a nice and natural soak with some amazing bushland surrounding you. It’s just 22 minutes from Rotorua and the perfect way to relax.

Head to one of their many campsites for the night (or two), including All Seasons Holiday Park Rotorua, Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park and Rotorua Top 10 Holiday Park. The next morning, make your way to the Rotorua Canopy Tours and enjoy the early morning in the forest as the sunlight hits through the trees. This award-winning forest adventure is full of zip lines, swing bridges and treetop platforms for you to get in touch with your inner thrill seeker.

If you have a little more time, head to Mount Tarawera, where you will find a lakeside volcano with plenty of hiking trails to make your way around. It’s a place that’s full of adventure with so many different ways for you to explore, from rafting to cycling and more.

Plan Your Wellington To Rotorua Road Trip

There’s so much to see and do on the North Island, there’s no need to stop your Wellington to Rotorua road trip there! Keep going up to Auckland in your campervan and check out some of the amazing coastal spots all the way up to Cape Reinga.

If you’re restricted by time, turnaround and head back to Wellington via Taupo, followed by Palmerston North. You can do the whole trip in a day or break it up with a night to make the most of it.

Wherever you wander, starting your trip withcampervan hire in Wellington will have you ready to explore all the Island has to offer in the best way possible!