■ THE COROMANDEL ■ BAY OF PLENTY ■ EASTLAND ■ HAWKE’S BAY ■ RUAPEHU ■ LAKE TAUPO ■ ROTORUA ■ HAMILTON & WAIKATO 12/14 Contents Section Page Number ■ Driving Times 004 ■ eXplore Central North Island Map 005 ■ Introduction 006 - 007 ■ Suggested Itineraries 008 - 016 ■ The Coromandel 017 ■ Bay of Plenty 027 ■ Eastland 039 ■ Hawke’s Bay 049 ■ Ruapehu 065 ■ Lake Taupo- 073 ■ Rotorua 085 ■ Hamilton & Waikato 103 THERMAL EXPLORER HIGHWAY PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY VOLCANIC LOOP HIGHWAY 12/ 14 eXplore Central North Island Welcome to an adventure through the Central North Island of New Zealand. These easy to navigate touring routes Heading inland the regions of the Thermal were created after the Regional Tourism Explorer Highway include Visit Ruapehu, Destination Great Lake Taupo, Destination Organisations of the Central North Island Rotorua Marketing and Hamilton & decided to work together to promote the Waikato Tourism. The Volcanic Loop is an area as one destination. exciting add-on to the Thermal Explorer Highway and takes in the eastern shores The Regional Tourism Organisations of Lake Taupo and Ruapehu regions. of the eXplore Central North Island These organisations are non-profi t and regions (formerly known as the Great are devoted to promoting the areas they New Zealand Touring Route) start on represent and assisting you, the travel the Pacifi c Coast Highway and include trade, in selling and obtaining information Tourism Coromandel, Tourism Bay of on the regions of the Pacifi c Coast Plenty, Tourism Eastland and Hawke’s Highway and Thermal Explorer Highway. Bay Tourism. 002 eXplore Central North Island Unique scenery and adventure awaits all who travel the two diverse touring routes of the Pacifi c Coast Highway and the Thermal Explorer Highway with the Volcanic Loop extension that makes up one of the best recognised touring routes in the world – eXplore Central North Island. eXplore Central North Island been fl ying Trans Tasman to and from Virgin Australia provides direct trans – Two International Gateways Sydney with Air New Zealand since Tasman services to and from Brisbane, The Central North Island regions have December 2009. The Airport is also Australia and Air New Zealand offers never been more accessible with the connected to every other New Zealand daily domestic connections to the rest two international gateway airports of centre on the Air New Zealand domestic of New Zealand. Rotorua International Airport and Hamilton network. International Airport receiving fl ights Hamilton International Airport has grown directly from Australia. rapidly since 1989 with the introduction Rotorua International Airport has been of international operations in 1996 and the gateway for travellers around New extensions to the terminal building and Zealand for the past 40 years, and has runway to cater for increased services. 003 eXplore Central North Island Information Driving Distances and Times AUCKLAND GISBORNE HAMILTON THAMES TAURANGA NAPIER WHAKAPAPA TAUPO ROTORUA WAITOMO WHAKATANE 449 126 114 205 421 346 278 233 200 302 AUCKLAND 8.20 394 410 298 216 429 332 286 437 202 GISBORNE 1.40 5.00 108 106 245 219 152 108 075 192 HAMILTON measured in kilometresmeasured 1.30 7.05 1.30 116 345 303 206 164 185 212 THAMES 2.30 5.00 1.30 2.05 309 236 156 086 151 096 Distance TAURANGA 5.30 3.00 3.45 5.45 4.30 240 143 223 306 308 NAPIER 4.30 6.00 3.00 4.15 3.15 3.15 097 177 159 262 WHAKAPAPA 3.45 5.25 2.00 3.10 2.55 1.30 1.15 080 164 167 TAUPO 3.00 4.50 1.30 2.40 1.30 3.15 2.30 1.20 166 085 ROTORUA 2.30 6.50 1.00 2.30 2.15 4.45 2.15 2.00 2.00 235 WAITOMO WHAKATANE 5.00 3.20 2.35 3.25 1.20 4.30 3.45 2.45 1.25 3.30 Time is shown in approximate hours and minutes Highway Information PACIFIC COAST THERMAL EXPLORER VOLCANIC LOOP HIGHWAY HIGHWAY HIGHWAY Pacifi c Coast Highway Thermal Explorer Highway The Volcanic Loop The Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Eastland and Ruapehu, Lake Taupo, Rotorua and Hamilton & An exciting ‘add on’ to the Thermal Explorer Hawke’s Bay. Glittering white sand, crystal clear Waikato. The Thermal Explorer Highway is well Highway. Heading south, the eastern shores of rolling surf beaches and beautiful harbours, the sign posted along the entire route which allows Lake Taupo offer many opportunities to swim or Pacifi c Coast Highway traverses the spectacular for safe navigation through some of the most picnic. Head west at Turangi and follow State east coast of New Zealand’s North Island. The dramatic landscapes of the Central North Island. Highway 47 to National Park Village. Travel south Pacifi c Coast Highway is well signposted along See a myriad of crystal clear lakes, the spiritual on State Highway 4 then follow State Highway 49 the entire route, giving a safe and easy way to home of the Maori of Te Arawa, and experience to Ohakune and Waiouru. From there head north navigate through some of the most spectacular nature’s awesome earth forces- bubbling mud back to Turangi, completing the loop. Along the coastal scenery New Zealand has to offer. pools, spouting geysers and natural geothermal way you’ll pass the three mountains of the dual Travellers will be among the fi rst people to see mineral pools alongside the life and pastimes of world heritage Tongariro National Park - the sun as it rises majestically over the Pacifi c, the Maori. Travellers will have the opportunity to Mt Tongariro, Mt Ruapehu and Mt Ngauruhoe. casting its fi rst rays over the stunning white experience just about every adrenalin adventure We suggest staying a night in the Ruapehu and sandy beaches along the length of the highway. you could want on air, land and water. An ancient taking time to explore two world class National Experience pure escapism! Sample the world’s underground labyrinth of limestone caves and Parks; Whanganui and the UNESCO Dual World best seafood, innovative cuisine and award grottos are a must do for those looking for natural Heritage Tongariro. Ruapehu has New Zealand’s winning wines and indulge yourself in one of the wonders and unique adventure experiences. But two largest Ski Areas along with the world many luxurious accommodation establishments if it’s the sedate life you are after, the Thermal renowned Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Widely along the way. Enjoy the diverse and unique Explorer Highway is also the perfect place to take recognized as New Zealand’s “best one day 004 heritage within the region. You’ll fi nd an abundance it easy, with magical hot springs to relax in and walk”. The native bush, birdlife and history of the of buildings from another era including Art Deco, local cafes to enjoy. Whanganui River and Bridge to Nowhere are best ancient Maori pa sites, countless historical delights seen on a jet boat tour or canoe adventure and the living heritage of the stories and faces of the local people. Marvel at the talents of the local artists and share with them the environment that so inspires them - the slice of the Pacifi c paradise that is the Pacifi c Coast Highway. The consumer map includes the eight regions of the eXplore Central North Island and highlights the locations of the Pacifi c Coast Highway, Thermal Explorer Highway and Volcanic Loop Highway. Consumer Map eXplore Central North Island Contact [email protected] www.explorecentralnorthislandnz.com Hauraki Port Jackson Gulf Colville Kuaotunu Muriwai Hahei Auckland Whangamata Waiuku Waikato River Paeroa Huntly Orini Te Aroha Bay of Plenty Hicks Bay Tauranga Hamilton Raglan Matamata Maketu Te Kaha Tikitiki Tirau Ruapuke Cambridge Thornton Ruatoria Whakatane Te Awamutu Opotiki Otorohanga Rotorua Tokomaru Bay Waitomo Bay of Plenty Waikato Caves Motu Waiotapu Te Kuiti Tolaga Bay East Cape Awakino Tihoi Taupo Gisborne Waitaanga Waikaremoana Hawke's Bay Tahora New Plymouth Taranaki Wanganui- Wairoa Mahia Manawatu Rahotu Hawke Ohakune Bay Ararata Napier Hawera Taihape Hastings Cape Kidnappers Havelock North Wanganui Castlecliff Waipawa Waipukurau Porangahau Palmerston North The eXplore Central North Island regions are a simple and enjoyable way for every traveller to experience New Zealand hands on. Confi dence can be taken when In the following pages are seven referring clients on to eXplore the suggested itineraries to help you plan your clients’ adventure along Central North Island. Your clients the eXplore Central North Island will be guided by the sign-posted Route. Choose from Coast, Lakes highways (every 14 kilometres) that & Geothermals, Thermal Explorer Snapshot, Thermal Explorer Highway clearly indicate to travellers that they Experience, Pacifi c Coast Highway are on the right path. Experience, Northbound Thermal Explorer, Northbound Coastal Explorer With the magnifi cent array of scenery and eXplore Central North Island - to choose from on the route, the Ultimate Experience. journey is bound to have an impressive impact on all travellers’ New Zealand Feel free to contact the eXplore Central experience whether they start on the North Island marketing team for more Pacifi c Coast Highway or the Thermal information on the touring routes and Explorer Highway. highways. From “off the beaten track” experiences to planning for the discerning holidaymaker we happily tailor make for all markets. The following sample itineraries vary both in length and destinations. These are designed to be used in conjunction with the products listed in the eXplore Central North Island 2012/14 product manual. Use them in their entirety or pick and choose from each to map out the scenery and activities that your clients desire. 006 Helpful eXplore Central North Island Information Climate / The North Island has a Domestic Airports / Domestic airports temperate climate.