Ace Rental Cars Blog

One of the best ways to experience North Island/Te Ika-a-Māui is embracing the road between cities and enjoying all the incredible landscapes that surround. Starting from Hamilton, jump in your Ace rental car and head south toward Taupō, taking in the scenery and natural wonders on this easy road trip adventure.

• Hamilton Gardens
• Sanctuary Mountain
• Rotorua
• Huka Falls

Hamilton Gardens

• Five garden collections to explore
• Guided tours
• Garden cafe

On your way out of Hamilton, the first place to stop is at the iconic gardens. One of the most popular attractions in the region, Hamilton Gardens are more than just your average botanical gardens. Being home to Te Parapara, the country’s first traditional Māori garden, the Hamilton Gardens are filled with a rich history and cultural significance. Covering a space of over 58 hectares, the garden and its five collections explore the relationships between people and plants, taking inspiration from all over the country and all over the world. Whilst the gardens are free to explore for everyone, there are also paid guided tours that will teach you about the abundant history of the site. The cafe situated within Hamilton Gardens is the perfect place to caffeinate and snack before you head on the road toward Taupō or grab a coffee to go and enjoy it walking amongst the florals and greenery of the garden paths.

Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari

• Native wildlife
• Mountain walks
• Picnic by the lake

Less than an hour south-east of Hamilton sits Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari. The mountain is bordered by one of the world’s longest pest-proof fences, meaning that this enclosed sanctuary houses a range of protected native flora and fauna for you to discover. This ecological island has several walking tracks that are suitable for anyone wanting to explore the vibrant natural beauties of the region. The Southern Enclosure (Te Tuia a Taane) walk is an easy route that will lead you through 5 kilometres of track around the forest and past the wildlife that lives within it. There are signs along the way to help you learn more about the mountain and the animals that live peacefully in it, but make sure to look up in the sky to catch a glimpse of native birds, like the kākā. There’s even a viewing platform that raises you up to the height of the tree canopy, allowing you the chance to look down to the forest below with a bird’s eye view. The nearby Tautari track is also a good option to explore, taking you through the forest and over a wetland valley. Tautari also runs by a lake, so bring a picnic and rest those legs with a relaxing lunch down by the water in this protected nature reserve.

Rotorua

• Geothermal pools
• Kuirau Park
• Pub feed

Rotorua is a must-stop town on your way to Taupō. Situated about an hour’s drive east of Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, Rotorua gets its namesake from the large pristine lake that the town sits on. Filled with geothermal pools and volcanic valleys, Rotorua is like Mother Nature’s amusement park. In the centre of town is Kuirau Park, a public park that houses its own geothermal pools. Free to visit, Kuirau Park is filled with a range of footpools to dip your feet into the thermal waters and experience the warmth as the volcanic rock underneath heats the water up. The boardwalks throughout the park will lead you around the pools as they bubble and erupt below you, coming alive in their own unique way. If you’re looking for a place to eat in Rotorua, stop by the historic Pig and Whistle Pub, just down the road from Kuirau Park. With local craft beers on tap and classic pub food on the menu, the Pig and Whistle is the perfect place to stop for a feed before you get back on the road.

Huka Falls

• Walking tracks
• Waikato River

As you arrive in Taupō, make sure to visit Huka Falls as the last stop on your road tripping journey. Follow the country’s longest river, Waikato River, along the walking track next to the native forest that lines the river’s banks. Look down into the river and you’ll be able to see how the water that gushes grow rougher and louder the closer that you get to the falls. A footbridge above the falls means that you can watch as the water bursts through the hard volcanic rock and into the turbulent pool below, gushing its way into the river at an unbelievable speed. A viewing platform next to where the water tumbles down the falls makes for a great outlook, and a great selfie.

Follow this guide to make the most of a road trip from Hamilton to Taupō, making stops at some incredible attractions and natural wonders along the way.