Ace Rental Cars Blog

The North Island/Te Ika-a-Māui in New Zealand/Aotearoa is filled with majestic volcanoes all over. The remnants of ancient activity in the earth, the island is still home to a plethora of volcanoes today, both active and dormant. The best way to experience these beasts of nature is on a road trip.

In your Ace rental car, follow this ultimate North Island thermal explorer highway guide to road trip to some of the most phenomenal volcanoes and geothermal activity located around the island. From grassy hills you can summit to hot springs to bathe in, there are plenty of ways to experience the thermal activity in the North Island.

Auckland Volcanic Field

The best place to begin your thermal explorer adventures is in Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau. Not only is Auckland New Zealand’s biggest city, but it is also a hotspot for many volcanoes. Home to the Auckland Volcanic Field, this region is made up of 53 volcanoes. To explore these natural beasts, first head out to Mount Eden/Maungawhau. Just a ten minute drive from the city centre, Mount Eden is famously the highest natural point in Auckland. Three craters make up the oval base of the volcano. This is not only a historical landmark in natural history, but also holds cultural significance with hundreds of years of Māori history. Climb to the summit for stunning panoramic views. Also in Auckland,

From Auckland, head 2.5 hours south toward the town of Rotorua/Te Rotorua-nui-a-Kahumatamomoe. This sensational landscape is home to a wonderland of thermal activity, and you won’t have to look far to find it. As Rotorua sits within the Pacific Rim of Fire, it is a region that is home to one of the world’s most active volcano fields. The best place to begin your thermal exploring in Rotorua is at the famous Te Puia. Located in the heart of Rotorua, Te Puia is filled with geothermal activity, from geysers to bubbling mud with beautiful bush in between. The iconic Pōhutu Geyser lives here, and is famously the largest active geyser in the Southern Hemisphere. It can erupt up to 30 metres tall and up to 20 times a day, so chances are you’ll get a taste of geothermal wonder. Kuirau Park is another great option to explore, especially if you’re on a budget. Also located in the city centre, Kuirau Park is a free public park that contains a network of walking trails and boardwalks that will lead you right up close to geothermal activity.

Taupō

Taupō/Taupō-nui-a-Tia is a bubbling hotspot for thermal explorers as it is the region with the largest number of volcanoes in the country. Just over an hour from Rotorua, Taupō is in the heart of the North Island and situated next to the majestic Lake Taupō. To get started on your explorations, begin with a walk through Spa Thermal Park. Taking you past Otumuheke Stream, this walking trail is home to natural rock hot pools and the shining waters of the country’s longest river, Waikato River. Another great walk to try is the Tokaanu Thermal Walk. This easy walk is great for families and will lead you past steaming hot mineral pools and bubbling mud pools. To really make the most of the geothermal pools, make sure to visit Wairakei Terraces and Thermal Health Spa. This affordable spa combines relaxation with culture as the geothermal pools have played a significant role in Māori history over the centuries. Take a dip in the warm pools and let your muscles relax after a day of action-packed adventure.

Taranaki

If you want to continue your adventures on this ultimate thermal explorer highway road trip and don’t mind driving a little further, another must-see spot of volcanic history is Mount Taranaki. Located 4 hours from Taupō, Mount Taranaki is famously New Zealand’s most perfectly formed volcano. While it lays dormant now, its majestic awe is still evident and can be best explored with bushwalks around its base and toward its summit. Situated within the Egmont National Park/Te Papakura o Taranaki, Mount Taranaki has a plethora of walking tracks to check out. If you’re looking for a moderate walk that will deliver on beauty, try the waterfall walk at Dawson Falls or the Kamahi Loop walk through the iconic Goblin Forest.

From bubbling mud pools to climbing up grassy volcanoes, the North Island is home to a wonderland of thermal attractions. You can visit these in your Ace rental car and make the most of your thermal explorer adventures on an epic road trip.