Rotorua Travel Forum

Hi

We are planning to do the Lost World abseiling in Waitomo (late June 06). However, we will be staying in Rotorua and driving down in a hire car. Does anyone know how long will it take to drive from Rotorua to Waitomo?

thanks
Tom

Probably about 80 mins. You have to weave your way across, the road isn't direct.
MAybe only an hour if you rattle your daggs :-) But the Waikato is well policed, remember (plain cars).

I echo Kiwi's response. We made that trip about 8 years ago, had a map, and still managed to get lost, mainly because many of the roads out in the country are not clearly marked. However people are very friendly and will be glad to give directions. The Waitomo glow worm cave was cool, too.

I think about 80mins to 90mins for the journey. We went on country roads from Waitomo to Rotorua and didn't get lost at all. It was fairly straightforward even though we started off at 6pm.

Don't forget to also try cave tubing. It is great fun and exhilarating despite the freezing water.

LOL, yes but heading TO Rotorua, is often better signposted than heading away from it :-)

Maybe but since it was dark we didn't see any road signs and we drove on some pretty isolated country roads. Yet still managed to find our way without getting lost.

If you stick to the township and try not to go via the shortcuts you should be fine and there within an hour and a half approx 90-100 minutes. Starting from Rotorua you can travel up SH5 to Putaruru, follow signposts to Arapuni. Follow roads right through - past the dam bridges. Stay on that road till Kihikihi than turn left at the Kihikihi Intersection. Stay on that road until you see signpost to Waitomo turnoff. The Shortcuts are the ones that had people knocking on our door saying 'Where are we' lol. If you try this website www.wises.co.nz and type in your destination than that will give you the quickest route. If you are good at following instructions i.e on the map than go for it!

I'm astounded at how many people either travel with a poor map, or can't read a map! Well I'm sure you'll get from Rotorua to Waitomo, have fun :-)

http://www.accommodationz.co.nz/distances.html

Kiaorana...Iaorana

I don't if you can help me...but i'm looking for a good friend in Rotorua...i met him in China in 1995/1996. His name is RATEMA, work for Cultural Event...
I'm Teina, Tahitian artist dancer..i hope some body here know him...

Sorry for my English..

Mauruuru..


Teina.