Huka Falls
Highlights
Places to see and things to do in five days south of Auckland, New Zealand.
Time of Visit: October 2024
Duration of Visit: Five Nights
Description
New Zealand’s North Island is just full of places to see and things to do. With only five days, we head south of Auckland and did our exploration while staying one night each at Waitomo, Taupo, Rotorua, Tauranga and Auckland.
We were able to visit the Waitomo Glowworm and Ruakuri Caves, Tongariro National Park, Thermal Explorer Highway (Hwy 5 between Taupo and Rotorua), Redwoods Treewalk, Hobbiton Movie Set and the fun town of Tauranga.
Waitomo
Waitomo is about two hours drive from Auckland. The famous Waitomo Glowworm Cave is located here. There are a couple of more caves that can be explored which are Aranui and Ruakuri. Our AirBnB host recommended doing the glowworms and Ruakuri Cave which is the most popular cave combo ticket sold.
Waitomo Glowworm Cave
The Waitomo Glowworm Cave hosts a unique species of glowworm, Arachnocampa luminosa, which is found only in New Zealand. The bioluminescent larvae of these glowworms emit a bluish-green light that illuminates the cave ceiling. This creates a magical and star-like atmosphere.
The light emitted by a glowworm is about the size of the point made by a Sharpie felt tip permanent marker. It looks like a miniature low power LED. Do not expect the light to be moving as it is not truly a worm but an insect in its maggot stage.
Glowworms diet is other insect. Because most insect’s life involve being in the water, glowworms thrive in an environment where they could catch other insects. They catch their food by producing mucus that become a sticky silky thread that hangs vertically from the cave ceiling. These are called “snares” but our guide call them “fishing lines”. The glowworm reels in its food once the insect is “snared”.
The tour lasts about an hour. No photography is allowed within the cave, except at the end of the tour.
For the better part of the tour, our guide shows and talks about the cave formations. Some glowworms can be seen during the first half but they were not directly overhead. The last 20 to 25 minutes is on a boat ride in the part of the cave where the Waitomo River runs through. This ride was done in silence, total darkness in the part of the cave that has the greatest glowworm concentration. It was truly mesmerizing.
Ruakuri Cave
Ruakuri Cave has impressive limestone formations, an underground river and some glowworms. The tour lasts about an hour and half and is wheelchair friendly. Photography within the cave is allowed.
The tour begins by going down the spiral access ramp that descends approximately 20 meters (65 feet) underground. Next is through an airlock about 10 meters long. The airlock has doors on both ends where only one door can be opened at a time.
Unlike Waitomo Glowworm Cave, visitors can be up close to a few glowworms that decided to make their home on an cave wall overhang instead of the ceiling. This creates a unique experience by being able to see their “snares” up close with the aide of a flashlight.
Tongariro National Park
Tongariro National Park is New Zealand’s oldest national park and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park has a myriad of outdoor activities set amid breathtaking volcanic landscapes. The park is home to three active volcanoes—Mount Tongariro, Mount Ngauruhoe, and Mount Ruapehu and offer a dramatic backdrop for adventure.
One of the most popular activities here is the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, a 19.4-kilometer day hike that takes trekkers across volcanic terrain, past steaming vents, ancient lava flows, and vibrant emerald lakes. Considered one of the world’s greatest day hikes, it provides both a physical challenge and a stunning view of the unique environment. You do need to arrange for a shuttle service as the start and end points are at different locations.
If you do not have time or the unable to meet the physical demands of the alpine crossing, there are several other short walks within the park. We did the short 20 minute Tawhai Falls and was not disappointed.
Tongariro National Park sits at a higher elevation and the weather can be unpleasant depending on the time of year. During our visit, the mountains were obscured by clouds and were not visible from the lowlands. It rained on and off and there was even some snow on the roadside on the drive up on Bruce Road to Whakapapa Ski Area. We just turned around before reaching the ski area as the views were covered by clouds.
Taupo – Rotorua
Taupo and Rotarua are two significant sized cities in New Zealand. Both would actually warrant a night or two each as each city has a lot to offer in terms of places to see and things to do. The two cities are connected by Highway 5 which is dubbed the Thermal Explorer Highway because of the many thermal attractions along this 80 kilometer stretch of road.
Taupo
Taupo sits at the northeast corner of the largest lake in New Zealand – Lake Taupo. We only had about an hour to explore the city’s commercial district which are lined with shops and restaurants. The commercial district is located at the north end of the city near the Waikato River.
We saw mainly Indian, Thai and Vietnamese restaurants intermingled with fast food chain restaurants such as Burger King, KFC, McDonalds, Subway and the likes. The coolest McDonalds in the world is located in Taupo. What makes this distinguish this McDonalds from others is the full size DC-3 airplane that has been converted to a dining area. It is a unique experience.
Not far from Taupo is the small town of Turangi. If the image of trout does not give it away, Turangi is one of the premier destinations for fly fishermen looking to land that trophy fish.
Thermal Explorer Highway
Highway 5 between Taupo and Rotorua is also known as the Thermal Explorer Highway. This 80 kilometer stretch of road is packed with exciting activities and natural attractions that showcase New Zealand’s beauty and geothermal landscape.
Some of the most notable geothermal stops along Highway 5 are Huka Falls, Craters of the Moon, Orakei Korako, Wairakei and Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland. We were only able to visit the Huka Falls, Craters of the Moon and Wairakei Terraces as we did not have enough time to visit all in one day. Nonetheless, we describe all four based on what we found out during our explorations
Huka Falls
Huka Falls is a short waterfall that shoots out of a canyon. What attracts visitors to this waterfall is the water’s blue-ish color and its power as more than 220,000 liters of water surge over an 11-meter drop every second.. For a more thrilling experience, consider signing up with one of many jet boat ride companies that take adrenaline hungry adventurers to the base of the falls.
Craters of the Moon
Craters of the Moon name is really misleading. Sure there are craters but the place is no moonscape. The place is covered with thick shrubbery.
Visiting Craters of the Moon involves about an hour long walk on winding boardwalks and compacted gravel that weaves among the active geothermal vents. There are a couple of large hissing steam vents but most are just small and quiet. Nothing really exciting nor worth writing about. You can skip this place if you have seen the geothermal areas in Yellowstone National Park.
Wairakei Terrace and Thermal Hot Spa
Wairakei Terraces andThermal Hot Spa are separate pay attractions at the same location. We did the terraces and skipped the hot spa due to time. The terraces involve a 30 to 45 minute walk that passes by the spa’s hot pools, the terrace and several Maori cultural displays. You would not be able to see the terrace if you did the spa.
The terrace is actually man made and is the only geothermal feature. It has a submerged geyser that flows over the man made terrace before the hot water heads down to the spa pools. You can also skip the terrace walk if you have seen the submerged geyser near Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone.
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland is about 30 kilometer south of Rotorua. We did not make it to the 3:30 PM cutoff time to see the geothermal features which the park markets as “Arguably the best in New Zealand”. One of the main highlights is the Champagne Pool, a large hot spring with vibrant orange and green hues caused by mineral deposits. Another popular attraction is the Lady Knox Geyser, which erupts daily, reaching heights of up to 20 meters. You just have to find out for yourself whether it is worth the admission price.
We did see the bubbling mud pots and a hot spring soaking area nearby. Both are free to enjoy.
Redwoods Park
Redwoods Park, also known as the Whakarewarewa Forest, is a remarkable outdoor destination. Located in Rotorua, it is known for its towering California Coast Redwoods that were planted in 1901.
The park featuring a series of suspension bridges and platforms that allow visitors to walk among the treetops and experience the beauty of the forest from above. We did the night-time treewalk experience. The forest was illuminated with lanterns and multi-colored projection lights that created a magical and otherworldly experience.
Blue Springs
Blue Springs, located near Putaruru in the Waikato region is renowned for its pristine, crystal-clear water and tranquil beauty. The water is filtered through underground aquifers which naturally purifies it to an extraordinary clarity. The springs boast vibrant blue and green hues due to their clarity and mineral content.
Unfortunately, during our visit, the accessible area of Blue Springs (Te Waihou Walkway) was closed due to construction. The walkway follows the Waihou River which offer various viewpoints of the clear, blue water and the surrounding native flora. We were only able to see Blue Springs when it crossed Highway 5.
Hobbiton Movie Set
Not far from Blue Springs is The Hobbiton Movie Set, located in Matamata. It is a popular tourist destination and the filming location for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film trilogies. Originally built as a temporary set for The Lord of the Rings in 1999, the site was later rebuilt with permanent structures for The Hobbit trilogy in 2011, making it an enduring attraction for fans worldwide.
Visitors are bused to the movie set accompanied by a guide that shares insights and stories from the movie production. Guided trips leave about every ten minutes with a group numbering up to 30 visitors, depending on how many booked on that particular time slot. It is highly recommended to pre-book a time slot to avoid being turned away on arrival.
Tauranga
The City of Tauranga is a wonderful place to visit. Located in the Bay of Plenty, it is a vibrant coastal city offering a wide array of outdoor activities that make the most of its sunny climate and scenic landscapes. One of the most popular activity is hiking at Mount Maunganui, a dormant volcanic cone. The mountain has extensive trails that cater to both beginner and experienced hikers. The summit rewards hikers with an unbeatable vantage point over the city and surrounding ocean.
If hiking is not to your liking, there is the beach and the beautiful turquoise water to dip in. There are other water based activities such as surfing, canoeing and sailing.
Tauranga’s main street is lined with lots of restaurants and bars all eagerly waiting to satisfy your hunger and thirst after working a fun filled day of outdoor activities.
Summary
Waitomo, Tongariro National Park, Taupo, Rotorua and Tauranga should not be missed. Waitomo is the only place in the world where you can see glow worms in geat numbers. Truly a one of a kind experience.
Tongariro National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage and the country’s oldest national park. Its dramatic landscapes include volcanic craters, glacial valleys, alpine meadows, and emerald lakes, making it a popular destination for outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, and climbing. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing, often considered one of the world’s best day hikes, showcases its unique geology and breathtaking scenery.
Both Taupo and Rotorua are wonderful towns to stay in. Both are located by the lake that shares the same name. Not overrun by foreign tourists, they are the perfect to take a break from doing touristy things and relax.
The Thermal Explorer Highway connects the towns of Taupo and Rotorua. There are many thermal features such as geysers, mud pots and steam vents such that one day would not be enough. Huka Falls is the most impressive waterfall we saw in New Zealand.
Visiting the Redwoods Tree Walk at night is magical. Lanterns and light displays provide a truly unique experience.
Finally, Tauranga is the perfect place to cap a visit to the North Island. It has it all. You can work up an appetite and get your outdoor fix on Mount Maunganui. Quench your thirst and fill your belly in one of the many bars and restaurants that line Marine Parade Street. Or you can just chill on the beach and Bay of Plenty.