Driving directions
How to get to Waitomo & The King Country.
Wanting to visit the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Blackwater Rafting adventures & the Otorohanga Kiwi House, but don't have a car? There are great transport services from Auckland and major centres to Waitomo, Otorohanga & Te Kuiti.
From Auckland
After you arrive at Auckland International Airport drive south on State Highway 1. Two routes are available:
Route 1 - The Scenic Drive
- Take State Highway 1 as far as the country town of Ngaruawahia.
- Turn west onto State Highway 39 and follow the signs to Pirongia / Otorohanga.
- At Whatawhata, just north of Pirongia village, continue on State Highway 31 to Otorohanga.
- At Otorohanga turn south onto State Highway 3.
- The Waitomo Caves are located on Highway 37, off State Highway 3.
Route 2 - via Hamilton
- Continue south on State Highway 1 as far as the city of Hamilton.
- From Hamilton take State Highway 3 in the direction of Waitomo / New Plymouth. An excellent sealed road leads south through the rural towns of Te Awamutu and Otorohanga. Otorohanga is the gateway town to the King Country and is just 15 minutes north east of Waitomo Village.
Otorohanga is located:
- 15 minutes from Waitomo
- 45 minutes from Hamilton
- 2 hours 35 minutes from Auckland
Waitomo is located:
- 15 minutes from Otorohanga
- 1 hour 5 minutes from Hamilton
- 2 hours 50 minutes from Auckland
From Wellington
If you are approaching Waitomo and The King Country from Wellington two main routes are available:
Route 1
- Take State Highway 3 via Wanganui & New Plymouth to Te Kuiti.
- Travel 12 kms. north of Te Kuiti on State Highway 3 and turn west onto Highway 37 to Waitomo.
Route 2
- Take State Highway 1 from Wellington to Waiouru.
- Turn onto Highway 49 to Tohunga Junction.
- Turn onto State Highway 4 to Taumaranui and continue to the intersection of State Highways 4 & 3 at the Eight Mile Junction just south of Te Kuiti.
- Turn north onto State Highway 3 to Te Kuiti and continue north to the intersection of State Highway 3 & 37 for the turn to Waitomo on Highway 37.
Waitomo is located:
- 15 minutes from Te Kuiti
- 6 hours from Wellington
Te Kuiti is located
- 6 hours from Wellington