Napier–Taupō Road and Thermal Valley

SH5 is 262 km from Tīrau to Rotorua, then through the Waiotapu thermal area to Taupō and over Titiokura Saddle to Napier. A mix of geothermal and wine country.

The stops

1. Start

   Tīrau

2. City

   Rotorua

   Geothermal city

3. Nature

   Waiotapu

   Thermal area

4. Town

   Taupō

   Lake town

5. Viewpoint

   Titiokura Saddle

   High saddle on the Napier–Taupō road with a long view east

6. City

   Napier

   Art deco city

7. Finish

   Napier

Where to stay

• Night 1

  Taupō

  Taupō Top 10

When to go

Year round

On the road

Winter frost on Titiokura Saddle.