Thermal Explorer Highway

Under the gentle rolling hills of the Waikato lies an extensive labyrinth of gaping sink holes and underground chambers, linked by mile upon mile of connecting passages, which draw the adventurous to try out activities like abseiling and cave tubing. For those who prefer a little less action, the famous Waitomo glowworm cave is a magical experience.

If there is one place in New Zealand that no visitor should miss, it is Rotorua. Set in tranquil lake-stubbed basin, surrounded by beautiful forests, the town is a stronghold for Maori culture and a place where one surprise follows another: geysers spout 50ft or more into the air; bubbling cauldrons spit out mud; and steam vents hiss to an all-pervading smell of sulphur. Part of the Rotorua experience is to meet the local Arawa people and learning about their culture by attending a hangi, a traditional feast and concert where food is steamed in an earth oven. To see the wilder side of Rotorua, you can fish for trout in its sparkling lakes or try out some water-based activities, like kayaking, rafting or white water sledging, for which the region is famous.

Lake Taupo is another of the region's hot spots, peppered with geothermal areas. At the aptly named Craters of the Moon you can see belching sulphurous steam vents, while at Wairakei, the Volcanic Activity Centre explains the powerful forces at work below the earth's surface. The lake itself is a magnet for trout fishing enthusiasts and feeds the Waikato River, which heads for the Tasman Sea in a series of spectacular waterfalls, including the Huka Falls.

Tongariro National Park boasts some of the most colourful and exciting landscapes in New Zealand, and its twin volcanoes of Tongariro and Ruapehu are popular with skiers and hikers.