AIR: Rotorua cannot be accessed directly from international departure points. Visitors need first to fly first to Auckland (the closest international terminus) or Wellington. Regularly scheduled flights from Auckland to Rotorua take about 1 hour. Depending on when your flight arrives and/or leaves you may need to factor a night’s accommodation in Auckland (there are a number of suitable accommodation facilities available). Check the airlines (Air New Zealand is the only large airline flying into Rotorua) or your travel agent for flight timetable and bookings.
ROAD: If travelling by car, Rotorua is about 4 hours from Auckland, and 8 hours from Wellington. Rental cars are available from airports. The two main coach companies are InterCity and Newmans.
NZ driving distance/time calculator
www.discovernz.co.nz/driving/smlcalc.html
NZ & Major Cities/Towns Online Maps
www.wises.co.nz/