Tauranga, Hamilton and Rotorua Car Rental for Cathedral Cove

Quick summary: Cathedral Cove isn’t only reached from Auckland. Tauranga Airport, at Mount Maunganui, is around 160 km from Hahei via Waihi and the Coromandel’s east coast, and Hamilton and Rotorua airports make good starting points if you’re combining the Coromandel with Waitomo, Hobbiton or geothermal country. Flying into one of these regional airports and collecting a rental car can save the drive out of Auckland.

At a glance
Tauranga Airport	Around 160 km, about 2 hours 30 minutes
Hamilton Airport	Around 175 km, about 2 hours 30 minutes
Rotorua Airport	Around 220 km, about 3 hours
Route from the south	Via Waihi, Whangamatā and Tairua
Best for	Combining the Coromandel with the Bay of Plenty or Waikato
Tours	Featured tours

Compare car rental at Tauranga Airport

Which regional airport suits your trip?

Airport	Combine with	Route to Hahei
Tauranga	Mount Maunganui’s beaches	North via Katikati and Waihi, then up the east coast
Hamilton	Hobbiton and Waitomo	North-east via Paeroa and Waihi, or Thames and SH25A
Rotorua	Geothermal parks and Māori culture	North via Tauranga and Waihi

Compare car rental at Hamilton Airport

What is the drive up the east coast like?

From Waihi, State Highway 25 heads north past Whangamatā’s surf beach, then winds through forest and over hills to Tairua and Hahei. It’s scenic and generally easier than the Thames coast, with good stops for a swim or coffee. See Tairua, Pauanui and the east coast.

Can you do a loop from Tauranga?

Yes. Drive north up the east coast to Hahei, continue round via Whitianga and Coromandel Town, and return down the Thames coast. It’s around 400 km in total and best spread over several days. See the 5-day Coromandel loop.

Can you drop the car in Auckland?

Many companies offer one-way rentals between regional airports and Auckland, which suits a trip that heads north through the Coromandel and flies out of Auckland. Check any one-way fee when you compare.

Compare car rental at Rotorua Airport

What should you know about these roads?

Expect winding sections, single-lane bridges and slow traffic behind trucks and campervans on holiday weekends. Fill up before the quieter stretches, and leave plenty of time to arrive in daylight. See driving from Tauranga and Rotorua.

Frequently Asked Questions