Waterfalls, Rotorua & Waitomo Caves in January ~ Where to stay?

Where to stay in January 2018?

We want to see the Waitomo Caves, the Rotorua area and one of the waterfalls; Huka, Marokopa, Waitanguru, Omaru, Bridal, Wairere. We have 3 nights to stay in this area, then we head back to Auckland.

What would be the best area to find a hotel?

Which of the waterfalls is most impressive and would fit in this itinerary?

How would you change this itinerary?

Friday: Arriving early morning Auckland Airport, drive south to hotel and then do the Waitomo Caves

Saturday: Rotorua - maybe swim, kayak or jet ski in one of the lakes

Sunday: One of the Waterfalls (Huka, Marokopa, Waitanguru, Omaru, Bridal, Wairere?)

Monday: Something in the morning and afternoon; then drive back to Auckland afternoon/evening?

Tuesday: Ferry to Weiheke Island for lunch and to tour wineries

Weds: Board RCCL Cruise Auckland to Sydney

Friday: Arriving early morning Auckland Airport, drive south to hotel

I don't know where you're coming from, but PLEASE.... do not get off a long-haul flight and straight behind the wheel of a car. Every holiday season we have road fatalities caused by jet-lagged drivers from overseas who have never driven a right hand drive car on - what is to them - the wrong side of the road. Do your Auckland sightseeing first and give yourselves time to adjust.

I don't know where you're coming from, but PLEASE.... do not get off a long-haul flight and straight behind the wheel of a car. Every holiday season we have road fatalities caused by jet-lagged drivers from overseas who have never driven a right hand drive car on - what is to them - the wrong side of the road. Do your Auckland sightseeing first and give yourselves time to adjust.

Good point. We're flying non-stop from California. We're ok with the left hand drive. My DH is a Brit and we've driven a fair amount in England, Ireland and Isle of Man. Thank you for your comments.

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We too flew in from California. We slept one night at the Jet Park hotel near the Auckland airport, and then drove to Rotorua the next day.

In Rotorua, we stayed at the B&B @ The Redwoods, and had a lovely stay.

Highly recommend Spellbound for Glowworm Caves, and Skyline Rotorua for their terrific buffet and street luge.

I can thoroughly recommend Jet Park. We always stay there the night before our international flight out of NZ. They have a free shuttle bus from both terminals to the hotel and are extremely helpful and friendly.

Check out their website.