In this work we report the successful formation of hexagonal pillar shaped ZnO nanoneedles with high yield and by using simple cheap method with CTAB as the surfactant. SEM and TEM microscopic observation revealed that the ZnO nanorods were smooth and uniform throughout their length and the functional groups in the molecule were identified by FTIR analysis. PL properties of ZnO nannorods were found to be dependent on the growth condition and the resultant morphology revealed that ZnO nanorods were highly transparent in the visible region. .