Starting in Wellington
Reunited with their guide Constance, they kicked things off in Wellington. The weather had been rough in the days leading up to their arrival, and it still had that early autumn chill in the air, but it didn’t slow them down.
With a couple of hours to explore, they made the most of the capital. A visit to Weta Cave, a ride up the cable car, and a wander through the Botanic Gardens gave them a great feel for the city. That evening, they headed out to Zealandia for a guided night tour, which turned out to be a bit of a highlight, spotting a little spotted kiwi in the wild is always something special.
Coastal Drives and Classic Kiwi Stops
By the next morning, the weather had cleared, so before leaving Wellington they headed up Mt Victoria for those classic 360 degree views, then swung by Parliament Grounds before getting on the road.
The drive north along the Kapiti Coast is one of those easy, scenic stretches, and they took their time with it. A quick stop at the Foxton windmill, lunch at Viv’s Kitchen in Sanson, and a few classic roadside moments in Bulls and Taihape, including the obligatory gumboot throw, made it a fun day before arriving into Ohakune for the night.
Volcanoes and Wide Open Landscapes
The next day brought them into Tongariro National Park. They stopped at Tawhai Falls, better known as Gollum’s Pool, before heading up the mountain to Whakapapa. The Sky Waka gondola took them up to New Zealand’s highest café, where they sat with a cuppa at 2020 metres, looking out over the volcanic landscape.
Rotorua, Taupō and a Change of Plans
From there, they were meant to spend time in Taupō, but Ironman was in full swing, and the lakefront was packed. Rather than fight the crowds, they made the call to bypass it and head straight to Huka Falls and the Huka Honey Hive instead.
Lunch at Huka Prawn Park was a good call, right on the Waikato River, before they continued on to Wai-O-Tapu. Road detours from the event meant a few unexpected gravel roads along the way, but that’s all part of a proper road trip. The geothermal park itself didn’t disappoint.
By the time they reached Rotorua, it had been a full day, but not quite over. That evening they unwound at Wai Ariki Spa, soaking in the mineral pools before heading out to Eat St to catch up with a family friend over dinner.
Culture, Forests and Glowworms
The following day leaned more into the cultural side of Rotorua. Te Puia gave them bubbling mud, erupting geysers, and a look into traditional carving and weaving, along with a cultural performance that adds a lot of context to what you’re seeing around the country.
Later, Constance took them out to Okere Falls, where they stopped for lunch and watched kayakers and rafters tackling the rapids, before heading into the Redwoods for a walk among the treetops.
That evening was a bit of a standout. A twilight kayak with glowworms, quietly moving through the water as the light faded, is one of those experiences that sticks with you.
Hobbiton and the Coromandel
From Rotorua, they made their way through Tirau, stopping to meet “Henry” the giant corrugated iron ram, before arriving at Hobbiton. For Alan and Sherry, this was a must do, wandering through the Shire and enjoying a second breakfast.
From there, it was a longer drive out to the Coromandel Peninsula, with a few well timed stops along the way. A quick photo at the L&P bottle in Paeroa, a look into the Martha Mine in Waihi, and a stop at Whangamata Beach broke things up nicely before reaching Whitianga.
When the Weather Doesn’t Play Ball
The Coromandel didn’t quite turn on the weather. Their planned boat trip to Cathedral Cove was cancelled, but they made the most of it, catching the ferry and heading out on a bush walk to Flaxmill Bay. They got pretty soaked, but took it in stride, finishing the day with a visit to the Mercury Bay Museum and a quiet evening looking out over the water.
The next day, still a bit grey, they headed to Coromandel Town for the Driving Creek Railway. Even with low cloud limiting the views from the top, the experience itself is always worth it.
Looping Back via Auckland
As they looped back around via Thames and up the Seabird Coast, the weather slowly improved. A warm bowl of mussel chowder in Thames helped things along before they made their way through Kaiaua and Clevedon to the Auckland Botanic Gardens for a relaxed stroll.
They only had one night in Auckland, so it was a quick visit. A wander through the Domain and Wintergardens the next morning, then it was straight back on the road heading north.
Heading North to the Bay of Islands
The drive up is a good one. They stopped to watch kite surfers in Orewa, checked out the historic Jane Gifford in Warkworth, and paused at Langs Beach before lunch at the Hundertwasser Art Centre in Whangārei.
After a quick look at Whangārei Falls and a drive along the Tutukaka Coast, they eventually rolled into Paihia.
Exploring the Bay of Islands
The Bay of Islands gave them a slower pace for a couple of days. A ferry over to Russell, once known as the Hell Hole of the Pacific, followed by a short guided tour gave them a great sense of the area’s history.
Back in Paihia, they headed out again, this time by boat, cruising out to Cape Brett and the Hole in the Rock, with time on Urupukapuka Island.
A visit to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds added an important cultural layer to the trip, helping them better understand the story of New Zealand.
All the Way to Cape Reinga
From there, they continued north, stopping at Haruru Falls, the Makana Chocolate Factory, and the Kerikeri markets before lunch at the Honey House Café.
Their accommodation overlooking Doubtful Bay set the tone for what came next.
The following day took them all the way to Cape Reinga, where the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean collide. It’s not just a dramatic landscape, it’s also a place of deep cultural significance.
They sheltered from the wind near the lighthouse and enjoyed a simple picnic lunch before heading back, stopping at the Te Paki sand dunes, Rarawa Beach, and ancient kauri forest along the way.
Proper Northland Road Trip Moments
That evening was about as Kiwi as it gets. Fish and chips from Mangonui, eaten on the deck overlooking the ocean. Hard to beat.
Heading south again, they explored more of Northland’s hidden corners, including Tokerau Beach and Matai Bay, before stopping at 90 Mile Beach.
From there, they cut across to the Hokianga Harbour, catching the vehicle ferry to Rawene. Lunch at the Boatshed Café turned into a bit of a highlight.
They continued on to Opononi, where a short walk at Arai Te Uru gave them sweeping views over the harbour and out to the Tasman Sea.
Ancient Forests and Māori Stories
That evening, they headed into Waipoua Forest for a twilight encounter with Tāne Mahuta, the giant kauri known as the Lord of the Forest.
They also visited Manea Footprints of Kupe, an immersive experience that brings Māori history and navigation to life.
Finishing on Waiheke Island
From there, it was time to return to Auckland. By coincidence, a close friend of theirs was in port on a world cruise, so they were able to catch up before wrapping up the trip.
For their final day, they headed out to Waiheke Island for a wine tour, a relaxed way to finish things off.
Planning Your Own North Island Road Trip
Trips like this work so well because they’re flexible. You can cover a lot of ground, but still slow things down in the places that matter.
If you’re thinking about doing something similar, we can shape it around how you like to travel, guided or self drive, fast paced or more relaxed.
