North Island Highlights Road Trip 8D7N, Self-Drive

Driving Information: Auckland to the Bay of Islands: 247km/153mi | 3.5 hours

Arrive into Auckland, pick up your rental vehicle and set off into North Island nature.

Travel north from Auckland past Warkworth and Leigh, through Wellsford and on up to Whangarei. Along the way, there are many forests to explore. You could also take off to the east and visit some of the surf beaches along the coast, such as Langs Beach, near Waipu.

Whangarei (population 44,000) is the commercial and cultural heart of Northland. The city is surrounded by forested hills and is situated on a harbour which houses yachts from around New Zealand and the world. If you are interested in clocks, the Clapham Clock Museum is worth a visit, with nearly 1000 unusual timepieces from around the world.

Continue onto to the beautiful Bay of Islands. Known for its pristine beaches and water activities, the Bay of Islands encompasses 144 islands between Cape Brett and the Purerua Peninsula and includes the boutique towns of Opua, Paihia, Russell and Kerikeri.

You will stay the next 2 nights at The Sanctuary, one of the Bay of Islands’ most iconic luxury lodges. Located in Opua on a private native bush reserve overlooking the bay, The Sanctuary has been custom designed to showcase its stunning surroundings, with dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows and expansive decking to capture and retain the vistas beyond.

Spend the rest of the day making the most of 5-star facilities and amenities including a sparkling infinity plunge pool. If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, The Sanctuary offers a wide range of water activities including swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, powerboating and sailing.

Driving Information: N/A

Explore the Bay of Islands with a local guide.

Witness the spectacle of a thousand luminous glow worms at the Kawiti Caves. Get up close to the ancient Kauri trees of the Puketi Forest. Hear the mighty roar of the Haruru Falls. Admire one of the best views in town at the Waitangi Lookout. See where modern art meets modern convenience at the Hundertwasser Toilets, the world’s most architecturally important public bathroom. Along the way, there will be ample opportunity to stock up on local delights (own cost). The Makana Chocolate Factory produces handmade chocolates and other sweet treats, while the Kauri Workshop next door is the perfect place to snap up local crafts and collectables.

At around 2:30pm, your guide will return you to your accommodation. The rest of the day is yours to do as much or as little as you please.

Driving Information: Bay of Islands to Auckland: 247km/153mi | 3.5 hours

Say farewell to the Bay of Islands and make your way back to Auckland.

You will stay the night at the Hotel Grand Windsor. Located in the heart of Auckland, this elegant 5-star hotel will transport you to an age of opulent glamour. Its 79 rooms and suites are classic master pieces of refined design, featuring exquisite bedding, muted fabrics and excellent service complemented with state-of-the-art technology.

Spend the rest of the day making the most of 5-star facilities and amenities including a fitness centre and jacuzzi. When you are ready, head into the city to discover a multi-cultural hub of food, music, arts and culture sprawled over volcanic hills and around twin harbours. Those keen to stretch their legs should consider the North Shore Coastal Walk, which starts at Long Bay Regional Park and weaves through the beaches and suburbs all the way to Devonport. Alternatively, why not venture further afield and check out the trails on Rangitoto or Waiheke Island?

Driving Information: Auckland to The Coromandel: 176km/109mi | 2hrs 20min

Let the city lights fade behind you as you journey towards The Coromandel, famous for its rugged coastline, pristine white sand beaches, misty rainforests and lush green valleys.

You’ll stay the next 2 nights at 970 Lonely Bay Lodge. Nestled in New Zealand native bush and just a couple of minutes’ walk to Cooks Beach, this luxury lodge offers just 3 beautifully presented 1-bedroom suites and a premier 2-bedroom honeymoon suite.

Spend the rest of the day making the most of 5-star facilities and amenities including library, manicured garden and indoor/outdoor solarium with opening roof to relax and rejuvenate. When you’re ready, there are a number of walks right on your doorstep. Follow the trail just 10-minutes to beautiful Lonely Bay or venture a little further to Hahei Beach, the gateway to Cathedral Cove. Activities in the world-famous Cathedral Cove include hiking, swimming, snorkelling, diving, fishing, kayaking and boat tours.

Driving Information: Coromandel Coastal Walkway: 10km/6.2mi | 3-4hrs | Easy

Today, you will tick off a bucket list item, the Coromandel Coastal Walkway. This famous 3–4-hour walk links the East and West Coast roads together along a bridle path that Maori and European settlers have used for centuries.

Departing your accommodation, travel to Stoney Bay to begin your walk. Your friendly and knowledgeable guide will share insight into the local history, geology and wildlife as you pass beneath the shadow of brooding Mount Moehau before making the short steep ascent into and out of Poley Bay. From here, head on to farmland, where the track winds its way to Fletcher Bay, a hidden jewel in its own right. Enjoy a cold refreshment as you soak up incredible views all the way to Great Barrier Island.

Keen walkers may also take the opportunity to complete the Muriwai Track, a picturesque 1-hour walk along the dramatic coastal clifftops to the sacred Wharekaiatua Pa, and down the beach to the Port Jackson DOC Camp.

At the end of the day, head back to your accommodation through the ancient Pohutukawa groves, with their brilliant crimson flowers. The trip home makes the day complete – a highly beautiful coast in gorgeous evening light, what a paradise!

Driving Information: The Coromandel to Rotorua: 214km/133mi | 3hrs

Journey south, passing many more beautiful beaches and the township of Tauranga, one of the North Island’s largest ports. Your route takes you through kiwifruit country around Te Puke and onto the heartland of thermal activity and the cultural centre of New Zealand, Rotorua.

Explore the raw beauty of the world’s youngest geothermal site on a self-guided, ecology-focused adventure among the craters of the wonderous Waimangu Volcanic Valley. This exciting geothermal attraction has a very unique ecology, with rare botany and plenty of fascinating geothermal features.

See the hypnotic steam rising from the Echo Crater, marvel at the fizzling Frying Pan Lake (the world’s largest hot spring) and take in the beauty and dazzling blue of the Inferno Crater hot lake. The newly forming silica terraces are also a highlight. At any stage during your walk, you can jump on board a courtesy shuttle that regularly circles the valley back to the Waimangu Visitor Centre.

You’ll stay the night at Black Swan Lakeside Boutique Hotel. Named for the graceful birds that circle Lake Rotorua below, this 5-star hotel offers gorgeous monochromatic rooms overlooking either the lake or the manicured English-style garden.

Spend the rest of the day making the most of 5-star facilities including 2 spa pools and an outdoor swimming pool. When you’re ready, head into Rotorua city centre. Take a walk around the lakefront before indulging in a tasty meal on “Eat Streat” (own cost). The thermally heated footpath and enhanced lighting gives Eat Streat a unique and vibrant dining atmosphere – you’ll satisfy any craving from pub fare and steaks, to tapas, Indian, Italian and much more.

Driving Information: Rotorua to Tongariro: 180km/112mi | 2.5 hours
Walking Information: Tongariro Alpine Crossing: 19km/12mi | 7hrs | Moderate

Rise early to take on one of the world’s best day walks, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. The Tongariro National Park is a UNESCO dual World Heritage area and was the first in the world to receive Cultural World Heritage status. The Crossing ventures between Mount Tongariro and Mount Ngauruhoe – these volcanoes are still active, and the hike is a view into their growth and destruction.

Beginning at Mangatepopo Valley, the track follows a stream and the edges of old lava flows towards the valley head. Look out for varying patches of vegetation that reveal the age of the surrounding rock. At the head of the Valley, the trail becomes steeper, climbing from the valley to Mangatepopo Saddle between the mountains of Ngauruhoe and Tongariro. Stunning panoramic views look out over the volcanic terrain. On a clear day, you can see as far as Mount Taranaki.

The trail then leads from South Crater upwards towards Red Crater, the highest point of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. The smell of sulphur is a reminder that this crater is still active. From here, you begin your descent, past the stunning Emerald Lakes. This is the highlight of the track and a great place to pause for photos. The brilliant colour that gives them their name is caused by minerals leaching from the surrounding thermal environment.

The trail continues over Central Crater to the old volcanic vent of Blue Lake, before it rounds the flanks of North Crater and descends to Ketetahi Road end. The final section is a long descent through tussock slopes to lush green forest, a refreshing change to the volcanic landscape.

You’ll stay the night at Chateau Tongariro Hotel. Surrounded by the sacred peaks of Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro, this luxurious hotel possesses a classic 1930s atmosphere and timeless elegance. The heated indoor plunge pool is the perfect place to soak after a long day’s hiking.

NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.