The Best Road Trip Adventures On New Zealands North Island

New Zealand’s North Island has so much to offer for those itching for adventure, with mountains, spectacular beaches, waterfalls and geothermal pools just a road trip away. Up north, discover sacred places, ancient trees and islands. In the central zone, visit caves and geothermal steaming pools, while further south, a volcano and some of the best surf spots in the country. Here’s a list of the best road trip adventures on New Zealand’s North Island.

1. Northland treasures in Cape Reinga and Bay of Islands

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The lighthouse at Cape Reinga | © Vincent Lowe / Alamy Stock Photo

Head 310 kilometres (193 miles) north from Auckland to Kaitai in Northland, then explore the sacred Cape Reinga northern point of New Zealand and Ninety Mile Beach. Enjoy bodyboarding down the steep dunes followed by a swim in the dazzling blue waters. Drive back down south 89 kilometres (55 miles) to Waipoua Forest near Omapere to see Tāne Mahuta, New Zealand’s largest known living Kauri tree. The route via Kohukohu includes a ferry crossing. Finally, head 120 kilometres (75 miles) west across the width of the top of New Zealand’s north island to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and visit the place where New Zealand’s founding document was signed. Then head across the bridge to Pahia, the gateway to the Bay of Islands, an ocean playground of sandy beaches and spectacular caves and marine reserves worth exploring on a charter boat.

2. Adventure on the east coast in Bay of Plenty

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A view of Whale Island (Moutohora), Whakatane, North Island, New Zealand

Travel southeast out of Auckland to the Bay of Plenty on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island. Drive 211 kilometres (131 miles) from Auckland to Tauranga, a booming city known for its beautiful beaches and climb Mount Maunganui for excellent views of the ocean. Carry on south for 89 kilometres (55 miles) through the kiwifruit-growing area of Te Puke until the town of Whakatane. Go on a tour to the predator-free Moutohorā (Whale Island) to see rare native birds and a seal colony. Then head back inland and drive 86 kilometres (53 miles) to Rotorua for an exhilarating mountain-bike ride through the region’s famous redwoods in Whakarewarewa Forest.

3. Caves and geothermal wonders in Waikato

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Glow worms in Waitomo Caves, Waikato Region, North Island, New Zealand, Pacific

Head south out of Auckland for 195 kilometres (121 miles) and stop at Waitomo Caves in the Waikato region. Home to thousands of glow worms, Waitomo Caves are an adventure seeker’s dream, with options to walk, go river rafting or abseiling through the magnificent network of caves and underground rivers. Head 150 kilometres (93 miles) south-east to Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest inland lake. Go kayaking or sailing on this lake and stop or walk to the nearby Huka Falls to see 220,000 litres rumble over the 11-metre high waterfall. Finally, head 50 kilometres (31 miles) northeast to the Wai-O-Tapu thermal track, and take in the dramatic geothermal bubbling mud pools and natural springs that shoot water up to heights of 20 metres (66 feet) more than a dozen times a day.

5. Beach paradise escape on the Coromandel Peninsula

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Fletcher Bay on the north coast of the Coromandel Peninsula

Drive 122 kilometres (76 miles) east from Auckland to Thames, a small town on the coast of the Coromandel Peninsula, a region that is known for its spectacular beaches and dramatic coastline. Hop on a bike and cycle along the Hauraki Rail Trail or go hiking in the Kauaeranga Valley. Head 123 kilometres (76 miles) north to Port Charles and walk along the Coromandel Coastal Walkway that runs 20 kilometres from Stony Bay to Fletcher Bay. Finally, drive 101 kilometres southeast to the golden-sand beaches of Hahei and explore the giant rock archway at Cathedral Cove or take a dip in the Pacific Ocean and enjoy natural springs at Hot Water Beach.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.