Auckland to Cape Reinga: best road trip itinerary

The road trip from Auckland to Cape Reinga is different from any other journey in New Zealand. It’s jam-packed with some of the country’s largest subtropical forests, tallest waterfalls and most important historical sights. At the end of your travels, you are rewarded with panoramic views from NZ’s northernmost tip over the clashing waters of the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea.

Use our 6-day Auckland to Cape Reinga road trip guide to plan your travels. It can be modified to suit the number of days you have available and includes all the best sightseeing and camping spots. Plus, we’ve thrown in a heap of extra information like drive times, distances, the best season to travel and much more!

This particular route takes you through towns and cities like Auckland, Paihia, Russell and Dargaville. Along the way, you’ll visit some of the North Island’s best sights including Whangarei Falls, Waitangi Treaty Grounds, 90 Mile Beach, Cape Reinga Lighthouse and Waipoua Forest.

Best Auckland to Cape Reinga road trip: 5 places you can’t miss

Total Distance: 872km return | Recommended Days: from 3 - 6 days | Best Time to Visit: Between December and March | Route on Google Maps

1. Auckland

Auckland is New Zealand's largest city with a population of nearly 1.7 million. It is also one of the country's top 10 tourist destinations and gateway to the North Island’s beautiful Hibiscus Coast. There’s a heap to do and see in the City of Sails, making it the perfect place to start your Cape Reinga road trip.

To get your bearings, ride the 220m elevator to the top of the famous Sky Tower for 360-degree panoramic views up to 80km in every direction. Once at the summit, you can either Skywalk over the city on a sheer ledge - or you can take the quick route down and Skyjump 53 floors at 85kph (an 11-second freefall bungee!).

The Takapuna Beach Holiday Park is one of the best holiday park campgrounds near Auckland and is only a 15-minute drive from the City Centre. This quiet spot offers powered sites from $45 per night and the facilities include hot showers, toilets, a communal kitchen and more. Plus, you get waterfront views from your camper!

2. Whangārei

Drive Time: 3hr 35min | Distance: 215km

Whangārei is the northernmost city in New Zealand and capital of the north region. It’s a great place for nature lovers to soak in the views of native forests and waterfalls without being too isolated from urban areas. On the way to Whangarei, be sure to stop at Piroa Falls - it’s only a 200m (5-minute) walk from the car park and you can take a refreshing dip in the swimming hole.

Also, be sure to stop at Waipu Caves, only a 30-minute drive from Piroa Falls. This is one of the most popular sightseeing spots on the road to Whangārei. The limestone caves, which hold cultural significance in Maori culture, are inhabited by glowworms that make for a natural spectacle. The walking track to the caves is 4km return (1.5-hours) but it is easy and accessible to people of all ages.

Stay at the highly-rated Whangārei Top 10 Holiday Park, which offers powered grass sites starting from about $48 per night. Amenities include clean communal toilets and showers, kitchen area, free unlimited wifi, laundry and much more. Plus, you’re only a 5-minute drive from the iconic Whangarei Falls that stand at an impressive 26.3m tall!

3. Paihia

Drive Time: 1hr 15min | Distance: 77km

Paihia is a gateway to the countless coves and beaches that form the Bay of Islands. Numerous cruises leave from Paihia Wharf every day and take tourists on scenic rides out to sights like the famous Hole in the Rock. Tours often last about 4 hours and you are bound to see dolphins and other marine wildlife frolicking in the Bay’s deep blue waters.

Paihia is also a hub for tourists wanting to visit historical sites like the Waitangi Treaty Grounds - the “the birthplace of New Zealand” wherein 1840 the native Maori people and the Crown agreed upon the country’s founding document. It is a must-visit for any tourist and includes two new modern museums, a carving studio, traditional meeting houses and war canoes on display.

We also recommend taking the 15-minute ferry journey from Paihia to the historic township of Russell. Russell was New Zealand's first seaport and first European settlement. The city still has the original layout and street names dating from 1843, so it has a historic feel to it. Notable things to explore in Russell include New Zealand's first licensed hotel, bar and restaurant, The Duke of Marlborough, as well as NZ’s oldest church.

Stay at the Paihia Top 10 Holiday Park, only a 7-minute drive from the town centre. You can grab a powered site for as little as $40 a night, which includes access to hot showers, communal kitchens, a swimming pool, free unlimited wifi and much more.

4. Cape Reinga

Drive Time: 3hr 25min | Distance: 218km

Cape Reinga is the northernmost tip of New Zealand and the meeting place for two major bodies of water: the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean. At the tip of the Cape, you’ll find a gnarled old tree overlooking the water. This is a site of major cultural significance for the Maori people, who believe that “the spirits of the deceased leap from this tree into the ocean and return to their ancestral homeland”.

On the way to Cape Reinga, take the exit to Kerikeri (about 25 minutes out of Paihia). The fearsome Maori chief Hongi Hika used Kerikeri as his home base in the early 1800s. However, he also allowed missionaries to settle in the area. Today, you can see New Zealand’s oldest standing European building, New Zealand’s oldest stone building and the preserved village of the Hongi Hika people.

As you continue to Cape Reinga, stop at the Mangonui Wharf and grab lunch at the best fish and chip shop in New Zealand: Mangonui Fish Shop. Then continue to 90 Mile Beach, a “never-ending paradise” consisting of pristine sands, spectacular sunsets and a world-famous left-hand surf break. 90 Mile Beach is officially recognised as a highway, but it is only suitable for 4WD vehicles at certain times of the day (depending on tides). Alternatively, you can catch a bus tour along the beach from Kaitaia.

The closest campsite to Cape Reinga is the scenic Tapotupotu Campsite. The campsite costs $15 per night and has cold showers, non-flush toilets and tap water available. It’s set on a grassy patch next to the roaring ocean, so it’s a fantastic way to experience the untouched landscape around Cape Reinga.

5. Dargaville (via Waipoua Forest)

Drive Time: 4hr 30min | Distance: 270km

It’s time to turn around and make the return road trip from Cape Reinga to Auckland. However, before you leave, be sure to do the Cape Reinga Lighthouse Walk. It is an easy 10-minute stroll and offers stunning views out over the colliding currents of the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea.

Instead of returning via the same route, explore the untouched west coast of the North Island. The Twin Coast Discovery Highway from Cape Reinga to Auckland adds about 2 hours to your return journey (7 hours as opposed to 5 hours) but it is well worth it. This much quieter scenic route follows the Wairoa and Whakiki Rivers, running through sleepy surf towns like Dargaville.

One of the must-visit attractions on the way to Dargaville is Waipoua Forest. This ancient green forest is home to Tane Mahuta (aka The Lord of the Forest) - one of the largest trees you’ll ever lay eyes on. From the car park, it’s only a 5-minute walk to the base of this tree which is over 2,000 years old, 4.4m in diameter and 18m to the first branch!

A few minutes drive out of Dargaville you’ll find Baylys Beach Holiday Park. This campground has great amenities and is only a short walk from a long and remote sandy beach. Choose from a range of unpowered sites and powered campsites starting at about $20 per night.

6. Waiheke Island

Drive Time: 2hr 20min | Distance: 175km

Within just a few short hours, you’ll be back within the buzzing city of Auckland. If you’re still looking for things to do after your Auckland to Cape Reinga road trip, why not make the 45-minute ferry ride out to Waiheke Island. It’s the perfect place to relax as you explore the numerous vineyards, art galleries and calm beaches that dot the island’s shores. Alternatively, spend some time at Auckland Museum, one of the best places in New Zealand to learn about the history of the Maori people and the Pacific Region.

Organise your Auckland to Cape Reinga road trip with Camplify

Now that you’ve got your Auckland to Cape Reinga road trip itinerary sorted, it’s time to start organising the finer details that’ll guarantee a great holiday! To help keep the ball rolling, we've put together a list of the best Cape Reinga camping grounds!

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