Auckland to New Plymouth road trip: 7 must-see spots

New Zealand’s North Island has so much to offer for your next holiday. Take a campervan on an Auckland to New Plymouth road trip and travel along the West Coast, where you will be treated to welcoming seaside towns, amazing surf and stunning scenery.

Head inland for your return trip to see as much of the North Island as possible without missing a beat, before making your way back to Auckland. This is the adventure of a lifetime, covering Raglan, the Waitomo Caves and much more in under 14 hours of driving.

It’s nearly time to pick up a unique rental campervan and get those wheels spinning, with so many sights not to be missed thanks to our incredible itinerary! But first, discover the must-see stops on an Auckland to New Plymouth road trip below.

Best road trip from Auckland to New Plymouth: 7 places you can’t miss

Total distance: 1,038km | Recommended duration: 8 days | Best time to drive the route: Any season! | Google Maps route

1. Raglan

The first stop on your Auckland to New Plymouth road trip is the beautiful coastal town of Raglan. One of the main reasons this place is on the tourist map is thanks to the amazing surf conditions. Not up for surfing? Not to worry, there’s still plenty to keep you busy!

Head up on a hike to Mount Karioi, which is a five-hour return trip with plenty of wildlife and views to soak up on the way. You can even take a short drive out of Raglan to view the stunning Bridal Veil Falls. It’s just a 10-minute walk to reach the viewing platform, which is right next to the 55m platform.

If you’re up for a little more adventure, you can go caving, rock climbing, or even check out the incredible glow worms during your stay. Raglan is a small coastal town that really does have it all. You can stay just one night, or five, and still not get enough of this place.

2. Waitomo Caves

If you love nature, then you’re never going to want to leave Waitomo Caves. This stunning tourist attraction has several places for you to add to your to-do list.

Fire, take off on an underground caving adventure and see the amazing glow worms as they light up the cave walls.

Then take your exploration a step further and head to the Waitomo Museum of Caves, soaking up some culture and history as you experience the evolution of the caves with several interactive displays.

Waitomo is also full of so many amazing walks for you to check out the stunning scenery. Hike the Marokopa Falls Walk and the Mangapohue Bridge Walk, both nice and easy walks on 20-minute return tracks. Finally, take the kids to Troll Cave, or visit the Waitomo Big Bird and Miniature Animal Petting Farm.

3. New Plymouth

Welcome to New Plymouth, a gorgeous seaside city that is one of the most gorgeous areas in New Zealand. The coastal walkway covers 13km of seafront from Port Taranaki to Bell Block Beach that passes through the town centre. While it makes for a perfect walk, it’s easier to hire bikes to get from one end to another.

Make sure you head to Te Rewa Rewa Bridge where you can enjoy stunning views of Mount Taranaki. If you’re up for a hike, you can head to Paritutu Rock, ending off in the neighbouring Black Beach, where you can enjoy the stunning black sand contrasted against the orange rocks.

If you’re after a bit of family adventure, then head to Brooklands Zoo where you can take in some adorable animals with a great playground for the kids.

4. Taupo

It’s time to head inland on the return back to Auckland with a stop into Taupo on the way. It’s located on the northeastern end of Lake Taupo, which is the biggest lake in Australasia. You can capture some gorgeous views of Mount Tongariro and Ruapehu, which both make a stunning background to the lake.

Take a trip to Huka Falls, which is a stunning site of rushing water. You can trek there, or it’s just a short drive from Taupo. If you’d prefer a little relaxation, then jump into one of the Spa Park hot pools at the start of the Spa Park walk. These natural hot pools are the perfect temperature to enjoy!

Of course, if you prefer a little action, then there’s plenty for you as well. Head to Taupo Bungy Place and either take a picnic, watch the jumpers, or get in there yourself and enjoy the rush.

5. Rotorua

The last stop on your Auckland to New Plymouth road trip before making your way back to Auckland. Rotorua is well-known for its geothermal activity and Maori culture for you to soak up during your stay. You can even visit a local Maori village and check out the New Zealand Arts and Crafts Institute.

Head to one of their many bubbling mud pools and watch the Pohutu Geyser erupt several times a day. Head to Whakarewarewa Redwood Forest, which is a popular tourist place to explore. After a day-long adventure, you can head to their night markets that take place every Thursday on Tutanekai Street and enjoy some delicious food and entertainment.

6. Tauranga

There’s plenty to see and do on a trip to Tauranga. Start by hiking up Mt Maunganui, where you can reach the summit and soak up some incredible views at the top. Pop a trip to Leisure Island on the cards after, which only takes a nice stroll to reach their main blowhole.

For a little more sightseeing, head to Mclaren Falls Park, which is just a 20-minute drive away. You can take one of the many different walks on offer and spend a whole day just exploring.

Finally, go along and soak up some culture at Tauranga Art Gallery, which has free entry. It’s full of changing exhibitions and displays, so check what’s on show before you visit.

7. Auckland

Now to end the road trip back where you started in Auckland. If you haven’t yet had the pleasure of exploring this amazing city, then add a day or two onto the end of your trip and get sightseeing.

Head to Sky Tower for some stunning views, check out the New Zealand Maritime Museum or check out the animals at Sea Life.

If you have even more free time on your hands, you might consider taking off on a second adventure and planning another road trip from Auckland to see even more of the North Island. There are so many different routes you can take, it’s about freeing up the time to explore as much as possible.

Organise your road trip with Camplify

Are you ready to explore the West Coast and beyond? Start planning your ultimate Auckland to New Plymouth road trip with the help of our incredible itinerary outlined above. Plus, check out the best New Plymouth campgrounds to spend the night!

After sorting out your campervan hire in Auckland, you’re free to hit the open road and start exploring everything on offer. If you have a little more time on your hands, drive further down the West Coast and discover more amazing road trips from Auckland. There are so many great places to visit, it’s about finding the time to escape and truly explore this amazing island!

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