Destinations
North Island caravan road trips: complete guide
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One of the best things about road trips in New Zealand is how easy it is to see so much of this breathtaking county. New Zealand is only 10% bigger than the UK – and only 3.47% the size of Australia – making it the ideal destination for a caravan or campervan holiday of any length of time. Arrange your New Zealand caravan holiday to take in only one of the two main islands and you’re guaranteed to see a huge amount. Here are our top tips and resources for North Island caravan road trips.
New Zealand’s North Island. Image credit: Shaundd.
First – some essential questions!
How long does it take to drive around New Zealand’s North Island?
The North Island is around 1,055 kilometres from its northern tip at Cape Reinga to its south at Wellington,a straight drive of about 13 hours along State Highway 1. Driving distance to Wellington from New Zealand's northernmost town Kaitaia is about 975 kilometres, also along State Highway 1, andshould take about 12 hours. Of course, you’ll want to take much longer than that to see the best of the island along the way.
What should I see on the North Island?
New Zealand’s North Island is home to cities and settlements including Auckland, Wellington and Hamilton; national parks like Egmont, Tongariro and Whanganui; the beautiful green woodlands of Waipoua Kauri Forest and many more state forests; and waterways including Lake Taupo and the Whanganui and Waikato rivers.
Other absolute must-sees are the North Islands’ stunning coastal destinations such as Ninety Mile Beach, the Bay of Plenty and the gorgeous beaches of the East Coast region – and capes such as northernmost Cape Reinga and southernmost Cape Palliser. But this is just a tiny summary, so get out on the road and explore the North Island’s spectacular settings however you like.
Caravan road trips North Island – short trips
Auckland to the Bay of Plenty (three days)
Spend a day around Auckland’s West Coast beaches before driving to the white-sand beaches of the Coromandel Peninsula and gorgeous Cathedral Cove. On Day 3, explore the beaches around Mt Maunganui, take a dolphin-watching tour or arrange a kayak trip through a Bay of Plenty glow worm canyon.
Wellington to Tongariro National Park (five days)
Sightsee in Wellington for a day (we highly recommend the Te Papa Tongarewa Museum), then drive to Martinborough an hour east to visit the famous vineyards or take a guided vineyard tour. The next day, drive to Tongariro National Park to do the eight-hour Tongariro Alpine Crossing hike and spend Day 5 on shorter hikes, horse riding or rafting.
Caravan road trip North Island – one week
Auckland to Wellington
Drive from New Zealand’s biggest city to its capital on this seven-day trip, spending the first day in Auckland then Days 2 and 3 in Rotorua and Taupō. Days 4 and 5 are for Tongariro and Napier, arriving in Wellington on Day 6 and spending the next day in the city.
Caravan road trip North Island – two weeks
This two-week trip also goes from Auckland to Wellington but has a lot more leisure time built in. Spend a day sightseeing in Auckland, then collect your hired caravan and head south. The first week of this trip allows for one or two days at the Bay of Islands, the same at the Coromandel Peninsula and a visit to the Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Glow Worm Caves.
In Week 2, see the Rotorua and its redwood trees, Lake Taupo and then Taranaki and either New Plymouth or Napier and Hawkes Bay on the final leg to Wellington.
Caravan road trip North Island – three weeks
Aleisurely three-week adventure allows plenty of sightseeing time along the way:
Week 1 – two days in Auckland (arrival and exploring); two days to and around the Bay of Islands; two days to and around the Coromandel Peninsula; and a final day from Coromandel to Mt Maunganui and the Bay of Plenty
Week 2 – Mt Maunganui to Rotorua; Rotorua to the Waitomo Caves; Waitomo to New Plymouth; New Plymouth to Taupo; Taupo to Whakatane
Week 3 – Whakatane to Gisborne; Gisborne to Napier; Napier to Wellington, allowing for a day exploring Napier and Hawke's Bay, two days in Wellington and a final day from Wellington to home
Resources and tips for New Zealand road trips
Official site for Tourism New Zealand – travel times and distance calculator
Tourism New Zealand – North Island road trips