Best New Zealand North Island road trip in winter

A winter road trip around New Zealand’s North Island allows you to experience a side of this region that most never get to see - a land of soaring snow-capped mountains and cosy little cities and towns.

Use our 8-day New Zealand North Island winter 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, Wellington and Napier. Along the way, you’ll visit some of the North Island’s best winter sights such as the Whakapapa and Turoa ski resorts, Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Lake Taupo and the geothermal wonders of Rotorua.

Best road trip around New Zealand North Island in winter: 8 places you can’t miss

Total Distance: 1,674km | Recommended Days: from 8 - 12 days | Best Time to Visit: Between June and August | Route on Google Maps

1. Auckland

Auckland is New Zealand's largest city and home to some of the country's top-rated tourist attractions like Waiheke Island. Known as the City of Sails, it’s the perfect place to kick off a North Island winter road trip thanks to its central location and major international airport.

If you happen to be in Auckland on a weekend, make the 1-hour drive north to Matakana Farmers’ Market. Every Saturday morning between 8 am - 1 pm, city crowds visit this vibrant marketplace to buy fresh produce from local farmers, including home-baked goods, Italian sausages, organic chocolate, fine wines and craft beers.

Want an outstanding camping spot near Auckland? Head to the Takapuna Beach Holiday Park. Located only a 15-minute drive from the city centre, this park offers campsites near the water for only $45 per night.

2. Waitomo

Drive Time: 2hr 15min | Distance: 190km

Kick off your North Island winter road trip with a short drive south to the green rolling hills of Waitomo. But it’s not the lush farmland that lures tourists to this region - rather it’s the labyrinth of caves, sinkholes and rivers under the town that are the major drawcard.

The Waitomo Glowworm Caves is New Zealand’s largest and most-visited underground glowworm cave system. The walking and boat ride tour takes about 1-hour and can be booked online (tickets start at about $55 per adult). Alternatively, thrill-seekers might prefer to go black-water rafting and descend 80m below the Earth’s as they ride a tube through underground rapids.

Camp overnight at the Waitomo Top 10 Holiday Park which offers campsites from about $25 per night. The park has nice green grounds and fantastic facilities like a free hot tub and swimming pool.

3. Mt Ruapehu (Whakapapa and Turoa Ski Areas)

Drive Time: 2hr | Distance: 165km

Mount Ruapehu is home to two of New Zealand’s largest ski areas : Whakapapa and Turoa. If you want to experience the NZ alps and have a go at skiing or snowboarding, this is a destination you must add to your North Island winter road trip.

Whakapapa is the perfect ski resort for learners due to its premier training facility - Happy Valley. Of the ski resort's 550 hectares, about 30% of the area is devoted to beginners trails. Turoa, on the other hand, is more suited to intermediate and advanced skiers. It boasts NZ’s highest lifted point and the country’s longest vertical drop (722m).

If you aren’t interested in skiing, you can still visit Whakapapa and ride NZ’s longest gondola - Sky Waka. Take in panoramic views from the edge of this dormant volcano as you ride to Knoll Ridge cafe, NZ’s highest cafe at 2020m above sea level.

The best place to camp overnight is the Whakapapa Holiday Park. This friendly park provides a range of camping options starting at $22 per night and even throws in a free shuttle bus service around Tongariro National Park.

4. Wellington

Drive Time: 4hr 30min | Distance: 344km

Wellington has long been regarded by Lonely Planet as the “coolest little capital in the world” thanks to its vibrant food and entertainment scene. Renowned for being New Zealand’s creative hub, this is the southernmost point of your North Island winter road trip.

In the evening, take a stroll down Hannah's Laneway and try an array of quirky dishes from gourmet takeaways like Leeds Street Bakery or Fix and Fogg (famous for its peanut butter!). After you’re done, wash your meal down with a drink at Golding’s Free Dive Bar, popular for only serving the best local alcohol - you won't find any big-name beer brands here!

The best spot to camp near Wellington’s city centre is Camp Wellington Campervan Park. Campsites start at only $25 per night and the park’s facilities are always spotless.

5. Napier

Drive Time: 4hr | Distance: 319km

It’s time to turn around and continue your North Island winter road trip to the trendy Art-Deco city of Napier. Situated in the renowned Hawkes Bay region, this is the perfect place to kick back, relax and enjoy a few glasses of world-class Chardonnay from the local vineyards.

If you happen to be travelling in June, you won’t want to miss the annual winter Food and Wine Classic event. This is a showcase of all the very best food and drink from around Hawkes Bay. Choose from over 40+ events including cooking masterclasses, winemaker’s lunches, garden parties and vineyard picnics.

Stay at the Hawkes Bay Holiday Park, which boasts over 50 sheltered and unsheltered camping sites starting at about $19 per night. The campgrounds are lush and the facilities are well-maintained.

6. Lake Taupo

Drive Time: 2hr | Distance: 141km

Lake Taupo is one of New Zealand’s most popular tourist spots due to its natural attractions like the Mine Bay Maori Rock Carvings and Huka Falls. Whether you want to relax in hot springs or take on some adventure sports like fishing and jet-boating - Taupo has it all.

Spend some time soaking at the Spa Thermal Park, home to the famous Otumuheke Stream hot pools. Bathe under a waterfall in natural rock spas whilst enjoying views over the mighty Waikato River. Entry to the park is free and it is open daily from 7.00 am - 8.00 pm.

Camp overnight at Lake Taupo Holiday Resort, which boasts a thermal pool with a swim-up bar and cafe. There’s a range of camping options available with powered sites starting at about $73 per night.

7. Rotorua

Drive Time: 1hr | Distance: 80km

Only a short drive north of Lake Taupo is Rotorua, another paradise for adventure-seekers and leisure-lovers alike. This small town is perhaps best known, however, for its world-renowned geothermal wonders and cultural experiences.

Te Puia is one of the best places to see Rotorua’s bubbling mud pools, hot springs and spurting geysers. Day passes start at only $39 per person and provide entry to over 60-hectares of geothermal walking tracks, a Kiwi conservation centre, Ahua art gallery, Maori carving demonstrations and a traditional Maori village.

The All Seasons Holiday Park Rotorua is a unique campground on the edge of Lake Rotorua. It’s home to 19 life-sized dinosaurs and provides free access to their indoor/outdoor heated pool and spa complex. Camping sites start at about $30 per night.

8. Return to Auckland (via Coromandel)

Drive Time: 6hr 30min | Distance: 434km

On the last day of your New Zealand North Island winter road trip, you can return to Auckland via the scenic route or the highway. The scenic route via the Coromandel Peninsula adds an extra 4 hours - but along the way, you can stop at some of NZ’s best attractions including Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach.

Alternatively, if you follow the major highways via Hamilton , you can return to Auckland in as little as 2 hours.

Once you’re back in the City of Sails, consider whether you have enough time to take on another adventure like this New Zealand road trip in winter or this New Zealand South Island winter road trip.

Organise your road trip with Camplify

Now that you’ve got your New Zealand North Island winter road trip itinerary sorted, it’s time to start organising the finer details that’ll guarantee a great vacation!

The best way to arrange North Island campervan hire is via Camplify. Camplify is a platform that allows travellers to quickly search through dozens of privately-owned rental vehicles. Simply enter your pickup location and budget and within seconds Camplify will find the perfect motorhome, caravan or campervan for your road trip.

Why Camplify?

Camplify is the fastest-growing camper vehicle sharing community in New Zealand. We proudly include the following advantages with all Camplify rentals:

• Comprehensive hire insurance

• AA roadside assistance

• 24/7 customer support

• Member verification

Plus, by hiring a vehicle through Camplify, you are directly supporting local families and companies who share their vehicle through our platform!

Subscribe to our newsletter below to receive more helpful articles, tips, tricks and road trip itineraries directly to your email.