Your Guide to North Island Road Tripping

A total of 90 minutes of driving time should get you from New Plymouth to Hāwera, but you’ll want to allow a lot longer as there are plenty of neat places to explore along the way. 

Start and end your trip with some local colonial history at each of the Puke Ariki and Tawhiti Museums (in New Plymouth and Hāwera, respectively), climb Paritutu Rock for sweeping ocean views, and kick back at one of the many black sand beaches, including Back Beach, Ōakura and Opunake. 

Stopping at Cape Egmont Lighthouse is time well spent, especially with prominent Mount Taranaki looming behind. Of course, it’s not called the Surf Highway for nothing, so don’t forget to pack the board. Fuel up for the day with breakfast at Monica’s Eatery and stock up on snacks for the car from Knead Artisan Donuts.

Heading up Northland’s west coast from the small surf town Ahipara, two opportunities present themselves. The more direct, traditional route of State Highway 1, or the more unique coastal route of 90 Mile Beach. 

Driving on the sand isn’t as easy as it looks, so do some preparation, but it is certainly a surreal experience. Stop off at the Te Paki Giant Sand Dunes and step into the desert, an other-worldly landscape where the steep sand dunes invite sand-boarding fun. Keep driving to the top of the country, where the iconic Cape Reinga lighthouse awaits. Steeped in Māori history, Cape Reinga is where Māori spirits are said to meet before descending into the underworld (reinga) by sliding down the lone pōhutukawa tree into the water below. It is also where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean. A road less travelled, bringing your own food and supplies is advisable. 

No trip to the North Island is complete without visiting the world’s coolest little capital, Wellington. The winding road over the Remutaka Hill connects Wellington to the quaint country towns of the Wairarapa, where the local coffee shops and corner stores line the way. Greytown exudes a real charm, with an abundance of secondhand galleries and consignment stores, and a wide range of eateries, including the classic White Swan Country Hotel.  

Not far from Greytown lies the Wairarapa’s wine country, Martinborough, where a patchwork of boutique vineyards and wineries quilt the landscape. Fuel up on a pie from The Clareville Bakery before continuing north towards the rugged seaside settlement of Castlepoint, the perfect place to unwind and relax. Enjoy a walk to Castlepoint’s iconic lighthouse and soak up the dramatic beauty of the surrounding landscape.

As one of New Zealand’s cultural gems, Rotorua is an absolute must-visit for everyone at least once in their lives. Rotorua oozes with Māori history and geothermal wonders, along with the majestic Whakarewarewa Redwood forest. After starting the day with breakfast at Capers or coffee and cronuts from Ciabatta Café & Bakery, head south. Pass through the popular lakeside towns of Taupō and Tūrangi to Ohakune, a small town featuring a giant carrot located at the southern end of Tongariro National Park. Ohakune is a popular launchpad for the Tongariro Crossing Great Walk, as well as home to the beloved Mardi Gras winter festival.

Immerse yourself in some of New Zealand’s oldest trees along the Kauri Coastal Highway. Armed with knowledge from the Kauri Museum in Matakohe, travel through the Trounson Kauri Park, a dense forest and bird sanctuary. Travelling north, the perfect pit stop is the Kai Iwi Lakes: three azure lakes adorned with pristine white sand, hiking trails and two campgrounds - inevitably a popular summer destination. Jump back in the car and continue trippin’ north to the Waipoua Forest, a winding corridor with a canopy of trees, including several majestic but threatened ancient kauri trees. Leave time for visiting the 2000 year old Tāne Mahuta, New Zealand’s largest living kauri tree - it really is a sight to behold. 

This inland route starts and ends at arguably two of the country’s best surf towns: Raglan and Mount Maunganui. Raglan is a proud little town with an interesting assortment of shops, cafes and bars, including the Raglan Roast coffee roastery and a legendary fish and chip down on the wharf. At the other end, trendy Mount Maunganui offers artisan shops, boutique galleries and a lively nightlife at the base of an iconic volcanic cone - trust us when we say the short and steep climb is well worth the view. Visit Eddies and Elspeth for a coffee and to satisfy the hunger post-surf. In between these two surf spots lies some classic New Zealand attractions (at least, they’re not too much of a detour), including the Waitomo Caves, the whimsical Hobbiton movie set and the natural geological wonder, Cathedral Cove.

One of the country’s most isolated yet memorable road trips connects Ōpōtiki in the west to Gisborne in the east, along what is known as State Highway 35. Like all good roadies, ice cream is a feature; the Nuthouse Cafe in Waihau Bay makes homemade ice cream using macadamia nuts and mānuka honey. The spectacular winding coastal route is punctuated with several remote settlements and an abundance of neat places to stop at, including the country’s easternmost lighthouse, largest pōhutukawa tree and the iconic 660 metre long Tolaga Bay Wharf. The journey continues through Tatapouri Bay (where you can stop and feed the resident stingrays) and past Wainui beach (make time to dip your toes in the ocean) before wrapping up in Gisborne, the first city in the world to see the sun each morning.