North Island Adventure
Self Drive Motorhome Touring
AUCKLAND | BAY OF ISLANDS | OREWA | WHITIANGA | WHAKATANE | GISBORNE | NAPIER | WELLINGTON | TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK | ROTORUA
Vibrant cities and pristine beaches; volcanic landscapes and bubbling mud pools discover all this and more with our self-driving tours of New Zealand. Travel through the North Island by motorhome.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Auckland - known as the “City of Sails”
- Art Deco Napier
- Witness the sunsets in the Bay of Islands
- Volcanic Tongario National Park
- Geothermal Rotorua
- Visit the thermal hot pools in Whakatane
- Explore the Coromandel Peninsula
Click here to check out more holidays in New Zealand.
Your Itinerary
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Day 1 - 2
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Day 3-4
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Day 5
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Day 6
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Day 7
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Day 8
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Day 9
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Day 10
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Day 11
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Day 12
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Day 13
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Day 14
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Day 15
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Day 16
Day 1 - 2 : Auckland
Arrive in Auckland and explore at leisure. The hundreds of sailing boats in Auckland harbour are an amazing sight and have gained New Zealand’s largest city the nickname “City of Sails”. But there’s much more to Auckland than its fantastic harbourfront; you’ll find shopping galore, restaurants that serve food to die for and a thriving night-scene too.
Hotel for 2 nights: Copthorne Hotel
Day 3-4 : Auckland - Bay of Islands (228km)
This morning collect your motorhome and set off for the Bay of Islands. En-route why not stop at the Footprints of Waipoua encounter; home to some of the largest remaining kauri trees. Afterwards continue onto the Bay of Islands. The next day is free for you to explore Paihia; cruise to the famous Hole in the Rock or perhaps take a spectacular helicopter flight over the Islands.
Day 5 : Bay of Islands - Orewa (196km)
Today back down south today to Orewa located 20 minutes outside of Auckland. Famous for its 3km of golden sands, a stroll on the beach is a must.
Day 6 : Orewa – Whitianga (205km)
This morning head to the Coromandel Peninsula, your base tonight will be Whitianga. Spend the rest of the day exploring.
Day 7 : Whitianga – Whakatane (233km)
Today head south along the coast to the Bay of Plenty and arrive at Whakatane. Spend the rest of the day exploring; head to the thermal hot pools or take a jet-boat ride across majestic Matahina Lake.
Day 8 : Whakatane – Gisborne (181km)
Head towards the coast today to your next stop Gisborne. The first city in the world to greet the sun each morning and has a reputation for great food, wine and surf beaches.
Day 9 : Gisborne – Napier (210km)
Continue down the Pacific Coast Route to the scenic Hawke’s Bay and your next stop is the art deco capital of Napier.
Day 10 : Napier
Spend today exploring the surrounding area.
Day 11 : Napier – Wellington (322km)
Set off today for Wellington, the nation’s capital, stopping in Martinborough on the way to taste the Pinot Noir.
Day 12 : Wellington
Explore New Zealand’s capital today.
Day 13 : Wellington – Tongariro National Park (330km)
Head back up north today but this time head for the rugged volcanic mountain landscapes of Tongariro National Park.
Day 14 : Tongariro National Park - Rotorua
This morning you might want to enjoy a few hours hiking in Tongariro National Park; the scenery will not disappoint. This afternoon take the short drive to the geothermal city of Rotorua.
Day 15 : Rotorua
With its smouldering lakes and bubbling mud pools and spouting geysers it is a place like no other. Known for its myriad of activities and experiences from indulgent spa therapies to Maori Hangi feasts there are lots to discover in this geothermal city.
Day 16 : Rotorua - Auckland
Head back to Auckland today, but why not stop at Hobbition; the famous movie set from the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit Trilogy’s. Explore the Shire and enjoy a drink in the Green Dragon. On arrival into Auckland drop your motorhome off at the local depot.
