The Ultimate Northland Road Trip with Dane & Stacey

Like many Kiwis, Dane and Stacey spent a lot of time dreaming about overseas travel. But when COVID-19 hit, and the borders closed, they dusted off their map of New Zealand – and what started as a consolation prize has turned into a road trip after road trip.

Five years later, with two motorhome trips already under their belt, the couple decided that it was time for another one. They picked up their Suite motorhome from Wilderness and headed to the place with the clearest water and most beautiful beaches – Northland.

The next few weeks were filled with lazy wakeups by the beach, the smell of brewing coffee, and relaxing in the sun. For these intrepid travellers who have been all over the world, New Zealand proved that it still can’t be beaten.

Why go to Northland in a motorhome?

Most travellers flock to the South Island for the summer, but plenty would argue that Northland is the real gem.

For Dane and Stacey, the goal was a quintessential summer on the beach. They wanted the white sand and the crystal waters, and Northland’s beaches were practically designed for road trips.

With this in mind, a motorhome trip made sense as the ultimate way to explore Northland. They started their journey at Kai Iwi Lakes, but hit a patch of bad weather. Without a rigid itinerary or any non-refundable hotels, they chose to sit it out and wait for the skies to clear before continuing their journey.

“We had the flexibility to wait it out in comfort,” they said. “Being in a luxury motorhome definitely makes you feel a bit elite when others are getting soaked in their tents!”

“The North Island also has so many small towns, beaches, lakes and nature walks, and we actually had the chance to appreciate them at our own pace, for as long as each spot justified, without needing to repack a tent or car and just drive from A to B.”

One of the biggest hits for the couple was the Poor Knights Islands, where they found unexpectedly great waters for snorkelling.

“We’ve been fortunate enough to snorkel in some pretty incredible places around the world, and Poor Knights was right up there with the best!” Dane and Stacey said.

“It’s super underrated and was never high on our list because we were under the impression it was more of a destination for divers. We actually didn’t realise snorkelling was even an option until we started researching!”

Want more stories from our guests? Check out Adam Kubicek’s trip across Aotearoa in a motorhome.

What were your favourite moments from life on the road?

Every day on the road looked a little different, but mornings had a rhythm. Coffee first, then a little time outside – beach, bush, wherever they'd woken up. For Dane and Stacey, these mornings were the highlight of the whole trip.

From there, it was on to wherever the mood took them. Their drives were filled with spontaneous stops for a swim or to fire up the barbecue. Sometimes, they’d settle down in their motorhome for some work time.

“Having the onboard wifi was an absolute game-changer for this,” they said.

“Then it was somewhere tasty for lunch, slower afternoons with a drink and sunset, then we’d settle in at our next spot for the night.”

For the couple, the trip was one big reminder of how special Aotearoa New Zealand is. So many travellers come here from overseas on a once-in-a-lifetime trip, and it’s easy to see why they make the journey. As Kiwis, it was a chance to savour the thought – we live here.

“The slower moments reversed up on the beach, coffee in hand, waves crashing and sun rising/setting – that’s the calm and beauty we crave,” Dane and Stacey said.

One of the most nostalgic moments of the trip was at Matauri Bay Holiday Park, where they parked up on a powered beachfront site.

“It was absolute bliss to fall asleep to the sound of the waves,” they said.

“Being a few steps away from the ocean while in the comfort of our motorhome was pretty special. There was also something nostalgic about being there; it felt a little bit like we’d stepped back in time to the classic Kiwi summer we knew as kids.”

How do you make ‘van life’ comfortable?

The motorhome became a real high-end basecamp for the couple’s trip. Dane and Stacey found that the layout allowed them to live comfortably without the constant logistics of moving around each other, usually unavoidable in a smaller van.

“The Suite felt like staying in a hotel on wheels,” they said.

“Having the lounge area was definitely a highlight; the space is super functional and designed in a way that means you’re not having to constantly shuffle around each other.

“Another feature we really appreciated was the bed that lowered with the push of a button! It was amazing to have the best of both worlds - a huge lounge and a large bed that was beyond easy to lower and put away.”

Food was a happy mix of cooking on board and eating out. After long stretches on the road, the pull of a home-cooked meal is real, and having a fully equipped kitchen on wheels scratches that itch. But the Northland coast also delivered on the eating-out front – fresh seafood featured heavily, and a few spots earned particular praise.

“Exploring the coast meant we ate A LOT of seafood, which was always fresh and delicious,” they said.

“Our favourites were the fish and chips at Mangonui Fish Shop (although on the pricey side), the Macadamia Butter Toffee Crunch from Makana Confections in Kerikeri and Omata Estate in Russell.”

Want some inspiration for what to cook on your motorhome trip? Check out our e-book with 23 easy recipes to cook on the road!

What is your advice for first-time travellers to New Zealand?

New Zealand's distances are deceiving, and the winding coastal roads of the North often require more time than a map suggests. To avoid the pressure of a ticking clock, Dane and Stacey suggest a strategy of "anchor points" — booking a few must-visit spots and leaving the rest of the time open for discovery.

"Pick a handful of your absolute must-visit destinations and book those in as your spaced-out anchor points, but allow for some flexibility around those dates to really immerse and explore," they said. "You don't want your entire trip to feel like a rush and come home feeling like you need a holiday from your holiday."

That flexibility also needs to be balanced with a good understanding of local conditions. The couple found that some freedom camping sites have specific blackout dates during peak season that can catch travellers out – apps like Rankers or CamperMate are useful here, with live availability to help narrow down options ahead of time.

"There are so many hidden gems in New Zealand, or places you just click with and want more time," they added. "It's without a doubt the best way to explore the country – you spend less time rushing between tourist hotspots and more time actually enjoying the journey itself."

Want to know more about freedom camping in New Zealand? Check out our complete guide.

Where would you go if you had more time?

The most bittersweet part of any trip is when it finally ends. For Dane and Stacey, their relaxed summer was about to give way to a new year of exploration – but if they had more time, they’d have set their sights on the South Island.

“Queenstown has such a special place in our hearts, and exploring the Otago region by motorhome will never get old,” they said.

“Exploring New Zealand in a motorhome is the definition of freedom, an authentic experience full of unexpected surprises, beauty and experiences.”

Ready to plan your own trip? Check out some of our itineraries – the North Island bike trails itinerary is a great place to start!