Auckland — Shakespear Regional Park — Leigh — Whangarei — Tutukaka Coast — Poor Knights Islands — Whananaki — Bay of Islands — Mangonui — Cape Reinga — Ahipara — Kai Iwi Lakes — Waipoua Forest — Matakohe — Auckland
Northland is where New Zealand begins. It is where the first Māori settlers arrived, where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed, where the last great kauri forests still stand, and where the spirits of the dead are said to depart from the cliffs at Cape Reinga. It is also where some of the country's best road trips are.
This 13-day loop leaves Auckland heading north up the east coast, past Shakespear Regional Park, Goat Island Marine Reserve, the Tutukaka Coast, and the Poor Knights Islands. You’ll then head to the Bay of Islands, continue north through Mangonui to Cape Reinga, and return south down the wild west coast through Ahipara, Waipoua Forest, and Kai Iwi Lakes.
Designed around slow travel, it builds in breathing room at the best stops rather than rushing through them. Most driving days are under two hours, so there is always time to linger, relax, and get to know a place properly.
Shakespear Regional Park – A mainland island sanctuary at the tip of the Whangaparaoa Peninsula – native bush, glow-worms, and little spotted kiwi after dark.
Goat Island Marine Reserve – New Zealand's oldest marine reserve. Snorkel straight off the beach with enormous, fearless snapper and crayfish.
Poor Knights Islands – Rated by Jacques Cousteau as one of the world's top ten dive sites.
Bay of Islands – a paradise of 144 islands, dolphins, and two of New Zealand's most significant historical sites.
Cape Reinga – The top of New Zealand and one of its most sacred sites. Watch the Tasman and Pacific collide from the lighthouse headland.
Ninety Mile Beach & Ahipara – A vast west coast strand surrounded by giant dunes, with world-class surf and the best sunsets in the north.
Waipoua Forest & Tāne Mahuta – New Zealand's largest living kauri tree – up to 2,500 years old, 51 metres tall.
Kai Iwi Lakes – Three crystal-clear freshwater dune lakes, ringed with white sand. Impossibly blue in sunlight.
Matakohe Kauri Museum – Arguably the finest small museum in New Zealand, displaying the full story of the kauri logging era that transformed Northland's forests.
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The itinerary covers overnight stops at Shakespear Regional Park, Leigh, Whangarei (two nights, including a day trip to the Poor Knights), the Tutukaka Coast, Paihia (two nights), Mangonui, Cape Reinga / Waitiki Landing, Ahipara (two nights), Kai Iwi Lakes, Matakohe, and Auckland. Each stop includes a suggested place to stay.
While most of this itinerary is designed to be used year-round, some operators only run during the spring and summer seasons – notably, the dive centre at Goat Island. It’s always worth checking local conditions before you travel, as weather may affect some roads and campgrounds.
Yes, the road to Cape Reinga via SH1 is fully sealed and drivable for campervans and motorhomes, though the final stretch is narrow and winding, so allow extra travel time.
No, a heavy motorhome risks getting bogged down in the soft sand and trapped by oncoming tides. Driving your motorhome on a beach might also void your insurance cover. So keep your motorhome off Ninety Mile Beach itself – if you want to explore it, leave your vehicle in a car park.
Summer (December – February) offers the best weather and longest daylight hours, though it's also the busiest period. Shoulder seasons like March – April or October – November are great alternatives with fewer crowds and still pleasant conditions.