North of New Zealand's largest city of Auckland you'll find the Bay of Islands and the Far North, with history, golden beaches, incredible wildlife and a laidback, no-worries approach to the world. Once there, there's every chance you'll never want to leave.
- Swim with the dolphins in the Bay of Islands
- Waitangi - the birthplace of the nation
- Historic Kerikeri
- Tane Mahuta - New Zealand's largest Kauri tree
- Ninety Mile Beach
Start: Auckland
Finish: Auckland
Duration: 5 days
Day One - Auckland to Waipu
Collect your Britz Campervan from the Auckland branch and travel north from the city, over the Auckland Harbour Bridge to Orewa. The town of Orewa spreads along the edge of a large, white sand surf beach.
Stop here for a swim, or some lunch. A short drive north over the hill and you will drop down into Waiwera.The hot pools have a maze of waterslides rivaling those throughout the country, a movie pool, private spas, sauna & sunbed. Just up the road turn left to the quaint village of Puhoi founded by bohemien peasants. The local pub is worth a visit as is a canoe trip down the river. The Devonshire tea’s are very moorish as is the cheese from the Art of Cheese Café.
Continue further north to Waipu. Grab a pizza from the local Pizza joint in Waipu ‘The Pizza Barn’
Stay tonight in Waipu Cove a beautiful white sandy beach with great surf.
Day Two - Waipu to Paihia
Continue north further and enjoy native forest and farmland scenery all the way to Warkworth, a pretty town located on the banks of the Mahurangi River. From here it’s easy to explore the area with the surf beaches, marine reserve Goat Island and wildlife, the vineyards, golf courses, regional parks and islands.
From Warkworth contine travelling north to Paihia.
Paihia is a great holiday spot. Plenty of things to do and see!
Take a cruise out to the ‘Hole in the Rock’ on the Cape Brett Cruise with Fullers Bay of Islands. Or, get right up close with the Dolphins and do the Dolphin Adventures tour or why not get the best of both worlds and do the Ultimate Bay Adventure Day where you get to Combine the very best of swimming with the Dolphins, time on an island and navigating Cape Brett ‘Hole in the Rock’ all in one day the choice is yours!
Stay in Paihia tonight
Day Three - Paihia to Russell
Drive around to Russell from Paihia today and enjoy what this little town has to offer. Russell was the first capital New Zealand, and is a charming historic town. Check out Pompallier House, Treaty House and Flagstaff Hill, the place where Hone Heke chopped down the flagpole four times.
Have lunch in the Duke of Malborough a cosy little pub in the main street of Russell.
After lunch head further north to Kerikeri. Kerikeri township lies on the Kerikeri River and is renowned for its Maori and European settler history. Kerikeri has a relaxed mediterranean feel with citris orchards and café culture. Orchards and gardens attract backpackers all year round to prune and pick. These days tourists and locals love to shop in the city centre for arts and crafts.
Kemp House in Kerikeri is the oldest standing building in New Zealand. Kerikeri has many places to eat and drink, one that is recommended for its coffee and good food is the Rocket Café in the south end of town.
Stay in Kerikeri tonight.
Day Four - Kerikeri to Cape Regina
Today park the Britz up in Kerikeri and take the Fullers Cape Reinga Wanderer tour from Kerikeri to Cape Regina and back again. This is a full day tour that departs from Kerikeri at 8.00am and returns again at 6.10pm. This tour will take you through the natural wonders of the North. You will see mighty Kauri trees, the expanse of Ninety Mile Beach and the mystique of Cape Reinga. You will take many stops along the way to make the most of the different areas that you will travel through. The tour will take you along Ninety Mile Beach to the top of New Zealand and you can wander out to the lighthouse – the most furtherest point in New Zealand. See where the Pacific Ocean and Tasman Sea meet.
Return from the tour and spend the night in Kerikeri.
Day Five - Kerikeri to Auckland
Head south today from Kerikeri down the west coast of the North Island.
You will pass one of the highlights of the west coast, the Waipoua Kauri Forest home of New Zealands largest Kauri between 1200 and 2000 years old a short woalk from the road. There is a look out in the forest that gives you an amazing view of the forest.
Heading south again look for the turning to Kai Iwi Lakes. 12kms off the main road you will be dazzled by the waters of these fresh water lakes. A half hour walk takes you from the lake to the coast. Drive further south to Dargaville. Stop here for lunch, the local pub offers a great seafood meal with scallops when in season there are many eating and drinking places to chill out before hitting the road again. Or you may like to drive 12kms out to Bayleys Beach to the Funky Fish Café and Bar and enjoy the brightly coloured walls and mosaics as well as a great meal.
After lunch head to the Matakohe and the Kauri Museum.
Head futher south to Auckland to return your Britz Campervan.