Epic One Month North Island Road Trip, New Zealand
If there’s a country that was made for scenic road trips, it is most definitely New Zealand. With everything you could possibly hope for on a road trip, from impressive mountains looming in the distance, gushing waterfalls just steps from the roadside, and more wildlife than you can shake a guidebook at, there’s plenty to see and do as you venture between towns and cities.
New Zealand has two main islands, easily named North Island and South Island. Both are incredible to explore but offer different things for your trip, so whether you want to focus your time on just one island or want to split your time between the two, you’ll have an amazing time regardless.
To visit just one place in New Zealand would not do the country justice, and while you can fly between the larger cities if you’re tight on time, jumping in a car or van and road tripping is absolutely the best way to see the island.
This itinerary just focuses on spending one month on the North Island road trip, and of course this is just a guide and you’ll want to adjust according to your own tastes. I’m not big into hiking and this is based on how I spent time road tripping the North Island so there’s not much time factored in for hiking, but I’ve noted where there are good hikes if that’s your cup of tea – and for many visitors to New Zealand, the hikes are golden – so you can adjust your itinerary accordingly to fit those in.
This is also a self drive North Island road trip itinerary. It is absolutely possible to explore by public transport, but it’s limited with where it goes and times so to get the best out of your trip it’s advisable to have your own transport. This way you can have your own timeline and stop as much or as little as you like along the way to admire the scenery or check out the charming little towns you’ll pass through.
30 days – North Island New Zealand Road Trip
So let’s get to it, 30 days to explore New Zealand’s North Island!
3 days: Auckland + Piha + Waiheke Island
Chances are you’ll fly in to Auckland, so where better to start your North Island road trip than the biggest city in the country? It’s your easiest choice to pick up your hire car or van and is a good introduction to New Zealand because it just gets better and better once you leave the city.
The kiwi metropolis is nice to explore for a day or two, but don’t judge the whole country by Auckland. It’s a large city but it doesn’t feel overly full of life at times. However there’s plenty of things to see and do to fill your time, and you could actually spend more than a couple of days here and still have plenty to do.
Be sure to check out the iconic Sky Tower for panoramic city views and, if you’re feeling brave, you can jump off the top! There’s the zoo for those who prefer lower adrenaline activities, Albert Park for quiet scenery and Viaduct Harbour for the waterfront views and impressive harbour bridge in the background. The perfect spot to soak up the relaxing vibes, especially as the sun sets.
Jump on a boat and visit the north shore of Devonport for a few hours, or head further afield to the ever-popular Waiheke Island. It’s perfect for a day trip from Auckland, offering visitors a chance to explore by bike or sample the vineyards on the island.
You won’t need a car for most of your time in Auckland so it’s best to pick it up as you’re about to leave and venture out for your North Island road trip adventure! As you head north to the Bay of Islands, Piha is a great detour to get a taste of the real New Zealand. The drive is winding mountain roads, but the views are just stunning and the small community of Piha with the wild Piha beach are a perfect first stop on your road trip. Be careful if you choose to swim here, it’s got a dangerous current that even catches locals out.
See more: Spend One Day at Piha
If you’re slowly easing into driving in New Zealand then it’s best to skip Piha and head straight north to the Bay of Islands while you build up your confidence on the road.
3 days: Bay of Islands + Cape Reinga
The northern region of the Bay of Islands is one of the North Island road trip highlights. It’s just as the name suggests, a bay…of islands! The drive from Auckland is picturesque and takes you past one of my favourite quirky coffee shops that Gaudi fans will love – Eutopia Café – through Whangarei and past the Hundertwasser toilets in Kawakawa until you reach the tiny town of Paihia. It’s the best spot to base yourself while you explore the region, and you’ll find plenty in this part of New Zealand to keep you busy.
Day trips are golden here, with a ferry over to the affluent Russell, or indulge in a full road trip up to the most northern part of the island, Cape Reinga. It’s a long drive but pretty cool to see the landscape and stop at places like 90-mile beach or the sand dunes on the way. If you’ve got time, check out nearby Kerikeri and the easy waterfalls on offer in the town. Just lovely!
See more: Enjoy a Day Trip to Cape Reinga
3 Days: Coromandel
Strap in for a long but scenic drive from the Bay of Islands to the Coromandel Peninsula, a popular holiday destination for locals and visitors alike. The approach to the peninsula is very scenic as you travel across the flat land and see the hills rise in front of you. If you can, stop for a refreshment break before you pass Kopu as the roads start to get windy and you’ll want to have your freshest attention.
There’s a loop around the peninsula, and one of the most popular spots to base yourself for your time in the Coromandel is Whitianga (Fit-e-an-gah). 3 days in the area will give you plenty of time to explore the different towns and bays on offer, but be sure to check out Hahei, Cathedral Cove, Hot Water Beach – make sure you time your visit right – and of course the town the peninsula is named after, Coromandel.
This is also a very popular hiking spot, with The Pinnacles being a huge draw for hikers.
Top tip: Don’t try and drive The 309 Road if you can help it; it’s a winding gravel road and won’t be an enjoyable or easy drive. If you’re in a hire car or small car, it’s best to just take the long route around the coastal road or highway 25a.
1 Day: Paeroa
Paeroa isn’t a huge tourist attraction in itself, but it’s the perfect midway point to stop when driving between The Coromandel Peninsula and Hamilton. However, that’s not all Paeroa has going for it. Just a short drive down the road, Karangahake Gorge is a stunning natural spot that is great to visit for all levels of mobility. The river runs through the gorge here, and you can visit the old mining location to admire the views or to indulge in a spot of hiking.
Winding along the road a bit further brings you to Owharoa Falls, which are literally mere steps from the side of the road. The impressive waterfall takes about a minute to walk to, and is an easy addition to sights checked out that day. If time and energy are on your side, just a little further along the road takes you to Waihi. It’s a small town with a huge gold rush history, a super cute Main Street and the start of the multi-day hike Hauraki Rail Trail.
Oh, and there’s the giant L&P bottle in Paeroa to get a photo with, how could I forget that one!
2 Days: Hamilton + Raglan
Hamilton is known as a garden city and is very pretty to drive around. Within the city itself you’ll find Hamilton Gardens, a popular spot to explore and admire the local plants and trees or even to just relax with a picnic, and Hamilton Lake which is a gorgeous spot for a sunset walk. Unless you’re going to Hamilton for a specific reason, 1 day in the city is probably enough to see the best of it.
With your other day in the area, hop in the car and venture out to Raglan. If you want to cut down on driving and spend more time in a quirky coastal surf town then skip Hamilton and spend both days in Raglan. There’s a laid back vibe in town, and it has a number of surf spots on offer.
1 Day: Hobbiton
One of the most popular experiences on the North Island, and a must for your North Island road trip!
Lord of the Rings fans will absolutely love being able to walk around and experience Hobbiton, and it’s even a hit for non-LOTR fans too. You’ll want to book your ticket as soon as you think about going as it often sells out quickly. Depending on the time of the year, you’ll have a number of experiences available from the core movie set tour to an evening banquet, tuck into second breakfast or enjoy a Hobbit festival.
Visiting Hobbiton isn’t just a tour, it’s a full experience!
2 Days: Taupō + Tongariro Crossing
Taupō is a favourite spot of mine. The lakeside town has just enough to keep you entertained while offering a scenic backdrop of the lakes and mountains in the distance. Taupō highlights include the Māori rock carvings on the lake, the impressive Huka Falls where the water rushes through at such a rate it could fill an olympic-sized pool in just 11 seconds and the thermal spa, Wairakei Terraces.
There’s plenty to fill 2 days in Taupō, but most people visiting the town are taking advantage of the location to be a base for undertaking the Tongariro Crossing. The one day hike is one of the most popular in New Zealand, with shuttles running from Taupō daily, weather permitting.
2 Days: Rotorua
The home of the North Island’s best geothermal sites, Rotorua has a bit of an eggy, sulphur smell as you explore, but it’s worth it to see the incredible geothermal spots! From erupting geysers to Māori villages built on active geothermal land, thermal spas to geothermal lakes, Rotorua has pretty much everything you could want.
See more: How to Spend a Weekend in Rotorua
Plus, if you’re looking for an adrenaline hit on the North Island, Rotorua is the answer! You’ll find white water rafting, zorbing, Redwood treetop walks and Velocity Valley, a theme park full of pulse-racing fun! You might even find that 2 days isn’t enough in Rotorua, but you’ll be able to fit in a lot during your time in the city.
2 Days: Mount Maunganui
Heading to the coast from Rotorua, Mount Maunganui is a popular spot near Tauranga. The highlight of visiting Mount Maunganui is the Mount itself, an extinct volcano with lots of walking options. You’ll find an easy track around the base of the mount, with, you guessed it, stunning views, or you can pick one of the tracks that heads to the summit for even better panoramic views of the area.
The Mount is currently closed following several landslides and unstable conditions.
Check closer to your trip whether it is open, but it’s still worth visiting the area even if it’s closed.
There’s a laid back, relaxed vibe in Mount Maunganui that feels good for the soul. With not one but two beaches, you’ll be able to watch the sun rise on Maunganui Beach and see it set from Pilot Beach. The golden, soft sand of Maunganui beach draws people in for days on the beach playing volleyball or sunbathing, the chance to go surfing or just join the 6am beach walk clubs.
You could easily spend just one day, or even an afternoon, in Mount Maunganui and see the best of it. But there’s something about the area that’ll make you glad you stayed for two days. Plus, what a wonderful excuse to visit the hot pools at the base of Mount Maunganui.
2 Days: Gisborne
Known as the first city in the world to see the sun rise each day, that’s the biggest claim to fame for Gisborne. You don’t really need a huge amount of time here, but the 2 days takes into account there’s quite a bit of driving from Mount Maunganui to get there and also so you’ve got 2 attempts at getting up for a good sunrise!
If you really want a scenic drive you can go along the coast from Mount Maunganui all the way to Gisborne, however it’ll make your drive time over 6 hours so will probably take 7-8 hours to do the journey instead of 4ish if you go inland from Ōpōtiki.
Don’t forget that you also need some downtime on such a busy road trip, and Gisborne is a good chance to have a lazy afternoon to recharge a little because you won’t be missing out too much on the area. However, if you want to make the most of your time in Gisborne, there are wineries to check out, as well as a few spots to learn about indigenous and European history.
2 Days: Napier
Welcome to wine country! The Hawke’s Bay region is known across the world for its wine, and a visit to Napier isn’t complete with a visit to one of the many vineyards and wineries on offer. As well as the production of delicious red wines, Napier is also known for its art deco architecture. Following the 1931 earthquake which pretty much flattened the city, it was rebuilt with a unique art deco flair that sets it apart from the rest of the country.
2 Days: Wellington
The country’s capital, Windy Welly, known so because it’s always so blooming windy! It’s home to the Beehive where the government sit, Te Papa, one of the nation’s best museums and also Zealandia, a nature reserve popular for spotting native birds.
One of the best things about Wellington is not just the excessive wind speeds it can experience, but on a sunny day when it isn’t windy, it is one of the best places in New Zealand. The beaches come to life, many of which are within easy reach of the city centre using public transport, the harbour offers a stunning sunny walk along the water’s edge and rooftop bars realise their full potential.
This isn’t just a city for a sunny day though, with the famous Weta Workshop offering film buffs a chance to indulge in the cinematic world, Lord of the Rings fans can visit filming locations in the city and the cable car shuttles visitors up the hill to one of my favourite view spots in the city. From there, the botanical gardens are calling, or you can venture back to the city to check out the many top-notch coffee spots on offer.
4 Days: New Plymouth, Mokau, Waitomo, Otorohanga
The New Plymouth region is often overlooked because it’s out of the way, there’s not a *huge* amount to see and do there and people think that time could be better spent elsewhere. However, Mount Taranaki takes pride of place in the region and offers visitors stunning views and also a number of great hikes.
Elsewhere in the area you’ve got the Forgotten Highway, the republic nation of Whangamomona where they once elected a sheep as mayor, and absolutely stunning scenery as you head north up the coast.
My recommendation would be a couple of nights just outside of New Plymouth (it’s a pricey city to stay in) to be close by to see the city, the national park and explore the Forgotten Highway. Then move up to Mokau for one night. There’s not a huge amount there but the scenery is gorgeous, the sunsets are just breathtaking and it’s a real small town experience. Like, really small.
From there keep heading north to visit Waitomo Caves for the glow worm experience, pop further along the road to see Mangapohue Natural Bridge while you’re already in the area, then carry on to Otorohanga for a chance to visit the kiwi house.
1 Day: Auckland
You’re back where you started this amazing road trip, and one day in Auckland is the perfect amount of time to do anything in the city you didn’t have time for before. If you ticked off your Auckland bucket list on your first visit, check out Devonport or Ponsonby neighbourhoods for charm and a relaxing day exploring before you leave Auckland and start your journey home.