New Zealand · 9 days · 1,100 km · One-way
NZ — East Cape Pacific Coast Highway
The most authentic strip of NZ's North Island. Auckland, Hot Water Beach, East Cape Lighthouse (world's first sunrise), Te Araroa Maori communities, Tolaga Bay, Gisborne (Tairāwhiti), Te Mata Peak in Hawke's Bay, Wellington. Few tourists, lots of culture.
Highlights
- Hot Water Beach (Coromandel)
- Cathedral Cove
- East Cape Lighthouse
- Te Araroa (world's largest pohutukawa)
- Tolaga Bay Wharf (NZ's longest)
- Gisborne wine
- Te Mata Peak
- Napier art deco
- Wellington Te Papa
Day-by-day itinerary
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Day 1
Auckland → Whitianga
Auckland → Whitianga · 200 km
Overnight: Whitianga TOP 10
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Day 2
Coromandel — Hot Water Beach
Whitianga · 50 km
Overnight: Whitianga TOP 10
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Day 3
Coromandel → Whakatane
Whitianga → Whakatane · 250 km
Overnight: Whakatane Holiday Park
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Day 4
Whakatane → Te Araroa (East Cape)
Whakatane → Te Araroa · 220 km
Overnight: Te Araroa Holiday Park
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Day 5
East Cape Lighthouse → Tolaga Bay
Te Araroa → Tolaga Bay · 150 km
Overnight: Tolaga Bay Holiday Park
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Day 6
Tolaga Bay → Gisborne
Tolaga Bay → Gisborne · 70 km
Overnight: Gisborne Top 10
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Day 7
Gisborne → Napier
Gisborne → Napier · 220 km
Overnight: Kennedy Park Resort
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Day 8
Napier → Wellington
Napier → Wellington · 320 km
Overnight: Wellington TOP 10
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Day 9
Wellington — drop-off
Wellington · 30 km
Recommended brands for this route
Selection based on road type and trip length. Tighter budgets — we can also quote Mighty.