New Zealand · 12 days · 2,000 km · Loop
North Island Loop — Auckland · Bay of Islands · Tongariro · Wellington
The great North Island route. Up to the Bay of Islands, back through Auckland, on to Hobbiton and Rotorua, then Tongariro and Taranaki, closing the loop via Hawke's Bay.
Highlights
- Bay of Islands (kayaking and dolphins)
- Cape Reinga
- Hobbiton
- Wai-O-Tapu
- Tongariro Alpine Crossing
- Mount Taranaki
- Hawke's Bay (wine and art deco)
Day-by-day itinerary
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Day 1
Auckland → Paihia (Bay of Islands)
Auckland → Paihia · 230 km
- · Pickup in Auckland
- · Arrival in Paihia
Overnight: Russell-Orongo Bay Holiday Park
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Day 2
Bay of Islands — boat day
Paihia
- · Hole in the Rock
- · Historic Russell
Overnight: Russell-Orongo Bay Holiday Park
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Day 3
Paihia → Auckland
Paihia → Auckland · 230 km
- · Back to Auckland
- · Mount Eden views
Overnight: Auckland Northshore Motels
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Day 4
Auckland → Hobbiton → Rotorua
Auckland → Rotorua · 240 km
- · Hobbiton tour
- · Arrival in Rotorua
Overnight: Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park
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Day 5
Geothermal Rotorua
Rotorua · 30 km
- · Wai-O-Tapu
- · Hangi dinner and haka
Overnight: Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park
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Day 6
Rotorua → Lake Taupo
Rotorua → Taupo · 80 km
- · Huka Falls
Overnight: Taupo TOP 10 Holiday Park
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Day 7
Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Taupo → National Park Village · 90 km
- · Alpine Crossing (19 km, full day)
Overnight: Discovery Lodge Tongariro
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Day 8
Tongariro → New Plymouth
National Park Village → New Plymouth · 220 km
- · Mount Taranaki (Forgotten World Highway)
Overnight: Belt Road Seaside Holiday Park
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Day 9
New Plymouth — full day
New Plymouth · 50 km
- · Pukekura Park
- · Surf Highway coast
Overnight: Belt Road Seaside Holiday Park
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Day 10
New Plymouth → Napier (Hawke's Bay)
New Plymouth → Napier · 350 km
- · Art deco capital
- · Tasting at Mission Estate
Overnight: Kennedy Park Resort
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Day 11
Napier → Lake Taupo → Auckland
Napier → Auckland · 480 km
- · Closing the loop
Overnight: Auckland Northshore Motels
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Day 12
Auckland — drop-off
Auckland
- · Vehicle drop-off
Recommended brands for this route
Selection based on road type and trip length. Tighter budgets — we can also quote Mighty.