Auckland to Gisborne Road Trip

We know you’re itching to get out on the road, but before you leave the city behind, it’s worth taking a little time to explore what Auckland has to offer. If you want one of the best views, take the 8-minute drive from Downtown Auckland up to Maungawhau (Mount Eden), where you’ll be able to snap some awesome photos of the entire city and its surroundings. Or, if you’re keen on exploring the coast to start your trip, a 15-minute drive will take you to Mission Bay, where you can enjoy a walk along the shore with a coffee from Misson Bay Cafe.

Once you’re ready to hit the road, hop in your trusty campervan, head out on State Highway 25 towards the Coromandel Peninsula, and get ready for the adventure ahead of you.

Just under 90 minutes from Auckland, the first stop on the road is Thames. Once a booming gold mine settlement, this small town with a fascinating past now serves as the gateway to the Coromandel Peninsula, and it’s the perfect place to stretch your legs and breathe some fresh air, especially along the Thames Coastal Walkway, which starts here and follows the shoreline all the way up to Fletcher Bay. And, while we wouldn’t recommend walking the entire path, a short distance along the way will still give you amazing views across the Firth of Thames.

If you’re keen to learn more about the history of the area, you should definitely pay a visit to the Thames School of Mines, which is less than 10 minutes on foot from Downtown Thames and houses original mining equipment and exhibits featuring interesting stores from the era. When you’ve worked up an appetite after all that exploring, head to The Wharf Coffee House and Bar in Downtown Thames for a coffee and some delicious food (top tip – the seafood dishes here are a particular favourite with the locals.)

An hour’s drive from Thames brings you to Whangamata, a classic Kiwi beach town that perfectly balances adventure and relaxation! Not only is the long, golden beach here ideal for swimming and sunbathing, but you can also try your hand at surfing with a lesson from the Whangamata Surf School, which is located right on the beach and just 3 minutes from town.

Or, if you’d prefer something a little different, rent a kayak and head out to Whenuakura Island (also known as “Donut Island”), where you’ll find a hidden lagoon just begging to be explored. This is also a protected wildlife sanctuary, and as you float through the lagoon and in the waters surrounding the island, you’ll get the opportunity to spot several bird species and marine creatures. For somewhere to refuel after your day of surfing and exploring, Port Road Project is the place to go for a gourmet burger and a cold beer.

Driving another 85 minutes south, you’ll reach Mount Maunganui, which you may often hear being referred to simply as “The Mount”. This is another beautiful coastal town with a stunning beach, and, of course, it’s home to the iconic Mauao Summit Walk, which starts a 10-minute drive from town. The hike to the top takes around 40 minutes, and while it’s a relatively challenging uphill trek, the reward is amazing views across Pilot Bay, Moturiki Island, and the Pacific Ocean.

If you’d prefer something a little less strenuous, the Mount Hot Pools are also only 10 minutes from town at the foot of the mountain, and the natural saltwater pools give you the ultimate way to relax. And when it’s time to grab something to eat, Astrolabe Brew Bar is just a 10-minute walk from the Mount Hot Pools and is the local go-to for craft beers and fish tacos.

Continuing along the coast and an hour from Mount Maunganui, Whakatane is the next destination waiting for you to explore. This is a really special place that is steeped in Maori history and is also one of the sunniest regions in all of New Zealand. The first place to visit when you arrive at Whakatane is the Te Wairaka Statue, which is 8 minutes from town and tells the story of Wairaka, the brave Maori woman who saved her people by seizing the paddles of their drifting canoe.

After your history lesson, head over to the Kohi Point Walkway, where you can enjoy views across the ocean and, if you’re lucky enough, you might spot dolphins or whales splashing in the waters. Whakatane is also the launch point for trips to Moutohora Island (also known as Whale Island), a beautiful wildlife sanctuary to which you can take a boat trip out to see rare native birds and explore a landscape completely untouched by human development.

Before heading out on a longer stretch of road, we recommend taking the 8-minute drive from Whakatane to Ohope Beach. It’s also a great spot to end the day chilling on the sand before calling it a night, and the sunset over the 11km beach is simply breathtaking. You can even head out on the waters on a paddleboard for a truly incredible sunset experience.

Whether you’ve arrived with plenty of time to spare or you’re waking up here, one of the best things to do is hike the Ohope Scenic Reserve Track, which is 6 minutes inland from the beach and winds through the forest to higher ground, ending with amazing views of Whakatane and out over the ocean. And before you head back out on the road, stop at Fisherman’s Wharf Cafe for a coffee and a bite to eat.

Leaving beautiful Ohope Beach behind, 35km on the Pacific Coast Highway leads you to Opotiki, another place where you can learn more about Maori history and explore nature. The Motu Trails are the place to head straight away if you want to adventure through walking and biking tracks made up of coastal cliffs, river valleys, and native bush.

Opotiki also has some excellent places to pick up local produce, and the Opotiki Community Market on Church Street gives you the chance to pick up fresh fruit, honey, and artisan chesses, amongst other delicious offerings. Also, if you need supplies, this is the best place to stock up before heading further into the East Cape.

After 159km and your longest trip along the coast so far you’ll arrive in Te Araroa, which is also the easternmost settlement in mainland New Zealand and a great place to rest up for a night or two before heading on to Tokomaru Bay. One of the most popular tourist destinations here is the Te Waha o Rerekohu, the largest pohutukawa tree in New Zealand, which is estimated to be over 600 years old. You’ll find this marvel of nature along Moana Parade, and no trip is complete without snapping a picture with it.

If you’re keen on an early morning adventure, it’s definitely worth setting your alarm and taking the 35-minute drive to the East Cape Lighthouse and seeing the sun rising over the ocean in a truly magical way. And, because you’ve earned it after your early rise, back in Te Araroa town, you can treat yourself to fish and chips from Kai Kart Takeaways before getting ready to head back out on the road.

Your penultimate stop on this Auckland to Gisborn Road is Tokomaru Bay, a beautiful stretch of coastline that is the perfect place to spend a couple of nights relaxing before heading off to your final destination. If you’re looking for a good hike, the Anaura Bay Walkway is 35 minutes from town and takes you through native bush, with fantastic views of the ocean and surrounding farmland along the way. You can also access Anaura Bay itself from this walk, which is ideal if you want to spend an afternoon fishing or swimming.

When you’re feeling hungry, head to Cafe 35 on Waitangi Street, which is conveniently located in town. This place is famous for its homemade pies and is the go-to for anyone who wants to dine like a local and make some connections with the community here.

As you reach Gisborne, the busyness of this town will feel completely different from your past few days on the road exploring the Eastern Cape. But just like the start of your journey in Auckland, the endpoint doesn’t mean the end of the adventure, and there’s still plenty to explore here. This is particularly true if you’re a wine lover, as Gisborne is New Zealand’s Chardonnay capital, and no visit here is complete without heading to Matawhero Wines or Busmere Estate. Both of these vineyards are less than 15 minutes from town and give you the opportunity to sample locally produced wines in a beautiful setting.

Or, if you prefer to end your road trip with something a little more active, take the 10-minute drive to Wainui Beach and hire a surfboard to catch some waves. You don’t have to get wet to have an active adventure here, though, and a 5-minute drive from town will take you to Titirangi Reserve (also known as Kaiti Hill), where you can climb to the best views of the sun setting over the harbour the coastline to mark the end of a truly unforgettable journey.

From waking up to the sound of waves crashing in Te Kaha to watching the sunrise at the East Cape Lighthouse and sipping a glass of Chardonnay in Gisborne, every stop along the way of this road trip brings something special. And when you hire a campervan from Travellers Autobarn for your journey, not only will you have a comfortable place to call home, but you’ll get free unlimited kilometres as standard, so you can stop wherever you want without worrying about extra fees, even if you want to extend the journey into some other North Island road trips.

Looking for some other awesome North Island road trips? Check out these guides:

• Auckland to Cathedral Cove Road Trip
• Auckland to New Plymouth Road Trip
• Auckland to Queenstown Road Trip
• North Island: Top 9 Freedom Campsites

If you’re looking for places to free camp along the way check out these guides:

• Freedom Camping Coromandel
• Freedom Camping Gisborne
• 4 Best Apps for Freedom Camping in New Zealand

DISCLAIMER: All information provided, including prices, availability, and site details, is correct at the time of publishing. We recommend contacting campsites or caravan parks directly to confirm the latest details before planning your visit. Please review our Terms and Conditions for additional information.