Auckland to Waitomo Road Trip

Before you jump into your campervan, you have to spend some time exploring New Zealand’s largest city: Auckland. It has some incredible spots that make the perfect start to your adventure. To get outdoors, a short ten-minute drive will take you to Maungawhau Mount Eden, where you can climb to one of the city’s best viewpoints. Up there, you can really take in the view of the skyline and Auckland’s sparkling harbour.

For something on the more relaxing side, head to Mission Bay, which is just a mere fifteen minutes from the city centre. You can go for a coastal walk or visit one of Auckland’s top visitor attractions, SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium. Before you leave Auckland, do yourself a favour and head over to Manukau Harbour, the second largest natural harbour in New Zealand, for a range of different outdoor, cultural, and environmental activities and experiences.

When you need a spot to stay over with your campervan in Auckland, we recommend setting up camp at Te Toro Recreation Reserve, a lovely, well-maintained spot with lush greenery where you can park your camper for the night. Te Toro Recreation Reserve features everything you need, from showers to picnic tables, and even has a playground. It also has convenient beach access and a boat ramp, so it’s ideal if you’re bringing your family along for the ride. The campsite requires a New Zealand Certified Self-Containment Certificate (CSC) to stay here, and you could face fines without one.

The Kauaeranga Valley offers an incredible mix of nature and adventure when heading south and east toward the Coromandel. Nestled within the Coromandel Forest Park near Thames, this stunning valley is perfect for walking, swimming, and simply soaking up the scenery.

For any nature-lovers who can’t wait to stretch their legs on the road trip and make the most of the North Island’s hiking opportunities, you’ll be happy to know that there are trails for every ability. From gentle 15-minute strolls to the famous Pinnacles Track. Pinnacles Track is known as one of New Zealand’s best overnight hikes, and the views from the summit are nothing short of breathtaking. The valley also has several swimming holes, with Hoffman’s Pool being one of the most popular spots to cool off in summer.

After a day of exploring and swimming, stay at Shag Stream Campsite. You can choose from two camping options, parking up along the river for a more scenic spot. The campsite is perfect for more swimming and has toilets and fresh water for your use. Check before you book, though, as the site is closed during winter, opening from Labour Weekend to Easter. Refer to the website for campsite fees.

From the Coromandel, make your way south to Tauranga, one of the sunniest spots in the Bay of Plenty. One thing you have to do in Tauranga is visit Mount Maunganui. The climb to the summit takes about an hour and rewards you with panoramic coastline views. If you prefer something on the water, take a kayak or paddleboard out into the bay or book a boat trip to spot local marine life like dolphins and orcas. The region is known for its laid-back coastal lifestyle, so if you’re into surfing, you’ll definitely want to bring your board.

However, if you’re after more of a thrill, don’t worry, Tauranga has a few activities to get your adrenaline pumping. You can try tandem skydiving from Tauranga Airport. Let’s just say you’ll be able to see all the sites from new heights in ways you couldn’t imagine, even if you were standing on the summit of Mount Maunganui.

There are also some great places to eat in Tauranga, and you can’t go wrong with fresh seafood by the water. For one of the best places to get a classic scoop of Kiwi fish and chips, you’ve got to check out Bobby’s Fresh Fish Market.

Take some time to rest in Tauranga. If you’re looking for a place to park your campervan, try out Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park. This spot is excellent for campervanners who want a spot close to Mount Maungangui and Mount Maungangui’s Main beach. It offers a range of top-class facilities including a shared kitchen, BBQ areas, a communal dining area, a laundry and a playground for kids.

As you cross inland, stop at Rotorua to break the trip up. Rotorua is undoubtedly one of the most distinctive destinations in New Zealand. You’ll smell the sulphur in the air before you see the steam rising from the ground, a sure sign that you’ve reached the country’s geothermal heart. Here, you can experience some of New Zealand’s iconic Maori culture and enjoy its natural beauty.

Wander through geothermal parks with bubbling mud pools, steaming vents, and geysers that shoot water high. You can visit geothermal valleys such as Waimangu Volcanic Valley or Wai-O-Tapu to witness the vivid colours and otherworldly landscapes created by the earth’s heat. While the geothermal scenery is fantastic, that’s not all that Rotorua offers; it’s also one of New Zealand’s best adventure hubs!

You can zipline or mountain bike through the world-renowned Whakarewarewa Forest, or raft down the Kaituna River and take on the seven-metre Tutea Falls, the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world.

At this stage of the trip, if relaxing is your vibe, soak in the natural hot pools or unwind with a mineral mud bath that soothes tired muscles at the world-famous and historic Polynesian Spa. We could go on about this place; you definitely need to try and stay here for at least a night or two to truly experience it properly.

When it comes to winding down for the night, Lake Aniwhenua is around an hour’s drive from the Rotorua city centre, but when you get there, it will be totally worth it for the serenity you’ll feel in this location. There are plenty of campervan spots available at this stunning campsite, and it has flushing toilets and showers, which is a bonus. Plus, the views are next level!

To wrap your journey up, you’ll reach Waitomo in around 2 hours, depending on how you drive. Waitomo is truly a stunning place with lots to offer. Underneath its rolling hills, you’ll find a huge network of limestone caves, underground rivers, and caverns that will take your breath away. The most famous of these is the Waitomo Caves, also known as the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, the region’s crown jewel. Here, thousands of tiny bioluminescent glowworms light up the darkness like a starry night sky.

If you didn’t get your fill of adventurous activities at Rotorua, Waitomo offers the chance to explore deeper underground. You can float through subterranean rivers on a blackwater rafting trip or abseil 100m into the void of the Waitomo Caves, descending into the darkness surrounded by rock formations and shimmering lights.

For anyone who would rather stay dry, there are guided walks through the larger caverns where you can see incredible stalactites and stalagmites that have formed over millions of years. Waitomo is also just as beautiful above ground! With some stunning walking trails through the farmland, some hidden waterfalls, and picturesque views, this is an excellent way to end your road trip.

For a place to stay as you wrap up your trip, Waitomo TOP 10 Holiday Park has literally everything you need with their powered sites and impressive range of facilities, including BBQs, hot showers, free WiFi and more. Located in Waitomo Caves Village, this holiday park is close to all the action and excitement that Waitomo offers.

Before you set out on your trip from Auckland to Waitomo, you need to ensure you have a campervan you can trust. At Travellers Autobarn, we have a fleet of reliable and comfortable campervans with unlimited kilometres ready to give you the trip of a lifetime around the North Island!

Need some inspiration? Here are some of the other North Island road trips you can take:

• Auckland to Gisborne Road Trip
• Auckland to Cathedral Cove Road Trip
• Auckland to Hawkes Bay Road Trip
• Auckland to Taupo Drive

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