Top things to do in the North Island
Beaches, hot pools, volcanoes and Hobbiton. It all starts in Tauranga, where you pick up your van. See vans & pricesSouth Island ideasWhere to go in the North Island
Pick the places that suit you. Each one has a few highlights and a tip for travelling in your van.
Northland & Bay of Islands Auckland Coromandel Tauranga & Mount Maunganui Rotorua Hobbiton & Waitomo Taupō Tongariro National Park Hawke’s Bay & East Cape Wellington
Northland & Bay of Islands
Subtropical beaches, island cruises and the place where modern New Zealand began.
- Boat trips around the Bay of Islands from Paihia or Russell
- Waitangi Treaty Grounds
- Tāne Mahuta, the giant kauri tree in Waipoua Forest
- Cape Reinga lighthouse, at the top of New Zealand
Van tip: Don’t drive on Ninety Mile Beach in your van. Take the road to Cape Reinga instead.
Auckland
New Zealand’s biggest city, built around two harbours and dozens of volcanoes.
- City views from the Sky Tower or Maungawhau / Mt Eden
- Ferry to Waiheke Island for beaches and vineyards
- Black-sand surf beaches at Piha and Karekare
Van tip: Park your van outside the city centre and take the ferry or bus in.
Coromandel
Golden beaches, clear water and bush-covered hills, not far from Tauranga.
- Cathedral Cove (Mautohe). Check DOC for current walking access
- Dig your own hot pool at Hot Water Beach, 2 hours either side of low tide
- The walk to New Chum Beach
- Karangahake Gorge and Waihi Beach on the way
Van tip: Coromandel roads are narrow and winding, so allow more time than the map says.
Tauranga & Mount Maunganui
Our home town. Sunny beaches, a surf town vibe and a great first stop.
- Walk up Mauao (Mount Maunganui) for the view
- Swim at Main Beach, and kayak on the harbour side
- Glowworms at night at McLaren Falls Park
- Kiwifruit country around Te Puke
Van tip: Stock up on food and camping supplies in Tauranga before you head off.
Rotorua
Steaming lakes, bubbling mud and Māori culture, all in one town.
- Geysers and a Māori cultural experience at Te Puia or Whakarewarewa
- The colourful thermal pools at Wai-O-Tapu
- Redwoods Treewalk, lit up at night
- Blue and Green Lakes, and the Skyline luge
Van tip: Lady Knox Geyser at Wai-O-Tapu erupts at 10:15am, so stay nearby the night before.
Hobbiton & Waitomo
Walk through the Shire, then see glowworms light up the caves.
- Hobbiton Movie Set tour near Matamata (book ahead)
- Waitomo glowworm caves, by boat or on a blackwater rafting trip
- Surf beaches at Raglan and Bridal Veil Falls
Van tip: Hobbiton is only an hour from Tauranga, which makes it an easy first day.
Taupō
New Zealand’s largest lake, with waterfalls and free hot springs close to town.
- Huka Falls and the riverside walk from town
- A boat or kayak trip to the Mine Bay Māori rock carvings
- Craters of the Moon geothermal walk
- The free hot stream at Spa Park
Van tip: Taupō is a good base for Tongariro, just an hour further south.
Tongariro National Park
Volcanoes, emerald lakes and one of the world’s best day walks.
- Tongariro Alpine Crossing, a full-day hike of about 19 km
- Emerald Lakes and Red Crater
- Taranaki Falls walk from Whakapapa Village
- Skiing or snowboarding on Mt Ruapehu in winter
Van tip: Book a shuttle for the Crossing, because parking at the start is limited to 4 hours.
Hawke’s Bay & East Cape
Art Deco streets, wineries and the quiet, beautiful East Cape road.
- Napier’s Art Deco buildings, rebuilt after the 1931 earthquake
- Te Mata Peak lookout and Hawke’s Bay wineries
- The gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers (tours run in summer)
- Tolaga Bay Wharf and the East Cape Lighthouse
Van tip: Fill up before driving the East Cape road, because petrol stations are few and far between.
Wellington
The compact, arty capital, and the ferry gateway to the South Island.
- Te Papa, the national museum (free entry)
- The red cable car up to the Botanic Garden
- Mt Victoria lookout
- Wētā Cave and Workshop tours
Van tip: Heading south? Book your van on the Interislander or Bluebridge ferry early in summer.
Where to stay with your van
Freedom camping
Your green-certified self-contained van can stay at many free camping spots. Always check local council rules and signs.
DOC campsites
The Department of Conservation runs low-cost campsites in some of the most beautiful places in the country.
Use a camping app
CamperMate and Rankers show campsites, dump stations, fuel and free spots near you.
Ready for your road trip?
Buy a self-contained campervan in Tauranga with a guaranteed buy-back price, then explore New Zealand for up to 6 months.