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Day 01
Night 1 · Auckland
01
Day 1
Arrive in Auckland
Arrive in Auckland
- 1
Waterfront & Viaductallow an afternoon
Keep it slow. Walk, eat, sleep.
EveningDinner in Britomart, then bed.
Night 1 · Auckland
Rough cost · NZ$250–NZ$420
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North Island · 7 days · 6 nights
7 Day North Island Itinerary
North Island Highlights
A week is enough to travel the North Island properly from top to bottom. Two nights in Auckland, a Coromandel beach day, Rotorua's geothermal heart, Taupō's lake, the wine country of Hawke's Bay, and a finish in Wellington.
- Starts
- Auckland
- Finishes
- Wellington
- Days & nights
- 7 days · 6 nights
- On the road
- 1,050 km · approx. 14 hrs
Major highlights
Waterfront & ViaductAuckland MuseumMt EdenDevonportCathedral CoveHot Water BeachMount MaunganuiGeothermal or cultural morning
Where you sleep
Auckland (2 nights) · Hahei · Cathedral Cove (1 night) · Rotorua (1 night) · Taupō (1 night) · Napier (1 night)
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Auckland
Hahei · Cathedral Cove
Rotorua
Taupō
Napier
Wellington
The journey, day by day
7 days, one route.
Day 02
Night 2 · Auckland
02
Day 2
Explore Auckland
Explore Auckland
- 1
Auckland Museumallow 2 hours
The Māori and Pacific galleries are the best introduction to the country you'll get anywhere.
- 2
Mt Edenallow 45 minutes
A volcanic crater in the suburbs with the whole isthmus laid out below.
- 3
Devonportallow half a day
Twelve minutes by ferry, a village at the other end, and the city skyline behind you.
Don't miss
The ferry back at dusk with the city lighting up.
Good to know
- ILNZ PickAuckland Icons — Museum → Mt Eden → Devonport by ferry.
- AlternativeWild west — Piha and the Waitākere Ranges, or Muriwai's gannet colony.
- AlternativeIsland day — Waiheke for beaches, olive groves and cellar doors.
Night 2 · Auckland
Rough cost · NZ$220–NZ$400
Day 03
Night 3 · Hahei · Cathedral Cove
03
Day 3
185 km · approx. 2.75 hrs driving
Auckland → Hahei · Coromandel
MorningCollect the car and head south-east over the Kopu bridge. · leave 9:00am
- 1
Cathedral Coveallow 2–3 hours
Walk or boat in to the great stone arch. Check access before you go — the track is weather-dependent.
- 2
Hot Water Beachallow 1–2 hours
Dig your own hot pool in the sand, but only within two hours either side of low tide.
EveningFish and chips at the beach.
Night 3 · Hahei · Cathedral Cove
Rough cost · NZ$280–NZ$480
Day 04
Night 4 · Rotorua
04
Day 4
200 km · approx. 3 hrs driving
Coromandel → Tauranga → Rotorua
- 1
Mount Maunganuiallow 2 hours
Climb the Mauao track for the view, then swim at the ocean beach.
EveningArrive Rotorua; geothermal soak before dinner.
Night 4 · Rotorua
Rough cost · NZ$280–NZ$470
Day 05
Night 5 · Taupō
05
Day 5
105 km · approx. 1.5 hrs driving
Rotorua → Wai-O-Tapu → Huka Falls → Taupō
MorningRotorua morning, then an easy run south.
- 1
Geothermal or cultural morningallow half a day
Choose one — Te Puia, Whakarewarewa living village, or the Redwoods.
- 2
Wai-O-Tapuallow 1.5 hours
Colour you won't quite believe. Early is best.
- 3
Huka Fallsallow 45 minutes
A short riverside walk to the country's most powerful small waterfall.
Good to know
- ILNZ PickGeothermal park + Māori cultural experience.
- AlternativeRedwoods and the lakes.
- AlternativeAdventure day — luge, zipline or rafting.
Night 5 · Taupō
Rough cost · NZ$300–NZ$500
Day 06
Night 6 · Napier
06
Day 6
145 km · approx. 2.25 hrs driving
Taupō → Napier · Hawke's Bay
MorningThe Napier–Taupō road climbs through forest and drops into wine country. · leave 9:30am
- 1
Te Mata Peakallow 1 hour
Drive to the summit for the best view in Hawke's Bay — the whole plain, the bay and the ranges.
- 2
Art Deco Napierallow 1–2 hours
Rebuilt in one style after the 1931 earthquake. Walk Tennyson and Emerson Streets.
EveningLong dinner. This is the best eating on the route.
Good to know
- ILNZ PickCellar doors and Te Mata Peak.
- AlternativeArt Deco Napier and the coast.
- AlternativeFood-focused day — farmers' market, orchards, long lunch.
Night 6 · Napier
Rough cost · NZ$320–NZ$560
Day 07
07
Day 7
320 km · approx. 4 hrs driving
Napier → Wellington
MorningA steady four hours down through the Wairarapa. · leave 8:30am
- 1
Te Papaallow 2 hours
The national museum, free entry, and genuinely excellent.
EveningCuba Street for dinner — the capital does small and good very well.
Departs from · Wellington
Rough cost · NZ$280–NZ$480
What it costs.
approx. NZ$320–NZ$480 per person, per day — around approx. NZ$2,200–NZ$3,400 per person for the whole trip, twin share, mid-range.
- AccommodationNZ$160–NZ$280 per night (twin share)
- Rental carNZ$60–NZ$120 per day, one-way fee may apply
- FuelNZ$180–NZ$240
- FoodNZ$80–NZ$130 per person, per day
- ActivitiesNZ$500–NZ$900 per person total
Practical notes.
Best time to go
November to April for beaches; the geothermal country is superb in winter steam.
What to book ahead
Coromandel accommodation in January, Hawke's Bay restaurants, and any cultural evening in Rotorua.
Longest driving day
Day 7 — around 4 hours to Wellington.
One-way hire
Finishing in Wellington means a one-way rental fee, or drop the car and fly.
Road & weather
Coromandel roads are narrow and winding; the Napier–Taupō road can close in winter storms. Check conditions the morning you drive.
Where to add a night
A second night in Hawke's Bay, or one in Wellington before crossing to the South Island.
Costs
Indicative only — always check current prices before booking.
(Book) — Experiences on this route
Book the experiences along the way.
Tours and activities around Auckland and this route — check availability with our booking partner.
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Where to stay
Find & Book Stays →Things to do on the way
Explore Experiences →Make it yours
✦ Ask Aotearoa →More itineraries.
Sources & useful links
Road conditions, closures and alpine passes change daily. Check the official journey planner on the morning you travel.
Last checked 21 August 2026