A lot of travellers make the mistake of not going any further north than Auckland. Some of the best culture and scenery on the North Island can be found in the Northland region, so most of the extra days in the 21-day itinerary will be dedicated to Northland.
Day 1 begins in Auckland, the same as the 14-day itinerary. Before leaving for the Coromandel, however, you can add in the following:
Day 2: Whangārei
Begin your journey north with a 2-hour drive to the largest settlement in Northland, Whangārei (pronounce the “Wh” as “F”). Whangārei is known for its subtropical climate, nature and beaches.
On the way, make some quick stops at Mangawhai Heads and Waipū beaches. If you want to stretch your legs, hike to the Waipū Caves.
Once you reach your destination, you can choose some of the following to fill the rest of the day:
- Whangārei Falls
- Whangārei Quarry Gardens
- Mount Parihaka Lookout and Memorial
- Kiwi North Museum, Kiwi House and Heritage Park
- Bream Head Scenic Reserve
Day 3: Paihia
You can base yourself in Paihia for the next few days. Paihia is only an hour’s drive from Whangārei.
Today, you’ll be using Paihia as the jumping-off point to explore the Bay of Islands on the Hole in the Rock cruise. Your boat tour will take you around the Bay, while also hunting for dolphins. If the weather conditions are good, you will get to sail through the Hole in the Rock!
Day 4: Waitangi
Just a 5-minute drive from Paihia is the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. This is one of New Zealand’s most significant historic sites, where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed. During your visit, you will learn about Māori culture and the history of New Zealand.
Admission includes entry to the grounds, the museums, and a cultural performance. You can also choose to go mountain biking, take a forest walk to Haruru Falls, or join a War Canoe tour of the Waitangi river.
Day 5: Cape Reinga
It’s time to go to the northernmost point of the North Island: Cape Reinga. Cape Reinga is important in Māori culture, as they believe this is the place where spirits depart on their journey back to the homeland.
You can drive 30 minutes to Kerikeri or stay in Paihia, as these are the two places that the Cape Reinga and Ninety Mile Beach day tour sets off from. Your tour will include surfing on the Great Sand Dunes, a drive along Ninety Mile Beach, and a stop at the iconic Cape Reinga lighthouse.
You can also self-drive to these locations but a tour is recommended, especially if you want to experience driving on Ninety Mile Beach. Many unskilled tourists get their cars stuck in the sand, so it’s best to trust the professionals.
Day 6: Dargaville
It’s now time to turn around and retrace your steps to Auckland. If you want a more scenic route, take State Highway 12 along the west coast. The direct route back on State Highway 1 takes 3 hours, but you’ll want to allow at least 5-6 hours if you want to make the west coast stops.
Don’t miss the Waipoua forest, the largest remaining tract of native forest in the Northland region. The river town of Dargaville is a great halfway stopping point, especially if you want to see a bit more of the Kauri Coast. Here are some ideas of things to do in Dargaville:
- Trounson Kauri Park Loop Track
- Tokatoka Peak (panoramic views of Dargaville)
- Dargaville Museum Te Whare Taonga o Tunatahi
- Kai Iwi Lakes
- The Kauri Museum (30-minute drive)
Days 7 and 8: The Coromandel
Follow the 14-day itinerary for the Coromandel, but before you drive to Rotorua, it’s time to make a new stop in the Bay of Plenty.
Day 9: Tauranga
Add in an extra day for Tauranga, a harbourside city and the largest city in the Bay of Plenty region. Depending on where you’ve stayed in the Coromandel, it will take 1-2 hours to drive to Tauranga. Here are the must-see spots in Tauranga:
- Mount Maunganui summit hike
- Mount Maunganui Main Beach and Moturiki Island
- McLaren Falls Park
- Kaiate Falls
- Te Puna Quarry Park
- Pilot Bay Beach
- Matapihi Footbridge Lookout
From Tauranga, you will travel an hour south to Rotorua and pick up the first itinerary again. You will follow this route until you finish in Auckland.
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