Twin coast discovery in Northland

Day 1: Auckland - Opononi

Start your journey north from Auckland, towards Opononi. Explore the antique and artisan stores in Maungaturoto and Paparoa along the road, or pay a visit to the Matakohe Kauri Museum. Discover Waipoua Forest, which is home to the magnificent Tane Mahuta, the Lord of the Forest and the world's largest Kauri tree. Continue on to the Hokianga Harbour, where Maori first came in New Zealand's Aotearoa. Look out for the beautiful sand dunes, which you may be sandboarding down after a short ferry ride.

Day 2: Opononi - Ahipara

Make your way north through Rawene, a fishing community. Visit the neighborhood art galleries and stop by the Boatshed Café for a cup of coffee. Take the auto ferry to Kohukohu and travel back in time, passing through rural New Zealand on your way to Ahipara, a favorite camping spot. Nearby Shipwreck Bay is well called since it was the location of several shipwrecks, the wrecks of which can still be seen at low tide. It's a well-known surfing spot with long rides and left-hand breaks. The Ahipara Gumfields Historic Reserve and remnants of old kauri forests are close by.

Day 3: Kaitaia - Cape Reinga - Doubtless Bay

The primary center for the'subtropical' north is Kaitaia. You can take a coach tour to Cape Reinga or a bus tour along Ninety Mile Beach from here. Visit the Cape Reinga lighthouse, which is located at the very top of the North Island. For Maori, the Cape is a spiritually significant location, as they believe it is the starting place for the spirits of their dead loved ones on their journey back to their mythical homeland of Hawaiki. Enjoy dinner at the Mangonui Fish Shop in the gorgeous Doubtless Bay.

Day 4: Doubtless Bay - Kerikeri

The road going into Kerikeri is lined with orchards, with roadside shops selling fresh fruit in season. Look for signs directing you to local artists' studios; this neighborhood's potters and painters have given it a distinct identity. Gallery, cafes, and wineries, gourmet food shops, many golf courses, and historic monuments such as the Stone Store and the Mission House may all be found in Kerikeri. There are some great forest trails in the vicinity, and Rainbow Falls is a great site for a picnic. Between the Bay of Islands and the Hokianga, check out the Te Ara Coast to Coast Map for hidden jewels.

Day 5: Bay of Islands

Paihia, a vacation town, is a great place to start exploring the Bay of Islands. Take a tour to the outer islands, a dolphin swimming safari, or a boat ride to Russell, a beautiful village. Northland has a significant Maori language, culture, stories, and traditions, which can be seen throughout the region. Maori culture incorporates a lot of the day-to-day interactions, whether through complex bone or pounamu (greenstone) carvings, Maori pou (carved wooden posts), visual exhibitions, museums, historic locations, or waka excursions. The ancient Treaty House at Waitangi, where New Zealand's founding document was signed, is also located in Northland.

Day 6: Bay of Islands - Whangarei

National Geographic Traveller has named the Tutukaka Coast as one of the best coastal places in the world. Visit the Mermaid Pools near Matapouri Beach or take a stroll across Whale Bay. The Poor Knights Islands, ranked as one of the top 10 dive locations in the world by Jacque Cousteau, are readily accessible from Tutukaka township. The water is recognized for its clarity and profusion of sea life, which is protected by the marine reserve that surrounds it. A journey map for this area can be found here. The Whangarei Heads scenic drive winds through pohutakawa-fringed coves and offers breathtaking views of the area's characteristic volcanic outcrops before ending at the wild and magnificent Ocean Beach. This region's recommended trip map is available to view.

Day 7: Whangarei - Auckland

Return to Auckland through the seaside road at a leisurely pace. Along the Ruakaka, Waipu, Bream Bay, and Mangawhai coastlines, you'll come across beach after beach. Take a detour to Matakana to see the Saturday markets or have lunch at a local winery. Finish your journey in Auckland with a sunset kayak to Rangitoto or a view of the city's shimmering lights from Mount Eden's summit.