The Ultimate North Island Road Trip Itinerary (7–10 Days)

Why drive the North Island?

The North Island is the perfect introduction to New Zealand by car — short driving distances, world-class beaches, geothermal lakes and rich cultural sites, all within a week's loop from Auckland.

Day 1 — Auckland to Paihia (Bay of Islands) **Drive time:** ~3 hours 15 minutes (240 km) Pick up your Nomado car rental from our Auckland depot (or take the free shuttle from Auckland Airport to our Clevedon depot) and head north on State Highway 1. Stop at Whangarei Falls for lunch before continuing to Paihia. Spend the afternoon on a sunset cruise through the 144 islands of the bay.

Day 2 — Bay of Islands Take the ferry to Russell, NZ's first European capital, then visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. If the weather is good, book a Hole in the Rock or dolphin-watching cruise.

Day 3 — Paihia to Coromandel **Drive time:** ~5 hours 30 minutes via Auckland A long but rewarding day — break it up with a stop at Muriwai Beach gannet colony on Auckland's west coast. Overnight in Whitianga or Hahei.

Day 4 — Coromandel Peninsula The two unmissables: **Cathedral Cove** (a 45-minute walk from Hahei) and **Hot Water Beach** (dig your own thermal pool at low tide). A mid-size SUV makes the gravel roads to Cathedral Cove much easier.

Day 5 — Coromandel to Rotorua via Hobbiton **Drive time:** ~3 hours 30 minutes (260 km) Pre-book your Hobbiton Movie Set tour in Matamata. Continue to Rotorua and check into a hotel with a thermal hot pool. Evening: traditional cultural performance and earth-oven feast experience.

Day 6 — Rotorua geothermal day Wai-O-Tapu thermal wonderland in the morning (don't miss the 10:15am Lady Knox Geyser), Polynesian Spa or Hell's Gate in the afternoon. Family travelling? Skyline Rotorua's luge is a hit.

Day 7 — Rotorua to Taupo **Drive time:** ~1 hour (80 km) A short hop. Walk to Huka Falls (where the entire Waikato River squeezes through an 11 m gorge), then a soak at Spa Park hot stream. If you have a 7-seater, the family-friendly Craters of the Moon is a must.

Day 8 — Taupo to Tongariro The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is widely rated New Zealand's best one-day hike — 19.4 km across active volcanic terrain. Book a shuttle from the National Park end so you don't have to drive both ways.

Day 9 — Taupo to Wellington **Drive time:** ~5 hours (380 km) Take the **Forgotten World Highway** detour if you have time (extra 2 hours but unforgettable), otherwise SH1 via the Desert Road. Overnight in Wellington.

Day 10 — Wellington Te Papa museum, the Cable Car, Mt Victoria lookout, and craft beer on Cuba Street. Drop your car at the Wellington return point (or continue south by ferry to Picton with a Nomado one-way rental).

What car should I rent?

For two people: a budget car like the Mazda Demio is more than enough and gives you the best fuel economy ($29/day from Nomado). For families or anyone tackling Cathedral Cove, a mid-size SUV ($49/day) handles gravel roads more comfortably. Groups of 5–7 should look at our 7-seater rental.

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