Itinerary - Auckland to Northland
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We have put together a suggested itinerary for the Auckland to Northland region taking in all the attractions in the area.
Day 1 - Auckland - Parnell - Devonport
- Arrive in Auckland and spend the day exploring the city's sights, including the Sky Tower, Kelly Tarlton's and the Auckland War Memorial Museum.
- For lunch try the waterfront venues in and around the Viaduct Basin or along Tamaki Drive, fashion-conscious High Street or Parnell with its plethora of art galleries.
- Wander through Albert Park and call at the Auckland Art Gallery.
- Dine at one of the city's numerous restaurants or take a ferry to the seaside village of Devonport.
- Stay the night in Auckland.
- Auckland region travel guide
- Auckland accommodation
Day 2 - Waitakere Ranges - West Coast beaches - wine country
- Drive to the Waitakere Ranges (40 minutes), stopping at Titirangi Village for morning tea.
- Continue along Scenic Drive, calling at the impressive Arataki Visitor Centre before continuing to the west coast beaches (Piha, Karekare and Bethells Beach are a good bet) or going on a bushwalk.
- Return to the city via the West Auckland wine-growing area, stopping to sample the vintage.
- Dine at one of the vineyard restaurants before returning to stay the night in Auckland.
- Waitakere travel guide
- Piha travel guide
- Kumeu travel guide
Day 3 - Whangarei
- Fly to Whangarei and start explorations at the Town Basin with its waterfront mix of shops, eateries, art galleries and museums such as Claphams Clocks (1 hour). Morning tea and lunch could also be taken here and cruises organised.
- Walk to Cafler Park in the heart of the city on First Avenue. Stroll through the Fernery Filmy Fernhouse Conservatory and Cactus House (30 minutes). Afterwards, take in the Whangarei Art Museum (1 hour) displaying heritage and contemporary works.
- A short walk away is the Strand, which has a mix of gift shops and food and fashion outlets. Enjoy afternoon tea and a browse around the shops.
- Stay the night in Whangarei and return to the Town Basin to dine or try an inner-city eatery such as the Killer Prawn.
- Whangarei travel guide
- Whangarei accommodation
- Whangarei attractions
Day 4 - Whangarei Falls - Tutukaka Coast - Paihia
- An early start will allow a stop-over at picturesque Whangarei Falls on the way to the scenic Tutukaka Coast, famous as a base for deep sea fishing and diving.
- Book a scenic or fishing trip with Delray Charters or the Whangarei Deep Sea Anglers' Club. Diving around the spectacular Poor Knights Islands can be organised through Dive Tutukaka and Dive Poor Knights.
- Drive on north to dine and stay overnight at Paihia (1 hour).
- Tutukaka travel guide
- Paihia travel guide
- Paihia accommodation
- Paihia attractions
Day 5 - Paihia - Russell - Waitangi
- Head across to Russell by ferry for the morning and explore the township's numerous historic buildings such as Christ's Church, Pompallier House and the Russell Museum (2 hours).
- Walk up Flagstaff (Maiki) Hill and read of the flagstaff's history and the exploits of Maori chief Hone Heke who cut the previous four down in protest (30 minutes).
- Return to the waterfront for lunch.
- Cross again to Paihia and take a stroll along the beachfront to Waitangi (30 minutes). Stop for coffee at Waikokopu Cafe in the beautiful grounds of the Waitangi Treaty House.
- Take a tour of the historic Waitangi Treaty House and explore the marae (meeting house), waka (canoe) and grounds (2.5 hrs).
- Have dinner in Paihia or take the ferry to Russell and dine at the atmospheric Duke of Marlborough, which was the first hotel in New Zealand to receive a licence.
- Stay overnight in Paihia or Russell.
- Waitangi travel guide
- Russell travel guide
- Russell accommodation
- Russell attractions
Day 6 - Paihia
- Spend a half or full day on the water. There's a range of activities to choose from, including swimming with the dolphins, the Cape Brett 'Hole in the Rock' cruise, or the Cream Trip cruise with Fullers Bay of Islands. Dolphin Discoveries also offer swimming with the dolphin tours. Lunch is often included during an island stopover.
- If on a half-day outing, return to Paihia and stop for lunch one of the many cafes. Enjoy an afternoon's shopping at Paihia. The Cabbage Tree is an award-winning outlet and a good place for NZ souvenirs.
- Dine and stay the night in Paihia.
- Paihia travel guide
- Paihia accommodation
- Paihia attractions
Day 7 - Paihia - Kerikeri
- Drive to the historic town of Kerikeri (30min) and have a complimentary steam-heated coffee or tea at the Collins Bros Steam Sawmill.
- Visit Kerikeri Historic Basin, which incorporates some of New Zealand's oldest buildings. Take a tour of Kemp House (40 minutes), the Stone Store (20 minutes) and Rewa's Village (1 hour), a reconstructed Maori village.
- Enjoy a scenic bushwalk to the 20m Kerikeri (Rainbow) Falls 2km upstream from the Basin (1 hour).
- Pick up an arts and craft trail brochure. For lunch try the Marsden Estate winery or one of the many outdoor cafes along the trail.
- Spend the rest of the afternoon tailoring visits to the various arts and craft outlets. Call at some of the roadside fruit stalls to sample the area's fine produce.
- Stay in Kerikeri or at one of the surrounding bed and breakfasts.
- Kerikeri travel guide
- Kerikeri accommodation
- Kerikeri attractions
Day 8 - Kerikeri - Kaitaia - Cape Reinga - Te Paki
- Follow State Highway 10 to Kaitaia, a base for tours to Ninety Mile Beach and Cape Reinga.
- Drive or take a tour to the top of New Zealand, Cape Reinga. Operators include Sand Safaris, Harrisons Cape Runner and Tua Tua Tours. Pack a picnic lunch if driving yourself.
- Call at Wagener Park & Museum (1 hour) at Houhora Heads, 40km north of Kaitaia, and take morning tea at its beachfront licensed café.
- Continue northwards to Cape Reinga (114km north-west of Kaitaia) with its famous lighthouse. New Zealand's northernmost point overlooks the convergence of Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean.
- Return to Te Paki with its impressive sand dunes. Many tour companies supply toboggans and all supply lunch.
- Return to Kaitaia and visit the Ancient Kauri Kingdom. Call at the Nocturnal Park, which features kiwi, glow-worms, short-fin eels and bushwalks. Night tours start at dark.
- Dine and stay overnight in Kaitaia or return to Auckland by plane.
- Kaitaia travel guide
- Cape Reinga travel guide
More information