{"id":1700824,"date":"2026-10-08T10:19:08","date_gmt":"2026-10-07T21:19:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.quirkycampers.com\/nz\/?p=1700824"},"modified":"2026-10-12T16:20:06","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T03:20:06","slug":"quirky-nz-routes-6-8-days-northland-and-north-auckland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.quirkycampers.com\/nz\/quirky-nz-routes-6-8-days-northland-and-north-auckland\/","title":{"rendered":"Quirky NZ routes: A 6-8 Day Campervan Trip North of Auckland"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The Far North of New Zealand is often overlooked. Northland and North Auckland are a sub-tropical tapestry of untouched beaches, rugged coastlines and emerald waters, alongside M\u0101ori history. Our suggested route runs from Auckland to Matakana and Whang\u0101rei Heads, out to the Poor Knights Islands, through the Bay of Islands and up to the top of the Far North at Cape Reinga where two great oceans collide. From there it’s down the west coast through ancient kauri forests and back to Auckland to finish. We’ve based it on six to eight days, and we think it’s one of the best loops New Zealand has to offer.<\/p>\n

By James O’Hern \u00b7 General Manager, Quirky Campers NZ \u00b7 Published October 2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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One of the many bays and inlets of Northland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The top of the North Island boasts a lovely sub-tropical climate, giving it a reputation for being the ‘winterless north’. Like much of New Zealand it offers a coastline that relentlessly folds back on itself into peaceful bays, inlets and harbours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This is also where a great deal of New Zealand’s story begins. The Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand’s founding document, was signed in Northland in 1840. Further north, Cape Reinga is one of the most spiritually significant places in the country. Northland’s west offers some of the last stands of ancient kauri forest, including a tree that was already old when the first people arrived.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Take a look at our suggested route. Some guests do the full loop, others pick half and take their time. Use the interactive map to see what sits where, then decide what to keep, what to skip and what to add.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Route:<\/strong> Auckland \u2192 Matakana \u2192 T\u0101wharanui \u2192 Waipu \u2192 Whang\u0101rei Heads \u2192 Tutuk\u0101k\u0101 \u2192 Bay of Islands \u2192 Karikari Peninsula \u2192 Cape Reinga \u2192 Kai Iwi Lakes \u2192 Waipoua Forest \u2192 Auckland<\/p>\n

Trip length:<\/strong> 6 to 8 days<\/p>\n

Driving distance:<\/strong> 1,100 to 1,300 km (depending on your route)<\/p>\n

Longest drive:<\/strong> The west coast run home from Cape Reinga.<\/p>\n

Pacing:<\/strong> Mostly single nights heading north, with the option to slow down in the Bay of Islands and the Far North<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Jump to a stop on the route<\/strong><\/p>\n