Northland Campervan Itineraries: Round Trips from Auckland
Quick summary: Every campervan and motorhome plan here is an Auckland loop, out along the coast and home again to the depot. Trip lengths run from a quick three-day trip to the Bay of Islands to ten days covering every corner of Northland, and each links our route guides into a realistic day-by-day plan.
| Itinerary | Days | Approximate driving | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auckland to the Bay of Islands in 3 days | 3 | Around 480 km | Paihia, Waitangi, Russell, a cruise |
| 5 days: Bay of Islands and the far north | 5 | Around 950 km | Bay of Islands, Cape Reinga, the Hokianga |
| 7-day Twin Coast loop | 7 | Around 1,000 km | Both coasts, Cape Reinga, the Hokianga, Tāne Mahuta |
| 10 days: complete Northland | 10 | Around 1,150 km | Tutukaka, Karikari, the whole loop at a relaxed pace |
| Adding Northland to a longer trip | Varies | Varies | Northland plus the rest of New Zealand |
Which Northland round trip suits an RV beginner?
The three-day Bay of Islands trip. It follows State Highway 1, the main road north, with a long stay in Paihia where you can leave the vehicle parked and take tours. Once you are comfortable, the longer trips add the quieter far north and west coast roads.
How far should you drive each day?
Around 150–250 km on driving days leaves time for beaches, walks and tours. Northland’s roads are winding in places, so distances take longer than they look on the map. The itineraries include rest days in the Bay of Islands, where most of the tours are.
For the overview, see our campervan hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
For three days, focus on the Bay of Islands. With five days, add Cape Reinga. With seven to ten days, follow the full Twin Coast loop up the east coast and down the west.
It is possible in five days, with two nights in the Bay of Islands and a long day to the cape, though a week makes the trip more relaxed.
Yes. Northland has no rental drop-off points, so every itinerary is a loop that returns the vehicle to Auckland.