The 7-Day Twin Coast Loop: A Northland Campervan Itinerary

Quick summary: A week is the ideal length for a campervan or motorhome trip around Northland. This classic Twin Coast loop heads up the sheltered east coast from Auckland to Whangārei and the Bay of Islands, on to Doubtless Bay and Cape Reinga at the top of the country, then returns down the wild west coast through the Hokianga and the kauri forests. It’s around 1,000 km, with no day much longer than 3 hours of driving and a full day in the Bay of Islands.

At a glance
Length	7 days, 6 nights
Total driving	Around 1,000 km
Start and finish	Auckland
Overnight stops	Whangārei, Paihia (2 nights), Mangōnui, Cape Reinga area, the Hokianga
Typical day	70–200 km, plus a longer last day home
Highlights	Whangārei Falls, the Bay of Islands, Mangōnui, Cape Reinga, the Hokianga, Tāne Mahuta
Best for	A first visit to Northland with time to enjoy it

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What is the Twin Coast loop?

It’s the circuit that takes in both of Northland’s coasts. The east coast faces the Pacific Ocean, with sheltered bays, islands and calm water. The west coast faces the Tasman Sea, with huge harbours, sand dunes and the great kauri forests. Joining them at the top is Cape Reinga, and the result is a loop that never repeats a road except for the first stretch out of Auckland.

Day 1: Auckland to Whangārei (around 160 km)

Collect the vehicle and drive north on State Highway 1, with a stop at the beaches of Waipū Cove or Mangawhai Heads if you’d like a swim. Spend the late afternoon at Whangārei Falls and the Town Basin, and stay the night in or around Whangārei. See Auckland to Whangārei and our first night north of Auckland.

Day 2: Whangārei to Paihia (around 70 km)

A short drive leaves time for the Kawakawa toilets, and an easy afternoon in Paihia. Walk the waterfront, or visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds before dinner. See Whangārei to Paihia and Waitangi by campervan.

Day 3: The Bay of Islands (no driving needed)

Spend the day on the water. Take a Hole in the Rock cruise, go sailing among the islands, or join a dolphin watching tour, then take the passenger ferry to Russell for the evening. See all the tours from your campervan.

Day 4: Paihia to Mangōnui via Kerikeri (around 85 km)

Stop in Kerikeri for the Stone Store, the oldest stone building in New Zealand, and the Kemp House beside it, then follow State Highway 10 north to Doubtless Bay. Eat fish and chips on the waterfront at Mangōnui and stay nearby. With an extra night, the white-sand beaches of the Karikari Peninsula are just around the bay. See Kerikeri and Paihia to Doubtless Bay.

Day 5: Mangōnui to Cape Reinga (around 160 km)

Fill up in Kaitāia, then drive up the Aupōuri Peninsula. Stop at Rarawa Beach and the Te Paki dunes, then walk down to the lighthouse at Cape Reinga, where two oceans meet. Stay the night at Taputaputa Bay. See Kaitāia to Cape Reinga.

Day 6: Cape Reinga to the Hokianga (around 200 km)

Drive south to Kaitāia and on to Kohukohu, then cross the Hokianga Harbour on the car ferry to Rawene. Continue to Ōpononi or Omapere for the night, perhaps with a boat trip across to the North Head dunes. See the Hokianga.

Day 7: The Hokianga to Auckland (around 265 km)

Drive through Waipoua Forest to Tāne Mahuta, continue to Dargaville, and return to Auckland via the kauri museum at Matakohe. See the Kauri Coast and Kaipara and the west coast south.

Which direction around the loop is best in an RV?

Clockwise, as described here, up the east coast and down the west, suits most travellers. It saves the main tour hub of the Bay of Islands for early in the trip, when you’re fresh, builds up to the drama of Cape Reinga, and leaves the narrow, winding west coast roads until you’re comfortable with the vehicle. Going anticlockwise works too, but puts the trickiest driving first.

How can you change the pace?

• Short on time? Drop the Mangōnui night and go straight from Paihia to Cape Reinga, as in our 5-day itinerary.
• Want more beaches? Add nights at the Tutukaka Coast and the Karikari Peninsula, as in the 10 days of complete Northland.
• Want an easier last day? Spend the final night at the Kai Iwi Lakes or Dargaville, then drive home in the morning.

Where should you stay?

Most nights are in holiday parks or DOC campsites, with a holiday park in Paihia for walking to the wharf. Self-contained freedom camping is limited in Northland and only for certified self-contained vehicles where the councils permit it. See our Northland campsites guide and freedom camping guide.

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Frequently Asked Questions