Northland with Kids: A Family Campervan Guide

Quick summary: A campervan or motorhome trip around Northland is one of the best family holidays in New Zealand. Driving days are short, the sheltered east coast beaches are perfect for paddling, and there are dolphins, sand dunes, glow-worms and giant trees to keep children enthralled. This guide covers how to plan the trip, the best family experiences and the campgrounds and beaches that suit children best.

At a glance
Best itinerary for families	A Bay of Islands base, or the 10-day loop at a relaxed pace
Driving days	Keep to 2–3 hours, with plenty of stops
Family-friendly beaches	Matapouri, Long Beach near Russell, Coopers Beach, Maitai Bay
Top family experiences	Dolphin watching, sandboarding, glow-worm caves, Tāne Mahuta, kayaking
Campgrounds	Holiday parks with playgrounds, pools and cabins
Safety	Swim between the flags, watch children near water, use child seats

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Why is Northland good for a family campervan trip?

Because it’s close to Auckland, easy to drive and full of things children love. The distances between highlights are short, so you can spend more time at the beach and less in the vehicle. The east coast’s sheltered bays are ideal for paddling and rock pooling, holiday parks often have playgrounds and pools, and there’s a mix of adventure and gentle experiences that suit all ages.

What are the best family experiences in Northland?

Experience	Where	Why kids love it
Dolphin watching	Bay of Islands	Dolphins often ride the bow wave
Hole in the Rock cruise	Bay of Islands	Sailing through a hole in a sea cliff
Sandboarding	Te Paki dunes, Hokianga	Sliding down giant sand dunes
Glow-worm caves	Near Kawakawa	A starry ceiling underground
Tāne Mahuta	Waipoua Forest	A tree too big to believe
Kayaking	Bay of Islands	Calm water and island beaches
Cape Reinga	Far north	Standing at the top of the country
Rock pooling and snorkelling	Matapouri, Maitai Bay	Fish, crabs and starfish in shallow water

Book family-friendly trips such as dolphin watching, kayaking and glow-worm cave tours from Paihia. See all the tours from your campervan.

What size RV suits a family trip to Northland?

It depends on the age and number of children. A family of four usually needs a vehicle with at least two separate beds, often a four-berth motorhome with a fixed double bed and a table that converts to a second bed. With older children or more people, a six-berth gives more room to spread out. Check that the vehicle has seat belts for every passenger and can fit the child seats you need, and remember that a bigger vehicle is harder to park in Paihia and on narrow back roads. See our sister site’s guide to campervan and motorhome sizes.

How should you plan the trip?

• Keep driving days short. Around 2–3 hours is plenty with children, with stops for playgrounds and swims.
• Base yourself in one place for a few nights, such as Paihia, so you can explore without packing up every day. See our Paihia campervan base guide.
• Choose a relaxed itinerary. Our 10 days of complete Northland has short driving days and three nights in the Bay of Islands.
• Book child seats with the vehicle, as they’re needed by law for young children.

Which campgrounds suit families best?

Holiday parks are the easiest choice with children, with playgrounds, pools, kitchens, laundries and space to play. Many in Paihia, Whangārei, Mangōnui and on the Tutukaka Coast are close to the beach. Beachside DOC campsites, such as Maitai Bay, are wonderful for older children who enjoy simple camping. See our Northland campsites guide.

How do you keep children safe?

• Swim between the flags and choose sheltered beaches. See our beach safety guide.
• Use sun protection every day.
• Keep children seated and belted while the vehicle is moving.
• Watch children closely around campground roads and near the water.

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Frequently Asked Questions