Northland Campervan Routes: Every Leg North of Auckland

Quick summary: These campervan and motorhome route guides divide Northland into nine legs, from the Hibiscus Coast just north of Auckland to the lighthouse at Cape Reinga and back down the west coast. Each covers distances, the best stops, where to stay, what the roads are like and the tours along the way. Follow them in order for the classic Twin Coast loop, or pick the ones that suit your time.

East coast, heading north

Route	Distance	Driving time
Auckland to Whangārei	Around 160 km	Around 2 hr
The Tutukaka Coast	Around 30 km from Whangārei	Around 35 min
Whangārei to Paihia	Around 70 km	Around 1 hr
Paihia to Doubtless Bay	Around 95 km	Around 1 hr 30 min
The Karikari Peninsula	Around 45 km from Mangōnui	Around 40 min

The far north

Route	Distance	Driving time
Kaitāia to Cape Reinga	Around 110 km	Around 1 hr 30 min

West coast, heading south

Route	Distance	Driving time
The Hokianga	Varies by direction	Includes a 15-minute car ferry
The Kauri Coast	Around 85 km Ōpononi to Dargaville	Around 1 hr 15 min
Kaipara and the west coast south	Around 180 km Dargaville to Auckland	Around 2 hr 30 min

Which Northland route is best for a first-time RV driver?

Auckland to Whangārei and Whangārei to Paihia. Both follow State Highway 1, the main road north, with good surfaces, passing lanes and plenty of towns. The far north and west coast legs are quieter and more remote, with longer gaps between services, and they suit drivers who are already comfortable with the vehicle.

How do the legs fit together?

Head north up the east coast to the Bay of Islands, continue to Doubtless Bay, the Karikari Peninsula and Cape Reinga, then return south through Kaitāia to the Hokianga, the Kauri Coast and the Kaipara. That is the Twin Coast Discovery Route, and our 7-day Twin Coast loop plans it day by day.

Frequently Asked Questions