The Northland region of New Zealand is home to some of the country’s most scenic beaches, landscapes and coastlines. This 4‑day round‑trip itinerary starts and ends in Auckland and follows a route that includes the places most travellers want to see – the Bay of Islands, 90‑Mile Beach, Cape Reinga, the Giant Sand Dunes and Waipoua Forest. It’s a straightforward way to plan an Auckland to Cape Reinga road trip if you want a mix of coastal views, short walks and iconic landmarks.
This itinerary is based on our own experience. We live in Auckland and have visited Northland and the Far North several times, and this 4‑day plan brings together the stops we think work best if you want a trip that’s scenic, easy to follow and realistic in terms of driving time. It includes the highlights worth stopping for along the way, without feeling rushed.
Day 1: Auckland – Whangarei – Paihia
Morning: Leaving Auckland
If you’re visiting New Zealand and renting a car for this trip, it’s worth booking it in advance and picking it up early in the morning (or even the night before) – so you can leave Auckland without delays. An early start gives you more time to enjoy the stops along the way.
Start early to make the most of the day. Once you leave the city behind, the drive north becomes increasingly scenic, with rolling farmland and pockets of native bush. It’s an easy route with plenty of places to stop for coffee or a quick break.
There are quite a few places worth visiting between Auckland and Whangārei, including Orewa, Omaha, Matakana, Mangawhai Heads and more. They’re all great spots, but you can easily save them for separate day trips from Auckland. We cover these in more detail in our dedicated post on 15 Best One Day Trips from Auckland.
Whangarei
Whangarei is a small city in the Northland region of New Zealand. It’s just over a two‑hour drive from Auckland and offers plenty of things to see and do on a day visit.
The Town Basin marina is a good starting point, with a waterfront walkway, cafés and small galleries. It’s also a good place to stop for lunch after exploring the main sights in Whangarei and before continuing your trip north.
The Claphams National Clock Museum sits right beside the marina. We’ve been there at least twice, when our boys were younger, and they enjoyed it every time. The museum is small but very cute and interesting, with clocks of all shapes, sizes and mechanisms. Allow around 45 minutes to an hour for a visit. Check opening hours and other details on their website.
Next to the museum is the Hundertwasser Art Centre, one of Whangarei’s most distinctive buildings. Designed in the colourful, curved style of Friedensreich Hundertwasser, it includes an art gallery, a rooftop garden and a small café. The centre is open daily, with paid entry for the gallery and free access to the ground‑floor areas. More information is available on their website.
Whangarei Falls
A short drive from the marina takes you to Whangarei Falls, one of the most photographed waterfalls in the region. There is a dedicated carpark right at the start of the track. The loop walk takes around 20 minutes and gives you views from both the top and bottom of the falls.
The upper viewpoint is only a few steps from the carpark, while the path down to the base is slightly steeper but easy enough for most visitors. This is a very popular spot, so don’t expect a quiet or secluded experience, especially during weekends or holidays.
If you have time, add a stop at AH Reed Memorial Park, only a few minutes away. The short canopy walkway takes you through mature kauri and totara trees, with elevated bridges offering a different perspective of the forest. The main loop is easy and takes around 20 minutes. From the carpark, follow the signs to the walkway and the small waterfall viewpoint. It’s a peaceful place for a short nature break before continuing north.
Evening: Arriving in Paihia
From Whangarei, it’s about a 1.5‑hour drive to Paihia. The town is one of the main gateways to the Bay of Islands, with easy access to boat tours, beaches and coastal walks. It’s a popular base for exploring the region, especially in summer.
Check into your motel (it’s best to book in advance, as Paihia gets busy during summer and holiday periods) and head out for dinner. A seaside walk after sunset is a lovely way to end the day before starting your Bay of Islands activities the next morning.
Day 2: Bay of Islands Cruise, Russell and/or Kerikeri
Bay of Islands cruise
The Bay of Islands is one of New Zealand’s most popular coastal regions, known for its sheltered turquoise water, more than 140 islands, historic towns and calm bays.
A boat trip is one of the best ways to experience the Bay of Islands, and there are several cruise options to choose from. Morning and afternoon departures are available, so you can plan the day around what suits you best.
Shorter cruises (around 2.5–3 hours) usually include the classic route out to the Hole in the Rock at Motukokako, passing sheltered bays, small islands and rocky headlands along the way.
Some cruises allow you to get off at Russell for a few hours before returning to Paihia later in the day.
Others include a stop at one of the islands, such as Urupukapuka, where you can walk to viewpoints or relax on the beach.
All options offer a good mix of scenery and wildlife, and the shorter cruises leave enough time for extra activities later in the day.
Russell
If you choose a cruise that includes a stop in Russell, it’s worth spending some time exploring. Russell is one of New Zealand’s earliest European settlements and has a long and interesting history (it was the first capital of New Zealand from 1840 to 1841). The town is small and easy to walk around, with a few heritage buildings, a waterfront promenade and quiet streets lined with old trees.
For views, head up to Flagstaff Hill, where you can look out over the Bay of Islands and back towards Paihia.
Oneroa Bay is another pleasant spot, with a calm beach and a relaxed atmosphere. A couple of hours is usually enough to see the main highlights before catching the return boat.
Evening in Paihia
If you opted for a morning cruise and chose one of the shorter options, you can use the afternoon to visit Kerikeri. This will save you time the next day, as Day 3 is a long one. If you don’t have enough time, leave Kerikeri for the following morning instead.
While you’re still in Paihia, consider visiting Haruru Falls. It’s only a short drive from town and an easy, quick stop to see the wide, horseshoe‑shaped waterfall.
Finish the day in Paihia, or in Kerikeri if you decided to move on for the evening. The next day is a long drive to Cape Reinga, so it’s best to leave early.
Day 3: Ninety Mile Beach, Giant Sand Dunes and Cape Reinga
Morning: Kerikeri
Leave Paihia and drive to Kerikeri, which is only about 25 minutes away. The Stone Store is the main highlight here and is known as the oldest surviving stone building in New Zealand. It sits in a historic reserve beside the river, surrounded by lawns, large trees and walking paths. The area is easy to explore on foot and is especially nice in the morning.
From the Stone Store, cross the small pedestrian bridge to reach the traditional Maori waka (canoe). The waka on display is a large, carved vessel that gives a sense of the traditional Maori ocean‑going canoes. It’s a short walk and worth seeing while you’re in the area.
Next, drive to Rainbow Falls. There is a dedicated carpark close to the viewing platform, and the walk to the main lookout takes only a few minutes. The waterfall drops into a wide pool and is easy to view from above, but you can also follow the track down to the base for a closer look. It’s a straightforward visit and doesn’t require much time.
Ninety Mile Beach
Continue north towards Awanui and the turn‑off to Ninety Mile Beach. Despite the name, the beach is around 55 miles (88 kilometers) long and stretches in a straight line along the west coast.
There are several access points, including the popular Hukatere Ramp, which is reached via a gravel road.
The beach itself is legally classified as an official highway in New Zealand, but conditions can be unpredictable. If you’re thinking about driving on the sand, be aware that tides change quickly, soft sand can trap vehicles, and many rental companies prohibit beach driving altogether.
Even if you don’t drive on the beach, it’s worth stopping to walk along the shoreline and take in the scale of the beach.
Te Paki Giant Sand Dunes
Before reaching Cape Reinga, stop at the Te Paki Giant Sand Dunes. These huge golden dunes form a big, open area of smooth sand hills, and they’re an impressive sight as soon as you arrive.
One of the most popular things to do here is bodyboarding down the slopes, and in warmer months you’ll often find big crowds enjoying the dunes in good weather. Many people bring bodyboards to slide down the slopes, and you can also rent boards at the base of the dunes. We brought our own plastic sleds, but bodyboards seem to be the most popular option.
The climb up the dunes is easier than it looks, and the views from the top are excellent. It’s a good place for photography or simply walking along the ridgelines.
Cape Reinga
From the dunes, continue north to Cape Reinga, the northernmost point you can reach by road in New Zealand.
The short walk from the carpark to the lighthouse takes around 10-15 minutes on a well‑paved path.
Cape Reinga offers sweeping views in all directions, with steep cliffs, bright blue water and rugged headlands. This is also the place where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean, and on windy days you can often see the line where the two bodies of water collide.
The lighthouse is the main landmark, along with the well‑known signpost showing distances to cities around the world. It’s a stunning and memorable place to visit, and one of the highlights of the entire trip.
Evening: Overnight in Kaitaia, Ahipara or Nearby
There are several options for where to spend the night after visiting Cape Reinga. Many travellers choose to stay in Kaitaia, which is the main town in the Far North and has a good range of motels and places to eat.
Another option is to continue further west to Ahipara, which sits right at the southern end of Ninety Mile Beach and offers a quieter, more coastal setting.
The last time we did this trip, we stayed at a small motel in Ahipara Bay. It’s a peaceful spot with long views along the beach, and it feels like a natural end point to the day after exploring the Far North.
Ahipara is actually the start (or the end, depending on direction) of Ninety Mile Beach, and the coastline stretches out in a straight line from here. Sunsets are especially beautiful there, with the whole beach glowing in warm colours.
Day 4: Omapere, Waipoua Forest and Kai Iwi Lakes
Morning: Omapere
From Ahipara or Kaitaia, drive south towards Omapere, which takes around 1 hour 45 minutes. The lookout sits at the entrance to the Hokianga Harbour and is one of the best viewpoints in the area. To reach it, follow the signs to Arai Te Uru Recreation Reserve. There is a small carpark right at the start of the track, and parking is usually straightforward outside peak holiday periods.
From the carpark, a short, easy path leads up to the main lookout. It takes only a few minutes to walk, and the track is suitable for most visitors. At the top, you get panoramic views across the harbour and the huge sand dunes on the opposite side.
On a clear day, the colours are especially beautiful, with deep blue water, pale sand and green hills all visible from the same spot. It’s a quick but stunning stop before continuing towards Waipoua Forest.
Waipoua Kauri Forest
From Omapere, it’s about a 25‑minute drive to the Waipoua Kauri Forest, home to some of the largest and oldest kauri trees in New Zealand. The forest is dense, green and atmospheric, with well‑maintained boardwalks that protect the roots of the kauri. There are several short tracks here, and you can comfortably fit two or three into a single visit.
The Tane Mahuta track is the most famous and takes only a few minutes from the roadside carpark. Tane Mahuta is the largest living kauri tree, towering above the forest with a massive trunk and a wide canopy. The viewing platform is close enough to appreciate its size without disturbing the roots.
A little further south is the track to Te Matua Ngahere, known as the Father of the Forest. This tree is shorter but has an enormous trunk, and the walk to reach it takes around 20-25 minutes through quiet forest. The track feels more enclosed and peaceful than the Tāne Mahuta walk.
Nearby is the Yakas Track, which leads to the Yakas kauri. This walk is longer, taking around 45 minutes to an hour return, and is best if you have extra time and want a slightly more substantial forest walk.
The Three Sisters track is another option, offering views of several large kauri trees along a short, easy path. Depending on how early you start, you can usually manage Tane Mahuta, Te Matua Ngahere and one of the shorter additional tracks before continuing south.
Afternoon: Kai Iwi Lakes (optional) and return to Auckland
If you still have time before returning to Auckland, it’s worth making a stop at Kai Iwi Lakes. From Waipoua Forest, the lakes are about a 45‑minute drive. These freshwater dune lakes are known for their clear, bright blue water and pale sandy edges, giving them a slightly tropical look on sunny days. For a short visit, you can walk down to the shoreline, take photos, paddle in the shallows or simply enjoy the calm setting.
Return to Auckland From Kai Iwi Lakes, the drive back to Auckland takes around 2 hours 45 minutes. If you skip the lakes and head directly from Waipoua Forest, the drive is roughly 3 hours. The road passes through Dargaville and then follows State Highway 1 back towards the city.
Final Notes on the Auckland to Cape Reinga Road Trip
This four‑day New Zealand road trip from Auckland to Cape Reinga is full of variety, from coastal lookouts and historic towns to giant sand dunes, kauri forests and long stretches of quiet beach. Each day offers something different, and the route is easy to follow without feeling rushed. Whether you choose a morning or afternoon cruise in the Bay of Islands, stop in Russell, explore Kerikeri, or spend extra time at the sand dunes, there’s plenty of flexibility to shape the trip around your interests.
We’ve visited all of these places more than once, either on a similar road trip or on separate visits, and enjoyed them every time. Each stop has something unique to offer, and returning to the Far North has always felt worthwhile.
If you’re planning a visit, this itinerary gives you a balanced mix of scenery, short walks, local history and beautiful coastal stops. We hope it helps you make the most of your own trip to the Far North and enjoy this beautiful part of New Zealand as much as we did.
Read next – 20 Must-Visit Destinations in New Zealand’s North Island.
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