Hi all,
I am wanting assistance with a good scenic route itinerary with stops and overnight accommodation suggestions please. departing Auckland airport and return. It is in Dec/Jan 24 and have 5-7 days if needed to spend in the area. also would we include Rotarua in that or do as another trip. any suggestions would be helpful. thanks in advance TIA
With the short time you have you would be better choosing either the Bay of Islands or a scenic trip to Rotarua and back
When exactly in Dec/Jan are you coming? Over the peak season will have an impact on your trip.
Day 1 Auckland to Whangarei - stay in the CBD and visit the fabulous Hundertwasser Museum and art gallery.
Day 2 Whangarei to Paihia for 3 nights as it's a great base for exploring the BOI. We stayed in a friend's timeshare but there's lots of nice motels
Day 3 - ferry over to Russell and explore there OR take a cruise to one of the beautiful islands
Day 4 - drive to Kerikeri and check out the Stone Store OR a organised day trip to Cape Reinga
Day 5 - for the return trip either head west with a night at Dargaville (not a tourist hot spot but you need somewhere to break up the trip) and check out the giant Kauri tree or return via Waupi/Lang's Beach/Mangawhai. Lovely beaches and coast line in this area and it's worth the detour
Add more days if you have them.
Save Rotorua for another trip.
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82 helpful votes Kia Ora MAKS2,
For accommodation in the Bay of Islands, you need to book soon. Paihia becomes very busy over the NZ summer. As will the bay cruises. There is also accommodation available in Kerikeri (service centre for the BOI). Russell across the bay has more limited accommodation, as does Opua.
For a scenic self drive, be sure to stop overnight close to Auckland airport. Arriving into Auckland and planning to drive the same day out of the super-city is risky due to travel fatigue and unfamiliarity with our roads and traffic flows.
You could drive north on SH1, but turnoff at Kaiwaka for Mangawhai and Mangawhai Heads. Continue to Langs Beach and Waipu Cove after lunch. Both are pretty beaches with views over sea to the Hen and Chicks islands. Whangarei city has a good spread of accommodation. The Town Basin is good for a late afternoon stroll and dining options.
Returning south, head to the Hokianga Harbour, continue south through the Waipoua Forest and Matakohe (kauri) museum. Stop overnight at Warkworth, and SH1/Northern Expressway back to Auckland.
Rotorua and Taupo have thermal attractions, and lake cruises. If you decide to head south, the same advice to stop for your first night in Auckland. Collect a rental car on day 2. Hobbiton, Waitomo Caves and Hamilton Gardens are highlights for tourists visiting the thermal region on the way south, or driving north, to/from Rotorua and Taupo.