@nathsway Aotearoa, NZ Winter Road-Trip Itinerary
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A Motorhome trip in New Zealand is on a lot of buck lists, just don't leave it until you're too old! There are so many activities, experiences, walks and amazing sightseeing that you need a lot of energy! (OK, if you do consider yourself 'older', don't be put off, there is something for everyone in Aotearoa)
But why winter? Well, if you want to get the best value for money, with a minimum of fuss and still do everything, go in winter. Motorhomes have heating, you will be as snug as a bug in a rug, and for the day, bring your fleece, puffer jacket, a beanie and some gloves and you'll be fine. If you need more convincing see our post on '8 Reasons to Winter Road-Trip on NZ's North Island'
If you want a lot of flexibility, which is one of the reasons for a Motorhome, winter gives you this, with last minute space in the Holiday Parks, the attractions and guided tours. You can stay longer, move on because the weather's turned or take a new roadie friends recommendation to go somewhere you never even considered.
If you're not following @nathsway on Instagram and TikTok, what are you doing? get with the program and follow Nathan for great advise on activities, walks and sightseeing for your holidays, weekends or day trips. Nathan passes on hints and details and will inspire you to get out and about in your own backyard or further afield.
DriveNow sent Nathan to New Zealand in July'24, with a full itinerary of what he should try to tick off. Nathan travelled in a Maui Cascade, 4 Berth, Motorhome for 9 days from Auckland to Auckland.
Day time and Night time Schematic of the Maui Cascade 4 Berth
- 2 double beds: Double (Permanent drop down: 2.00m x 1.40m) (max weight 200kg) Double (lower dinette convert) – 2.0m x 1.45m
- Gas Cooker
- Toilet; Pressurised hot and cold water shower
- Radio/USB/Bluetooth/Android Auto/Apple CarPlay
Image credit: Nathan Sawaya @nathsway
The good thing about this itinerary is you can shorten it if you've been to Auckland before, or lengthened if you want to go all the way to the South Island.
@Nathsway - Te Ika-aMaui, North Island Winter Road-Trip:
Day 1 - AUCKLAND- Tamaki Makau Rau• Wilderness Experience Nature tour with Bush and Beach. Allow 4 - 5 hours
• Check out the SkyCity precinct it's a good place for lunch or dinner. Go up the Sky Tower see the awesome view and even jump off if you're game, a skywalk is also available. You will come to realise that New Zealanders like their visitors to jump off stuff!
• Wētā Workshop Unleashed + express horror workshop - Immerse yourself in a 60 minute tour, followed by a 30 minute horror workshop where you can explore interactive and immersive make-believe film sets.
• Twilight tour at Auckland War Memorial Museum
STAY - M Social 2 or 3 Nights
Day 2 - AUCKLAND
• Take the ferry from Auckland city to Rangitoto Island with Fullers360, enjoy a 25 minute ferry to Rangitoto Island and embark on a self-guided hiking to the summit of Rangitoto Island. - The volcanic Rangitoto Island is one of the most iconic landmarks in Auckland's city skyline. Sitting majestically off the coast, Rangitoto’s distinctive symmetrical cone rises 260m over the Hauraki Gulf.
• For a golden sunset experience book yourself on Power to the Pedal, guided electric bike tour and journey to some of Auckland’s most photographic locations.
HINT: If you like a bit of Rugby or you just want to see how crazy New Zealanders are for the All Black's, The All Black Experience is a must do. There are also a lot of tracks around Auckland for walking, hiking or cycling.
Day 3 AUCKLAND – HAMILTON, Kirikirroa - 125km / 1 hr 40 min
This morning, pick up your Motorhome – thl depot - 13 Manu Tapu Drive, Auckland Airport, and head south.
Visit Hamilton Gardens – named 2014 International Garden of the Year, the 58 hectares of themed gardens are a must see for nature lovers. Have a look to see if you want to add any of these walks into your day: HERE
STAY – 1 Night – Hamilton City Holiday Park
HINT: This is a good relaxed first day to get use to the vehicle and roads and sets you up for the busy days to come.
Day 4 HAMILTON – WAITOMO – HOBBITON – CAMBRIDGE, Kemureti
Hamilton – Waitomo 75km / 1 hr
Waitomo Caves Tour: Allow 2 hours
Waitomo – Hobbiton™ Movie Set - 100km / 1 hr 20 min Take Hwy 3 and Maungatautari Rd.
Make sure you have your Hobbiton Tour pre-booked, you must be on a guided tour to do this experience.
Hobbiton™ Movie Set – Cambridge - 25km / 26 mins
STAY - 1 Night – Cambridge Top 10 Holiday Park
Day 5 CAMBRIDGE – ROTORUA – 83km / 1hr
Kiwi Hatchery - Allow up to 1hour 40mins for the tour and transportation to and from the hatchery. Support the conservation efforts of the national bird of NZ, there might even be some baby birds running around.
Te Puia – Home of the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, as well as Geothermal Park. Options for Guided tours and Hangi lunch or dinners in the Pataka Kai restaurant. Allow at least 3 hours
Te Pa Tu, Maori Cultural Experience. - This is a genuine Maori Village that you will be bus in and out of, it's a must visit for the full cultural experience of the Maori people. You will experience Maori song and dance as well as the Matariki winter festival of food, under the southern skies. Obviously, you need to pre book. In winter the Shuttle Bus pick ups at 5.30pm from central Rotorua.
STAY – 2 Nights - Blue Lake Top 10 Holiday Park
HINT: this is a lot to cram into a single day. When you go to The Hatchery you can also do the Agrodome farm experience and have lunch at the Shaun the Sheep Cafe, so you might want to move Te Puia to to day 6 and add at least an extra day in Rotorua.
Day 6 - ROTORUA
Morning - Duck Tour - this guided tour on an amphibious vehicle gives you a great over view of Rotorua and its history as well as taking you out onto the lake, without leaving your seat. The Duck Tour infectious tour guides mean the whole family will love the tour. Allow 2 hours.
Lunch and afternoon - Skyline - take the Gondola up to the restaurant for lunch with an amazing view over the lakes and Rotorua, then get competitive with friends and family on the luge track. Try dragging the kids way from here!! there are lockers for camera bags/backpacks
Evening - Redwood Treewalk - Travel the 120 year old Redwood forest for 700 meters, over 28 swing bridges, 20 meters from the ground. You can do a daylight or nighttime experience. Have a look and see which one suits you, it's best to Pre-Book a fast pass. There are limited amounts of visitors allowed on the walkways at any time. It's a breathtaking experience especially at night.
HINT: Mum might like to leave the family at some point and experience the Polynesian Spa, Thermal spring treatments. They also take group bookings is you want to work it into another days activities. Think relaxing thermal water, beauty treatments and massages. The Hell's Gate Geothermal Reserve also offers walks, a mud spa and the only hot waterfall in the southern hemisphere.
Add another day in your itinerary to do the Whakarewarewa Forest Loop bike ride. It's a 33 km circuit around Rotorua, taking in the natural beauty of the varying forests of the are. Average fitness required, but you can hire an electric bike to help make it easier.
If Scenic Flights are your thing, you can take one over the ancient crater lakes of the immediate area and further a field are a spectacular way to get a birds eye view of the area.
Redwood Treewalk Rotorua - Image Credit - Nathan Sawaya @nathsway
Day 7 ROTORUA – TAUPŌ – 80km / 50mi / 1 hour 5 min
Rotorua Canopy Tour - before leaving Rotorua let's go back up in the trees for a guided zipline tour through the forest. This is a fantastic experience but it's not for everyone so check out their website to see what you're in for. Allow 3 - 4 hours
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland - on the Loop Road RD3 Rotorua - to Taupo
Home to the famous Lady Knox Geyser, allow 2 hours here it really is a wonderland, in winter make sure you arrive before 2pm, last entry is at 3.30pm but you need more time than that before it gets dark.
STAY – 2 nights - Taupo Top 10 Holiday Park
Day 8 - TAUPŌ
Bungy Jump or Swing – AJ Hackett - a unique once in a lifetime Kiwi experience, definitely not for everyone but even if you don't want to jump, go and have a look.
Jetboat - Hukafalls Jetboat ride. - Classic experience, you can't come to NZ and not do a Jetboat ride on the Waikato River. Make sure you have pre-booked, even in winter.
HINT: You could really spend a few more days in Taupo, fly fishing, walking, hiking or biking the trails. it's really a magical place.
Day 9 - TAUPŌ – WHAKATANE - TAURANGA Scenic Drive Day Taupo – Whakatane – 168-188km 2hr – 2hr 30min (depends on which route you choose)
Whakatane Walk: • There is a beautiful look out spot called the Kohi Point lookout - from there you can do the Ngā Tapuwae o Toi walk down to Otarawairere Bay and back up again. You would need about 1.5 hours return, but allow 2 for stops along the way. If your in the Whakatane township, you could walk from town (up the stairs and via Seaview Rd carpark). This would add about another 40 mins.
There are other Short Walks in the Bay to choose from.
Whakatane – Tauranga – 87km 1 hr 10mins (allow 2 hrs for stops)
STAY – 2 nights – Mount Maunganui Beachside campground, Very iconic place to stay with a motorhome - you staying right under Mauao so it will make it easy when it comes to walking around Mount Maunganui, New Zealand’s only holiday park right in front of Mount Maunganui Main Beach, the best beach in the country.
HINT: If you have time you can stay a night in Whakatane and 3 nights in Tauranga, there is plenty to do.
Sunrise view from Mount Maunganui summit via the Mauao base track - Image credit - Nathan Sawaya @nathsway
Day 10 - TAURANGA
• Walk up the famous Mauao Summit - Instagram worthy and stunning lookouts - this also connected to the Mauao base track summit and Marine Parade Coastal pathway.
• Some beautiful waterfalls and short walks.
• A special place to dine on your last night in NZ would be Izakai - Māori Japanese fusion restaurant very unique to the Bay of Plenty and New Zealand!
Day 11 TAURANGA – AUCKLAND AIRPORT – 203 Km / 3 hrs – 3 hrs 30 mins
Take State Hwy 2 so you go around the whole bay via Athenree. This way you won’t be retracing your steps from the first day.
Auckland Depot -13 Manu Tapu Drive, Auckland Airport, make sure you return the vehicle before 4pm.
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