Do you want to take a road trip that will allow you to enjoy coastal views and see some of the best attractions in New Zealand? Then you need to try our Auckland to Gisborne road trip. Spanning 718 km, the trip can take three to five days, with the option to extend it if you like. You will travel through Thames, Mount Maunganui, and Tokomaru Bay, enjoying some of the best scenic views and absorbing yourself in local history. Follow our itinerary below to see how you can enjoy the perfect road trip from Auckland to Gisborne.
Stop 1 – Auckland
Make sure you check out what Auckland has to offer before heading off on your road trip. A short, eight-minute drive from Downtown Auckland takes you to Maungawahau (Mount Eden), where you can take beautiful photos of the city and its surroundings. It is one of the best viewing points in the city!
A fifteen-minute drive from Auckland will take you to Mission Bay, the perfect place for a walk. Make sure you stop at the Mission Bay Cafe for a coffee to power you through your walk.
Stop 2 – Thames
Thames is just a ninety-minute drive from Auckland, but it is the perfect place to stop and stretch your legs. It was once a booming gold mine settlement, and now the small town is a gateway to the Coromandel Peninsula. The Thames Coastal Walkway is a lovely place to stretch your legs, and allows you to work your way up the shoreline to Fletcher Bay. You don’t need to walk the entire path to see some fantastic views of the Firth of Thames either.
The Thames School of Mines is the perfect place to learn more about the history of the town, too. It is just a ten-minute walk from Downtown Thames, and you can see original mining equipment and interesting stores from the era. There are plenty of places to eat and drink, too, allowing you to refuel before continuing with your road trip.
Stop 3 – Whangamata
A fifty-five-minute drive will bring you to Whangamata, a classic Kiwi beach town where you can relax. The long beach has plenty of space for sunbathing and swimming, with waters that are great for surfing. You can even attend lessons at the Whangamata Surf School, which is on the beachfront.
You can also rent a kayak and explore Whenuakura Island, which has a hidden lagoon that is just waiting to be explored. The protected wildlife sanctuary is worth a visit, and you can enjoy views of this as you move on the water. You can find several places on the seafront to enjoy food before your journey continues.
Stop 4 – Mount Maunganui
The drive to Mount Maunganui will take you an hour and twenty-five minutes, but it will feel like you have been transported to another country. This coastal town has a beautiful beach to enjoy and the Mauao Summit Walk, where you will hike for forty minutes to reach the stunning peak of the mountain. From here, you will enjoy views of Pilot Bay, Maturiki Island, and the Pacific Ocean.
If you want to relax, Mount Hot Pools are at the foot of the mountain, where you can soak in natural saltwater pools and relax.
Stop 5 – Whakatane
Whakatane is worth a visit too, especially if you want to learn more about Maori history. It is also the sunniest region in New Zealand, where you can enjoy delicious sunrises and sunsets. We recommend heading to the Te Wairaka Statue, where you will learn about Wairaka, a brave Maori woman who saved her people by seizing the paddles of a drifting canoe.
The Kohi Point Walkway is an excellent place to enjoy views of the ocean and even spot whales or dolphins. From Whakatane, you can head to Moutohora Island, where you can enjoy the wildlife sanctuary and see a landscape untouched by human development.
Stop 6 – Ohope Beach
Ohope Beach is a short eight-minute drive, but it’s worth it if you want to relax before your journey continues. It is a good place to spend the night, too, especially if you want to enjoy a sunset. The Ohope Scenic Reserve Track is worth walking, and there are lots of cafes where you can stop for food.
Stop 7 – Opotiki
Opotiki is a good place to learn about Maori history and explore nature. The Motu Trails are a great place for adventure seekers, where you can enjoy walking and biking tracks that take you through native bush, river valleys, and coastal cliffs.
Opotiki Community Market is worth a visit too, where you can pick up fresh fruit, artisan cheeses, and local honey to keep you going for the rest of your trip.
Stop 8 – Te Araroa
Te Araroa is the easternmost settlement in mainland New Zealand and is the perfect place to stay for a day or two. The Te Waha o Rerekohu, the largest pohutukawa tree in New Zealand, is worth a visit. At over 600 years old, we recommend setting aside time to visit and marvel at it.
You can also head to the East Cape Lighthouse for a stunning sunrise, just make sure you get there early enough! There are plenty of places on your way back into town to treat yourself to a snack, too.
Tokomaru Bay is a stunning stretch of coastline where you can relax for a few days. The Anura Bay Walkway is the ideal hike, where you will walk through native bush and see views of the ocean and farmland, before accessing Anaura Bay for a day of fishing or sunbathing.
Stop 9 – Tokomaru Bay
Stop 10 – Gisborne
Your road trip comes to an end in Gisborne, where you can enjoy the hustle and bustle of this town. There are plenty of vineyards to explore, where you can enjoy tours and sample the local wines.
You can also drive to Wainui Beach, where you can surf or relax and enjoy the view. If you fancy ending your trip with a climb, head to Titrangi Reserve to see the best views of the coastline.
Start your Auckland to Gisborne road trip today
Armed with your itinerary, it is time to start planning your road trip. Your first port of call is finding a campervan for your journey, with Travellers Autobarn offering some of the best prices in New Zealand. Contact Travellers to find the best rates on campervan hire in Auckland and begin your road trip today.