🚘🇳🇿🌄 10-Day Road Trip Through New Zealand’s North Island: An Unforgettable Adventure!

From the bustling city of Auckland to the serene beaches, lush forests, and unique geothermal features, our 10-day North Island road trip was an unforgettable experience. Here’s a glimpse into our journey and some spots for travellers looking to explore New Zealand by road. 📍 Day 1: Auckland to Coromandel - The Journey Begins After picking up the car, we drove from Auckland airport to Coromandel, soaking in stunning views along the coastal highway. 📍 Days 2: Coromandel Peninsula - Sun, Sand & Hot Springs Headed east along the Coromandel Peninsula for some beach relaxation. Visited Cathedral Cove for stunning coastal scenery and Hot Water Beach, where you can dig your own hot spring! Made our way to Mount Maunganui, where we embarked on a hike up Mauao summit, rewarding us with a sweeping view of the coastline. 📍 Day 3: Hobbiton - A Touch of Middle-earth Visited Hobbiton for a magical experience in the movie set of The Lord of the Rings, and The Hobbit. Strolled through the lush landscapes and homes of Hobbits! 📍 Days 4: Rotorua - Geothermal Wonders, Redwood Forest & Maori Culture Rotorua impressed with colourful geothermal parks, the towering Redwood Forest, and immersive Maori cultural experiences where we learned about their traditions! 📍 Day 5: Taupo - Waterfalls, Rapids & Thrilling Adventures Visited Huka Falls and took an exhilarating jet boat ride near the falls! Also explored Craters of the Moon, the bubbling Waiotapu Mud Pool, and watched the powerful Aratiatia Rapids. Ended the day by relaxing along Lake Taupo. 📍 Day 6: Tongariro National Park - Taranaki Falls & Tama Lakes Hiked the Taranaki Falls and the Tama Lakes Track in Tongariro National Park, taking in stunning volcanic landscapes, gushing falls, and pristine alpine lakes. Tip: Bring water/wind proof layers for variable weather on the trails. 📍 Day 7: Whanganui & New Plymouth - A Scenic Drive Drove along the river road to Whanganui, stopping at the Atene Viewpoint for panoramic views of the valley. After a brief stop at Whanganui, we continued to New Plymouth to enjoy the coastal scenery. 📍 Day 8: Mount Taranaki - Reflective Views on the Pouakai Circuit Took the Pouakai Circuit via the Mangorei Track to reach the Reflective Tarn — an unforgettable experience for any hiker! 📍 Day 9: Waitomo Caves - A Glowworm Wonderland Explored the mystical Waitomo Caves and saw thousands of glowworms lighting up the cave ceilings like stars! 📍 Days 10: Auckland - The Heartbeat of New Zealand Wrapped up our adventure in Auckland, a vibrant city with a perfect mix of urban life and natural beauty. Visited Mount Eden for panoramic views of the city, and Stokes Point Reserve for a skyline view of Auckland’s CBD. New Zealand's North Island is a treasure trove of unique experiences, and this road trip captured its essence. If you’re seeking diverse landscapes and a taste of Maori culture, add the North Island to your bucket list! #newzealand #northisland #roadtrip