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New Zealand trip plans

Road trips, camping bases and time on the trail.

Essentials

4 trip plans in our collection

  • Panoramic view of Anchor Bay's sandy beach and blue water from the grassy coast at Tawharanui.
    Illustrative

    Anchor Bay on the Tawharanui Peninsula, photographed on 9 December 2018. Nearby coastal context, not a view of the campground or its pitches. Not a verified photograph of the place or itinerary in this guide.

    Photo: Sleeps-Darkly / CC0 1.0 / Details

    Auckland

    Auckland: Two Days Camping at Tawharanui

    Duration
    2 days
    Style
    Fixed-base stay
    Start / finish
    Matakana / Matakana
    Planning notes

    A compact Matakana and Tawharanui escape with one camp, a flexible park walk and no dependency on island ferries or city transfers.

    Checked 2026-09-26. Suggested itinerary; bookings and current access need confirmation.

  • Hahei Beach, offshore rocks and houses among green slopes, seen from above the northern end of the bay.
    Illustrative

    Hahei's beach and coastal settlement. This is a view of the destination, not a verified view of camping pitches. Not a verified photograph of the place or itinerary in this guide.

    Photo: Krzysztof Golik / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Details

    Waikato

    Coromandel: Three Days Based in Hahei

    Duration
    3 days
    Style
    Fixed-base stay
    Start / finish
    Hahei / Hahei
    Planning notes

    Use one Hahei camp to separate Cathedral Cove walking from Hot Water Beach, allowing the tide and coastal forecast to decide the order.

    Checked 2026-09-26. Suggested itinerary; bookings and current access need confirmation.

  • Coastal vegetation and the sea at Uretiti, with Hen Island on the horizon under the moon.
    Illustrative

    The sea outlook from Uretiti's DOC campsite, photographed on 18 October 2013. This coastal view does not show the camping pitches. Not a verified photograph of the place or itinerary in this guide.

    Photo: Proshoot (Keith Bennett) / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Details

    Northland

    Northland: Three Days Around Waipu Cove and Mangawhai

    Duration
    3 days
    Style
    Fixed-base stay
    Start / finish
    Waipu / Waipu
    Planning notes

    Keep a Waipu Cove camping base for a coast-focused break, with a deliberate choice between Mangawhai's cliff walk and a shorter beach day.

    Checked 2026-09-26. Suggested itinerary; bookings and current access need confirmation.

  • A yellow tent pitched among trees, with another tent partly visible beside it.
    Illustrative

    Pitched tents in Yosemite Valley, United States, not a New Zealand campsite or a pitching demonstration. Not a verified photograph of the place or itinerary in this guide.

    Photo: Andrew Scofield / Unsplash License / Details

    Taranaki

    Taranaki: Three Days from a New Plymouth Base

    Duration
    3 days
    Style
    Fixed-base stay
    Start / finish
    New Plymouth / New Plymouth
    Planning notes

    Combine manageable Coastal Walkway sections with one conditional North Egmont forest outing, retaining a town-based option for mountain weather.

    Checked 2026-09-26. Suggested itinerary; bookings and current access need confirmation.

Plan an island road trip

Start with a realistic route, then choose campsites and walks for each overnight base.

Leave room to change course

These are editorial route suggestions, not booked holidays. Allow extra time for weather, roadworks, rest and the needs of your group. Each overnight stop needs a confirmed booking or verified permission.

Driving in New Zealand

Walking distances and grades belong to the individual route. Check its current notices before adding it to a driving day.

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