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Auckland Twin Coast Northland Loop: Route Guide

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Green islands scattered across the Bay of Islands
Photo: Bahnfrend · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Leave Auckland for Whangārei, the Bay of Islands and Kerikeri, then follow the Hokianga coast toward Waipoua's Tāne Mahuta before returning south. Six warm-season days make room for waterfronts, heritage and forest; check current access before the Waipoua visit.

Auckland Twin Coast Northland Loop is a 695 km loop (self-drive). It works best as a 6-day trip; the plan below is the 6-day version for February, built from 242 verified places, with planned transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.

6
days
695km
distance
6
Stops
242
curated stops

View ready-made plans 6-day plan · best time to go

The route

Auckland public departure day→ 160 kmWhangārei public waterfront and garden day→ 70 kmPaihia public waterfront day→ 25 kmKerikeri public heritage day→ 135 kmHokianga public coast day→ 35 kmWaipoua Tāne Mahuta confirmed-open day

What you'll see

Rangitoto Island
Climb a dormant volcano for sweeping views of the harbor and city.
Auckland public departure day
Whangārei public waterfront and garden circuit
Use confirmed-open public waterfront, gardens and city access; museums, wildlife attractions and tours stay optional.
Whangārei public waterfront and garden day
Paihia public waterfront circuit
Use confirmed-open public waterfront and town access; ferries, cruises, islands, treaty-site tickets and wildlife encounters stay optional.
Paihia public waterfront day
Kerikeri public heritage circuit
Use confirmed-open public town, garden and heritage access; paid sites, food tours and providers stay optional.
Kerikeri public heritage day
Hokianga public coast circuit
Use confirmed-open public harbour, coast and town access; ferries, dune activities and water trips stay optional.
Hokianga public coast day
Waipoua Tāne Mahuta confirmed-open circuit
Use the open Tāne Mahuta boardwalk within posted hours and kauri hygiene rules; Kauri Walks and other closed forest access are excluded.
Waipoua Tāne Mahuta confirmed-open day
Auckland War Memorial Museum
Discover Māori culture and Polynesian arts in an imposing museum setting.
Auckland public departure day
Dive the Rainbow Warrior wreck
Explore an artificial reef teeming with marine life.
Paihia public waterfront day

Choose your length

6-day plan21 stops · 15.7 h transit3.5 stops/day · 2.6 h transit/daySee the full plan →

When to go

Best months: November, December, January, February, March, April

Use the published warm-season road product and check current highways, weather, public access and every optional activity separately.

See the month-by-month breakdown →

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View ready-made plans