A six-day warm-season 695 km Twin Coast public-road loop from Auckland through Whangārei, the Bay of Islands and Hokianga to currently open Tāne Mahuta access before returning south. Ferries, island cruises, dolphin encounters, sandboarding, paid treaty sites and closed Kauri Walks remain separate.
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.
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.
