Home › Journeys › Auckland Twin Coast Northland Loop › 6 days
Auckland Twin Coast Northland Loop: 6-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive
Last updated:
The 6-day version for February: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 6-day plan · best time to go.
Use this plan → Customize this plan →
6
days
695 km
distance
15.7 h
driving
21
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- Use the published warm-season road product and check current highways, weather, public access and every optional activity separately.
Day 1 Auckland public departure day
- Transit
- 0h37
- Finish
- ~17:10
- Temperature
- 17.3°C–23.5°C
- Rainy days
- ~9
- Daylight
- 13.4h
09:00
Auckland public departure circuit aucklandcouncil.govt.nz map ↗
Use confirmed-open public waterfront and civic access before the road loop; islands, ferries and tours stay optional.
240 min · Auckland public departure day · Confirm current admission, parking, road and access conditions
13:10
Savor breathtaking views from the tallest tower in the Southern Hemisphere.
50 min · Auckland public departure day · Adult $47, annual pass $110
open: Daily 9:30AM–8PM (last entry 7:15PM), later Fri and Sat, and Dec-Jan
14:10
Explore vast collections of national and international art in a landmark building.
50 min · Auckland public departure day · Free entry for New Zealand residents, for international adults $20; charges for some special exhibitions
open: Daily 10AM-5PM, closed 25 Dec
15:10
Discover Māori culture and Polynesian arts in an imposing museum setting.
50 min · Auckland public departure day · Overseas adult $25, overseas child 6-14 years $10; NZ residents donation invited; Auckland residents free with MyMuseum card or proof of residency
open: 10AM-5PM
16:20
Observe diverse native and exotic animals in various habitats.
50 min · Auckland public departure day · Adults (15 years+) $28, children 4–14 $12, seniors and students with ID $23, family rates available
open: 1 Sep-30 Apr 9:30AM–5:30PM (last admissions at 16:15), but Fridays open until 8PM; 1 May–31 Aug 9:30AM-5PM; closed 25 Dec
Overnight here
e.g. Haka House Auckland City · BK Hostel
Day 2 Whangārei public waterfront and garden day
- Transit
- 3h07
- Finish
- ~17:50
- Temperature
- 17.8°C–23.6°C
- Rainy days
- ~10
- Daylight
- 13.3h
11:45
Whangārei public waterfront and garden circuit wdc.govt.nz map ↗
Use confirmed-open public waterfront, gardens and city access; museums, wildlife attractions and tours stay optional.
240 min · Whangārei public waterfront and garden day · Confirm current admission, parking, road and access conditions
15:55
Whangarei Quarry Gardens whangareigardens.org.nz map ↗
50 min · Whangārei public waterfront and garden day · Entry by donation
open: Daily 9AM–5PM; Quail Cafe Wed–Sun 9AM–3PM
Overnight here
e.g. The Cell Block Backpackers · Kingsgate Hotel
Day 3 Paihia public waterfront day
- Transit
- 1h51
- Finish
- ~17:25
- Temperature
- 17.8°C–23.6°C
- Rainy days
- ~10
- Daylight
- 13.3h
10:40
Paihia public waterfront circuit fndc.govt.nz map ↗
Use confirmed-open public waterfront and town access; ferries, cruises, islands, treaty-site tickets and wildlife encounters stay optional.
240 min · Paihia public waterfront day · Confirm current admission, parking, road and access conditions
14:55
Dive the Rainbow Warrior wreck divenz.com
Explore an artificial reef teeming with marine life.
90 min · Paihia public waterfront day
16:25
Zane Grey's Restaurant and Bar zanegreys.co.nz
Dine on Mediterranean and seafood with sea views.
60 min · Paihia public waterfront day
Overnight here
e.g. Pioneer Waterfront Apartments · Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands
Day 4 Kerikeri public heritage day
- Transit
- 1h14
- Finish
- ~17:50
- Temperature
- 18.3°C–23.3°C
- Rainy days
- ~10
- Daylight
- 13.3h
09:40
Kerikeri public heritage circuit fndc.govt.nz map ↗
Use confirmed-open public town, garden and heritage access; paid sites, food tours and providers stay optional.
240 min · Kerikeri public heritage day · Confirm current admission, parking, road and access conditions
13:50
14:50
Visit New Zealand's oldest stone building.
50 min · Kerikeri public heritage day · $10
open: Daily except 25 Dec, Nov-Apr 10AM-5PM, May-Oct 10AM-4PM
15:55
Art at Wharepuke art-in-newzealand.co.nz
Admire NZ and international prints in a bright, inviting gallery.
50 min · Kerikeri public heritage day · Free
open: Daily 8AM-5PM
17:00
Kororipo Pa search
Discover the historic pa with stunning inlet views and rich heritage.
50 min · Kerikeri public heritage day
Day 5 Hokianga public coast day
- Transit
- 3h03
- Finish
- ~17:50
- Temperature
- 19.1°C–21.7°C
- Rainy days
- ~8
- Daylight
- 13.3h
11:45
Hokianga public coast circuit fndc.govt.nz map ↗
Use confirmed-open public harbour, coast and town access; ferries, dune activities and water trips stay optional.
240 min · Hokianga public coast day · Confirm current admission, parking, road and access conditions
15:55
17:00
Sand dunes hokiangatourism.org.nz
Walk up towering sand dunes for sweeping harbour and landscape views.
50 min · Hokianga public coast day
Overnight here
e.g. Opononi Lighthouse Motel · Copthorne Hotel and Resort Hokianga
Day 6 Waipoua Tāne Mahuta confirmed-open day → back to start
- Transit
- 5h52
- Finish
- ~17:20
- Temperature
- 16.5°C–24.2°C
- Rainy days
- ~10
- Daylight
- 13.3h
09:50
Waipoua Tāne Mahuta confirmed-open circuit doc.govt.nz map ↗
Use the open Tāne Mahuta boardwalk within posted hours and kauri hygiene rules; Kauri Walks and other closed forest access are excluded.
90 min · Waipoua Tāne Mahuta confirmed-open day · Confirm current admission, parking, road and access conditions
11:30
50 min · Waipoua Tāne Mahuta confirmed-open day
🔍 Check before you book
Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.