The Northern Lights

In the morning depart Auckland for Whangarei on the Twin Coast Discovery Highway via the beautiful beaches of Mangawhai and Waipu.

Mangawhai offers a range of activities including water-sports, a world-class 18-hole championship golf course, Bennetts Chocolate factory, and a museum that tells the amazing history of the region. Why not have lunch and do some wine tasting at Te Whai Bay a privately owned boutique vineyard nestled in the foothills of the Brynderwyn ranges or if the outdoors is more your thing explore the Mangwai cliffs walkway. A 9km (2-3hour) walk where you’ll get rewarding sea views from above and explore the rocky coastline below. Go at low tide.

Waipu Cove has a long, sandy beach with safe swimming, surfing, fishing and horseriding. The cove cafe is an idyllic spot for breakfast, lunch, or an open-air dinner among the fairy lights. Park up and embark on a 1.5-hour walk around the Waipu Caves where you will find stalactites, stalagmites and glow worms. Or explore the Waipu Coastal Walkway with stunning rock formations similar to the Pancake Rocks. 

Continue on to Tutukaka and park yout maui van at Tutukaka Holiday Park in preparation for a big day tomorrow.

Tutukaka is a gateway to the world-renowned Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve. The Poor Knights are made up of two large islands and over 24 smaller inlets and rocky outcrops.This is home to an incredible marine life of over 125 species with new species being discovered each year from nudibranchs to frogfish sightings. Diving at the islands makes for a wonderful experience but this is not the only way to see it, there are many boat trips from the marina. Below the water, for 800 metres around the islands, is a marine reserve. Above, the islands are a nature reserve.The flora and fauna are breathtakingly diverse and the steep cliffs soaring hundreds of metres above the waterline show off the volcanic features that formed due to a large eruption about 10 million years ago.

Explore the world-famous Matapouri/ Whale Bay. This coastline was rated one of the top three coastlines in the world by National Geographic Traveller. Matapouri, is a beautiful horseshoe-shaped bay that’s perfect for swimming (even in winter, if you’re wearing a wetsuit). Park the van and explore all it has to offer.

In the morning depart Tutukaka for the Bay of Islands via Whakapara and the scenic drive past Oakura Bay. 

Stop for a dip or an icecream at this safe swimming spot before heading on to Paihia - the main tourist town in the bay of Islands. Pop into the visitor information centre to get an idea of whats on offer and plan your time here.

Park up for a toilet break at Kawa kawa home of some very decoarative toilets.

Pahia is a good place stock up on supplies, visit beautiful shops and galleries, have a massage and grab some lunch before booking a boat tour on one of the many vessels including Fuller's Great Sights Dolphin Cruise, a fast ride out on to the ‘Hole in the Rock’ or a dive trip. 

Take some time to explore Romantic Russell, NZ’s original Capital. Take the van on the ferry for a unique experience. Once in Russell stop for a drink at New Zealands first licenced premises The Duke of Marlborough. Opened in 1827 and located on the waterfront, this hotel also offers a restaurant where you can relax and watch the world go by. 

Visit historic Waitangi Treaty Grounds where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed.Take a tour and view the magnificent Maori war canoe, Maori meeting house and the Treaty House. Experience an authentic Maori cultural performance including waiata (singing), poi and the famous haka, inside this beautifully carved meeting house.Or see the Bay of Islands and the Far North by air a unique experience with spectacular coastline views and island scenery.

Stay overnight at the Russell TOP 10 Holiday Park - an award-winning camp ground offering great accommodation in a premium location.

Spend another day exploring everything Russell and the Bay of Islands has to offer or take to the road and head further north.

Stop for a visit in Kerikeri and drop by the landings winery for some wine tasting or if chocolate is more your thing enjoy a gourmet experience at Makana or explore the many art & craft galleries this place has to offer.

Drive further north along state highway 10 and visit bays Like Matauri where the famous rainbow warrior is laid to rest. Book a dive trip to see this wreck, voted one of the best wreck dives in the world or see it by land by walking to the memorial site on this 20 minute hike. .

If golfing is your thing visit Kauri cliffs, ranked in the top 100 in the world.

Pull up for the night at Maturi or drive on further to Tauranga Bay or  Taupo Bay Holiday Park  

In the morning depart  Tauranga Bay or Taupo Bay Holiday Park  enroute to Mongonui where you will fill up on the best fish and chips in northland  before the big drive further north.

The drive to Cape Reinga is beautifully scenic, stop along the way for coffee and visit the many kauri gift shops.Kauri is a native wood and is the world’s most ancient timber. Swamp Kauri (found only on the Northland) has been buried and preserved in peat swamp for up to 50,000 years. Speculation is that a large tsunami is what buried these giants. Extraction of logs is expensive and time consuming requiring skilled operators of heavy machinery and the products they are made into are breathtakingly beautiful.

The Cape is not quite the tip of NZ but definately the end of the road for your Maui van. Cape Reinga is a special place where you can see the tasman and the pacific oceans collide. A place steeped in Maori focloir and where Maori spirits begin their final journey when they leave this life. Park the van and take the short stroll to the lighthouse.

Go sandboardring at Te Paki Stream - a 10km long by 1km wide coastal strip of jaw-dropping sand dunes where you can 'surf' the sand. Boards are available to hire at the park, dress like you are going to the beach.

90 Mile Beach is only accessible by four wheel drive but there are bus tours available from Paihia or Kaitia. Another great way to see this beach is by air.

 Stay overnight at a department of conservation campsite or if time if of the essence drive back towards Kaitia  where ther are more options.

In the morning depart the Far North for the Hokianga. The Hokianga Harbour has a fascinating history - both Māori and European. Explore the townships of Kohukohu and Rawene connected by vehicle ferry across the upper Hokianga Harbour. Visit a natural phenomenon in the Wairere Boulders in Horeke.

A must visit is to Waipoua forest, the home of Tāne Mahuta - New Zealand's largest known living kauri tree. It really needs to be seen as photos do not do it justice. This is an easily accessible walk for all ages.

Drive along to Kai Iwi lakes - a basin-type dune lakes created more than 1.8 million years ago, formed by the accumulation of rainwater in depressions of sand. Underlying ironstone prevents the water from leaking away. Each of the three lakes is fringed with pure white sand and there are shallow areas that are ideal for swimming; you can also fish for rainbow trout or paddle a kayak.

Stay overnight  at this well equipped and rated campsite.

In the morning depart for Dargaville the kūmara (sweet potato) capital of New Zealand via Bayleys beach.

The Polynesian ancestors of Māori brought kūmara with them as a food plant when they arrived in New Zealand in the 13th century. Visit the woodturner kauri gallery where Rick Taylor displays his craft of carving this ancient wood into beautiful items. Stop for lunch at many of the cafes and restaurnats on the main strip before heading back to Auckland to drop your Maui van to our friendly staff.