Northland · New Zealand

Bay of Islands & Cape Reinga

Head north from Auckland and the country changes quickly. Northland is warmer, more tropical, and less visited than the rest of New Zealand — which makes it all the more rewarding. The Bay of Islands is the highlight: 144 islands scattered across an impossibly blue harbour, with dolphins that will swim alongside your boat and beaches that feel private even in peak season.

Beyond the Bay of Islands, push north to Cape Reinga — the northernmost accessible point of New Zealand, where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean in a visible clash of currents. It's one of those places that feels like the edge of the world.

Route highlights

Stop 1

Whangarei & the Road North

Whangarei is worth a stop rather than just a drive-through. The Town Basin is a pleasant waterfront precinct with cafes and galleries, and the Whangarei Falls are a 10-minute walk from the car park. From here it’s about an hour to the Bay of Islands.

💡 Stock up on groceries in Whangarei — options get sparser further north.

Stop 2

Paihia & the Bay of Islands

Paihia is the main base for exploring the Bay of Islands. Take a dolphin cruise (almost guaranteed sightings), visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds where the founding document of New Zealand was signed in 1840, and take the ferry across to Russell — New Zealand’s first European settlement and now a beautifully preserved small town.

💡 The Waitangi Treaty Grounds cultural performance and hangi is one of the best Māori cultural experiences in the country.

Stop 3

Cape Reinga

Cape Reinga is as far north as you can drive in New Zealand. The lighthouse at the point is iconic, but what makes it special is the view of two oceans meeting — the Tasman Sea from the west and the Pacific Ocean from the east, colliding in a swirl of currents you can see from the cliff. It’s genuinely moving.

💡 The road to Cape Reinga is fully sealed and straightforward — about 2.5 hours from Paihia. Leave early and take your time.

Stop 4

The return south — Ninety Mile Beach

On the return, you’ll drive alongside Ninety Mile Beach (actually 88km, but who’s counting). The views are spectacular — but the beach itself is off-limits for our campers. The soft sand and salt damage voids your insurance and has swallowed many vehicles before. Admire it from the road and the lookout points.

⚠️ Do NOT drive on Ninety Mile Beach — it voids your insurance and is genuinely dangerous for campervans.

Where to camp along this route

Practical tips

• Ninety Mile Beach is NOT a road — do not drive on it. The soft sand has swallowed buses and is prohibited for our campers.
• The roads in Northland are generally excellent — no gravel concerns on this route.
• Cape Reinga is busiest around midday when the tour buses arrive — go early or late for a more peaceful experience.
• Dolphins are regularly spotted in the Bay of Islands but not guaranteed — most cruise operators will refund or rebook if you see none.