Start your journey in Auckland and trace the spectacular east coast of New Zealand’s North Island on the Pacific Coast Highway — a road trip that weaves together beaches, volcanic landscapes, rainforest, lakes, surf towns, and world-class wine country.
From hidden lagoons and geothermal hot-water beaches to the rugged roads of the East Cape and the Art Deco streets of Napier, this route showcases some of the most diverse and dramatic scenery in the country.
Over seven days, you’ll experience iconic bucket-list stops, remote coastal wilderness, rich Māori heritage, and some of New Zealand’s best food and wine — all connected by one unforgettable coastal drive.
Jump to a Day
Day 1 — Iconic Beaches & Geothermal Coastline Experiences
Day 2 — Beaches, Cycling Trails & Volcanic Coastline
Day 3 — Wildlife Encounters & Coastal Conservation Islands
Days 4–5 — Remote Coastal Drives & Māori Cultural Heritage
Day 6 — Wilderness Landscapes & Remote Natural Beauty
Day 7 — Wine, Art Deco Architecture & Coastal Landscapes
Day 1: Auckland to Hahei
Iconic beaches and geothermal coastline experiences.
Before leaving Auckland, fuel up at Richoux Patisserie or Bestie Cafe, and then head toward the stunning Coromandel Peninsula, where rainforest-covered hills meet turquoise bays and hidden coves.
In the Coromandel, you'll find a list of amazing things to do, including two things on most people's NZ bucket lists.
New Chums Beach
Continue around the peninsula’s northeastern coastline, with your first stop being one of the best beaches, as ranked by Lonely Planet - the still relatively unknown hidden gem that is New Chums Beach.
Stop off for lunch at Whitianga before it's time for the main events, and two of the bucket list stops on most peoples NZ itineraries!
Visit Cathedral Cove (Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve), one of New Zealand’s most iconic coastal landmarks, with its natural rock arch and secluded beaches.
Cathedral Cove
Relax at Hot Water Beach, where geothermal springs rise through the sand and you can dig your own natural hot pool at low tide.
*Hot Water Beach is best visited within two hours either side of low tide, while lower tides can make exploring Cathedral Cove’s shoreline easier.
Check out the top foodie finds in the Coromandel
Where to Stay: Tasman Holiday Parks - Hahei Beach
Day 2: Hahei to Tauranga
Beaches, cycling trails, and volcanic coastline.
Travel south, and if time allows take a tour to Whenuakura Island (Donut Island) near Whangamatā for a kayak trip into its hidden volcanic lagoon.
Detour inland via Karangahake Gorge to explore part of the Hauraki Rail Trail, one of New Zealand’s Great Rides, passing old railway tunnels, countryside, and waterfalls like Owharoa Falls.
Hauraki Rail Trail
Stop for lunch at The Falls Retreat or sample local produce at The Cheese Barn at Matatoki.
Arrive in Tauranga and head straight to Mount Maunganui (Mauao) beach, one of New Zealand’s most loved beaches.
Waimarino Kayak Tours
At night, experience a Waimarino Kayak Tour at Lake McLaren and Falls.
Check out the top foodie finds in the Coastal Bay of Plenty
Where to Stay: Tasman Holiday Parks - Papamoa Beach
Day 3: Tauranga to Whakatāne
Wildlife encounters and coastal conservation islands.
If the Mauao Summit Track is open during your visit, sunrise from Mauao is a must. If not, start the morning on the water with Bay Explorer or Dolphin Seafaris, and enjoy your pick of these amazing marine life cruises.
Mauao Summit Track
After, head east and stop at Ōhope Beach, one of New Zealand’s longest and safest swimming beaches.
Wildlife lovers should consider pre-booking a guided trip to Moutohorā (Whale Island), a predator-free sanctuary home to some of New Zealand’s rarest native species.
Where to Stay: Ohope Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park
Days 4–5: Whakatāne to Gisborne via East Cape
Remote coastal drives and strong Māori cultural heritage.
Drive one of New Zealand’s most remote and scenic coastal routes as you take the next 2 days exploring around the East Cape.
Motu River Jet
Start with a splash with a Jetboat adventure on the Motu River, or maybe a remote Horse Trek is more your style?
Tolga Bay Wharf
Must do Stops include:
- Tolaga Bay Wharf - a 660-metre-long historic pier stretching into the Pacific Ocean.
- Anglican Church of Raukokore - A stunning Catergory 1 heritage site and one of the most stunning churches in the North Island
- Maunga Hikurangi (Mount Hikurangi) - for an unforgettable guided sunrise cultural experience
- East Cape Lighthouse and Lookout, the easternmost point of mainland New Zealand
- Rere Rockslide - an inland detour with a natural rock water slide set in a river gorge and a favourite local adventure spot
Arrive in Gisborne, famous for surf beaches, vineyards, and being the first city in the world to see the sunrise each day.
Check out the top foodie finds in Gisborne.
Where to Stay:
Day 6: Gisborne to Wairoa & Lake Waikaremoana
Wilderness landscapes and remote natural beauty
Today, choose between two spectacular routes south from Gisborne toward Wairoa, with the option to detour into nearby Te Urewera and Lake Waikaremoana.
The inland route takes you through remote backcountry landscapes and past the spectacular Te Reinga Falls, where the Hangaroa and Ruakituri Rivers meet beneath a dramatic waterfall.
Morere Hot Springs
Alternatively, the coastal route winds past the relaxing Morere Hot Springs and the quiet beaches and surf breaks of the Māhia Peninsula, known for its laidback coastal feel and rocket launch history. Families travelling with kids should also check out Māhia Beach.
Whichever route you choose, make time for Lake Waikaremoana, one of the North Island’s most beautiful lakes and the gateway to the remote Te Urewera wilderness.
Popular activities here include hiking, kayaking, swimming, and fly-fishing, while serious walkers can tackle part of the famous Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk — one of New Zealand’s multi-day Great Walk experiences through ancient rainforest and lakeside landscapes.
Where to Stay?
Day 7: Wairoa to Napier
Wine, Art Deco architecture, and coastal landscapes.
The final leg of your journey takes you south past rolling farmland and scenic lakes like Lake Tūtira before arriving in Hawke's Bay.
Explore Napier, one of the world’s best-preserved Art Deco cities, rebuilt after the devastating 1931 earthquake. Hawke’s Bay is also one of New Zealand’s premier wine regions, known for its warm climate, vineyard landscapes, and award-winning cellar doors.
Mission Estate
Spend the afternoon discovering wineries by self-drive, guided tour, or even by bike, stopping at iconic estates like Craggy Range Winery, Mission Estate Winery, or Church Road Winery. The region’s winery restaurants also make it easy to pair local produce with Hawke’s Bay favourites, from crisp sauvignon blanc to bold merlot and cabernet sauvignon.
Just south of Napier, Cape Kidnappers, home to one of the world’s largest mainland gannet colonies, where thousands of seabirds nest on dramatic cliffs.
Cape Kidnappers
Other standout Hawke’s Bay food and drink experiences include Black Barn Bistro, Elephant Hill Winery, Birdwoods, and cocktails at Hastings Distillers.
Where the Coast Meets the Vine
As you roll into Napier and watch the coastline soften into vineyards and Art Deco streets, the Pacific Coast Highway feels less like a road and more like a collection of moments stitched together — wild beaches at sunrise, hidden inland waterfalls, quiet coastal roads, and long summer evenings by the ocean.
This journey captures what makes New Zealand’s east coast so special: the contrast between remote wilderness and vibrant coastal towns, between geothermal landscapes and rolling farmland, between adventure and stillness.
Whether it’s digging a hot pool at Hot Water Beach, standing beneath the cliffs at Cape Kidnappers, or watching sunrise light spill over the East Cape, each stop leaves its own imprint.
And while this itinerary ends in Hawke’s Bay, the road doesn’t really stop here — it simply opens the door to more of Aotearoa waiting just beyond the horizon.
