Four day getaways
Coastal New Zealand is so beautiful - be it the vast golden sands of the north or the wild waves crashing on the dramatic grey rock faces of the west coast. Driving from one beautiful coast to another is a great way to start and end a motorhome trip. One of our favourites is the journey from Auckland to Napier. It only takes five and a half hours but you can draw it out as long as you like. Here’s an idea for a three or four day trip.
Day One
The drive from Auckland to Hamilton is pretty straightforward but once you get there, there are lots of interesting things to see. Hamilton Gardens has won international recognition for good reason and wandering round its various themed gardens and green spaces can easily take up a half a day (even non garden fans will love this place). Zealong Tea Estate is wonderful too - it’s truly bizarre to see tea bushes growing in the middle of the Waikato region; but the tea tasting, plantation tour and high tea proves these guys really know what they are doing. Of course there’s Hobbiton in nearby Matamata (45 minutes away) and also the beautiful Wairere Falls just half an hour further. If you’d rather just stay in Hamilton, take a stroll by the side of the river, explore the museum, check out cool cafes and restaurants or do a spot of shopping at the base in Te Rapa.
Day Two
It’s another two hours on to New Zealand’s biggest lake - make sure you stop at Tirau on the way if antiques and cute little shops are your thing. Taupo is beautiful with that magnificent expanse of sapphire water as your constant backdrop. Taupo DeBretts is a great place to park up (the hot pools and slides are enormous fun for families) and of course there’s the wild waters of Huka Falls, Huka Prawn Prawn Park, lakeside walks and so much more to easily occupy one, or even two, days.
Day Three and Four
It’s another two hours on to Napier - and the joys of the Hawke’s Bay area in general. Food lovers are well and truly covered with wineries, excellent restaurants and wonderful artisan producers; active types are spoiled for choice with breathtaking walks and mountain bike trails; art lovers will be in heaven with the art deco buildings and gallery scene and kids will love the beach, Bay Skate, Splash Planet and so much more. There’s definitely two or three days worth of activity between Napier, Hastings, Havelock North and the small areas in between.
