Twin Coast Discovery Highway

Visit the birthplace of our nation
Beautiful, unspoiled and rich in history and culture

Auckland
Known as the "City of Sails", Auckland is New Zealand's largest city with a population of 400,000 in the city itself and 1.3 million within the greater Auckland region.

Take time to explore this vibrant city with its mixture of cultures, particularly from the South Pacific nations. A host of leisure options are available for holiday markers, ranging from beautiful beaches, factory or boutique shopping, vineyards, and cruises to scenic offshore islands.

Overnight stop suggestions:

Orewa Beach Holiday Park, north of Auckland in the small town of Orewa on the shores of a beautiful East Coast beach
Avondale Motor Park

Auckland - Paihia (240 kms - 4 hrs)
Follow the highway north via the East Coast to the small city of Whangarei. From Whangarei continue on to Paihia and the Bay of Islands where a subtropical climate offers a warm welcome to all who venture North.

The Bay of Islands is known worldwide as a haven for boating, diving and game fishing and is one of New Zealand's premier holiday destinations. Paihia is the main Visitor Centre for the Bay of Islands and many sightseeing cruises depart from here.

Overnight stop suggestion:

Bay of Islands Holiday Park

Paihia - Cape Reinga - Kaitaia (223 kms - 3 hrs 40 mins to Cape Reinga - 2 hrs return to Kaitaia)
Take State Highway 10 from Paihia to Kaitaia and then State Highway 1 to Cape Reinga. Return via the same route to the Kaitaia area for your overnight stop.

Kaitaia is the main town in the Far North and a good base for exploring the region. With many fine restaurants and cafes to choose from and a remote and beautiful bay around every corner, you will find your stay here a welcome retreat. A warning here - some country roads are unsealed and narrow, and we recommend you ask the locaks for driving advice.

Overnight stop suggestion:

Ahipara Holiday Park, southern end of Ninety Mile Beach

Kaitaia - Dargaville (169 kms - 2hrs 30 mins)
Darvaville is a centre that specialises in ddairy farming, kumara (New Zealand sweet potato) growing and forestry. It has a rich heritage and the local museum has relics from many shipwrecks. The local cuisine offers seafood and kumara delicacies. Bayls Beach is a popular holiday spot with golden sands and sand dunes that occasionally shift, revealing the remains of another forgotten shipwreck.

Overnight stop suggestion:

Baylys Beach Holiday Park

Dargaville - Auckland (180 kms - 2 hrs 35 mins)
Direct route via State Highway 1
Matakohe Kauri Museum is a 'must see' enroute back to Auckland. Allow 2 hours to explore this fascinating and engaging museum that explains the life and times of the kauri tree and the Northland district.

At Wellsford choose either the Western route back to Auckland via State Highway 16 or the Eastern beaches at Pakiri, Leigh and Snells Beach before joining State Highway 1 at Warkworth.

Overnight stop suggestion:

Orewa Beach Holiday Park
Avondale Motor Park (if you are continuing south)

THINGS TO SEE AND DO

Auckland

View the city from Sky Tower, the tallest tower in the southern hemisphere
See an amazing variety of underwater wildlife at Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World and Antarctic Centre
Enjoy a half-day Wine Tour, combining superb scenerey with fine New Zealand wines
Challenge yourself to a climb to the top of Auckland Harbour Bridge
Cruise on Waitemata or Manukau Harbours
Take a ferry to volcanic Rangitoto Island, climb to the summit and view the city skyline and Hauraki Gulf
Take a tour of Lion Brewery's "Lionzone" factory
Visit MOTAT, New Zealand's leading Transport and Technology Museum
Explore some of the regional parks within easy reach of the city, or the wild West Coast with some of the most beautiful beaches in New Zelaand
Go behind the scenes at Auckland Zoo and get face to face with some of New Zealand's unique native fauna
Take the family to Rainbow's End Amusement Park
Visit the National Maritime Museum showcasing New Zealand's maritime heritage

Whangarei

Visit Whangarei's Clock Museum
Try diving, snorkelling and kayaking under expoert supervisiion at the Poor Knights Islands

Paihia - Bay of Islands

Visit the historic Treaty House at Waitangi and enjoy sweeping views over the Bay of Islands from the Treaty Grounds
Take a fery trip across the bay to historic Russell
Cruise to the famous 'Hole in the Rock' or board a high speed vessel for an exhilarating experience
Join a bus trip via Ninety Mile Beach to Cape Reinga at the northernmost tip of New Zealand where the Pacific Ocean meets the Tasman Sea
Partake in a fishing trip and cook your own catch for dinner
Try kayaking or snorkelling in the warm, clear waters around the islands
Experience Maori culture and live drama at an evening show

Explore historic Kerikeri with the oldest surviving buildings in New Zealand - Kemp House and the Stone Store

Stroll over the bridge at Kerikeri to Kororipa Pa, once the stronghold of fierce fighting chief, Hongi Hika

Kaitaia

Take a scenic flight over the Far North
Enjoy a scenic walk in natural bush at the Millennium Nocturnal Park and view the iconic Kiwi in its natural habitat

Ninety Mile Beach

Sunsets that have to be seen to be believed

Dargaville

Visit the Maritime Museum to see Maori, pioneer and maritime displays, including a rate Maori canoe

Matakohe

Visit Matakohe's fascinating Kauri Museum

East Coast

Sheltered beaches and bays
The whole family will enjoy a visit to Waiwera Infinity Thermal Spa Resort