New Zealand’s Pacific Coast Highway is the Road Trip You’ve Been Looking For 

Explorers Dylan and Pyper took a road trip around NZ North Island Bay of Plenty and Tairāwhiti/Gisborne regions for a few days of coastal views, friendly local tours, and hearty feeds.

The Bay of Plenty and Tairāwhiti/Gisborne regions are an underrated and occasionally overlooked region of New Zealand’s North Island. They offer so much more than surf beaches, though there’s certainly no shortage of those!

We decided it was time to venture out and find what hidden gems lay along the endless coastline and up the rugged mountains of the East Coast. Needless to say, we were blown away by what we found!

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From Auckland it was easy for us to hop in a campervan and hit the road for a three hour drive east to kick off our trip in Tauranga. This means that the North Island’s Pacific Coast Highway is accessible to anyone coming in internationally, just fly into Auckland, pick up a JUCY campervan (or another roadworthy vehicle of your choice but that’s our choice!) and you’re ready to explore.

New Zealand Pacific Coast Highway Facts

Distance: 1500km
Duration: 5-6 days
Closest International Airport: Auckland

About the Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip

Our jam-packed five day itinerary had us doing everything from surf lessons, to watching the sunrise from the highest non-volcanic peak on the North Island. The Bay of Plenty is known for its pristine white sand beaches, top-notch cafes and bars, and geothermal wonders further inland.

When we crossed over into the East Cape of the North Island; Tairāwhiti/Gisborne, we discovered what truly felt like a hidden gem. Friendly local Māori communities, pumping surf, endless native forests, and roads where you barely see another car.

You could easily take your time, minimise your daily driving (roads in New Zealand tend to take longer than what Google Maps tells you) and spend countless daylight hours lounging on beaches, ripping some classic surf breaks, and hiking away to your heart’s content.

Or you can pack your day full with laughs, activities, and great New Zealand coffee & food. I’d spend no less than five days, particularly if you’re coming from Auckland, but could easily see myself taking life in the slow lane and making this a fortnight-long road trip.

Pacific Coast Highway Itinerary

This New Zealand North Island road trip takes you from Auckland out to the coast, and down to East Cape. This is how we broke up each day of the drive.

Day 1 – Auckland to Mount Maunganui

Day 2 – Mount Maunganui to Whakatāne

Day 3 – Whakātane to Gisborne

Day 4 – Gisborne to Tokomaru Bay

Day 5 – Tokomaru Bay to East Cape to Whakatane

Day 1 – Auckland to Mount Maunganui

Distance: 230km
Time: 3 hours

Surf Lesson at Hibiscus Surf School

After our drive we went straight to Hibiscus Surf School to meet Ray. Neither of us had surfed before, so he taught us the ins and outs of the board, popping up onto our feet, and before we knew it, we were out in the waves in ‘Shark Alley’, which is definitely as badass as it sounds…

Ray helped us catch waves and before long we were fully stoked. Ray felt comfortable enough to take us out the back to pop up onto some of the bigger waves and really get the hang of surfing. How good!

Lunch at the Rising Tide

After an early kick off and a morning of surfing, we needed a refuel. Rising Tide is an awesome combination of craft beers from Mount Brewing Co. and Johney’s Dumpling House. Panang curry, Triple Shroom dumplings, and Nobashi coconut prawns? Need I say more…

Check-In at Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park

Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park is situated at the base of Mauao right on the beach, with the extinct volcano sitting proudly at the head of the peninsula, our views out the window of the campervan were unmatched for the afternoon. We parked up the camper, had a quick nap and reset for the arvo ahead!

Afternoon Walk Up Mauao

This is the classic walk you HAVE to do while you’re in the Bay of Plenty. I don’t make the rules. Mauao has some of the best views over the Mt Maunganui peninsula and Tauranga Harbour, but you have to work for them!

About 25 minutes uphill from the holiday park will have you at the top – there’s multiple options for tracks to take, plentiful native birds flitting about, silver ferns to find, and if you’re around in October, some very cute lambs in the pasture at the base of the maunga (mountain).

Sunset Sauna with The Sauna Project

A sauna with a cold dip in the ocean sounded like a great opportunity to unwind after a big physical day. The Sauna Project has three locations in the Bay of Plenty and Tairāwhiti/Gisborne regions so you’re spoilt for choice!

Burgers and Beers at the Palace Tavern

When your local mate tells you that the burgers at Palace Tavern are the best in town, it’s a statement that requires assessment. Sam didn’t lie, the Hoedown burger had us both drooling!

Day 2 – Mount Maunganui to Whakatāne

Distance: 81km
Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Breakfast at Eddies

Of course, no day begins without good coffee, so we made our way into Eddie’s Brunch Parlour and they did not disappoint.

Their omelettes were beyond huge, so we felt well-fuelled up for a morning on the white water.

White Water with Riverbug

It’d rained rather heavily overnight and the rivers were high – we knew we were in for a treat with Riverbug. Somewhere between a kayak and a whitewater raft, a Riverbug lets you have full control of your vessel in the whitewater and cruise through rapids with ease.

Cascading waterfalls and hidden canyons line the Rangitāiki River and riverbugging them is some of the most fun I’ve had in a long time! We jumped out of the river with the biggest smiles on our faces.

Coffee at Volk & Co

Fellow coffee nerds unite! Volk & Co. offers chemex, bottomless filter coffee, cold drip, Vietnamese coffee, and a plethora of other specialty coffee drinks. When cruising through Whakatāne, this is a spot not to be missed.

Walk to Ōtarawairere Beach

A quick stroll through native bush takes you to the secluded Ōtarawairere beach. We had the whole place to ourselves so had fun throwing the frisbee around, exploring the rock pools looking for hermit crabs, and finding some of the most beautiful shells.

Stay at Ōhope Beach Top 10

Hot tubs, saunas, water slides, outdoor movie screens, and unbridled beach access. Ōhope Top 10 Holiday Park truly has it all. Not to mention the campervan sites with views to die for!

Dinner at The Comm

The Comm is the home of Good George Brewing in Whakatāne, we filled our bellies with nachos, jackfruit hawker rolls, and halloumi spring rolls before having a good competitive game on the arcade machines, and some crafties to polish off the day.

Bioluminescence

I’d never promise you’ll see this incredible phenomenon, but I’d popped outside to try my hand at some astrophotography, and saw the glow of the waves. I woke Pyper up and we went down to brave the wind and stand mesmerised by the aurora of the glowing sea before our eyes.

Day 3 – Whakatāne to Gisborne

Distance: 185km
Time: 2 hours 35 minutes

Ōhiwa Harbour Kayak Tour

Kenny and Moses from KG Kayaks took us out for a morning cruise on Ōhiwa Harbour, spotting Eagle rays, spoonbills, and godwits and being told the tales of the local iwi from the Whakatāne area.

Stopping for lunch on an island of petrified Mānuka, we enjoyed coffee and homegrown bananas from Kenny. He told us about the moonlight tours they run – I’ll definitely be back to paddle through some bioluminescent plankton, if I’m lucky!

Lunch at Tio Ōhiwa Oysters

Being so close to the ocean, we had to indulge in some kaimoana (seafood) – and where else to try some but the legendary Tio Ōhiwa Oyster Farm? The freshness of the oysters and the fish couldn’t be mistaken, it ranks up there with the best fish & chips (and many extras) that I’ve ever had!

Rere Rockslide and Falls

After a scenic drive through the Waioeka Gorge to Gisborne, we wanted to check out the Rere Rockslide and see if we felt brave enough for a slide! Unfortunately, due to the recent rainfall, the flow was a bit higher than usual, check out the waterfall!

In the height of summer though, Rere Rockslide is a must do – you grab a boogie board or inflatable and slide down the natural rockslide! Just make sure to read the warnings and only go for it if you’re comfortable.

Tatapouri Bay Oceanside Accommodation

With campsites, glamping tents, and cabins, Tatapouri Bay was the perfect place to park up the camper and recharge in the afternoon sun. We also got the opportunity to check out one of the Zen Cabins for an evening of luxury, and another beachside hot tub to soak the night away! Not to mention the sunrise at Tatapouri Bay is well worth an early rise in the morning.

Dinner at Tahu

While in Gisborne we had to try one of the highest-rated restaurants in town: Tahu. Tahu’s food pays homage to the tipuna (ancestors) of the Tairāwhiti/Gisborne region, and does so with food that exceeds expectations.

We dined to our heart’s content on Twice Cooked Pork Belly & Charcoal Roasted Lamb Rump, then polished off a delicious dessert of Kawakawa and Yogurt Panna Cotta as well as an Orange Creme Brulee.

Day 4 – Gisborne to Tokomaru Bay

Distance: 89km
Time: 1 hour 15 minutes, allow plenty of time for beach stops

Plant-Based Brekkie at Zephyr

If fair trade organic coffee, kombucha, countless surf goodies, and acai bowls are your thing, Zephyr is the place to be. Made with seasonal, locally-sourced produce, Zephyr’s fresh meals are a great way to kick off your morning.

Gisborne Railbike Adventures

We met Geoff for one of Gisborne’s most unique offerings: the world’s only Railbike of its kind.

We were given a quick introduction before heading off on the old Gisborne to Napier Rail line for a 32km round trip over bridges and through rail tunnels.

We ended up at a scenic morning tea spot looking out over the Māhia peninsula and all the way to Chile over the Pacific Ocean, not that my eyesight is that good!

Coastal Drive on SH35

The afternoon consisted of a classic Kiwi road trip.

Windows down, tunes up high, endless coastlines out the window, and a cheeky pie to snack on along the way! Waihau Beach, Tolaga Bay, and Anaura Bay mark the top of my list for beach stops not to miss on the way from Gisborne to Tokomaru Bay.

Te Puka Tavern

A classic small Kiwi town tavern experience – have a beer with some friendly locals and enjoy a Surf n’ Station or a Burger.

The Te Puka tavern is a great place to stop before the early morning Sunrise Experience.

They have a range of accommodation options and I’m sure if you’re not rising super early to head up Maunga Hikurangi, the sunrise would be magical over the bay.

Day 5 – Tokomaru Bay to East Cape to Whakatāne

Sunrise Experience on Maunga Hikurangi

This is one of New Zealand’s most unique experiences and it’s been on my bucket list for a very long time. Maunga Hikurangi’s Te Urunga-Tu Sunrise Experience takes you to the first place in the world to see the sunrise.

Local Ngati Porou guides Monty and Oriwa regaled us with the legends surrounding Māui, the demigod who fished New Zealand’s North Island out of the sea, leaving us in awe of the oral history passed down through generations of their ancestors. Our sunrise was beautiful, with winds dropping off to nothing just as the sun made its way over the horizon.

Coastal Sightseeing Drive

Back on the road after one of Ruatoria’s famous pies, we stopped in at the fascinating Tikitiki church which blew us away, before continuing on around the coast.

Stop off in Te Araroa to see The Oldest Pohutukawa Tree, Hicks Bay, and the Raukokore Church are spots not to miss on the drive, and we can’t forget Fish & Chips and Pāua Fries from Waihau Bay.

So Long Pacific Coast Highway, But Not Goodbye

It was time to leave the Pacific Coast behind and head back to Auckland. We were blessed with such a unique array of activities and adventures, we left feeling both knackered and refreshed.

The local operators made us feel so welcomed, and we truly felt like we were part of their passion projects, showcasing the best parts of the beautiful places they call home.

We’re both counting down the days until we can return for countless more adventures.