Auckland is a terrific city to live in or visit thanks to its two beautiful harbors, spectacular beaches, fabulous cafe and restaurant scene, and prominent attractions like the popular Sky Tower.
However, while plenty can keep you entertained in the ‘City of Sails’, the country’s largest metropolitan center is also a terrific place to start a road trip.
Within a three-hour drive, you can explore plenty of destinations with the family that accommodate everything from beautiful landscapes and charming towns to sites of historical interest and activities that are pure, unadulterated fun!
If you fancy hitting the open road and having an adventure, this post recommends five of the best family-friendly road trips from Auckland.
Happy travels!
Transportation
You are obviously going to need a vehicle to drive you around on your road trip, which for tourists should involve securing an Auckland car rental.
But depending on what time of year you are embarking on the trip and where you intend to go, a regular sedan might not be the best option.
Instead, you might be better off booking a 4WD, such as a Toyota Highlander or Ford Wildtrak, (even if you live in the city and have your own sedan car), to be on the safe side. Some of the roads on the North Island can be quite difficult to traverse if conditions are less than favorable.
Family-Friendly Road Trip Destinations
Whatever make and model of the car you decide to drive, here are five excellent destinations you should head to on a family-friendly road trip from Auckland.
1. Raglan
If you are the kind of family who likes to get active, then Raglan is an ideal destination for you to visit.
It is known for being one of New Zealand’s best spots for surfing, so you’ll want to bring your boards with you. However, if you are more into adventurous hiking, then you shouldn’t pass up the opportunity to ascend to the summit of the Karioi volcano, from where the views are incredible.
The area is also notable for the idyllic Bridal Veil Falls, which boasts a thunderous cascade, and the stunning Ngarunui Beach, best known for its Insta-worthy, black volcanic sands.
Overall, it should take you about two hours to drive here from Auckland, and there are plenty of lovely cafes and eateries in the area.
2. Matapouri Bay
From Auckland, if you fancy a trip up north along the east coast of the North Island, you could eventually end up in Matapouri Bay.
Situated on the Tutukaka Coast, it will take you about 2 hours and 45 minutes to get to this region, which is just 7 km to the north of Tutukaka. But once you are there, you can enjoy a day out at one of the best beaches in New Zealand.
The sand there is a brilliant shade of white and extends for quite a distance, which means you’ll easily be able to find a good patch of it to relax in.
If you can, try to time your visit there to coincide with sunrise because the sky lights up with spectacular hues of rosy pink, orange, yellow, red, and purple at this time.
At low tide, you’ll even be able to check out the spectacular Mermaid Pools, which are sure to captivate you with its translucent waters.
3. Hamilton
Hamilton is a lovely city within the Waikato region, which you can reach in about an hour and a half from Auckland.
Set around the banks of the Waikato River, which winds its way through the heart of the city, it can easily be explored by a gentle car or bike ride or on foot.
One of the best places to go is the Hamilton Gardens, which features several themed gardens, including Italian and Japanese. Elsewhere, the fascinating Waikato Museum has a wonderful collection of Māori artifacts and art you can peruse, while Victoria Street has a good concentration of cafes and shops.
Hamilton also makes a lovely pitstop if you are heading over to New Plymouth.
4. Whitianga
The Coromandel Peninsula is one of the most beautiful parts of the North Island, and arguably, its most impressive area is Whitianga, which sits on Mercury Bay.
From Auckland, it will take you about 2.5 hours to get there, so it is possible to visit as a day trip. However, as it accommodates places like Cathedral Cove, New Chums Beach, and Hot Water Beach, many people decide to stay there a bit longer.
If you are into fishing, you’ll want to bring your rods and tackle, as you can catch some whoppers here. Alternatively, take a sailing or glass bottom boat out into the bay for spectacular views of the local area.
5. Rotorua
Rotorua has a reputation for being one of New Zealand’s most popular travel destinations.
As it is a three-hour drive away, you might need to turn this family-friendly road trip into an overnight affair because the area has several geothermal sites where you will want to spend plenty of quality time.
Two of the most impressive of them are the Lady Knox geyser and the Wai-O-Tapu Champagne Pools, which you are sure to find captivating.
If your family is into high-adrenaline activities, this city, which is a 3-hour drive south of Auckland, is renowned for being the North Island’s home of adventure sports.
Luging, zorbing, skydiving, and mountain biking are just some of the ways you can get your heart pumping here.