Your Auckland to Napier Road Trip on New Zealand’s Pacific Coast Highway
If you want a road trip packed with golden beaches, geothermal sand, wild coastline and wine country, New Zealand’s Pacific Coast Highway delivers. This route traces the North Island’s east coast from Auckland to Napier, looping through the Coromandel, the Bay of Plenty, the remote East Cape and Gisborne before finishing in Hawke’s Bay. It is an Auckland to Napier road trip where the ocean is almost always in view, and the pace is yours to set.
In this guide you’ll find a route overview, a full seven-day itinerary and practical tips to help you plan the drive.
Pacific Coast Highway Map
Follow the brown themed-highway signs along the east coast. They keep you on the route and point the way to worthwhile detours.
Route Overview & Highlights
This route begins in Auckland and follows the North Island’s east coast down to Napier, taking in the pōhutukawa-lined Clevedon coast and the shores of the Firth of Thames before it reaches the Coromandel, the Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay. It is made for travellers who want stunning beaches, untouched wilderness and outstanding wineries in a single journey. Be sure to climb Mauao (Mount Maunganui) and look for some of the best surf breaks in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Route at a glance
- Distance: around 1,100km from Auckland to Napier (the exact total depends on your detours)
- Recommended time: 7 days
- Best for: beach lovers, foodies, wine fans and anyone who likes quiet back roads
- Highlights: Cathedral Cove, Hot Water Beach, Mount Maunganui, Whale Island (Moutohorā), the East Cape, Gisborne, Lake Waikaremoana and Napier’s Art Deco city centre
Combine this drive with the Thermal Explorer Highway and you’ll have completed what is known as the Great New Zealand Touring Route. If you are short on time, the Coromandel and Bay of Plenty sections also work as a shorter loop from Auckland.
Before You Go: Planning Your Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip
This is a route you can do in a rental car, a campervan or a motorhome. If you would like accommodation booked in advance, our self-drive tours take care of the details, and you can browse our motorhome holidays if you prefer to sleep on the road. For a tailored plan, our team can build a custom itinerary around your dates.
A few practical points:
- Getting started: Collect your vehicle in Auckland. Our guide to getting from Auckland Airport explains the options, and our car rental page helps you compare.
- Driving: Expect winding roads, especially on the Coromandel and the East Cape. Read our tips on driving in New Zealand before you go.
- When to go: Summer is the warmest and busiest time, and it is when the beach stops are at their best. See our best time to visit New Zealand guide to plan around the seasons.
- Fuel and supplies: Services thin out on the East Cape, so top up fuel and supplies in Whakatāne before you head around the coast.
Day 1: Auckland to the Coromandel
Leave Auckland and take the coastal road around the Firth of Thames, passing through Clevedon and its beachside settlements, then continue to the gold-mining town of Thames and on to the Coromandel. Today is all about the peninsula’s most famous sights.
- Cathedral Cove (Te Whanganui-A-Hei): A sea-carved archway links two secluded white-sand coves near Hahei. The walking track starts at the Grange Road trailhead and closes in bad weather, so check the Department of Conservation website for the current status. A boat or kayak tour is a good alternative for seeing the cove from the water.
- Hot Water Beach: Dig a hole in the sand near low tide and a natural thermal spring fills it with warm water, giving you your own seaside spa. Check the tide times before you go.
- Other stops: Whitianga’s waterfront cafes and the beaches of Mercury Bay are worth a wander if time allows.
For more ideas, see our Coromandel day tours and activities and our guide to Cathedral Cove.
Where to stay: Hahei, Whitianga or another Coromandel beach town.
Day 2: The Coromandel to Tauranga
Head south along the coast to Whangamatā, then continue to Tauranga and Mount Maunganui.
- Whenuakura Island (Donut Island): Take a kayak tour to this island, where a collapsed volcanic blowhole has left a tranquil lagoon at its centre.
- Karangahake Gorge and Waihī: Break the drive with a stop on the Hauraki Rail Trail, an old railway route rich with gold-mining history and waterfalls such as Owharoa Falls.
- Mauao (Mount Maunganui): Walk to the summit for wide views over the coast, or join a guided tour to hear the local Māori legends. Mount Maunganui has been voted one of New Zealand’s best beaches, so save time for a swim afterwards.
- Evening glowworm kayak: Paddle through a canyon lit by thousands of glowworms to end the day.
Plan your stay with our guides to Tauranga tours and day trips and Bay of Plenty tours.
Where to stay: Tauranga or Mount Maunganui.
Day 3: Tauranga to Whakatāne and Whale Island
If you can manage it, catch the sunrise from Mauao before driving the short distance along the coast to Whakatāne.
- Coastal berry farms: The road is dotted with farms where you can pick your own berries from October to January.
- Moutohorā (Whale Island): Take a boat tour to this predator-free island to see endangered native wildlife, learn about its conservation work and dig a soak in the island’s secluded hot water beach.
- Ōhope Beach: Spend the late afternoon on one of the region’s best stretches of sand, or join a boat cruise to meet the Bay of Plenty’s marine life.
Where to stay: Whakatāne or Ōhope.
Day 4: Whakatāne to Te Araroa (East Cape)
This is the wildest stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway. The East Cape is remote, beautiful and rich in Māori heritage, and it is worth taking it slowly. The official itinerary suggests splitting the drive to Gisborne over two days, so we have built in an overnight stop.
- Coastal drive: The road hugs the shore, passing pōhutukawa trees, small settlements and surf beaches.
- Te Araroa: Visit this small town, close to the country’s easternmost lighthouse, and stay a night to enjoy the peace.
Where to stay: Te Araroa. Book ahead, as accommodation on the East Cape is limited.
Day 5: Te Araroa to Gisborne
Continue south along the East Cape and into Gisborne, stopping along the way.
- Tikitiki: Stop to see one of the most ornate Māori churches in the country.
- Uawa (Tolaga Bay): Walk along the historic wharf, which stretches around 660 metres out over the water.
- Gisborne (Tairāwhiti): Arrive in a city known for its surfing, its vineyards (Chardonnay is a local speciality) and its native forest.
- Rere Rockslide: If you have the energy and the weather is warm, slide down this natural rock chute inland from Gisborne.
For background on Māori heritage along the way, see our guide to Māori culture experiences.
Where to stay: Gisborne.
Day 6: Gisborne to Wairoa and Lake Waikaremoana
From Gisborne there are two routes to Wairoa, so choose the one that suits your interests.
- Inland route: Stop at Te Reinga Falls, a spectacular waterfall reserve.
- Coastal route: Soak in Mōrere Hot Springs and explore the beaches of the Māhia Peninsula.
- Lake Waikaremoana: This is one of the North Island’s most beautiful lakes and the gateway to the Te Urewera wilderness area. Hiking, kayaking and fly-fishing are all popular here, and the three-day Lake Waikaremoana Track is one of New Zealand’s Great Walks. Parts of the road to the lake are narrow and winding, so allow extra driving time.
If you would rather skip the lake, you can drive directly from Gisborne to Wairoa and shorten the day.
Where to stay: Wairoa or Lake Waikaremoana.
Day 7: Wairoa to Napier
The final leg takes you past Lake Tūtira and on to Napier, the ideal place to relax after a week on the road.
- Art Deco Napier: After a devastating earthquake in 1931, Napier was rebuilt in the Art Deco style of the day, and the result is one of the best collections of Art Deco architecture in the world. Join a guided tour such as our Art Deco guided morning walk, or explore on foot along Marine Parade.
- Hawke’s Bay wineries: Visit the region’s cellar doors by car, with a driver or by bike. Explore our Napier tours and day trips and Hawke’s Bay day tours to plan the tastings.
- Cape Kidnappers (Te Kauwae-a-Māui): Visit the gannet colony on foot, by kayak or on a guided tour. The cape is also home to one of the country’s best golf courses.
Where to stay: Napier.
Tips for the Best Trip
- Drive slowly. Many sections are narrow, winding and scenic, so allow more time than the map suggests.
- Check the tides. Hot Water Beach and several coastal walks depend on low tide.
- Book key experiences ahead. Boat trips to Whale Island, glowworm kayaking and Napier’s Art Deco tours fill up in summer.
- Travel respectfully. Follow local guidance at Māori heritage sites, care for the land and sea, and follow the Tiaki Promise.
- Take more time if you can. An extra night in the Coromandel or Hawke’s Bay lets you enjoy the highlights at a slower pace.
Extend Your Journey
From Napier you can continue to Wellington, or turn inland and travel back to Auckland along the Thermal Explorer Highway. Browse our North Island tours for more ideas, use our route planner and travel map to plan the next stage, and discover more coastline with our guide to the best beaches in New Zealand. If you’d like a pre-planned trip to the peninsula and beyond, see our Coromandel and Rotorua tour.
Looking for another North Island drive? Try our Twin Coast Discovery Highway road trip through Northland.
Ready to start planning? Contact the NZ Tourism Tours team for a custom self-drive itinerary built around your dates and interests.
Pacific Coast Highway New Zealand FAQs
How long does the Pacific Coast Highway in New Zealand take to drive?
Plan on seven days for a relaxed trip. The official itinerary runs from Auckland to Napier over about 1,104km, and other operators list totals from roughly 1,070km to 1,250km depending on the detours they include. Driving time alone adds up to well over 15 hours, so a week gives you time for beaches, walks and overnight stops rather than just the road.
What is the best time of year to drive the Pacific Coast Highway?
Summer (December to February) is the most popular season, with the warmest weather for the beaches and boat trips. It is also the busiest, so book accommodation and tours early. If you prefer fewer crowds, spring and autumn are good alternatives. You can pick your own berries along the Bay of Plenty coast from October to January, which is a nice bonus for an early-summer trip.
Is Cathedral Cove open?
Usually, but check before you go. The main Mautohe Cathedral Cove track reopened in December 2024 after storm damage and was closed again briefly after a storm in January 2026, reopening on 30 January. The walk starts at the Grange Road trailhead and takes roughly 90 minutes return. The track can close in bad weather and some side tracks remain closed, so check the Department of Conservation website on the day. A boat or kayak tour is a good backup.
When is the best time to dig a hot pool at Hot Water Beach?
Go within two hours either side of low tide. At other times the thermal springs are covered by the sea. Head for the rocks at the southern end of the beach, bring a spade (or hire one nearby) and check the tide times before you leave. The beach is busiest around low tide in summer and on public holidays. Strong rips make the surf here unsuitable for most swimmers, so take care in the water.
Is the East Cape drive difficult, and where can I buy fuel?
The road around the East Cape (State Highway 35) is sealed but narrow and winding, so it is slower than the distances suggest, and larger vehicles such as campervans need extra care. Services are limited. Fill up in Tauranga, Whakatāne or Ōpōtiki before heading east, because the small general stores that sell fuel charge more. The road to the East Cape Lighthouse near Te Araroa is partly gravel, so check conditions after heavy rain and allow extra time.
Can I do the Pacific Coast Highway in a campervan or motorhome?
Yes. Campervan and motorhome companies offer Pacific Coast Highway itineraries from Auckland, and there are holiday parks and campgrounds along the route. Book sites early in summer, leave plenty of driving time on the Coromandel and East Cape roads, and fuel up before the remote sections. If you would rather have accommodation arranged, consider one of our self-drive tours.
