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Along Northland’s east coast, the Tūtūkākā Coast unravels a string of white-sand beaches, sheltered bays and a modern little marina that locals call the gateway to adventure. Just offshore sit the Poor Knights Islands, a protected marine reserve celebrated for cathedral-like sea caves, arches and schools of shimmering fish. It is a place where the water is astonishingly clear, and the cliffs are dramatic, with conditions that can change with wind and tide. Base yourself by the harbour in your Britz campervan, wake to the sound of gulls and the clink of rigging, then set out for a day that could include snorkelling in turquoise coves, cruising under towering rock walls, or finning through Rikoriko Cave, one of the largest sea caves in the world.

Just north of Auckland on the Matakana Coast, Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve (commonly called Goat Island) delivers easy, off-the-beach access to abundant marine life. On good days the water can be clear and the fish life close, turning a simple beach visit into a memorable snorkel. This protected pocket of coast curls around Te Hāwere-a-Maki, the small island that locals call Goat Island, and offers relaxed encounters with snapper, blue maomao and waving kelp forests. It is New Zealand’s first marine reserve, established in 1975, and a place where marine life has flourished. Day parking for cars and campervans is at the main Department of Conservation carpark a short walk from the beach.

Hidden in a green limestone valley just inland from Waipū in Northland, the Waipū Caves area blends two of New Zealand’s most magical experiences. Above ground, an easy-to-reach ridgeline walk opens to sweeping views across Whangārei Harbour and out to Bream Head and the Hen and Chicken Islands. Beneath your feet, glowworms sparkle in vaulted limestone chambers. 

Whether you are road tripping the Twin Coast or escaping for a short break, this is a rewarding stop for nature lovers, families, and anyone travelling by campervan. With a Britz campervan, you can park up close to the action, explore at your own pace, and fall asleep under a dark Northland sky.

Just south of Northland’s famed bays, the Mangawhai Cliffs Walkway, often called the Mangawhai Cliff Walk, delivers one of New Zealand’s great coastal panoramas in a single, memorable outing. Starting on golden sand at Mangawhai Heads and climbing to a sculpted clifftop ridge, this track pairs sweeping ocean views with pockets of lush coastal forest, then drops to a rocky cove framed by a dramatic natural arch. It is the sort of walk that earns a star on any road trip map, easily accessible from Auckland or Whangārei, and well-suited to a relaxed day in a Britz campervan, provided you check parking availability, tide times, and local rules.

Deep within Northland’s Kauri Coast, Waipoua Forest holds a living giant. Tāne Mahuta, the Lord of the Forest, rises out of dense, emerald bush with a presence that feels both ancient and welcoming. Visiting here is easy and unforgettable. Park up in your Britz campervan, step onto the boardwalk, and within minutes you will be standing before New Zealand’s largest kauri tree. 

It is a short stop in driving terms, yet it lingers long in memory. This guide shares how to plan your visit, when to go, and where to stay so that you can savour every moment with this remarkable taonga.

Just ten minutes from Whangārei’s city centre and an easy drive from Auckland, Otuihau Whangārei Falls is the classic Northland stop that fits perfectly into a campervan itinerary. The Hātea River drops 26.3 metres over dark basalt cliffs into a fern-fringed pool, all wrapped in native bush and birdsong. With short, well-kept tracks, generous viewpoints and grassy picnic spots, it is a low effort, high reward nature fix that suits families, photographers, and anyone chasing fresh air between coastal highlights. 

Pick up your Britz campervan in Auckland, and you can be parked beneath the trees, coffee in hand, watching morning light strike the cascade in around two and a half hours.

Saturday mornings in Matakana feel made for road trips. Just an hour north of Auckland, this riverside village wakes to the aroma of award-winning coffee, sizzling brunch dishes and the strum of local musicians. The Matakana Village Farmers' Market is the heart of it all, a friendly, zero-waste gathering of growers, bakers and makers that draws food lovers from Auckland and the wider region. It is the perfect excuse to pick up a Britz NZ campervan, roll out of the city early and arrive near opening, ready to graze, shop and explore beaches and vineyards nearby.

In May 2026, the global surfing spotlight will turn to Aotearoa New Zealand as the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour lands in Raglan for the New Zealand Pro. From 15 to 25 May 2026, the world’s top surfers will take on the legendary left-hand point break at Manu Bay, a jewel on the rugged west coast. More than a competition, this moment signals New Zealand’s arrival on surfing’s biggest stage. As millions tune in, they will see why this country is not just a great surf trip, but one of the ultimate surfing destinations on Earth. 

New Zealand feels like it was built for campervan travel. In a couple of hours, you can roll from wild beaches to alpine passes, from glowworm caves to geothermal pools. Park up by a lake, cook dinner with the doors open and be close to big ticket adventures in the morning.

This guide pulls together some of the best places to visit by campervan in NZ, with a focus on the iconic experiences many travellers have on their list – glowworms, fiords, glaciers, whales and more. For each region, you’ll get a sense of why it works so well in a campervan, plus the kind of adventures you can add to your road trip.

Rising above the Port Hills with sweeping views across the city, the Canterbury Plains, and the blue curve of the Pacific, the Christchurch Gondola is one of the most effortless ways to fall in love with Ōtautahi. In minutes, you glide from the Heathcote Valley up to Mt Cavendish, where a world of lookouts, short walks, and a cosy summit café awaits.

It is the perfect add-on to a South Island road trip and an easy win for anyone exploring in a Britz campervan, thanks to simple access, family-friendly facilities, and year-round operation.