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Unfurling across coastal wetlands, lush plains and a legendary gorge, the Hauraki Rail Trail is one of the North Island’s most inviting rides. Graded easy and sprinkled with historic towns, hot pools, birdlife and a film-famous detour to Hobbiton, it is a choose-your-own-adventure that suits first-time riders and seasoned cyclists alike. 

With welcoming townships at regular intervals and plenty of places to stay, eat and explore, it pairs well with a Britz campervan road trip when you plan your stops and parking in advance. You can roll up to trailheads, linger over coffee, chase sunsets in the Karangahake Gorge and sleep under starry skies, all at your own pace.

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.