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Hidden in a fern-lined valley on Auckland’s wild west coast, Karekare Falls is a short stroll to a big reward. The 30-metre cascade drops into a clear, shallow pool framed by lush native bush, creating a peaceful pocket of the Waitākere Ranges that feels a world away from the city. 

It is an easy add-on to a coastal road trip, a perfect leg stretch for families, and a photogenic stop for travellers exploring in a Britz campervan. With beaches, forest walks, and scenic lookouts close by, Karekare Falls turns a simple wander into a memorable day in West Auckland.

Sunshine, soft white sand and a laid-back surf town vibe make Whangamatā one of the North Island’s favourite summer playgrounds. Fronted by a 6-kilometre beach, with native bush and Coromandel Forest Park close by, it is the kind of place where you can paddle at dawn, often surf by mid-morning when conditions line up, wander to a café for lunch, then kayak to a hidden lagoon before a golden hour stroll along the harbour. 

It is also campervan-friendly, with holiday parks in town and designated freedom camping spots for certified self-contained vehicles. Spaces are limited and local bylaws apply, so plan ahead. If you are planning a Coromandel road trip, this is the spot to unroll the awning, settle into coastal time and make the most of your Britz NZ campervan.

Ngarunui Beach is Raglan’s signature black-sand sweep, a big, beautiful arc of west coast shoreline where the Tasman meets a relaxed surf town vibe. With Mount Karioi forming the southern skyline and the famous surf breaks of Raglan nearby, it is the go-to spot for easy beach days, beginner-friendly waves, long walks, and unforgettable sunsets. 

It is also wonderfully accessible for campervan travellers, with spacious day parking on the headland reserve above the beach and excellent holiday park options nearby. Roll in with your Britz campervan, and you will find everything you need to slow down, set up a picnic, and let the rhythm of the waves lead the day.

Minutes from Rotorua’s city centre, you will find a cathedral of giant trees and soft forest light that feels a world away from town. Tītokorangi / The Redwoods (Whakarewarewa Forest) is an easy, free-to-enter escape. You can wander beneath century-old Californian redwoods and explore a huge network of trails, and with a ticket, step onto a spectacular canopy walkway on the Redwoods Treewalk. Whether you are road tripping in a Britz campervan or planning a day out from Rotorua, this is widely regarded as one of the city’s top nature experiences.

Rising from the centre of the North Island, Mt Ruapehu is an active volcano wrapped in dramatic alpine scenery, ancient lava flows and story-rich landscapes. It anchors Tongariro National Park, a Dual World Heritage Site celebrated for both its natural beauty and deep cultural significance. Whether you come for summer hiking to waterfalls and crater lakes, winter skiing on two legendary fields, or a scenic gondola ride to the high alpine, Ruapehu delivers big-mountain experiences within easy reach of the main highways. 

It is perfectly set up for a road trip by campervan, with classic alpine villages, well-marked tracks and photogenic views around every bend. Pick up a Britz campervan in Auckland, Christchurch or Queenstown, point your wheels toward the Central Plateau, and let the mountain set the pace of your journey.

At the volcanic heart of the North Island, Lake Taupō spreads like an inland sea, framed by steaming valleys, forested hills and the silhouettes of distant volcanoes. It is New Zealand’s largest lake, a vast caldera filled after a super-eruption about 25,500 years ago, and today it is a magnet for adventure, relaxation and big-sky scenery. 

From cruising to Mine Bay Māori rock carvings and feeling the roar of Huka Falls, to soaking in geothermal waters and biking shoreline trails, Taupō offers an easy blend of nature and activity. For road trippers, it sits right on the country’s main travel spine, which makes it a natural stop on a Britz campervan itinerary.

Framed by a sweeping white-sand shoreline and the green cone of Mauao, Mount Maunganui blends classic Kiwi beach days with a rewarding summit climb and a lively seaside village. With the ocean on one side and the harbour on the other, it is an easy place to slow down, watch the sunrise from a summit lookout, then wander straight to the surf. For campervan travellers, it is a dream stop on a Bay of Plenty itinerary, with beachfront holiday parks, family-friendly activities and plenty of good food within walking distance.

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.