North Island Bucket List Road Trip: Cape Egmont Half Marathon Campervan Adventure

Pick up your camper in Auckland and make the relaxed run south into the Waikato heartland. Hamilton is a gentle first stop, with river walks, leafy parks, and a renowned garden complex that sets the tone for the days ahead. 

Where to stop between Auckland and Hamilton 

Roadside produce stalls for picnic supplies along State Highway 1 Optional detour to Lake Karāpiro near Cambridge for a short waterside leg stretch 

Things to do in Hamilton 

Reserve time for the award-winning Hamilton Gardens, a series of exquisitely themed spaces that transport you from Italian Renaissance terraces to tranquil Japanese courtyards within a short stroll. Follow the Waikato River path for an easy jog or a sunset walk, then explore the compact dining scene in the CBD for dinner. 

Where to stay in Hamilton 

Settle in at Hamilton City Holiday Park for powered sites in a quiet green setting yet close to the river and gardens. Alternatively, Narrows Park near the airport offers a peaceful, family-friendly base with ample space for campers. 

Today’s drive dips into rolling Waikato farmland toward one of the North Island’s natural icons. Limestone country gives way to steep-sided valleys and hidden caverns lit by constellations of glowworms. 

Where to stop between Hamilton and Waitomo 

Te Awamutu for a coffee stop before angling west toward the karst hills 

Things to do in Waitomo 

Join a guided glowworm cave experience to glide beneath thousands of tiny lights and gaze up at ancient rock formations. If you are chasing more adrenaline, black-water rafting combines subterranean tubing, small jumps, and cave navigation for an unforgettable adventure. Back above ground, the Ruakuri bush loop serves up limestone bridges, a sculpted gorge, and photo-ready forest scenes. 

Where to stay in Waitomo 

Park up at Waitomo TOP 10 Holiday Park, which offers a range of powered sites, a pool, and easy access to the cave tours. Smaller boutique campgrounds nearby provide a quieter option if you prefer a more secluded night. 

Trace the backroads through Ōtorohanga and on toward the volcanic heart of the island. Your destination is the lakefront town of Taupō, the perfect base for geothermal wonders and easy waterside running routes. 

Where to stop between Waitomo and Taupō 

Ōtorohanga Kiwi House to see kiwi and the ancient tuatara up close Scenic pull-offs for first glimpses of Lake Taupō as you approach town 

Things to do in Taupō 

Visit Huka Falls, where the Waikato River funnels into a thunderous cascade, throwing spray into the air and turning the water an unreal shade of turquoise. Walk the Craters of the Moon boardwalk to peer into steaming vents and hissing fumaroles, or hire bikes for an easy lakeside loop. The lakefront is the ideal spot for an evening jog if you are building up to the half marathon. 

Where to stay in Taupō 

Taupō DeBretts Spa Resort pairs powered sites with hot mineral pools that are perfect after a day on your feet. Lake Taupō Holiday Resort is another family-friendly base with great facilities and a short drive to the lakefront. 

Head south toward the Central Plateau’s volcanoes and alpine moonscapes. The short drive today leaves ample daylight for a memorable walk in Tongariro National Park. 

Where to stop between Taupō and Tongariro National Park 

Lakeside viewpoints along Taupō’s eastern shore for blue-water vistas National Park Village for a quick coffee before the final climb to Whakapapa. 

Things to do in Tongariro National Park 

If conditions are calm and you are trail fit, book a shuttle and tackle the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, a full-day traverse through lava fields, craters, and the famed Emerald Lakes. For a shorter outing, the Taranaki Falls loop starts in Whakapapa and delivers alpine tussock, beech forest, and a 20 metre waterfall plunging over a lava cliff. Keep an eye on weather and track advisories, especially outside summer. 

Where to stay in Tongariro National Park 

Whakapapa Holiday Park places you in the heart of the action with powered sites framed by native forest. Nearby lodges and hotels in the village offer comfortable alternatives if you prefer a night off the camper mattress. 

Build in a second day to explore at your own pace. Start with a lazy breakfast, then choose another scenic walk such as Tawhai Falls or a section of the Whakapapaiti Valley track. Photographers will love the changing light on the volcanoes, while runners can enjoy gentle alpine paths as a shakeout without overtaxing the legs before the race week ahead. 

Things to do in Tongariro National Park 

Beyond hiking, consider a chairlift ride in season for sweeping views, or simply relax at the village with coffee and mountain panoramas. This is a good day to do laundry, reorganise the camper, and check your race kit list. 

Where to stay in Tongariro National Park 

Stay a second night at Whakapapa Holiday Park to avoid packing up. The forest setting is quiet and makes for easy access to the trails at either end of the day. 

Swing west and then south as the road leaves alpine basins for river valleys and rolling dairy country. The profile of Mount Taranaki soon anchors the skyline, a near-perfect cone that hints at the adventures to come. 

Where to stop between Tongariro National Park and New Plymouth 

Taumarunui for supplies and a coffee Coastal lookout north of town for your first Tasman Sea views with the mountain behind 

Things to do in New Plymouth 

Stroll or cycle a section of the New Plymouth Coastal Walkway, a flat and scenic path that is perfect for easy training miles or sunset photos. Wander Pukekura Park’s lakes, fern glades, and formal gardens, an urban oasis that blends botany and history in the centre of town. 

Where to stay in New Plymouth 

Fitzroy Beach Holiday Park offers powered sites moments from the surf and the coastal path, an excellent base for runners and families. For a quieter setting closer to the mountain, look to camps near Egmont Village. 

Anchor yourself in Taranaki for a full day of exploring and light pre-race activity. Keep efforts low while still enjoying the scenery that makes this region special. 

Things to do in New Plymouth and Mount Taranaki 

Drive to the Mangorei Road trailhead for the Pouākai Tarns track. Walk to the tarns for reflective views of the summit cone, timing your outing for morning calm if possible. Back in town, pick up last-minute race nutrition, then take a gentle jog on the Coastal Walkway or unwind on the sand at East End or Fitzroy Beach. 

Where to stay in New Plymouth 

Spend a second night at Fitzroy Beach Holiday Park to keep logistics simple. You will appreciate the hot showers and easy access to flat paths for a short evening leg shakeout. 

Race day arrives. The Cape Egmont Half Marathon is a point-to-point course with gentle undulations, lighthouse views, and the Tasman Sea as your companion. If you are not running, it is a fantastic spectator day along one of the island’s most atmospheric coastlines. 

Things to do on race day 

Runners start near Ōkato and make their way along rural roads toward the coast, passing farmland and surf breaks, with Mount Taranaki often peeking over hedgerows. There is a two-person relay option if you want to split the distance. Spectators can leapfrog the field, cheering at safe roadside pull-offs and near the finish by Warea. Celebrate with a post-race dip at a sheltered beach or a picnic in the dunes if the weather plays ball. 

Where to stay in New Plymouth 

Use today as an active recovery and sightseeing day in Egmont National Park. Choose trails that keep the legs moving without heavy climbing, or, if conditions and experience allow, tackle a longer circuit. 

Things to do in Mount Taranaki 

Explore shorter walks from North Egmont or Dawson Falls to rivers, forest clearings, and lookout points. Photographers can return to the Pouākai Tarn if the weather differed yesterday. Those with alpine skills and in the right season might consider a higher ascent, but always check conditions and equip appropriately. Non-hikers can visit galleries and cafes back in New Plymouth or take a coastal drive through Ōakura and Ōkato for surf town vibes. 

Where to stay in New Plymouth 

Stay one last night in New Plymouth to keep the pace relaxed. If you crave a change of scene, Oakura Beach Holiday Park offers a laid-back coastal alternative a short drive from the city. 

Turn back toward the Waikato on a smooth, scenic drive that swaps shoreline for green hills and river valleys. Today is about an unhurried cruise and a soft landing back in Hamilton. 

Where to stop between New Plymouth and Hamilton 

Te Kuiti to stretch your legs and pick up snacks Pirongia Village for a bakery stop beneath the mountain. 

Things to do in Hamilton 

Revisit a garden you loved or discover a new corner of the collection. If it is Saturday, browse local markets for fresh produce and artisan treats. Runners can cruise an easy 5 to 8 kilometres along the river path to loosen up after the weekend’s efforts. 

Where to stay in Hamilton 

Return to Hamilton City Holiday Park for a familiar base. If you prefer to be slightly out of town, Cambridge Top 10 Holiday Park offers a quiet night within easy reach of tomorrow’s route. 

Aim northeast for beaches, coves, and coastal tracks. The Coromandel is a fitting finale to your loop, with soft sand, clear water, and forested headlands waiting for swims, walks, and lazy afternoons. 

Where to stop between Hamilton and the Coromandel 

Paeroa for a quirky small-town, wander Thames lookouts as the peninsula narrows and sea views open up.  

Things to do in the Coromandel 

Walk the cliff-top trail to Cathedral Cove to stand beneath the famous arch and gaze out over a marine reserve dotted with islands. Time your visit to Hot Water Beach with low tide and dig your own sandy spa as warm mineral water bubbles up beneath your feet. Kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and boat tours are easy to arrange if you want to explore further offshore. 

Where to stay in the Coromandel 

Hahei Beach Resort puts you steps from the sand and close to the Cathedral Cove track. In Whitianga, Harbourside Holiday Park is a great family option with excellent facilities and easy access to town eateries and the passenger ferry across the harbour. 

Slow down and savour the peninsula. Today is yours to blend beach time, short hikes, and a taste of the region’s creative culture. 

Things to do in the Coromandel 

Start with a sunrise swim or a barefoot jog along Hahei Beach. Drive north for a scenic loop through Coromandel Forest Park with stops at lookouts and picnic areas, or visit artisan studios around Whitianga for glass, pottery, and local flavours. Back at the coast, seek out a sheltered cove for an afternoon read and a late swim. 

Where to stay in the Coromandel 

Stay a second night at your chosen campground. Booking consecutive nights rewards you with a true holiday rhythm and an easy pack-up when it is time to leave. 

Use your final full peninsula day for a longer coastal mission or a restful reset before returning to the city tomorrow. 

Things to do in the Coromandel 

Consider a day trip to Coromandel Town for a ride on the quirky Driving Creek Railway and a wander through regenerating native bush with views over the Hauraki Gulf. Alternatively, lace up for the longer Coromandel coastal tracks if you want to bank some scenic kilometres on gentle gradients. 

Where to stay in the Coromandel 

Remain based at Hahei Beach Resort or Harbourside Holiday Park in Whitianga. Both locations make for easy access to eateries so you can skip cooking tonight and toast the trip with fish and chips by the water. 

oint the camper back toward the City of Sails. Today’s drive is a gentle return to urban energy after days of coastal calm. 

Where to stop between the Coromandel and Auckland 

Thames for coffee and a last look at the Firth of Thames Hauraki Plains wetlands for birdwatching before rejoining the motorway north 

Things to do in Auckland 

Arrive early afternoon and head for the waterfront to stretch your legs along the Viaduct and Wynyard Quarter. If you want a final burst of nature, drive out to the North Shore for beach time at Takapuna with Rangitoto Island on the horizon. Adventurous souls can book a sunset slot at the Sky Tower for a city panorama. 

Where to stay in Auckland 

Takapuna Beach Holiday Park offers powered sites right on the sand with easy access to the city. If you prefer to wrap up the trip today, plan your timing to return the camper at the Auckland branch before exploring on foot. 

Enjoy a final unhurried morning in the city. Grab coffee in a leafy suburb, browse boutique shops, or ferry across the harbour for a walk on a volcanic island if time allows. Return your motorhome to the Auckland branch and take one last look at the skyline that bookends your loop. 

Things to do in Auckland 

Walk the Domain’s gardens, visit a gallery, or wander along the waterfront for fresh seafood with harbour views. If you have a few hours, a short hike on Rangitoto rewards you with crater views and a sweeping city panorama. 

Where to stay in Auckland 

If you are lingering another night, Takapuna Beach Holiday Park keeps you close to the sea and the city, making for an easy final day before onward travel. 

This campervan circuit blends the very best of the North Island into a relaxed, event-ready itinerary. From glowworms and geothermal wonders to alpine trails and the thrill of race day beneath Mount Taranaki, every leg is designed for discovery without long hauls. When the beaches of the Coromandel close the loop and the lights of Auckland welcome you back, you will feel inspired to lace up for the next adventure. Ready to run, roam, and roll out the map?Book your Britz campervan online today.