North Island Surfing Road Trip: 7 Days from Auckland to Coromandel, Raglan and Taranaki

Pick up your Britz camper in Auckland, stock up on groceries, and point the bonnet east for the Coromandel Peninsula. The route rolls past the Hauraki Plains and along the Firth of Thames, swapping city skyline for glassy estuaries and pōhutukawa-framed bays. The goal today is a relaxed arrival at Hot Water Beach, with enough time to shake out the travel legs and get your first ocean fix. 

Where to stop between Auckland and Hot Water Beach 

Break the drive in Thames for a coffee and a stroll along the heritage main street. As you cross the peninsula, short detours reveal kauri groves, farm vistas and sparkling inlets that hint at the coastline to come. 

Things to do in Hot Water Beach 

Time your arrival with low tide to dig your own seaside spa in the sand at Hot Water Beach. Geothermal water bubbles up beneath the shore, so you can laze in a natural hot pool a stone’s throw from the waves. When conditions line up, this beach can deliver playful peaks, while nearby east coast favorites like Whangamata and Tairua can serve up friendly surf when autumn conditions align. If the wind is light, consider a quick cruise to Cathedral Cove for a coastal walk and turquoise water views, or roll the bikes off the rack for an easy spin around Whitianga’s waterfront. 

Where to stay in Hot Water Beach 

Hot Water Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park sits a short stroll from the sand, with powered sites, hot showers and even spade hire for your DIY hot pool. It is perfectly placed for a sunrise beach walk, a quick surf check, and an early night under the stars. 

Wake to the sound of shorebreak and set your rhythm to the tides. May typically brings warmer east coast water than the depths of winter and a regular pulse of swell from the Pacific, making it a great month for beach breaks and long coastal walks without summer crowds. 

Things to do in the Coromandel Peninsula 

Pick your beach based on the day’s wind and swell. Hot Water Beach can be a fun option at mid to high tide, while Whangamata offers sand-bottomed peaks that suit most levels. New Chums Beach is a local heart-stealer reached by a short, scenic track that opens onto white sand and clear water. If you are keen to stretch your legs, the trail to Cathedral Cove winds above sculpted headlands with sublime vistas at every turn, and Opoutere’s wide open strand is ideal for a quiet walk or mellow surf check. Off the water, kayak the sheltered bays, wander art galleries in nearby towns, and savor a slow lunch of fresh fish and chips by the harbour. 

Where to stay in the Coromandel Peninsula 

Settle in for a second night at Hot Water Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park to keep logistics easy and the beach on your doorstep. Prefer a town base with cafés close by? Stay near Whitianga and shuttle out to Cathedral Cove and the eastern beaches for sunset. 

Today’s cross-island cruise links the Pacific to the Tasman. You will trade sheltered coves for rolling Waikato farmland before the road dips to the black sands and left-hand points of Raglan. Keep the camera handy for mountain silhouettes and river-cut valleys as you near the coast. 

Where to stop between the Coromandel and Raglan 

Pause at Te Aroha for a leg stretch in the domain gardens or a restorative soak, then continue to Hamilton for a wander through themed garden rooms that feel worlds away from the highway. If you are running early, a lakeside picnic at Lake Ngaroto is a peaceful detour before the final run to the sea. 

Things to do in Raglan 

Raglan is a surf town through and through, and in autumn it hums with energy as consistent swells wrap the points. Advanced surfers can hunt long, peeling walls at Manu Bay and Whale Bay when the banks and tides align. Intermediates and learners will love Ngarunui Beach, a sandy stretch with room to spread out and plenty of whitewater for practice. Between sessions, stroll the compact town for artisan coffee and galleries, drive out to the lookout above the points to watch sets stack to the horizon, or detour to Wairēinga / Bridal Veil Falls for a short, dramatic walk to a 55 metre cascade. 

Where to stay in Raglan 

Raglan Holiday Park sits on a breezy peninsula with easy access to the harbour and a quick drive to Ngarunui. Powered sites, hot showers and a relaxed vibe make it a favorite base for surf checks at first light and sunset. 

Dial in a full day for the ocean. With shorter autumn days, early starts pay off. Pull on that 4/3 or 5/3, fill a thermos, and be at the point for the first clean lines. If the points are busy or punchy, Ngarunui’s beach break remains a reliable option, with the bonus of soft sand underfoot and postcard views back to Mount Karioi. 

Things to do in Raglan 

Work in a mid-morning hike to the Mount Karioi tracks for sweeping views of the coast, or keep it mellow with a boardwalk amble along Wainui Reserve. If the surf drops, consider a kayak on the harbour or a ride along the coastal cycle paths. Refuel in town with locally roasted coffee and a hearty brunch, then time a second surf around the tide. Finish the day with a golden-hour lookout stop as the sun sinks behind the Tasman. 

Where to stay in Raglan 

Stay another night at Raglan Holiday Park to keep set-up simple and maximize water time. You will be perfectly placed for an early dart back to the points if the winds turn offshore overnight. 

Roll south on State Highway 3 toward Taranaki, watching as the perfect cone of the mountain rises above the coast. The anticipation builds here, because Surf Highway 45 fans out from New Plymouth with option after option, from playful beachies to powerful reefs. 

Where to stop between Raglan and New Plymouth 

Break the journey for lunch in Te Kūiti or pause in the Waitomo district for a short walk among limestone outcrops if you are keen to stretch your legs. As the road meets the coast again, pull over at a safe turnout for a first whiff of Tasman spray and a peek at sandbars that might be calling your name tomorrow. 

Things to do in New Plymouth 

On arrival, hop on the Coastal Walkway for a sunset stroll or cycle past surf-lapped reefs and the striking Te Rewa Rewa Bridge, with Mount Taranaki often framed in the arch. If there is daylight to spare and the wind is kind, check the local beach breaks near town for a quick dip. Otherwise, keep your energy for a full exploration of Surf Highway 45 in the morning. 

Where to stay in New Plymouth 

For a true surf base, Oakura Beach Holiday Park puts you moments from a renowned beach break with multiple peaks. Prefer town-edge convenience and dramatic coastal views? Belt Road Seaside Holiday Park is a solid alternative with powered sites and easy access to the walkway. 

Fuel up early for a day of wave hunting along SH45, a ribbon of road that threads countless surf spots beneath the watchful eye of Mount Taranaki. One of the joys here is choice. On a single day you might sample A-frame beachies at Oakura, watch heavy lines unload over the reef at Stent Road if you are experienced, then track down a mellower bank for an afternoon froth. The scenery never lets up, with green paddocks rolling to black sand and the mountain shifting in and out of cloud. 

Things to do on Surf Highway 45 

Start with a dawn patrol at Oakura or another sand-bottomed peak that suits the day’s swell and your crew’s level. If the wind swings onshore, head inland for a hike in Egmont National Park, where short tracks lead through goblin forest to clearings with big mountain views. Back on the coast, check spots like Back Beach near New Plymouth when tides and winds line up, or explore down to Ōkato and beyond to see what the sandbars are doing. Always respect local access signs and private land, stick to sealed roads in your campervan, and park thoughtfully. When the light turns golden, pick a favorite bank for a final session with the mountain glowing in the background. 

Where to stay on Surf Highway 45 

Stay put at Oakura Beach Holiday Park for another night to keep your morning surf window wide open. If you prefer to base yourself farther down the coast to shorten searches, consider an overnight in the Ōpunake area, where a beachfront campground and a friendly town sit right by the waves. 

It is time to loop back to Auckland, but the day does not need to be rushed. Grab a last sunrise surf if conditions allow, then point the camper north with the Tasman on your right and the mountain in your rearview. The route threads through rural towns and limestone country before joining the main northern highway. 

Where to stop between Taranaki and Auckland 

Break up the run with a café stop in Te Kūiti or a short leg stretch in the Waitomo district. Near Hamilton, a wander through curated garden spaces offers a peaceful palate cleanser between coasts. If you have time to spare and are still chasing salt, swing out to a west coast lookout for one final gaze at the Tasman before the city reappears. 

Things to do in Auckland 

Back in Auckland, time-permitting, you can celebrate the trip with a sunset walk along a city beach or, if the swell gods are still smiling and you have the energy, a quick west coast surf check before returning your camper. The city’s eateries and waterfront are the perfect place to toast a week of waves, trails and hot pools. 

Where to stay in Auckland

If you are extending your stay, choose a holiday park on the city fringe to keep things simple for drop-off and final sightseeing. Otherwise, return your Britz camper to the Auckland branch and carry those sandy, stoked memories home. 

Seven days across two coasts and three distinct surf regions. Travelling in May gives you space to breathe, easier parking near the breaks, and the kind of slow mornings and glowing early sunsets that make a surf road trip unforgettable. When you are ready, you can easily book your Britz camper online and pick it up from your closest Britz branch before hitting the road.