Sunbathe on white sand beaches, visit award-winning vineyards, and hike alongside beautiful waterfalls while exploring the Central and East Coast of New Zealand’s North Island. This road trip from Taupo to Napier, via Rotorua, Whakatane and Gisborne, is a great way to experience this region.

Central and East Coast loop Taupo, Rotorua, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay

− Starting in Taupo, take the Thermal Explorer Highway around the back of town. Turn off onto SH5 at Wairakei, just outside of town. Head towards Rotorua.
− From Rotorua, take SH30A, then 30, around the lake and out of town. Follow directions for SH33, which goes straight when SH30 does a 90-degree right turn.
− Drive this way until you hit Paengaroa. Drive through and turn right onto SH2 and head for Whakatane.
− At Matata you can either veer right and continue along SH2, heading inland towards Edgecumbe, where you’ll reconnect with SH30; or continue straight along this road (Thornton Road). Both routes will take you to Whakatane.
− From Whakatane, head to Ohope, then take the scenic Wainui Road until you meet up with SH2 again.
− Follow SH2 directly to Gisborne.
− Take SH35 out of Gisborne, then turn left onto SH2 and drive to Napier.
− From Hawke’s Bay, take SH5 back to Taupo.
Take a tour off the beaten track in between hitting some of the North Island’s sunniest locales.

LENGTH OF TRIP
10 days
There are long, windy stretches of road with no major places to stop along this route, so take your time and enjoy the scenery. Keep an eye out for DOC signs signaling bush walks and waterfalls worth stopping for. Add on more time to go exploring up further from Gisborne – you won’t be disappointed.

BEST TIME OF YEAR TO GO
Anytime!
Summer is great as many of the destinations along this route are known for getting the most sun in NZ. Winter offers stunning snowy mountain views across Lake Taupo, and you can’t beat a Rotorua hot pool swim in winter. With the heating and insulation in modern motorhomes and caravans, you’ll be toasty warm.

THINGS TO DO ALONG THE WAY

− Take a walk in the majestic Huka Falls
− Go prawn fishing at Taupo’s Prawn Park
− Sample the goods at The Honey Hive outside Taupo, it’s the bees knees!
− Enjoy a bush walk to Okere Falls
− Go white water rafting down the Kaituna River
− Stay the night and try glow-worm spotting at Okere Falls
− Learn to surf in Gisborne
− Rotorua is New Zealand’s tourist town – need we say more!
− Take a scenic drive up the rugged coastline to Tokomaru Bay
− Sample the best of Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne wineries
− Catch the very first rays of sun in Gisborne − take the art deco walking tour around inner city Napier
− Enjoy a coffee at Café L’arte, Taupo’s mosaic art café, or at the Lava Glass studio and sculpture garden
− Visit Hatupatu’s rock beside SH1 at Atiamuri − get a selfie with Wal Footrot and Dog at the Murray Ball tribute statue in Gisborne
− See the mighty river power of the Aratiatia Rapids
− Take a stingray feeding tour in Gisborne
− Jump off New Zealand’s longest pier at Tolaga Bay Wharf (north of Gisborne City).

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PLANNING A MOTORHOME AND CAMPERVAN ROAD TRIP IN NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand is a wonderfully scenic country to travel. With so many hidden gems to discover and explore along the way, not having a strict timeline is the perfect way to experience the best of our country. That’s why motor-homing and caravanning is a great way to do it.

There are so many great routes to take to enjoy New Zealand. Download the full TrailLite Great Kiwi Roadtrip Guide here to read six favourite driving routes, ideal for self-contained campervans.

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WHAT IS SELF-CONTAINED?
Basic self-containment criteria for motorhomes and caravans are:
− Sink
− Water supply (12 litres per person minimum)
− Toilet (minimum 3 litre sewage tank capacity per person) – must be contained within the motorhome or designated toilet tent and have enough space around it to be useable even with the bed made up
− Holding tank (same or larger volume than fresh water)
− Evacuation hose
− Approved waste tank treatments
− Sealable refuse container (with lid)
Vehicles that meet these self-containment criteria display a little blue motorhome sticker. You’ll find more information about the self-containment criteria on the NZMCA website (New Zealand Motor Caravan Association) or by downloading our free Essential Need To Know Guide.
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