This is an isolated and remote camp spot, so if you’re looking for tranquility and to get away from the crowds, then come and explore. North Cape in general makes for a great fishing trip and there are some stunning drives that will take your breath away on every bend. The award winning Coastal Walkway is an expansive sea-edge promenade stretching almost the entire length of New Plymouth. Ideal for walking, running, cycling, skating, or simply enjoying the view of the dramatic west coast, the walkway connects popular recreational areas and the city centre to the sea. Make sure you enjoy drinks and dinner at West Quay as well, it’s a superb spot to indulge in seafood. Be sure to also discover the Art Deco architecture and gannets of the Hawkes Bay.
- Once here, the outcropping and enveloping caves will help you understand why it’s called ‘Cathedral’ Cove.
- For the past two years the Ōakura Arts Trail has fostered young artists so they have a greater appreciation of how to exhibit and promote their art.
- Many are empty and you can revel in enjoying a piece of paradise all to yourself, while enjoying spectacular surf conditions.
- Puke Ariki is a world-class knowledge centre where library, museum and visitor information are combined to tell the stories of Taranaki – past, present and future.
- There are unsealed roads as well making it unsuitable for two-wheel drive (2WD) vehicles, so be smart if you decide to visit this magical spot.
At the heart of Te Urewara is the mysterious, star-shaped Lake Waikaremoana, surrounded by impossibly thick and lush rainforest. There is a sense of hushed history here at Te Urewara, an expanse that demands that you walk to explore its rugged, somewhat untouched landscape. Nature walks include a quick, 20-minute trip to the sparkling, secluded Aniwaniwa Falls to an intense 3-day journey around Lake Waikaremoana, one of New Zealand’s nine Great Walks. You’ll know you’ve found it when you see Taranaki’s youths leaping from the top of the bank into the river hole below. There is a track to the bottom and you can enjoy about an 80 metre stretch of still freshwater swimming. Entries are welcome from amateurs and professionals alike, from any country in the world.
Ōakura Arts Trail: Artists open their studios and workshops
You can also stay at Pouakai Hut, and then visit the tarns at sunrise, just a 15-minute walk away. If you’re looking for a view where the Tasman Sea meets the vastness of the Pacific Ocean, head to this secluded spot, which is as far north on the mainland as you can go. With this in mind, we’ve put together a list of the best national parks in the North Island so that you can take full advantage of camping and caravanning through the wilds of New Zealand. Since the terrain is often rugged and is unique enough to justify a multi-day trip, your campervan will act as the perfect camping solution, a basecamp where you can return to at the end of each day. Picking the best campsites in the North Island can be difficult, there are a lot to choose from and how do you know you’re picking the right one? Well we’ve selected our top 5 campground, starting in the North and heading to the South of the North Island, make sure to visit tem all, each with their own benefits.
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Many are empty and you can revel in enjoying a piece of paradise all to yourself, while enjoying spectacular surf conditions. The Taranaki Rhododendron and Garden Festival enables you to experience the most stunning range of gardens and garden events in New Zealand – a festival like no other. The hospitality of Taranaki’s garden owners is what makes this event so unique. Every year visitors flock from all over New Zealand and overseas to the festival where they are encouraged to take the time to wander through the beautiful gardens and take part in many of the festival’s events.
If you have a shower, this is also dumped in the same place through Mobile casino New Zealand a hose that attaches to your van. This is essentially water from your sink and shower and you don’t want to leave it for more than two days as it can get pretty smelly. These factors will significantly affect the size and model of campervan you’ll be renting out. Except that this guide is designed to show you exactly what you need to make your campervan journey across the North Island truly unforgettable — but, like, in a good way. It’s truly an other-worldly kind of beauty that can only really be explained by experience.
If you’ve been thinking about visiting New Zealand, make sure to visit the North Island, one of the most breathtaking places on earth. Check out our deals and specials on campervan hire in New Zealand. Hidden amidst this native forest is a story of Māori history and encounters with the first European settlers, whose only remains is the mysterious and iconic Bridge to Nowhere. You can undertake several water activities here, including canoe safari, jet boat rides, as well as hunting pigs, goats, and fallow deer — with the right permits, of course.
This isn’t your tranquil camping area like the others, but rather a perfect spot so you can enjoy Wellington’s nightlife and get ready for your next adventure. At Okato, hunt out the 4km Stony River Walkway, which boasts excellent views of Mt Taranaki and the Pouakai Range plus some of the clearest river swimming you will ever experience. Beginning at Hickford Place in Okato, the walk starts with a swing bridge, then passes through the William Corbett Scenic Reserve. The loop walk takes two hours and offers plenty of sparkling clear swimming holes to try. Turn down any of the country roads that lead to the sea and you’ll find beaches of differing characters. Some are popular for swimming and are patrolled in summer (Oakura and Opunake), while others are a mix of volcanic rock, silver sand and driftwood.
