What to do on your campervan road trip?

The beautiful legends of New Zealand and the inception of its two main islands are told as part of the traditional Māori people, who settled in the country long before the Europeans first arrived. According to the Māori, the North Islands were formed after the brothers of Māui, a demigod, fought over a great fish that he pulled from the sea. The fish was chopped into pieces, creating what is now known to be Te Ika-a-Māui, the traditional name of the island group. Though the tales may only be myth, the breathtaking beauty of the North Island is definitely not.

Auckland City

The North Island of New Zealand has endless opportunities for adventure, beauty and wonder. However, we think the perfect place to start is Auckland, where you’ll be picking up your Apollo motorhome or campervan. Although surrounded by the natural beauty of the North Island, Auckland itself has an array of fantastic tourist activities sure to keep everyone entertained, from food and music to art and culture. So, after setting off from our Auckland branch location, why not stop in at a few of the city's best sites and attractions.

Sky Tower

Piercing Auckland’s skyline, the Sky Tower is known for its panoramic views of the city, bay area and surrounding landscape. Standing at 300 metres high, it is the highest structure in the Southern Hemisphere. As well as stunning views, the Sky Tower also offers gift shops, world-class restaurants and a heart-stopping bungee jump which starts at 192m above the streets below.

Auckland Museum

Step back in time and discover the rich history of Maori and Pacific Islander culture. With extensive cultural, military and natural history collections, the Auckland Museum is the perfect place to immerse yourself in New Zealand’s story. Located within a historical building and surrounded by tranquil parkland, it’s the perfect day trip for the whole family.

Mount Eden

Walk up Auckland’s highest volcanic peak for stunning views of the Auckland CBD and harbour. You can observe the crater in the centre of the mountain, which is now covered in grass.

Tapapakanga Regional Park

Operated by the Auckland City Council, the Tapapakanga Regional Park is a scenic coastal farm park about an hour’s drive east of Auckland. Perfect for a relaxing start to your NZ road trip, park up at your beach-side campsite, and watch the sunset over the rolling landscape behind you.

Touring the North Island

Travelling out of Auckland in your Apollo campervan, you are spoiled for choice. From forests, beaches, rolling hills, and wild rivers, which area of natural beauty should you visit first?

The Northern Tip

Travelling north of the city, you will reach the world-renowned Bay of Islands. From there, drive as far as you can to arrive at Cape Reinga, the northernmost point on mainland New Zealand. Along the way you will encounter cute little towns, rural charm and gorgeous coastal scenes.

Heading South

South of Auckland, there are many different paths you can take. If you’re feeling in need of some sea air, make a beeline for the Bay of Plenty or Coromandel Peninsula. A trip inland will likely guide you to lakes and thermal environments of Taupo and Rotorua.

Wild West Coast

If dramatic, rugged scenes are what you crave, the west coast of the North Island is perfect for you. Let the wind whip through your hair as you stand over the craggy cliffs or paddle out on one of the many surf beaches. Dotted with national parks, limestone caves and even a volcanic mountain, let the west coast captivate you with its natural beauty.

East Coast Adventure

Known as the ‘Sunshine Capital’, Napier and surrounding regions are home to world-class vineyards and a wonderful collection of art-deco architecture. Get a bit of culture in you and stroll the streets of Napier on a self-guided ‘Art-Deco walk’, designed by the Art-Deco Trust.

Things to do in Auckland

Heather Schiller / Tuesday, 1 June 2021

/ Categories: NZ blog

Beaches to the Mountains

The best of Akaroa to Castle Hill

Words by Emma Fenton-Wells

Blog #9 of her solo trip in NZ

The next few days were made up of beautiful contrasts. Leaving Christchurch, I drove to Akaroa - the peninsular reaching into the sea. Along the way, there’s a smattering of beautiful towns, including Little River, home to an excellent cafe and gallery. But don’t eat too much along the way, because a feast awaits you.

View of Akaroa Landscape Photo Credit Michael Jowen

If you’re getting in at a suitable hour, the best view of Akaroa is from Hilltop Tavern. Sit out on the deck and take in the astounding landscapes. It’s such a treat. The drive down to the bay is twisty and turny, but you’ll be rewarded at the bottom with Barrys Bay Cheese.

Barrys Bay is easily the best cheese shop in the country. And I say that, having visited MANY cheese shops across New Zealand. I recommend collecting an array and planning your own cheese spread on the foreshore as the sun goes down. If anything, just go to Akaroa for the cheese.

I stayed down at Duvauchelle, where freedom camping is allowed along the beach. There’s loads of options, but research beforehand as there isn’t a lot of signage indicating where. I’d look on Rankers and the Christchurch City Council website. There’s also freedom camping in Akaroa itself, but Duvauchelle is a beautiful spot and about a ten minute drive into town. I ended up staying at Duvauchelle Holiday Park, right on the water. It was an epic spot and very quiet.

Akaroa is known as New Zealand’s own French seaside town. If you like art, food, antiques, and the sea, this is your place. If you happen to plan your Akaroa escape over a weekend, the town is famous for its markets on a Saturday. Bright and early I trekked into town (where there’s loads of camper parking) and had a leisurely breakfast at The Brasserie Kitchen and Bar. Great coffee.

A few other highlights:

Visit The Giants House. Designed by artist Josie Martin, this garden and cafe is a must do. Walk up there (it’s about 15 minutes from the markets) and prepare to spend an hour or two wandering through her beautiful creations. This is a must do.
Walk down to the lighthouse. It takes you through all the enclaves of Akaroa, and is best done with an ice cream in hand.
There’s so many excellent boutiques in town too. I particularly liked Nolasco Collections on the main street. Great collection of clothing and only items you can buy in Akaroa.

After hours of enjoying New Zealand’s own french experience, I started my journey towards the mountains of Arthur’s Pass, choosing to spend the night at Porter’s Lodge in Castle Hill.

In winter, Porter’s Lodge is a ski lodge, the rest of the year it’s a wonderful stop along the Pass heading towards the West Coast. The lodge sits at the base of enormous snow capped peaks, littered with mountain bikers in the warmer months - just brave the 5KM of gravel roads to get there (note: it’s really not that bad compared to any number of gravel roads in the North Island).

The lodge itself was cosy and had a great menu. It couldn’t have been more different from the few days in seaside Akaroa. Castle Hill is best known for its giant limestone formations that protrude seemingly out of nowhere. These boulders are found between two mountain ranges - Torlesse and Craigieburn - and popular for walkers and bouldering enthusiasts alike. The Dalai Lama once referred to Castle Hill as “the spiritual center of the universe,” but none of the locals I spoke with didn’t realise that were the case.

Limestone rocks at Castle Hill, New Zealand

This center is only a seven minute drive from Porters Lodge and well worth a spot. I climbed up to the limestones, beautiful and strange all at once, and then celebrated the minimal athletic activity by cooking up a storm using Barry’s Bay cheeses in my camper.

Woman standing next to rental campervan in New Zealand

The area around Christchurch is so diversely rich in its surroundings; from city to sea, alpine mountains to forests, you can experience a different world each day.

Follow Emma to the stunning Lake Tekapo and Aoraki Mount Cook in the next blog from her solo trip

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Where to stay in Auckland with your campervan

The Auckland region and surrounding North Island are perfect for your motorhome or campervan journey. The area is packed full of motorhome-friendly holiday parks that can provide power and security while offering amazing views. There will often be a holiday park close to popular towns and tourist spots so you can enjoy everything Auckland has to offer.

Holiday parks can supply powered and non-powered sites for campervans and motorhomes, as well as tents and caravans. They may offer multiple recreational amenities like heated swimming pools, trampolines and barbeque facilities.

For inspiration, check out these world-class tourist areas which cater to motorhomes and campervans:

The Shakespear Regional Park - Situated north of Auckland, this beautiful spot offers beautiful views of Te Haruhi Bay, with three main walking tracks for you to enjoy.

Whatuwhiwhi Holiday Park - Perfect for a beach-side getaway, this spot is great for accessing the pristine Perihepe Beach. Enjoy an array of activities in the area, like fishing, snorkelling, kayaking and paddle boarding.

Kauri Coast Holiday Park - Located on two hectares of stunning native parkland, the Kauri Coast is a great launching point for seeing the natural wonders of the west coast. Visit the nearby Waipoua Forest, Kauri Park or stroll along the beaches at Maunganui Bluff.

New Zealand is also a free camping nation which means you can park and stay the night in designated areas, as long as you're respectful of others and the environment. Freedom camping is a great option for cheap campervan hire, but it is only allowed for certified self-contained vehicles. This means it must have an on-board toilet, shower and waste disposal facilities.

For more information about free camping in your campervan rental, Auckland City Council has provided detailed rules and regulations for staying in the city.

Why choose Apollo for campervan and motorhome hire in Auckland?

Apollo has been a leading brand for premium quality motorhome and campervan rentals since 1985. Our entire campervan fleet is designed and custom built by expert RV manufacturers, who understand New Zealand’s unique climate and terrain. Fitted with quality appliances and furnishings, we can ensure you all the comforts from home when you’re on the road.

Contact our Apollo Motorhomes Reservations team and speak to one of our dedicated team members today. You can also browse through our range of campervans and motorhomes online now and start planning your ultimate Auckland road trip.