Auckland, one of New Zealand’s most diverse cities, rich with culture, is a fantastic place to stay in. While Auckland is great, exploring the nearby areas around the city offers you some great experiences too. In this article, we’ll explore 6 of the best weekend trips that you can take alone, with friends and family over a weekend.
What Method of Travel Should You Use?
There are a few ways that you can travel around New Zealand. Depending on where you’re going, you can take your own car, rent a bus with friends, go on a motorbike (if you’re adventurous), or hire a campervan. Remember that if you take your own transportation like a car or bike, you’ll need to factor in accommodation into your trip too.
However, with a campervan, you’ll have accommodation on wheels so all you’d need to do is find some free-camping spots to park overnight and you’ll be sorted. If that sounds like something you’d like to try, then finding a deal on camper van rentals in Auckland is your next step.
6 Best Weekend Road Trips to Take from Auckland
New Zealand is known for its amazing landscape and the views it provides, so it’s safe to say that there’s loads to do for lovers or adventure enthusiasts. That said, there’s always something for everyone if you get a little creative. Here are some of the best weekend trips to do together as a family from Auckland:
1. Bay of Islands
Looking for a weekend where you can get away from urban society and experience some of New Zealand’s untouched nature? The Bay of Islands will be a great choice for you. Roughly 237 km away from Auckland, the Bay of Islands has about 140 sub-tropical islands for you to explore.
In addition to seeing some of the untouched beauty of these Islands, you can also explore some of the historical cities in the area too. For example, the Waitangi Treaty Grounds where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed about 200 years ago is in the area. The trip there will be roughly 3 hours and 45 minutes.
2. Hamilton
With the release of the Rings of Power, maybe a little nostalgia for Lord of the Rings has crept in. Whether this is the case or not, taking a trip to Hamilton offers you the unique opportunity to see the Hobbit movie set for the Shire. Being one of New Zealand’s largest tourist attractions, you can expect a few people there. But still, seeing the Shire for yourself is an experience in itself.
There’s more to do in Hamilton if the Lord of the Rings doesn’t fit your preferences. You could also visit the fabulous hamilton gardens or visit the Hamilton Zoo, New Zealand’s largest zoo. To get to Hamilton from Auckland, you’ll need to travel 121 km which will take you around 1 hour and 20 minutes.
3. Matakana
Maybe you are more accustomed to the finer things in life, like wine tasting and fancy cheeses. If this is the case, taking a trip up to Matakana with your partner might be a nice escape from everyday life. Matakana is 70 km away from Auckland, making the trip nice and short, about 50 minutes.
While it may be small, the restaurants in this small town are some of the best NZ has to offer. Aside from getting to taste some of the world’s best Chardonnay and Sauvignon, you’re also in for some quality meals.
4. Cape Reinga
Cape Reinga is a little further than most of the places on this list, but is well worth the drive. Being 409 km away from Auckland, Cape Reinga will take you 5 hours and 30 minutes to drive there.
It’s a place that offers amazing scenic views, an escape from city life, and a touch with the historical significance of Maori culture. We suggest travelling here with a 4X4 if possible so you can hit the 90 mile beach on the way back.
5. Coromandel Coast
Talking of beaches, the Coromandel Coast has some of NZ’s best beaches, offering you white sand and crystal clear waters, it’s definitely the place to be if you’re looking for a coastal getaway with the family. It’s 170 km roughly from Auckland and will take you about 2 hours and 20 minutes to get there depending on road conditions and traffic.
6. Tauranga
Tauranga is a wonderful port city filled with cafes, pubs, clubs, and restaurants on the Strand Waterfront. Going to Tauranga offers a different atmosphere to Auckland, giving you a different experience. In addition to that, you can also hike Mike Maunganui if you’re an avid adventurer.
And, if you’re looking for something to do with the kids, booking a dolphin tour might be fun. To get to Tauranga, it’ll take you roughly two and a half hours. It’s about 200 km away from Auckland.
Final Thoughts
Taking a quick trip on the weekend provides you with a nice break from the normal routine. That said, you don’t want to spend your weekend travelling.
So, you’ll want to choose a place that’s a max 5-hour drive unless you’re happy to take Friday or Thursday off. That said, these are only a few of the lovely weekend spots you can choose from. Rent a campervan and take a trip; who knows what else you’ll find.
