Shop Escapes · New Zealand
My partner and I drove this loop. The scenery has a habit of stopping you — bush, geothermal colour, coast, then Raglan to slow down. Sixteen days so you are not racing past it.
Weather is part of the trip. Tongariro rained for almost our whole stay; we did not force the Alpine Crossing. No car in Auckland; hire from Day 4. Winding roads take longer than the kilometres suggest.
Cathedral Cove coast
Coromandel sea stacks, then the gardens at Mudbrick on Waiheke.
An early ferry, three or four wineries, and a long lunch.
Mudbrick · Stonyridge · Batch Winery · Casita Miro · Onetangi Beach
The Hop-On Hop-Off Explorer Bus is the easiest option for most visitors, connecting many of the island’s wineries, beaches and villages. We hired a car for more freedom — and to avoid the crowds. If you do the same, make sure you have a designated driver.
During summer, weekends and other busy periods, consider booking a reserved ferry
Start at Mudbrick Vineyard for gorgeous gardens, excellent wine and incredible views. We particularly loved the Chardonnay and Syrah. Continue to Stonyridge Vineyard, best known for its premium reds. We somehow ended up tasting their NZ$390-a-bottle Larose. Delicious? Yes. Coming home with us? Absolutely not.
Head to Batch Winery for lunch and beautiful views across the island. Book ahead during busy periods and give yourself time to relax — this is not a day to rush.
Stop at Casita Miro for your final tasting, or have lunch here instead if Spanish-inspired food and tapas appeal. Finish at Onetangi Beach for a walk along Waiheke’s longest beach — and perhaps a swim if you’re braver than us. We visited in summer and still found the water freezing. Return to Matiatia Wharf for your ferry back to Auckland.
Don’t try to visit every winery. Pick three or four, book a lovely lunch and take your time
Later days cover Rotoroa Island, the Coromandel, Rotorua’s geothermal country, Tongariro if the mountain allows, then Raglan before Auckland Airport.
What’s inside
A complete self-guided loop written from a trip we drove: where to stay, when to hire the car, what to do each day, and what to do when the weather says no. Delivered as a digital PDF.
North Island is a self-guided PDF — the loop, the stays, the car days, and what to do when the mountain says no. US$29.99, instant download.
US$29.99 PDF · instant download
You keep the file. Updated editions for 12 months.
