Emily and Max’s 7 Day North Island Campervan Escape – Taupō and Hawke’s Bay
Day 1: Auckland to Taupō
Distance: ~275 kms
Travel time: ~3.5 hours
Collect your Apollo campervan in Auckland and ease into the journey as the city gives way to rolling Waikato farmland. This first leg is smooth and scenic, ideal for settling into camper life. Aim to reach Taupō early afternoon so you can dive into the geothermal wonders and end the day with a long, lazy soak.
Where to stop between Auckland and Taupō
A safe pull-off around the Bombay Hills for a broad first look over Waikato farmland. Tirau for quirky corrugated-iron art and a quick flat white. Lake Karāpiro pull-off near Cambridge for mirror-calm water shots. Huka Falls viewpoint as you roll into Taupō for thunderous blue water.
Things to do in Taupō
Start at Orakei Korako Geothermal Park and Cave, a boardwalk adventure across white silica terraces, bubbling mud pools and hissing vents. The colors pop in photos and short clips, and the riverside setting adds a lush, off-grid feel. Continue to Wairakei Terraces for an adult-calibre soak in silky, mineral-rich pools tucked into native bush. Golden hour often feels magical here, with steam drifting through the trees. Round out the evening back in town at Taupo DeBretts Hot Springs for an open-air soak under the evening sky. It is the perfect reset after a travel day and a dreamy way to capture those first-night-in-the-camper vibes.
Where to stay in Taupō
Base yourselves for two nights at Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort Holiday Park. Powered sites, easy access to the thermal pools and practical facilities make it a comfortable and romantic base with all the spa-time perks built in.
Day 2: Taupō
Distance: ~40 kms (local driving)
Travel time: ~1 hour (local driving)
Slow down and let lake life lead the way. Wake to mist rising off Taupō, wander the lakefront and grab pastries and coffee in town before an epic dose of adventure and culture. This is a day for stunning vistas, wind-in-your-hair moments and golden-hour cruising.
Things to do in Taupō
Kick off with a browse of Taupō’s town centre boutiques and galleries, then gear up for the Kaimanawa Descent heli-bike tour. The helicopter lift is a thrill in itself, and the flowing Grade 3 downhill through remote high country delivers sweeping volcanic plateau views that are pure North Island drama. In the afternoon, trade wheels for water on a cruise to the towering Māori Rock Carvings at Mine Bay. The 14-metre carvings emerge from the cliff like guardians of the lake, and the scene is a favourite with photographers. As the sun dips, settle in at Jimmy Coops Lakehouse for craft drinks and hearty plates right by the lake. Sunset reflections on the water pair perfectly with a relaxed dinner to close out your Taupō chapter.
Where to stay in Taupō
Return to your powered site at Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort Holiday Park. Another evening soak before bed is highly recommended.
Day 3: Taupō to Hawke’s Bay
Distance: ~150 kms
Travel time: ~2 hours
Point the camper east across the Taupō to Napier highway and watch the landscape shift from volcanic plateau to forested ridgelines and river-cut gorges. The road is sealed the whole way, with some winding sections, so allow time to enjoy the views and arrive relaxed for a golden-hour summit to kick off your Hawke’s Bay stay.
Where to stop between Taupō and Hawke’s Bay
Waipunga Falls Lookout for a multi-tiered waterfall framed by bush. Tarawera Café and rest area for a classic highway pie and coffee if open, or a convenient break at the picnic area. Mohaka River gorge viewpoints for emerald water and deep gorge views.
Things to do in Hawke’s Bay
Roll into Havelock North and stock up at Bellatino’s Food Lovers Market for picnic supplies. Then climb or drive up Te Mata Peak where 360-degree views take in vineyard checkerboards, the Tukituki River and the Pacific on the horizon. The knife-edge ridgeline and sculpted hills photograph beautifully in late afternoon light. As the sun softens, head to Craggy Range for a refined cellar door tasting beneath the peak itself. Expect elegant Hawke’s Bay classics and moody mountain backdrops that look great on video.
Where to stay in Hawke’s Bay
Stay at Hastings TOP 10 Holiday Park. It is central to Havelock North, wineries and Te Mata Peak, with powered sites, modern facilities and a relaxed vibe that suits a wine-country evening.
Day 4: Hawke’s Bay
Distance: ~60 kms (including the move to Waipatiki)
Travel time: ~1.5 hours (cumulative local driving)
Art deco glam meets coastal trails and hot pools today. It is a full palette of architecture, beach time and easy cycling that makes the most of Hawke’s Bay sunshine and flat, well-marked paths.
Things to do in Hawke’s Bay
Start with breakfast at Hygge at Clifton Bay, a breezy beachfront spot where ocean views pair with strong coffee and generous plates. Continue into Napier for an Art Deco Trust walking tour or a self-guided wander to admire pastel facades, geometric detailing and elegant typography that emerged after the 1931 earthquake. In the afternoon, switch to e-bikes with Tākaro Trails and follow the coast-hugging paths between Napier and the wineries, stopping for photos of pebble beaches and windswept pines. When legs are happily tired, slide into Ocean Spa’s heated saltwater pools on Marine Parade. Skyline, sea spray and a horizon-to-infinity soak set the tone for a relaxed evening. Cap it with dinner at Vinci’s Pizza, where wood-fired pies hit the spot after a day in the sea air.
Where to stay in Hawke’s Bay
Drive north along the coast to Waipatiki Beach Holiday Park. Nestled between bush and beach, powered sites here come with birdsong at sunrise and cliff-top walks nearby. It is a peaceful, photogenic end to your bay stay.
Day 5: Hawke’s Bay to Ruapehu (Ohakune)
Distance: ~290 kms
Travel time: ~3.5 hours
Say goodbye to the coast and turn inland toward the Central Plateau, where the mountains rise and the air cools. Today’s route is classic North Island road-tripping with big-sky countryside, swift rivers and a finale beneath the volcanic slopes of Tongariro National Park.
Where to stop between Hawke’s Bay and Ruapehu
High points around Titiokura Saddle for elevated views back toward the bay. The Mohaka River bridge on SH5, which spans a dramatic gorge and pairs engineering with scenery. Taihape Giant Gumboot for a quick, quirky photo stop. National Army Museum, Waiouru for a culture-and-history breather.
Things to do in Ruapehu
Settle into Ohakune and lace up for the Waitonga Falls Track, an easy to moderate ~4 km return walk through mountain beech and kaikawaka forest to Tongariro National Park’s tallest waterfall. Alpine boardwalks and tarn reflections give you moody compositions even on cloudy days, and the falls plunge in a single graceful ribbon. Back in town, snap a fun shot with Ohakune’s giant carrot, then refuel at a cosy café before turning in.
Where to stay in Ruapehu
Make Ohakune TOP 10 Holiday Park your base for two nights. Powered sites, modern facilities and views toward Ruapehu create an easy, comfortable hub for tomorrow’s river adventure.
Day 6: Ruapehu
Distance: ~80 kms (Ohakune to Pipiriki return)
Travel time: ~2 hours (driving return)
Today is all about the Whanganui River. It is remote, serene and storied, and the Bridge to Nowhere jetboat tour brings its history and scenery to life in a way that is both adventurous and surprisingly gentle.
Things to do in Ruapehu
After breakfast, drive from Ohakune to Pipiriki and join Whanganui River Adventures for the Bridge to Nowhere Jetboat Tour. You will skim along a deep green river corridor beneath steep, fern-draped cliffs, then disembark for a short bush walk to the iconic concrete bridge. Built in the 1930s to serve a soldier and farming settlement that was later abandoned, it now stands as a striking relic in the forest. Expect birdsong, filtered light and that awe-filled quiet that makes for captivating video. Return to Ohakune mid to late afternoon with time for an easy stroll or a relaxed dinner in town.
Where to stay in Ruapehu
Overnight again at Ohakune TOP 10 Holiday Park. Settle in for a restful evening with fresh mountain air, and if the weather plays ball, a starry sky overhead.
Day 7: Ruapehu to Auckland
Distance: ~360 kms
Travel time: ~4 hours
Finish on a high, literally. Ride high above lava fields and ancient rock forms on Mt Ruapehu’s Sky Waka, then roll north through green heartland to return your camper in Auckland. It is a satisfying loop that feels complete, with one last alpine memory to carry you home.
Where to stop between Ruapehu and Auckland
Whakapapa Village for the morning Sky Waka gondola ride and a final mountain panorama. Taumarunui or Te Kuiti for a lunch stop and supplies for the road. Hamilton Gardens stretch-your-legs detour if time allows before the last city run.
Things to do in Auckland
After your mountain morning, follow the highways north and plan your arrival to comfortably return the campervan at the Apollo Auckland branch. If you have a spare hour, a quick stroll along the waterfront for gelato is a sweet final note before city lights take over.
Where to stay in Auckland
No stay planned tonight as you will return your Apollo campervan on arrival. If you choose to linger in the city, consider booking an additional night nearby and explore at leisure.
Seven days, three distinct regions and a lifetime of photos and memories. From Taupō’s geothermal glow to Hawke’s Bay’s vineyard elegance and Ruapehu’s alpine drama, this route is made for couples who want variety without long drives. When you’re ready, you can easily book your Apollo camper online and pick it up from your closest Apollo branch before hitting the road.