The Twin Coast Discovery Highway leads from Auckland about the Bay of Islands to Kaitaia to the Kauri Coast and back.
background
The route is designed as a circular route and leads from Auckland through the region Northland and back. The official length of the route is almost 600 km, but the tour can be designed flexibly thanks to numerous cross connections and expansion options. The order of the locations is also only a suggestion. You should plan 4 days for the tour, but it won't be boring even in a week.
preparation
You can plan and carry out the tour yourself with a rented car or mobile home. When planning, however, you should make sure that insurance coverage for rental cars is not granted on all routes; such routes are usually on the map material of the AA Travel marked.
getting there
Usually you start the tour in Auckland, simply because it is the largest city in New Zealand with the best transport links.
Drive / let's go / ...
The route suggested here runs counter-clockwise through Northland, but you can change it without any problems.
Auckland - Paihia (approx. 230 km)
Of Auckland the route leads north initially on the SH 1which corresponds to a part of the German autobahn and is subject to a toll on a very short section. The bypass, which is not subject to tolls, is scenic. Already about 30 km away Orewa is a popular resort that Tourist information is happy to provide information about the place and the hibiscus coast.
At Warkworth you can make a detour to the coast and to the Cape Rodney drive. From here you can get to the diving and snorkeling area of the Goat Island. A trip in a glass-bottom boat also shows the beauty of the underwater world.
It goes with Wellsford continue on SH 1 again. In Whangarei the kiwi house is waiting in the museum on visitors. A little further north, the route leaves SH 1 and goes to the Tutukaka Coast with the Poor Knights Islands, a popular diving area. Then back to the main road, we continue past the Kawiti glow worm cave Kawakawa. The main attractions there are those of Hundertwasser built Toilets. The route leaves SH 1 and heads towards SH 10 Bay of Islands Paihia.
Variant: From Whangarei you can go to the east coast Dargaville
Paihia - Kaitaia (approx. 125 km)
The area around Paihia applies to New Zealanders as Cradle of the nation, in the small town Waitangi the treaty between the English crown and the Maori was once signed, the town Russell was - if only briefly - the country's first capital, and close by Kerikeri are the oldest buildings in the country. From Kerikeri there is also the possibility to go to Cape Reinga to fly and explore the northernmost tip of the country from the air.
The road leads north, a short detour after Whangaroa leads to the diving areas of the bay of the same name, and not far from it at the Cavalli Islands is the wreck of the Rainbow Warrior the goal of many divers. Further north one arrives at the Doubtless Bay and finally to Kaitaia.
Variant: from Kawakawa stay on SH 1 and drive directly to Kaitaia
Kaitaia - Dargaville (approx. 160 km)
In Kaitaia can be found in Gumdiggers Park the history of millennia-old kauri woods, the city has access to both the Tasman Sea and the Pacific coast. From here the SH 1 goes along the Aupouri Peninsula to the north, and in the neighboring Ahipara begins the legendary Ninety Mile Beach. However, the beach is only accessible for four-wheel drive vehicles, and you have to watch out for the tides. Non-residents should avoid the route.
On the SH 12 the path now goes south. The deep incision of the natural harbor of Hokianga Harbor requires either a long detour inland or you use it Hokianga Vehicle Ferry between Kohukuhu and Rawene. In any case, you can also take this opportunity to see the natural wonder of the Wairere Boulders visit. At Opononi one arrives at Waipoua Forest with the huge Tane Mahuta-Kauribaum. Another opportunity to see these magnificent trees is offered by the nearby Trounson Kauri Park. At the Kauri Coast we continue south to Dargavilla.
Dargaville - Auckland (175 km)
The town Dargaville used to be the center of the Kauri wood trade, it was located in the natural harbor Kaipara Harbor loaded onto ships and transported all over the world. Apart from a museum, not much has remained, today the city is called Kumara Capital, Capital of the sweet potato.
The village is a little further south Matakohe with a Kauri museum that is well worth seeing. Then the route goes to Wellsford, from here you can return to the original route on the SH 1 to Auckland, or you take the SH 16. This leads to Helensville, There are hot springs for relaxation in the neighboring village of Parakai. Now it's only a stone's throw back Auckland.
