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Driving Route : Auckland - Whakatane - Napier

Start: Auckland
Finish: Napier
Recommended Length: 5 Days
Distance: 1,220 km (763 miles)

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Route Summary

Travel time is approximate only, based on an average driving speed under normal road conditions.

  Travel time Km (Miles)
Day 1
Auckland to Coromandel
2 hrs 166 104
Day 2
Coromandel to Tauranga
2.75 hrs 214 134
Day 3
Tauranga to Whakatane
1.5 hrs 112 70
Day 4
Whakatane to Gisborne
5 hrs 386 241
Day 5
Gisborne to Napier
4.25 hrs 342 214
Totals for Driving Route 15.5 hrs 1,220 763

Pacific Coast Highway

Pacific Coast Highway

Experience every kind of seaside scenery on this epic coastal journey, from Auckland to Napier, otherwise known as the Pacific Coast Highway.

Around the Firth of Thames, on your way to the old gold town of Coromandel, you'll see peaceful beaches and picturesque bays.

On the other side of the peninsula, surf washes onto fine white sand—dig your own spa pool at geothermal Hot Water Beach.

The lifestyle city of Tauranga is nice for a night before you move onto Whakatane, where an active volcano steams offshore.

After the friendly settlements of East Cape, you'll arrive in the Chardonnay town of Gisborne.

Napier is your final destination—enjoy the architecture and the wine.

The Pacific Coast Highway is part of the Great New Zealand Touring Route.

More Driving Routes

View more Auckland driving routes.


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Featured
 
New Zealand Coach Tours

New Zealand Coach Tours

The largest range of escorted & small group tours

New Zealand road trips - Let's go on an adventure

New Zealand Road Trips

Let's go on an adventure

New Zealand self-drive tours

NZ Self-Drive Tours

Explore NZ on a custom self-drive package holiday

Bluebridge Ferry

Bluebridge Cook Strait ferries

Cross Cook Strait and enjoy Kiwi hospitality.

World Nomads Travel Insurance

Get Travel Insurance

Travel insurance for independent travellers.