Twin Coast Discovery Highway

This scenic, circular route gives you the opportunity to explore the best of Northland, following one coast up to NZ's tip, Cape Reinga, where both coasts meet, and the other coast back down. The road splits about 2 hours drive north of Auckland.



Whangarei, Paihia and the Bay of Islands

Whangarei is the main city of the region and features the Quayside Town Basin - a marina with restaurants, shops, arts and crafts and a children’s playground. See the largest collection of clocks in the Southern Hemisphere or visit the kiwis in their natural habitat. Continue up Northland’s east coast and you’ll find stunning coastline, gorgeous, protected inlets, cute accommodation and numerous perfect holiday bases.  Below we introduce just a few of the main townships or beachside communities. 

Tutukaka
This tiny coastal town deserves its own mention as a special place, super-friendly and with all the ingredients of the perfect, Kiwi summer holiday. Tutukaka is just 30km north of Whangarei and consists of one main waterfront street with laid back cafes and restaurants on one side and a pretty marina and sandy beach on the other. Like so much of the Bay of Islands, the cove is protected and perfect with children with lots of excellent, flat swimming or kayaking spots.  Check out ideal family accommodation in Tutukaka here.

Look out to sea and not far away you’ll see the Poor Knights Islands – one of NZ’s world-class gems and considered by Jacques Cousteau to be one of the world’s top dive spots. A day out here is a must-do. Check out options with the waterfront business Dive! Tutukaka – if not diving you can still get out to the Poor Knights for the day and check out the amazing arches of these pristine volcanic islands. Other Poor Knights activities include sailing, kayaking and dolphin, seal or orca spotting.

Russell  Ferries between Paihia and Russell depart several times an hour throughout the day. The passenger ferry goes between the two town centres, while the car ferry (10 minutes on the water), goes between nearby Opua and Okiato Wharf, 5km from Russell. The tiny township of Russell is home to yet more pristine and calm sandy beaches, cafes, great fish and chips and plenty of accommodation.

Whangaroa
Whangaroa Harbour is a haven of unspoiled beaches and scenic coastline.  It's just half an hour north of Paihia or south of Doubtless Bay and a great base for your boating, fishing or kayaking adventures.  This is really getting into unspoiled and scenic New Zealand and it's well worth slowing the pace and stopping for a while.  You can also access some superb dive spots from here, one of the most famous being the dive to the Rainbow Warrior (not suitable for children).  Check out family accommodation in Whangaroa here.

Mangonui this very cute seaside town is close to some of Doubtless Bay's best beaches, and home to the famous Mangonui fish and chip shop, overlooking the harbour. Although very touristy, if you get it when it's not too crowded, we recommend a visit... the food is superb and the setting is the perfect fish and chips location!