Rental Car Road Trips

Auckland, New Zealand, is known as the City of Sails.  New Zealand's largest and most cosmopolitan city, Auckland is based around two spectacular harbours – Waitemata and Manukau. A number of enchanting islands are scattered throughout the Hauraki Gulf and with beautiful beaches waiting to be explored it is no wonder that sailing is a favourite pastime for many locals. With a population of approximately 1.3 million, Auckland is home to roughly one third of New Zealand’s total population. It’s superb location and temperate climate mean that Auckland regularly ranks among the top five lifestyle choice cities in international surveys.

Discover for yourself why Auckland is one of New Zealand's best destinations, it is host to a large range of attractions, from Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Adventure and Under Water World, to  the Skytower, Harbour Bridge walk and bungee-jump, Rainbow’s End theme park, and an America’s Cup yachting experience with SailNZ from the Viaduct Basin.

There are many easy day trips that you can make in your Auckland rental car to see rugged west coast beaches, take a picnic to a secluded spot and hike through nearby rainforest, swim at Goat Island Marine Reserve, or visit local vineyards.

Within a couple of hours easy drive south east from Auckland city is the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula, which has stunning golden sand beaches, a unique hot water beach and in general a very relaxed lifestyle.

Further to the south is Tauranga (205 km from Auckland) with first class golf courses, Jet Boating and 4 Wheel Drive Tours, or white water rafting for the more adventurous traveler. Rotorua is a little further south again (234 km from Auckland) it is located in a geothermal area with mud pools, geysers, hot springs and rejuvenating hot mineral pools and spas.

The Lighthouse at Cape Reinga at the most northern tip of New Zealand, where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean, is 440 km north of Auckland.  There are plenty of things you can check out along the way like the chocolate factory in Whangarei (169 km from Auckland), then you might need to work off the treats you eat on the Whangarei Falls walkway, or go for a kayak along Northland’s Pacific Coast.

Don’t forget to visit the Bay of Islands, one of the most beautiful regions in the North Island, situated on the East Coast between Whangarei and Cape Reinga.  The Bay region has 144 Islands and many secluded bays and beaches, with an abundance of marine life, including whales, penguins, dolphins and gannets.  It is a popular place for water activities such as swimming with the dolphins, sailing, sea kayaking, or fishing – you might even catch a kingfish or big marlin!
With an International Airport, Auckland is of course the gateway to the whole North Island, for more information on places to visit and things to see and do check some of the other links on this site and don’t forget to get a quote for your Auckland car rental.

Day Trips from Auckland

North - Whangaparaoa Peninsula, Orewa Beach, Waiwera and Goat Island Marine Reserve

Pick-up your rental car, and drive north from Auckland over the harbour bridge and along the motorway for approximately 35 kms to Silverdale then keep your eyes open for a road sign turning you right (East) to Whangaparaoa Peninsula, where a number of lovely beaches and bays stretch out along the coast line. At the tip of the Whangaparoa Peninsula you’ll find a number of walking trails, which offer spectacular views of the surrounding area as they make their way through native forest, wetlands and farmland. The area is inhabited by lots of beautiful native birds which have found their way across from the nearby Tiritiri Matangi Island Wildlife Sanctuary.  It is home to the Gulf Harbour marina and also to a world class golf course and club facilities - a must for every keen golfer. The Peninsula itself has a number of safe swimming beaches and Orewa Beach, just to the north, is a popular white sand swimming beach where you can often see surfers enjoying in the waves.

Orewa township is just a few minutes North of the Peninsula and has a number of comfortable cafes and restaurants, where you can sit and relax for a while. Take your rental car just 6 km further north and you’ll find Waiwera, widely known for its geothermally heated hot pools and waterslides. Surrounded by native bush and the hills of the Waiwera valley, the thermal pools are a perfect place to unwind at the end of a busy day. If you plan ahead, you can time your visit to coincide with a movie session in their undercover movie pool, usually at 4.00 pm and 7.00 pm each day, but if your keen to see a movie, it is wise to confirm the schedule at Waiwera movies before you plan your visit.

If you like the idea of swimming, snorkeling or diving in the first marine reserve established in New Zealand, then drive 20 kms further north to Warkworth. Turn right at the second set of lights in Warkworth, then follow the road signs for another 22 kms through Matakana, Omaha and Leigh to the Goat Island Marine Reserve. Goat Island became a Marine Reserve under law in 1971 and was officially opened in 1975, it is officially named Cape Rodney to Okakari Point Marine Reserve, and covers 5 kms of shoreline.  The protected environment has seen a large increase in marine life in the area, on your visit you are likely to see large friendly Snapper (some up to 50-60 years old), Blue Maomao, Sweep, Parore, Silver Drummer, Goatfish, Kahawai, Trevally, Yellow Eyed Mullet, Red Moki, Blue Cod, Kelpfish, Marblefish, Leatherjackets, Butterfish, and many more.

If spending the afternoon relaxing is more your style, then a visit to one or two of the beautiful Matakana vineyards could be a perfect way to spend an afternoon. There are a number of quality-focused wineries in the region, most of them are small and family-owned, some have cafes or offer nibbles platters, and most wineries provide visitors with the opportunity to taste their products before making a purchase and to get an understanding of the passion of the winemaker. But take care not too over indulge, as your rental car won’t make its own way back to Auckland!

South East – Whitford, Pohutukawa Coast and Clevedon

To get to Whitford, drive your rental car south from Auckland on the motorway, exit at the Papatoetoe/Otara off-ramp, then head onto East Tamaki Road and from there follow the signs to Whitford, which should take you down, Ormiston and Sandstone Roads to connect with Whitford Park Road.

Visitors collecting their rental car at Auckland International Airport should drive straight through Papatoetoe to connect with East Tamaki Road and then as above follow the signs to Whitford.

The country settlement of Whitford has seen a number of changes since the first European settlers arrived in 1843, but it has still managed to retain a rustic charm. It has a very active pony club, a number of stables and stud farms grace the surrounding landscape, as well the usual lifestyle properties often found within easy driving distance of a large city.

A short detour down Whitford Park Road will take you to the Whitford Country Club where green fee players are able to play a round of golf at the 18 hole golf course and also enjoy the club's other sporting and restaurant facilities.  Equipment is usually available for hire, but it is advisable to check ahead with the club by phoning (09) 530 8823.

Close to Whitford township you find Ayrlies private garden - take the Whitford/Maraetai Road, then turn into Clifton Road and left again into Potts Road, Ayrlies is at number 125 Potts Road. Ayrlies is one of New Zealand's best known informal country gardens, it covers 12 acres of rolling terrain, featuring sweeping lawns, informal plantings, ponds and waterways. Ayrlies is open daily by appointment phone: (09) 530 8706.

Head further along Whitford/Maraetai Road and you will come to Trigg Road (on the right hand side) at number 100 Trigg Road you will find the Whitford Bird Garden which is a must visit, with it’s walk-in aviary which showcases some of the most exotic birds you will see in New Zealand, a heated pool that is home to tropical fish from the Amazon, and a garden filled with hundreds of native, subtropical and tropical plants. Visitors are welcomed by appointment only, to arrange a visit call (09) 530-8807.

When you are ready, get back onto the Whitford/Maraetai Road to head along the scenic Pohutukawa Coast, you will find a number of gorgeous sandy beaches to swim at, walking tracks through regional parks and plenty of picnic spots with spectacular views of the Hauraki Gulf islands and in the distance Coromandel Peninsula. Another option is to stop at the Pine Harbour Marina complex, just 10 kms from Whitford.  To do so, turn right into Jack Lachlan Drive, which is the main access road to the Marina. With berths for over 500 water-craft, Pine Harbour Marina is just a short cruising distance from the delightful islands of Waiheke and Ponui, the resort island of Pakatoa and the beautiful beaches of the Coromandel Peninsula.

Just 3 kms further along the Whitford/Maraetai Road, you’ll discover the best spot to explore the foreshore, while taking in the spectacular scenery, is within the Omana Regional Park.  Omana is a lovely family park, with a lightly shelled beach where you can swim at high tide, a Ngai Tai Mâori pâ site out on the bluff, grassy picnic areas and barbecues. The perimeter walk is a great way to stretch your legs, it only takes about an hour and offers stunning views and close up encounters with child-friendly farm animals.

From Omana take your rental car back out to the Whitford/Maraetai Road, head left towards Maraetai which is only about 1 km down the road. To the Mâori people Maraetai means "meeting place by the sea."  Make a stop in the township, or continue around 10 minutes along the beautiful coast until you reach Umupuia, also known as Duders Beach.  Many of the Ngai Tai pâ and settlement sites are still visible along the way. The Pohutukawa Coast Trail ends at Umupuia, then take North Road inland for another ten minutes and you will reach Clevedon.  Clevedon Valley is the ideal place to discover some of New Zealand’s best country charm, with a captivating country village, as well as wineries, cafes and a Sunday Farmers Market.  

South West – Awhitu Peninsula, Waiuku, Mangere and Manukau

You can start your day trip South West from Auckland airport or jump into your rental car in the city and head South on the Motorway.

Make your way onto the Southern Motorway, take exit 458 toward Papakura. Turn right at Hingaia Road, then stay on Hingaia Road until you reach Linwood Road, where you’ll need to make a sharp right turn. Follow Linwood Road for just over 10 km then take a slight left turn into Kingseat Road. After another 5 km make a right turn into Glen Brook Road, then after 6.5 km continue on to the Glenbrook-Waiuku Road, unless you fancy taking a ride on a restored steam train. Then make a left turn onto Glenbrook Station Road and after about 5 km you will find the Glenbrook Vintage Railway, however it is only open on Sundays and most public holidays, from Labour Weekend (late October) through to Queen's Birthday (early June).

After your stop, turn your hire car around and head back out to Glenbrook-Waiuku Road, 4.5 km on you’ll need to take a slight right hand turn into Collingwood Road, 1 km further on the road will become Kitchener Road which takes you right into Waiuku. The historic town of Waiuku serves as a gateway to the Awhitu Peninsula, it also acts as a community hub for the surrounding farmland. There are a number of cafes, restaurants and takeaway stores to choose from. Plus, you’ll discover a few local art galleries, wineries and organic produce outlets along the way.

Don’t miss the opportunity for a walk along the rugged black sand beach of Kariotahi, on the West Coast just 10 minutes from Waiuku.

The picturesque Awhitu Peninsula, features sculpted sand cliffs and rugged coastline along the west coast, plus peaceful harbour bays and beaches on the east.  It’s just over an hour from central Auckland, but feels like it’s a lifetime away with its Māori and Pakeha heritage and the community’s rural lifestyle. One of Awhitu's most well known attractions is the restored Manukau Heads Lighthouse, which overlooks the entrance to Manukau Harbour and has panoramic views towards Auckland.

On the south west shores of the Peninsula is the peaceful Awhitu Regional Park. Transformed wetlands lie behind the park's two beautiful beaches, Kauritutahi and Brook, providing the perfect habitat for the rare fernbird (matata) and banded rail (moho pereru). There are many outdoor activities on offer within the park. You can explore the native scrubland and pōhutukawa forest on foot walking or hiking, hire a mountain-bike, or go horse–trekking. You can also get out onto the water to check out Manukau Harbour from a kayak, on a guided paddle around the less well known pohutukawa bays.

The Awhitu Regional Park is also home to the Awhitu Golf Club. A 9 hole course which has excellent views of the Manukau Harbour and surrounding parkland. If you are a keen golfer, then make a booking on (09) 2351031.

A country market is held at Matakawau every 4th Sunday of the month. There is always entertainment on offer for the kids, plus lots of tempting fresh local produce, art and crafts, woodwork and much more.

For a change of scenery head back to Auckland via the country town of Pukekohe and/or Drury, you’ll be able to stop along the way at market gardens and roadside stalls to stock up on fresh country produce.

As a break from the car, an ideal way to keep the kids entertained for a few hours, is a visit to Rainbow’s End Theme park in Manukau, which has a host of fun activities and rides. Follow the road signs from the motorway.

For visitors with a passion for history, you’ll find a number of Maori settlements in Mangere based around several volcanic cones. There is a marked trail over Mangere Mountain, which is the largest and least modified of the volcanic cones, where you’ll discover more about this geological landmark.

For a more relaxing finish to the afternoon, a detour to the Villa Maria Winery at 118 Montgomerie Road, Mangere (close to the airport) is a great place to stop and relax for a glass of wine and a platter of tasty treats.  But don’t forget, you’ll need to have a sober driver to safely get your rental car to your next destination!