Day 1: Auckland - Whitianga (via Thames and Coromandel)
Distance: 212 km (approximately)
Travel time: 2.5 hours (approximately)

Auckland - Thames
Distance: 106 km (66 miles)
Travel time: 1.5 hours (approximately)

Auckland, New Zealand's largest city, is situated between two enormous harbours and dotted with 48 extinct volcanic cones. It's a place to enjoy marine adventures, wine trails, forest walks and urban sophistication.

There are two routes to Thames. The fast way whisks you along the motorway and over the Bombay Hills, then across the serene, green Hauraki Plains to Waitakaruru. The slower, scenic route winds through farmland to the village of Clevedon before leading you around the edge of the Firth of Thames. Kawakawa Bay, Orere Point and Kaiaua are beachside settlements to visit.

Both routes make it possible to visit Miranda's hot springs and bird sanctuary. Pipiroa is a friendly place to stop before you venture over the famous, one lane Kopu Bridge, which was built in 1928 and has a Historic Places Trust listing.

The historic township of Thames was founded during the Coromandel gold rush. It's a great place for walks – around the town, through the bush and on the mangrove board walk. Visit the museum and discover an interesting range of shops.

Thames - Coromandel
Distance: 60 km (38 miles)
Travel time: 0.5 hour (approximately)

In Thames you can learn about New Zealand's gold mining past. The mining museum has a fascinating mineralogical collection and there are gold mining relics to discover on many of the bush walks. You can also take the boardwalk through the mangroves to watch seabirds in the Thames Firth.

The road to Coromandel clings to the edge of the coast. You'll enjoy amazing views and a constant procession of beautiful beaches fringed with Pohutukawa trees. Taking in views of Great Barrier Island, Cuvier, the Hauraki Gulf and Pacific Ocean, this must rank as one of the most beautiful coastal walks in the country.

Formerly a gold-mining and timber town, Coromandel is now a haven for artists, craftspeople and conservationists. It has many well-preserved Victorian buildings and an interesting museum. There are several good walks in the area and a railway enthusiast has created an hour-long train trip at Driving Creek. This historic town also makes an excellent base for blissful days of forest hiking and beach-hopping.

Coromandel - Whitianga
Distance: 46 km (29 miles)
Travel time: 0.5 hour (approximately)

Formerly a gold-mining and timber town, Coromandel is now a haven for artists, craftspeople and conservationists. It has many well-preserved Victorian buildings and an interesting museum. There are several good walks in the area and a railway enthusiast has created an hour-long train trip at Driving Creek.

From Coromandel you can explore the tip of the peninsula – the roads aren't highly developed, so expect slow going. Colville, Port Jackson, Port Charles and Kennedy Bay are known for their untouched beauty.

On your drive to Whitianga you'll notice a side road leading to Whangapoua Beach – a worthwhile detour if you have time. You could also call into Matarangi, a recently developed beach settlement. Kuaotunu is another area of pretty beaches.

The beach town of Whitianga is home to a fishing fleet - expect to eat some excellent seafood while you're here. Best things to do include surfing, surf casting and beach walks. Catch the ferry to the south side of the harbour – a short taxi ride will take you to Cooks Beach.

Day 2: Whitianga - Tauranga (via Whangamata)
Distance: 168 km (approximately)
Travel time: 2.25 hours (approximately)

Whitianga - Whangamata
Distance: 74 km (46 miles)
Travel time: 1 hour (approximately)

The beach town of Whitianga is home to a fishing fleet - expect to eat some excellent seafood while you're here. Best things to do include surfing, surf casting and beach walks. Catch the ferry to the south side of the harbour – a short taxi ride will take you to Cooks Beach.

The road south gives you the opportunity to visit Hot Water Beach, where geothermally heated water bubbles up through the sand. At low tide you can dig your own spa. Another highlight of this journey is the walk to spectacular Cathedral Cove, which begins at Hahei. If you have time, indulge in a round of golf at Pauanui or enjoy fish and chips in Tairua.

Whangamata is one of the country's most attractive surf towns. Enjoy the beach, cafes and bush walks. Dive and fishing tours are easily arranged. You can also hire bikes, windsurfers and kayaks. Several charter companies run day trips to Mayor Island, which is actually the summit of a volcano rising from the sea floor.

Whangamata - Tauranga
Distance: 94 km (59 miles)
Travel time: 1.25 hours (approximately)

Whangamata is one of the country's most attractive surf towns. Enjoy the beach, cafes and bush walks. Dive and fishing tours are easily arranged. You can also hire bikes, windsurfers and kayaks. Several charter companies run day trips to Mayor Island, which is actually the summit of a volcano rising from the sea floor.

The journey to Tauranga will take you past historic Waihi, a gold mining town. You'll enjoy the fresh green scenery of the Athenree Gorge before you come across the town of Katikati, known for its murals. Roadside stalls are an opportunity to buy seasonal fruit, such as oranges, kiwifruit and avocados. Closer to Tauranga, roads on the left offer detours to the beach towns of Te Puna and Omokoroa.

The prosperous city of Tauranga sprawls along the edge of an attractive harbour. There's a well developed café culture and boat charters are available to take you big game fishing, snorkelling or dolphin watching. Nearby Mt Maunganui is a destination for surfing and beach walking.

Day 3: Tauranga - Rotorua
Distance: 82 km (approximately)
Travel time: 1.0 hour (approximately)

The prosperous city of Tauranga sprawls along the edge of an attractive harbour. There's a well developed café culture and boat charters are available to take you big game fishing, snorkelling or dolphin watching. Nearby Mt Maunganui is a destination for surfing and beach walking.

It's an easy drive to Te Puke, a town that has turned its kiwifruit industry into visitor entertainment. Paengaroa is the next attraction – shop here for honey products. Then the road climbs up and over the Mamaku Range before descending towards Lake Rotorua, which is actually a large crater filled with water. At Okere Falls Scenic Reserve you can walk to see the hydroelectric power station.

Rotorua sits squarely on the Pacific Ring of Fire, so volcanic activity is part of the city's past and present. Explore the geothermal areas and discover the unique culture of New Zealand's Maori people. Rotorua is entertaining in any weather, at any time of the year.

Day 4: Rotorua - Gisborne (via Whakatane and Opotiki)
Distance: 287 km (approximately)
Travel time: 3.5 hours (approximately)

Rotorua - Whakatane
Distance: 86 km (54 miles)
Travel time: 1 hour (approximately)

Rotorua sits squarely on the Pacific Ring of Fire, so volcanic activity is part of the city's past and present. Explore the geothermal areas and discover the unique culture of New Zealand's Maori people. Rotorua is entertaining in any weather, at any time of the year.

The drive to Whakatane has many interesting features. First up is the wilderness of beautiful Lake Rotoiti, a trout fisherman's paradise. Lake Rotoehu is next, followed by Lake Rotoma - home to a hybrid ‘Tiger' trout. The pulp and paper mill town of Kawerau is a possible detour. To finish, you'll discover Awakeri Hot Springs, which has indoor spas filled with natural, unfiltered mineral water.

Whakatane is one of the sunniest towns in New Zealand. Just offshore is White Island, a spectacular active volcano that can be visited by launch or helicopter. Other Whakatane attractions include the museum, an observatory and Maori historical sites. In summer, dolphin swimming is the thing to do.

Whakatane - Opotiki
Distance: 58 km (36 miles)
Travel time: 0.75 hour (approximately)

The main centre for the Eastern Bay of Plenty, Whakatane is one of the sunniest towns in New Zealand. Just offshore is White Island, a spectacular active volcano that can be visited by launch or helicopter. Other Whakatane attractions include the museum, an observatory and Maori historical sites. In summer, dolphin swimming is the thing to do.

The short trip to Opotiki takes you past Ohope, a friendly coastal town with 11 kms of uninterrupted beach for swimming, walking, surfing and fishing. You'll drive through gently rolling hill country – the foothills of the Urewera Ranges. Small settlements appear regularly. Local Maori culture is strong in this region, so look for carved meeting houses and unique churches.

Opotiki is an ideal base for explorations of Eastland. It has a good range of accommodation and shops. Eco-tourism activities make excellent use of the beautiful coastal and forest environment - horse trekking, kayaking, river rafting and dolphin swimming are some of the entertainment options.

Opotiki - Gisborne
Distance: 143 km (89 miles)
Travel time: 1.75 hour (approximately)

Opotiki has a good range of accommodation and shops. Eco-tourism activities make excellent use of the beautiful coastal and forest environment - horse trekking, kayaking, river rafting and dolphin swimming are some of the entertainment options.

There's a lot to see and do as you drive around the edge of East Cape. Have fun jetboating or rafting on the Motu River, then browse the tranquil seaside settlements that lead up to Te Araroa, where you can walk to the East Cape lighthouse. At Tikitiki you'll see an amazing church. Further south is Waipiro Bay, which has three historical marae. Te Puia Springs is a place for a hot soak in mineral water. Then at Tolaga Bay you can walk along the historic 660 metre wharf.

Gisborne is a sunny city with a reputation for good wine and fantastic surf beaches. There are more than 20 vineyards in the area – the emphasis is on Chardonnay. Kaiti Beach was the first European landing place in New Zealand.

Day 5: Gisborne - Napier
Distance: 213 km (approximately)
Travel time: 2.75 hours (approximately)

Gisborne is a sunny city with a reputation for good wine and fantastic surf beaches. There are more than 20 vineyards in the area – the emphasis is on Chardonnay. Kaiti Beach was the first European landing place in New Zealand.

There are two ways to approach the trip to Napier. The inland route gives you the chance to visit Hackfalls Arboratum, one of the largest private collections of trees in New Zealand. The coastal route provides access to Morere Hot Springs and the fabulous beaches of the Mahia Peninsula. Both roads bring you to the town of Wairoa, memorable for the lighthouse in its main street. As you near Napier, Waipatiki Beach and pretty Lake Tutira are attractive diversions.

In 1931 a devastating earthquake nearly levelled the city of Napier. It was rebuilt in the style of the times, and is now considered the Art Deco Capital of the world. The vineyards of Hawke's Bay are all within easy reach of Napier. Another attraction is the gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers.

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