Billy Connolly Drives New Zealand

Day 1: Auckland to Paihia

On this page: Travel time:   Km/Miles Auckland - Orewa 0.5 hr  36/23 Orewa - Warkworth 0.5 hr  27/17 Warkworth - Whangarei 1.25 hrs  99/62 Whangarei - Paihia 1 hr  71/44   Totals for Day 3.25 hrs  233/146

Auckland - Orewa - Warkworth - Whangarei - Paihia

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.

At the beginning of your journey, you’ll drive over the Auckland Harbour Bridge towards the bays and beaches of Auckland’s North Shore. The motorway will quickly sweep you northward, until the suburban scenery gives way to peaceful farmland.

Before you reach Orewa, you have the option of taking an exit that leads to Silverdale and Gulf Harbour. Silverdale is famous for its factory and outlet stores. Gulf Harbour, at the end of the Whangaparaoa Peninsula, has a breathtaking golf course. Beautiful beaches can be found up and down the peninsula.

The town of Orewa spreads along the edge of a large, white sand surf beach. You can explore bush trails at the northern end of the town, visit the friendly shopping centre or dive into the waves for a refreshing swim.

Scenic Highlights

Auckland's volcanic cones
Climb green volcanic cones in the heart of a large city to peer into deep craters and explore ancient Maori earthworks. Look out over the harbours, islands and beyond.

Devonport & North Head
Discover colonial cottages, stately waterfront homes and World War II defences that run deep into a volcanic cone.

Wenderholm Regional Park
Swim at the beach, kayak up a river, explore a native forest headland or camp overnight in a seaside regional park just north of Auckland.

Hunua Ranges
Enjoy nature walks, mountain biking, fishing and camping in the largest mainland forest within the Auckland region.

Auckland Botanic Gardens
Learn about plants from New Zealand and around the world. This beautiful garden offers 64 hectares of cleverly themed displays.

Tamaki Drive and beaches
Enjoy on-street cafes, park-like picnic areas and safe sandy beaches just minutes from Auckland's central business district.

Parnell Historic Walk
Explore the historic houses and buildings of Parnell, New Zealand's first suburb. Be tempted by great cafes and specialty shops along the way.

Shakespear Regional Park
Flop on the beach with a good book or walk across farmland and through native bush to panoramic views of the Hauraki Gulf and islands.

Coast to Coast Walk
Walk across New Zealand in one day. This 16 kilometre walkway explores parks, volcanic cones and historic suburbs across the Auckland isthmus.

Long Bay Regional Park
Pack a picnic and head for a waterfront park just 20 kilometres from the city centre. Relax on the long sandy beach or hike along the headland.

Auckland Domain
Fly a kite, feed ducks, walk through native forest or follow a trail of outdoor sculptures in this magnificent inner city park.

Auckland's North Shore beaches
Dip your toes into the North Shore's beachy lifestyle. A series of sandy bays stretches from Cheltenham to Torbay.

Long Bay - Okura Marine Reserve, North Auckland
Less than half an hour from Auckland's CBD, this marine reserve runs along the edge of a beautiful sandy beach.

Motu Manawa (Pollen Island) Marine Reserve, Waitemata Harbour
A haven for wading and sea birds, you can see this marine reserve from Auckland's northwestern motorway.

Motuihe Island
Visit a picturesque island that is becoming a new wildlife sanctuary. Enjoy walks, beautiful sandy beaches and glimpses of the island's intriguing history.

Rangitoto Island
Cross the harbour on a ferry to step onto an alien volcanic landscape. Explore native forests and lava caves on the way to panoramic views from the edge of the summit crater.

Tiri Tiri Matangi Island
Encounter the entertaining behaviour of rare native birds on this pest-free island sanctuary. These birds have no reason to fear humans, so they're extra friendly.

Waitakere Ranges
In half an hour you can leave the city behind to explore a vast forest park with waterfalls, rivers, giant kauri trees and wild ocean beaches.

Activities

Auckland
Golf (1), Walking/Trekking (9)

Tour and Sightseeing

Auckland
Golf (2), Walking/Trekking (7)

Auckland - Orewa - Warkworth - Whangarei - Paihia

The town of Orewa spreads along the edge of a large, white sand surf beach. You can explore bush trails at the northern end of the town, visit the friendly shopping centre or dive into the waves for a refreshing swim.

Driving north, you’ll pass Hatfield’s Beach before coming across Waiwera, which means ‘hot water’ in Maori. The hot springs are the main attraction in this small, seaside village.

The next place of interest is Puhoi, a town originally settled in 1863 by immigrants from Bohemia. Cheese is the local claim to fame – buy some for your next picnic.

Enjoy native forest and farmland scenery all the way to Warkworth, a pretty town located on the banks of the Mahurangi River. From here it’s easy to explore the many attractions of the district – surf beaches, marine and wildlife sanctuaries, vineyards, golf courses, regional parks and islands.

Scenic Highlights

Wenderholm Regional Park
Swim at the beach, kayak up a river, explore a native forest headland or camp overnight in a seaside regional park just north of Auckland.

Shakespear Regional Park
Flop on the beach with a good book or walk across farmland and through native bush to panoramic views of the Hauraki Gulf and islands.

Tawharanui Regional Park
This regional park is one of north Auckland's best-kept secrets. If a swell is running from the north or east, come ready to play in the surf.

Cape Rodney - Okakari Point Marine Reserve (Goat Island Marine Reserve)
So much more than a picnic at the beach, a day at Goat Island Marine Reserve is unforgettable.

Long Bay - Okura Marine Reserve, North Auckland
Less than half an hour from Auckland's CBD, this marine reserve runs along the edge of a beautiful sandy beach.

Tiri Tiri Matangi Island
Encounter the entertaining behaviour of rare native birds on this pest-free island sanctuary. These birds have no reason to fear humans, so they're extra friendly.

Activities

Auckland
Boat Cruises (14), Walking/Trekking (9)

Northland
Sailing (14)

Tour and Sightseeing

Auckland
Boat Cruises (2), Walking/Trekking (7)

Tour and Sightseeing

Northland
Sailing (1)

Auckland - Orewa - Warkworth - Whangarei - Paihia

Warkworth is a pretty town on the banks of the Mahurangi River. From here it's easy to explore the attractions of the district - surf beaches, marine and wildlife sanctuaries, vineyards, golf courses, regional parks and islands.

A drive through the Dome Forest will lead you into the rural service town of Wellsford. From here you can take a side trip to Pakiri - a great beach for surfing and horse treks. Kaiwaka is the next town on the map - pause here if you like Dutch cheese. At this point consider an eastern detour past the spectacular beaches of Mangawhai Heads, Langs Beach and Waipu Cove.

Just before Whangarei a right turn will take you to the Marsden Point oil refinery. The visitors' centre has an interesting display that explains the refining process.

Whangarei is a subtropical city on the edge of a beautiful harbour. At the Quayside Town Basin complex you'll find stylish cafes and restaurants, as well as museums, art galleries and shops. Be sure to visit Whangarei Falls.

Scenic Highlights

Tawharanui Regional Park
This regional park is one of north Auckland's best-kept secrets. If a swell is running from the north or east, come ready to play in the surf.

Whangarei - city by the sea
Various scenic options around Whangarei - a leisurely centre for exploring Northland and the Twin Coast Discovery Highway.

Poor Knights Islands
The Poor Knights Islands, Northland New Zealand, are often called one of the world’s top dive locations.

Cape Rodney - Okakari Point Marine Reserve (Goat Island Marine Reserve)
So much more than a picnic at the beach, a day at Goat Island Marine Reserve is unforgettable.

Activities

Northland
Arts & Crafts (13), Fishing – Salt Water (22), Museums (8)

Tour and Sightseeing

Northland
Arts & Crafts (2), Fishing – Salt Water (3)

Auckland - Orewa - Warkworth - Whangarei - Paihia

Whangarei is a subtropical city on the edge of a beautiful harbour. At the Quayside Town Basin complex you’ll find stylish cafes and restaurants, as well as museums, art galleries and shops. Be sure to visit Whangarei Falls.

A series of small settlements will lead you north. Just before Kawakawa, a side road runs to the glow-worm cave at Waiomio. Take a rest stop in Kawakawa, because it has a remarkable public toilet designed by Austrian artist Frederick Hundertwasser.

From here the road to the Bay of Islands becomes quite twisty, but you’ll enjoy some delightful scenery along the way. A short detour takes you to the port of Opua, where cruise ships often call.

The resort town of Paihia makes an excellent base for exploring the Bay of Islands. Catch a cruise to the outer islands or a ferry to the charming township of Russell. The historic Treaty House at Waitangi marks the beginning of New Zealand as a nation.

Scenic Highlights

Whangarei - city by the sea
Various scenic options around Whangarei - a leisurely centre for exploring Northland and the Twin Coast Discovery Highway.

Kawiti Caves (Waiomio Caves)
Just before you reach Kawakawa, detour to Kawiti Caves. Discover stalactites, glow worms and Maori history.

The Bay of Islands
When you arrive in Paihia, find yourself a cruise or a charter boat and embark on a voyage of discovery around the islands.

Ruapekapeka Pa
The struggle between British troops and Maori in Northland led to the creation of this ingenious pa (fort).

Poor Knights Islands
The Poor Knights Islands, Northland New Zealand, are often called one of the world’s top dive locations.

Activities

Northland
Boat Cruises (19), Cultural Attractions (5), Diving (10)

Tour and Sightseeing

Northland
Boat Cruises (2), Cultural Attractions (7)