Between Mangawhai Heads, Whangarei & Paihia

Mangawhai Heads - Popular holiday and surfing spot with stunning white beaches and contemporary café scene.

Waipu - Historic village established by Scottish immigrants in the 1850s. The Waipu Highland Games are an annual highlight.

Ngunguru - A friendly seaside town with a sheltered harbour ideal for small boat sailing.

Tutukaka - Diving and game fishing hub and gateway to Poor Knights Islands and marine reserve.

Matapouri - The quintessential beach holiday destination with a choice of walks and excellent rock fishing.

Sandy Bay - Excellent surfing with a beach break and consistently good waves.

Whananaki - Surf beach and large estuary makes this town ideal for swimming, surfing, kayaking and fishing.

Mimiwhangata - Coastal park with dunes, pohutukawas, jutting headlands and picturesque beaches.

Cape Brett Walkway - Stay overnight in the Cape Brett Hut and tackle the 7.5 hour hike for experienced hikers.

Whangaruru - Secluded scenic reserve perfect for camping and spotting many species of bird life.

Kawiti Glow Worms - Impressive glow worm caves and interesting limestone formations.

Kawakawa - Famous toilets and an historic railway - this town's attractions are more colourful than you'd expect.

Between Paihia & Kaitaia

Waitangi - An ornate Maori meeting house and war canoe are highlights of a visit to the Waitangi estate.

Haruru Falls - Walk or drive to Haruru Falls through the Waitangi National Reserve.

Matauri Bay - Climb to the top of the historic Pa site; or dive the remains of the Rainbow Warrior.

Whangaroa Harbour - This spectacular harbour, surrounded by rugged cliffs, was created by a volcanic explosion.

Taupo Bay - White sands, big surf and excellent fishing spots make Taupo Bay a popular holiday destination.

Doubtless Bay - Over 70kms of unspoiled coastline featuring numerous safe beaches.

Between Kaitaia & Cape Reinga

Houhora - Small seaside village and great for fishing.

Rarawa Beach - Popular for swimming and walking. Stay overnight at the DOC camping ground.

Parengarenga - A shallow harbour dredged for its pure silica sand which is used for making glass.

Spirits Bay - In Maori legend, souls of the dead gather here before they depart to their ancestral home of Hawaiki.

Cape Reinga - A lighthouse juts out from the northernmost tip of New Zealand at the meeting point of the two seas.

Ninety Mile Beach - Actually only 60 miles long - the safest way to cover its length is to catch a coach tour.

Awanui - With its roots in the gum-digging days, Awanui is an excellent place to buy kauri furniture and art.

Ahipara - The huge sand dunes provide hours of sand tobogganing and quad bike fun.

Between Kaitaia, Dargaville & Kaiwaka

Mangamuka Gorge - A great place for a picnic, or park your car and walk the 19 kilometre track (allow six hours).

Omahuta and Puketi - Together these locations form one of the largest areas of native forest in Northland.

Rawene - Provides a ferry link with Kohukohu, allowing a back road journey to or from the Far North.

Opononi & Omapere - Made famous in the 1950s by the dolphin Opo, who used to let children ride on her back.

Waipoua Forest - One of the best kauri forests in New Zealand and home to the two largest kauri trees in the country.

Trounson Kauri Park - Renowned for its guided night walks through kauri forest to glow-worms and native wildlife.

Kai Iwi Lakes - Popular camping spot alongside freshwater lakes for swimming, kayaking, hiking and trout fishing.

Ripiro and Baylys - 100 km strip of surf beach that is designated as a highway, although a 4WD vehicle would be best.

Matakohe - Learn about the gum-digging and forestry heritage of the region at the famous Kauri Museum.

Paparoa - A charming town with restored historic buildings, character accommodation and restaurants.

Maungaturoto - Experience "A Real New Zealand Town"

Kaiwaka - The little town of lights – at night time hundreds of twinkling lights welcome travellers.