The Ultimate Rugby Fan's Auckland to Palmerston North Road Trip

It’s day one of your ultimate rugby road trip. The first item on your travel itinerary is to pick up your camper from the Britz Auckland branch near the airport.

While you’re in the big smoke, plan a few things to do in Auckland before you head south. One of our top recommendations is to take an All Blacks Experience guided tour. This 90-minute state-of-the-art experience showcases the All Blacks and New Zealand’s rugby heritage. After the tour, order yourself a personalised All Blacks jersey as the perfect souvenir. Next on the schedule of must-see Auckland attractions is a visit to the hallowed grounds of Eden Park. Relive some of the great moments of the game with a behind-the-scenes tour. Fancy catching a game while you’re here? Be sure to check out the schedule of upcoming matches.

Tonight, head to Orere Point TOP 10 Holiday Park for the night. 

Today, you’ll be heading to Hamilton in the Waikato, home of the Chiefs rugby team. Hamilton is also home to the FMG Stadium Waikato where you can plan to watch a game. 

There’s plenty more to do in Hamilton including a wander through the beautiful Hamilton Gardens. It’s the perfect spot for a picnic lunch, plus there’s lots of space outside the gardens for a quick kick-around of the rugby ball. 

Fan of classic cars? Head to the Classics Museum where you’ll find over 100 cars from yesteryear along with loads of fascinating memorabilia. While you’re there, visit the '50s-themed Jukebox Diner. 

Park up for the night at the Hamilton City Holiday Park. 

Attention Hobbit fans. Today is your day! As you drive from Hamilton to Tauranga, you’ll have the opportunity to stop at Middle-earth. Even if you’re not a fan of the famous movies, this charming attraction is a must-do. Explore the actual site where the magical movies were made as you take a fully guided tour around the 12-acre set.

Once you reach Tauranga, stretch your legs with a walk around beautiful McLaren Falls Park. If you arrive at dusk, be sure to stick around to see the glowworms after dark.

Spend the night at Tauranga Tourist Park. 

As you drive from Tauranga to Taupō today, plan a stop in New Zealand’s centre of geothermal activity, Rotorua. One of the top things to do in Rotorua is to visit Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland. Get a front-row seat for a geyser eruption, see colourful geothermal pools, and watch the bubbling mud pools.

Next, it’s on to Taupō where you’ll find the thundering Huka Falls. Watch as 220,000 litres of water per second crashes over an 11-metre-high waterfall! You may also like to enjoy the easy one-hour walk alongside the river. Next, head to the alienesque landscape of the Craters of the Moon. This geothermal attraction formed in the 1950s when a large area north of Taupō suddenly began to emit steam and create craters of boiling mud. 

Park your motorhome up for the night at the Taupō TOP 10 Holiday Park.

It’s a big day today as you make the drive to Palmerston North where you’ll visit the New Zealand Rugby Museum. See some of rugby’s greatest treasures including a 1905 ‘Originals’ rugby jersey. You’ll also have the opportunity to test out your rugby skills in the Have-a-Go area. For some history of a different kind, visit the Te Manawa museum and art gallery. 

Tonight, enjoy a stay at Palmerston North Holiday Park.

If you can squeeze in an extra day or two, add a visit to Wellington to your travel itinerary and catch a game at Sky Stadium. 

Part of the Taranaki region, New Plymouth is home to the Taranaki Bulls rugby team. It’s also a great region of New Zealand to explore on your road trip. There’s plenty to see and do here, including a visit to the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery. You might also like to take a relaxing walk through beautiful Pukekura Park or explore the Coastal Walkway. 

For a comfortable night’s stay, park up by the beach at New Plymouth TOP 10 Holiday Park.

As you head to Waitomo today, be sure to set your GPS to divert through Te Kuiti to see the bronze sculpture of local rugby legend Sir Colin Meads. Known as ‘Pinetree’ due to his imposing size, Sir Colin played 55 test matches for the All Blacks between 1957 and 1971. You may also like to call into the Te Kuiti i-Site to see more sporting memorabilia.

As your ultimate road trip draws to a close, we’ve saved one of the best things to do in New Zealand until last. You’ll be going underground to meet millions of tiny creatures. Yep, today’s highlight is a visit to the famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Waitomo is home to an extensive network of underground cave systems, making for a unique and unforgettable road trip experience. Explore the ancient caves and take a boat ride inside a glowworm grotto where these tiny creatures put on a magical display. For those with an adventurous spirit, there is also the option of black water rafting through the caves – including a jump off a waterfall! Be sure to book your Waitomo tickets in advance, you won’t want to miss out. 

For a handy stay near the caves, check in to Waitomo TOP 10 Holiday Park. 

Enjoy a well-earned sleep-in this morning before heading back to Auckland to drop off your Britz camper. Plan a stop in the Kiwiana Town of Otorohanga. You’ll find lots of cool Kiwiana displays including one dedicated to the All Blacks, ANZACs, Sir Colin Meads, Sir Edmund Hillary, Team New Zealand, The Haka, The Silver Fern, and more. 

Ready to check out these top rugby attractions? (H2)

Now that we’ve set up the goalposts for your ultimate rugby road trip, it’s time to get into the game. The first step is to book your Britz campervan online. 

Follow our great road trip itinerary planner or create your own. The great thing about travelling by campervan is that you’ve got the flexibility and freedom to travel at your own pace. Take those interesting little diversions that you’d normally drive past, discover hidden gems, and enjoy the holiday of a lifetime. 

See more of the North Island with one of our itineraries

Keen to see more of the great towns, attractions, and beautiful scenery of the North Island? Check out some of these great New Zealand road trips:

• Auckland to New Plymouth 

• Auckland to Taupo

• Auckland to Waitomo