The east coast between Auckland and Hawke’s Bay is classic New Zealand road-touring territory, complete with superb scenery, friendly beaches and wineries galore. The Pacific Coast Highway traverses a largely sunny and sandy stretch of the eastern North Island, starting in Auckland taking in the Coromandel, coastal Bay of Plenty and Eastland on its way to Hawke’s Bay.
This easy-to-follow touring route features panoramic ocean views, and beaches ranging from legendary surfing hangouts such as Mount Maunganui to tranquil coves secreted around Eastland and the Coromandel. In some places, the coast is well developed, but great swathes of the Pacific shore remain predominantly natural and peaceful.
Many of the towns are also sleepy, particularly in Eastland where the highway snakes around a remote, less travelled corner of the country. The cities are hardly huge either, with the largest – Tauranga – boasting a population of just 116,000, with the next largest – Napier and Hastings, both around half that. These regions boast attractions and activities to satisfy every traveller whim, from outdoor pursuits such as swimming, hiking, cycling and boating, to acclaimed art deco architecture and world-renown wineries.
Highlights
beautiful beaches & coastal scenery
seaside campsites
walkways & cycle trails
fresh produce
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