smitten travels: Classic Campers, New Zealand Part 2
We decided to stay up in the north island this trip so that we didn’t feel too rushed trying to fit everything into one visit (which also means we have a really good excuse to return for the south island). As it went, we still managed to stay in a different place every night and drove anywhere from 2 – 5 hours a day, which for me, made for a good on the road to out and about ratio.
A couple of my favorite days were spent at beaches like Manu Bay near Raglan (bottom two photos) and Cathedral Cove in the Coromandel Peninsula (4th photo block on the left). On both occasions we packed a picnic, took a pretty hike down to the beach and spent a full day playing in the waves, and relaxing in the sand while the sun moved across the sky.
Images by Sarah Sherman Samuel
If you are interested in taking a similar trip or just want to know where all we went, I’ve laid out our route after the jump!
… and don’t miss Part 1 for all the info on the Kombi
Day 1 & 2: Auckland and Waiheke Island (before we got the campervan)
Day 3: Auckland to Stony Bay in the Coromandel Peninsula (best campsite here)
Day 4: Stony Bay to Hot Water Beach & Cathedral Cove
Day 5: Cathedral Cove to Rotorua
Day 6: Rotorua to Napier (We camped here and had an amazing dinner at the Crab Farm Winery)
Day 7: Napier to Taupo (hiked to Huka falls and the Spa Thermal Park)
Day 8: Taupo to near Cambridge (we couldn’t help but visit Hobbiton)
Day 9: Cambridge to Raglan (Loved the surf town of Raglan & Manu Bay)
Day 10: Raglan to Matakana (spent a night out of the van at Takatu Lodge for my birthday. Matakana was also a cute little town and we had a great meal at MMK)
Day 11: Matakana to Russell / Bay of Islands
Day 12: Russell to Keri Keri (stayed in a great spot here… details to come)
Day 13: Keri Keri to Auckland
Day 14: Auckland
Tags: black sand beach, cathedral cove, classic campers, hot water beach, kombi, manu bay, new zealand, raglan, road trip, smitten studio, smitten travels, volkswagen
creative director + designer
March 14th, 2013 at 10:04 am
Beautiful, BEAUTIFUL photos!!
March 14th, 2013 at 10:24 am
These photos are stunning! There is just something so magical about sky and water. Thank you for sharing! :)
March 14th, 2013 at 3:34 pm
pretty!
March 14th, 2013 at 4:05 pm
Gorgeous pictures. You could easily have a feature in a travel magazine (each month), and it would be in high demand. Love it!
March 14th, 2013 at 4:12 pm
THank you ladies! Tania – I know exactly what you mean… it was magical in person too! The water was so shallow for such a huge expanse that all of the sand was reflective. It was gorgeous.
March 14th, 2013 at 4:16 pm
Hi Noelle… Thank you so much! I should make a sign… “Will work for travel” ha!
March 15th, 2013 at 10:49 am
I missssssssss that pretty little van.
March 16th, 2013 at 9:56 pm
The pictures are amazing. Love that last one of you.
March 17th, 2013 at 5:06 pm
Such a dream :)
March 18th, 2013 at 9:43 am
Oh my god, gorgeous! What a color palette.
March 18th, 2013 at 12:57 pm
These photos are incredible! I’ve only been to the south island of New Zealand, but now I want to go back to see the north island! So glad you had a wonderful time.
March 27th, 2013 at 7:03 pm
i love love love raglan. definitely a place i could call home.
April 10th, 2013 at 5:32 pm
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