Detouring in North Island's West Coast

If you are making just one trip to New Zealand and, as many visitors do, you're starting from Auckland and working your way south to catch some top spots, consider making some "dog leg" detours across the North Island.

For example, between Cambridge and the Waitomo Caves head east to catch the geothermal action of Rotorua. Or, from the Waitomo Caves, before turning west to Taranaki head south an hour or so to Whakapapa, the northern gateway to Tongariro National Park. From the south, turn inland from Wanganui to reach the park before heading to Palmerston North.

For an adventure go south from surfing spot Raglan, keeping close to the west coast, inland to the Waitomo Caves and head back to the coast and follow the Marakopa Road to Taranaki.