🇳🇿 Tauranga & Beyond: Ultimate North Island Road Trip Guide

Discover hidden gems around Tauranga with these 3 epic routes: 1️⃣ NORTH: Coromandel Peninsula 🏄 Whangamata - Surfers' paradise ♨️ Waikato Hot Water Beach - DIY hot tubs! ⛪ Cathedral Cove - Iconic sea arch (hike 1hr or $20 water taxi) 🕉️ Mahamudra Center - Buddhist retreat (book ahead) 🚂 Driving Creek Railway - Forest train adventure 🏡 Thames - Charming historic town Don't Miss: 👉 Cathedral Cove's golden-hour glow 👉 The emotional roadside memorial along coastal highway 2️⃣ WEST: Hamilton Region 🏛️ Cambridge Museum - Queen Elizabeth artifacts (kind staff!) 🍜 Shanxi Noodles - Legendary pork intestine noodles & stinky tofu 🖼️ Waikato Museum - Maori cultural treasures 3️⃣ EAST: Gisborne Wonders ⛪ Anglican Church - Moody seaside chapel 🌅 East Cape - First sunrise on Earth! (Great for camping) 🚀 Rocket Lab - Spy the space base from afar Pro Tips: • Cathedral Cove: Catch last water taxi at 5:30PM • East Cape: $10 campgrounds with epic dawn views #NZRoadTrip #HiddenGems #TaurangaTravel #WHVadventures #EatLikeLocal