Tauranga and Rotorua to Cathedral Cove by Campervan: Up the East Coast

Quick summary: For campervan travellers in the Bay of Plenty, Cathedral Cove is a scenic drive north up the Coromandel’s east coast. From Tauranga, the road runs through Katikati and Waihi, then along the coast via Whangamatā and Tairua to Hahei, around 160 km. From Rotorua, it’s around 220 km, either via Tauranga or through Matamata and the Karangahake Gorge. Both routes suit a campervan or motorhome and pass some of the North Island’s best beaches.

At a glance
From Tauranga	Around 160 km, about 2 hours 30 minutes
From Rotorua	Around 220 km, about 3 hours 15 minutes
Route	Waihi, Whangamatā, Tairua, Hahei
Highlights	Waihi’s gold mine, the Karangahake Gorge, Whangamatā, Paku summit
Supplies	Tauranga, Waihi, Whangamatā and Tairua
Tours	Small-group tours

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What is the route from Tauranga?

Stage	Distance	What’s there
Tauranga to Waihi	Around 60 km	Kiwifruit orchards, Katikati’s murals
Waihi to Whangamatā	Around 30 km	Forested hills to the coast
Whangamatā to Tairua	Around 40 km	Opoutere and the east coast
Tairua to Hahei	Around 35 km	Paku summit and the turn-off at Whenuakite

What about the route from Rotorua?

Either drive to Tauranga first, around 60 km, and follow the route above, or head north through Matamata and Paeroa, passing through the Karangahake Gorge to Waihi. The gorge route takes in old gold-mining tunnels and walkways beside the river, and it’s a scenic alternative.

What can you stop for on the way?

• Waihi, where a huge open-pit gold mine sits in the middle of town, with a viewing platform.
• The Karangahake Gorge, with walks through old mining tunnels and along the river.
• Whangamatā, a surf town with a long beach.
• Opoutere, a quiet beach and bird refuge.
• Paku summit at Tairua, with views over the harbour and coast.

See Tairua, Pauanui and the east coast.

Is the east coast road easy in an RV?

Mostly. State Highway 25 north of Waihi is sealed, with rolling hills and some winding sections between Whangamatā and Tairua. Allow time for stops, and use pull-over areas to let faster traffic pass.

Where does the trip go next?

From Hahei, continue north to Whitianga and around the peninsula to Coromandel Town and Thames, or cross the Kopu–Hikuai road to Auckland. See our 5-day Coromandel loop, and for jet boating near Rotorua, our sister site’s Rotorua guide.

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Frequently Asked Questions