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Most people drive southwards to Taranaki along State Highway 3, maybe stopping off to see the Waitomo Caves along the way. However, there is a much more interesting route that continues on from Waitomo to the coastal community of Marokopa, and then on down to Waikawau Beach. From there you can take the country road to Awakino, where you join up with State Highway 3. You have great views, a natural bridge, a waterfall, and a curious rock carving on the way. This is a great alternative, with good roads and a country environment.

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Waitomo Top 10 Holiday park is located at one of New Zealand's iconic tourist locations - sitting on top of a huge system of underground glow worm caves. You can take guided tours through the cave, or go for river side walks to explore the area, eat out at nice restaurants, or buy souvenirs.

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Roselands Restaurant offers an upmarket dining experience in a stunning rural environment. Self-contained motor caravanners are welcome to stay overnight, giving you a great alternative for freedom campers wanting to spend some time exploring the Waitomo Caves.

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The Haggas Lookout provides a natural viewing area looking out over private farmland covenanted with the QE2 National Trust. While not a large parking area, it is suitable for self-contained motorhomes to park overnight. Excellent Vodafone mobile access.

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The Mangapohui Natural Bridge is a one of those low key New Zealand experiences that will take your breath away. A well maintained forest walk alongside a river to a land bridge that formed naturally many thousands of years ago. Self-contained motorhomes can also park overnight in the carpark.

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The Marakopa Falls are another significant attraction along the Waitomo to Marokopa higway. They are accessed down a short walk through native forest from the roadside parking area. The walk takes about 10 minutes

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The Marokopa Holiday Park is located in a quiet seaside village is is popular location for surfing, swimming, kayaking. fishing and whitebaiting.

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There's a small parking area for accessing the rugged Waikawau Beach through a man-made tunnel carved through sandstone. You can park overnight in a self-contained van. Discover the rock-face sculpture on the other side.