north island road trip 10 days

Kate Abroad

10 Day North Island New Zealand Road Trip Itinerary (2024)

New Zealand is a small country but that doesn’t mean you can see it quickly, instead, it’s best to split your time by island and this 10 day North Island New Zealand itinerary is a great place to start.

This itinerary is really the highlights of the North Island as it’s impossible to see the whole place North Island in 10 days. However, if you have a bit more time, there’s a 2 week variation that squeezes more in.

The itinerary is designed to start in Auckland , which is the easiest place to fly into, and end in Wellington so you can jump on the ferry and continue on with my 10 day South Island itinerary for a total 3 week trip.

If you don’t have time for the South Island, then you can return to Auckland for your flight home.

To save a bit of money on this trip, I’d suggest looking into a bundled attractions pass which includes Rotorua hot springs, the Hobbiton movie set and a bunch of other top NZ activities you might want to do on this road trip.

How to get around the North Island on this itinerary

To be honest, this really only works well as a North Island road trip itinerary.

If you don’t have your own vehicle, you could travel by bus (see my full guide to New Zealand by bus ) but you will need to allow a few more days as there are limited intercity bus services each day.

I would recommend picking up your vehicle on the morning of day 4 when you leave Auckland. You won’t need a vehicle to get around Auckland and Waiheke Island is a ferry trip from central Auckland. You can save money by not paying for those days, plus you’ll avoid the hassle of Auckland parking. 

If you’re renting a campervan/motorhome/RV, I can tell you it’s almost always going to be cheaper to book cheap central accommodation in Auckland for the first 3 nights than paying for hireage for an extra 3 days plus paying for an Auckland campground that will be far from the city centre plus paying for Ubers/public transport to get in from the campsite.

Likewise, if you aren’t going to the South Island, it’ll be cheapest to do a one-way hire and drop off your car/van as soon as you get to Wellington as there are no central campgrounds in Wellington and you don’t need a vehicle to explore the city.

You can check out rental car prices and book on RentalCars.com

Where to stay on your 10 day North Island road trip

This itinerary works equally well for campervanning or driving and booking nightly accommodation. I have included both campground and hotel/motel accommodation options for each location. 

It’s worth noting that big hotels are only really available in Auckland, Wellington and Rotorua. Outside of there, it’s mostly small motels.

If you usually use points to book chain hotels, you won’t have any luck.

The 10 day North Island road trip itinerary

Days 1-2: auckland.

Start your trip off with two days of exploring New Zealand’s biggest city. If you’re coming from further afield than Australia, you might want to make this a slow start and give yourself some time to get over any jet lag.

The main activities for these days are a trip up the iconic Sky Tower (New Zealand’s tallest building) to see views of the city and exploring the waterfront. 

I especially love the Britomart area which is full of cafes, bars and boutique stores.

While at the sky tower, you could also check out the All Blacks exhibition to get a sense of our national obsession with rugby. Or try the reverse bungy or skyjump for something a bit more adventurous.

If you’re up for venturing a bit further afield, you could take a trip out to Piha, the rugged west coast beach not far from Auckland.

Swimming is not recommended here; we literally have a TV show – Piha Rescue – dedicated to saving tourists who get caught in the rough conditions at Piha.

Alternatively, jump on the ferry to Devonport to visit the more family-friendly North Shores beaches .

There are also some good walks around Auckland. Mount Eden or One Tree Hill are short options that will get you good views for not much effort. Otherwise, head to the Waitakere Ranges for serious hiking.

• Luxury: Hilton Auckland
• Mid-range: Holiday Inn Express
• Budget: Attic Backpackers

Day 3: Waiheke Island 

On day 3, jump on the ferry from Auckland to Waiheke Island. The island is in the middle of the Hauraki Gulf less than an hour’s ride from the city.

A return ferry trip to Waiheke Island costs $46 per adult (sometimes there are specials) and ferries run hourly. You can buy tickets at the wharf or online . Advance bookings are a good idea on weekends, in summer or on public holidays.

The highlights of Waiheke Island are the wineries and galleries, and you can either walk, hire bikes or jump on an organised tour to get between them. My favourites are Mudbrick and Stonyridge.

Waiheke is also a beachy spot with lots of options for sunbathing, coastal walks and kayaking or paddle boarding.

If you’re visiting in summer, take the bus to Oneroa Beach and spend some time in or on the water there. You can easily hire boards or kayaks from Kayak Waiheke.

This is a day trip so you can stay in your same Auckland accommodation from Days 1-2.

Day 4: Coromandel

Drive time from Auckland to Coromandel (Whitianga):  2.5-3 hours

Distance: 200km

The Coromandel Peninsula is where many North Islanders come for holidays because of the miles of beautiful swimmable beaches.

I grew up going to Whangamata and Pauanui which are great family beaches in the Coromandel. 

However, the main attractions for visitors and the places you absolutely must hit up on your 10 day north island road trip are Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach which are just south of the town of Whitianga. 

You might recognise Cathedral Cove from the Narnia movies as the rock archway has become one of New Zealand’s most famous photo spots .

Hot Water Beach is known for its warm water rock pools which are heated by thermal hot springs and mean you can swim year-round.

If you’re ok with ait of extra driving, I’d recommend spending some time driving around the coast and checking out all the beaches along the way.

• Luxury: Esplanade Apartments
• Mid-range: Beachside Resort Motel
• Budget/Camping: Harbourside Holiday Park

Day 5: Hobbiton 

Drive time from Coromandel (Whitianga) to Hobbiton (Matamata): 2.5 hours

Distance: 170km

Whether you’re a Lord of the Rings fan or not, visiting Hobbiton is a must-do experience in New Zealand. The cute hobbit-sized houses make great photos if nothing else. 

You can do the standard movie set tour or time your visit for the second breakfast or evening banquet options. The food spread almost looks like something from Harry Potter.

Hobbiton is the main event of Day 8 so if you aren’t interested in staying long there you could spend the morning exploring more of the Coromandel or push on to Cambridge which is a really pretty small town in the Waikato region of the North Island with lots of great food options.

Find more ideas in my Waikato road trip guide .

• Luxury: Villa Walton Bed & Breakfast
• Mid-range: Broadway Motel
• Budget/Camping: Opal Hot Springs Holiday Park

Day 6: Waitomo

Drive time from Hobbiton (Matamata) to Waitomo: 1.5 hours

Distance: 100km

Today it’s time to visit Waitomo Caves. On the way, stop at Mount Pirongia and/or Otorohanga.

Mount Pirongia is a great day hike for the committed tramper, otherwise, you can do shorter walks in Pirongia Forest Park, find the trail details on the DoC website.

Otorohanga is the Kiwiana capital of New Zealand and you’ll notice that when you drive past the giant kiwi on the way into town.

While you’re there you can see the Kiwiana Walk which takes you through the history of some of New Zealand’s cultural icons. There are real live kiwis too at the Otorohanga Kiwi House.

The Waitomo caves are a huge favourite of mine since childhood, although I still can’t remember the difference between stalactites and stalagmites! Either way, you can see both at Waitomo as well as glow worms. Plus, there is black water rafting which is cold, dirty and heaps of fun!

If you aren’t keen on fitting into a tube, then you can do guided walking tours of the caves. The Waitomo Caves Tours Guide has a comparison of the different options available.

• Luxury: Waitomo Boutique Lodge
• Mid-range: Woodlyn Park Motel
• Budget/Camping: Waitomo Top 10 Holiday Park

Day 7: Rotorua

Drive time from Waitomo to Rotorua: 2 hours

Distance: 150km

Rotorua is the number one tourist location on the North Island because it offers a mix of cultural and natural attractions plus lots of adventure options.

One thing you need to be aware of when you visit Rotorua though is that it stinks like rotten eggs. That’s the sulphur from the geothermal hot springs . The benefit is that you can go soak in the springs at Polynesian Spa or see the geysers around town and near the lakeside. 

Other than spas and geysers, you can check out some fun and thrill-seeking activities like the zorb or the luge or mountain biking. Or just take a ride up the gondola to enjoy the views.

Rotorua is also known for Maori culture as it’s a place of historic significance and the home of the Arawa tribe.

There are plenty of cultural experiences on offer, which allow you to learn about Maori culture and history. Just please don’t go thinking modern Maori live in grass huts or cook all their food in the ground.

• Luxury: Pullman Rotorua
• Mid-range: ibis Rotorua
• Budget/Camping: Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park

Day 8: Tongariro

Drive time from Rotorua to Tongariro (National Park): 2 hours 15 minutes

Distance: 180km

By the time you get to Day 8 you will have seen coastal New Zealand, city New Zealand and farming New Zealand, so now it’s time for mountains.

As you approach Tongariro, you’ll see views of the perfectly conical Mount Ngaurahoe which features as Mount Doom in the Lord of the Rings movies.

Tongariro National Park is famous for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, the most popular day hike in New Zealand with phenomenal views.

If possible, plan to get to Tongariro in time to devote a full day to the walk (it’s about 8 hours).

There are affordable shuttle options to help you get to/from each end of the trail.

If you don’t have time or want to hike or the weather packs in, then you can simply enjoy exploring the cute mountain towns of Ohakune and National Park. Make sure to grab one of the famous eclairs from the dairy in Ohakune.

In winter, it’s also possible to ski on the slopes of Ruapehu, using National Park as your base. All gear can be hired either in the towns or on the mountain and lessons are available. You can also buy day passes for the lifts on the mountain.

• Luxury: Chateau Tongariro
• Mid-range: Mountain Heights Lodge
• Budget/Camping: Tongariro Holiday Park  

Days 9-10: Wellington

Drive time from Tongariro (National Park) to Wellington: 4 hours

Distance: 330km

Day 9 will be the biggest driving day as you cover half the length of the North Island, so you’ll need at least one extra day to see New Zealand’s capital city. 

On your way from Tongariro to Wellington, you could stop at Otaki (for cafes and outlet shops) or the Kapiti Coast beaches (for walks and swimming). I wouldn’t bother stopping at Palmerston North.

There are so many things to do in Wellington but the top of your list should be Te Papa , the national museum located on the waterfront which contains so many stories of New Zealand’s history.

Don’t miss a trip on the iconic red Wellington cable car that runs from the main street of Lambton Quay up to the historic suburb of Kelburn.

I’d recommend taking the cable car uphill then walking down through the Botanic Gardens. You can buy your tickets online here .

You can also check out the city beaches around Oriental Bay and enjoy ice-cream or fish and chips on the beach.

Wellington is a foodie city and obsessed with coffee. To discover the best the city has to offer, head to the laneways which contain lots of art, awesome cafes and hidden cocktail bars .

• Luxury: Bolton Hotel
• Mid-range: Quest The Terrace
• Budget: The Marion Hostel
• Camping: Capital Gateway (this is a train ride from the city)

Find more options in my Wellington luxury hotel guide , Wellington Airbnb guide or Wellington camping guide .

Alternative: 1 week North Island itinerary

Having only one week in the North Island is really pushing it to squeeze everything. I’d recommend taking the full 10 days or even better, 2 weeks so you can properly see everything.

However, if you are really short on time, then you could skip Wellington and spend only one day in Auckland. The best parts of New Zealand are outside the cities after all and cutting the southernmost point will really reduce your driving time.

Alternative: 2 week North Island itinerary 

This extended itinerary fits even more in but is very action-packed. It works because many of these places are more about natural attractions than activities, so you don’t need as much time there.

For a more slow-paced option, you could take the 10 day itinerary and add extra days in the Coromandel and Rotorua.

• Waiheke trip

As a kiwi, it’s hard to narrow down my favourite parts of my home country to a short itinerary. There’s so much to see and do and there’s no wrong way to see New Zealand.

If you try this 10 day North Island New Zealand itinerary, I’d love to hear what you think. Let me know in the comments below.

Happy travelling!

New Zealand Travel Resources

• Find the best prices on hotels with flexible cancellation at Booking.com
• Pre-book your tickets to attractions on Get Your Guide
• Find awesome day tours on Viator
• Compare prices on cars and campervans at RentalCars.com
• Sort your New Zealand dollars with a Wise currency card

Kate is the founder of Kate Abroad. She has travelled to nearly 40 countries from Austria to Vanuatu, and lived in 3. She's on a mission to empower other Gen Zs and Millenials travel affordably by sharing helpful travel guides, stories and tips to over 200,000 readers.

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The Ultimate 10-Day New Zealand North Island Itinerary (2024)

Experience the highlights of New Zealand’s North Island in 10 days on this efficient, scenery-packed road trip itinerary.

Planning a North Island itinerary can feel like a daunting task.  

There’s so much to choose from, and it’s overwhelming to know where to go.

To make matters worse, a lot of the itineraries out there either recommend a completely unrealistic route or don’t include many details (like where to eat! and hidden gems!) that will make your trip special.

That’s where this guide will help!

I live in New Zealand and spend nearly every weekend and holiday travelling around the country.

I’m here to help you plan the best trip possible because the North Island is epic, and I don’t want you to miss out on experiencing its magic! 

This itinerary will take you through some of the North Island’s most beautiful highlights, including vineyards, glow worm caves, volcanic mountains, hot springs, and beaches.

Get excited, because this is going to be the trip of a lifetime!

So let’s get to it, shall we? Read on to discover the ultimate 10-day North Island itinerary.

* Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links to trusted partners. If you make a purchase through an affiliate link, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I really appreciate your support!

Table of Contents

Map of this 10-Day North Island Itinerary

Where to Hire (Rent) a Car for your North Island Road Trip

This itinerary is best suited for a road trip, whether you’re in a car or campervan.

🚗 Car hire : I recommend using Rentalcars.com to easily compare prices and vehicle models from all of the top NZ car rental companies. They do all of the homework for you so you don’t have to spend hours (and open 10+ tabs) to find the best deals!

🚐 Campervan Hire : I’m a big fan of JUCY , Travellers Autobarn , and Spaceships for campervan rentals. I also use Motorhome Republic to compare prices on campervans in NZ.

The Best 10-Day New Zealand North Island Itinerary

🗓 days 1-2: auckland & waiheke island.

Start your 10-day North Island itinerary in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city and the first point of entry for most international visitors.

You’re likely going to be tired after a long flight, so let’s keep the next two days easy.

Instead of grabbing your rental car or campervan now, wait until Day 3. 

You won’t need a car in Auckland, and it’s easy to take an Uber or Super Shuttle from the Auckland Airport into the city. It’s good to let someone else do the driving while you recharge a bit.

On Day 1, I recommend exploring Auckland, mostly on foot—walking is a great way to work off jetlag, after all, and it’s also the best way to get to know Auckland! 

Then on Day 2, head to Waiheke Island for a fantastic day trip from Auckland.

✅ Things to do in Auckland

• Walk along the Viaduct Harbour & Westhaven Path . This urban walk is simply gorgeous and will take you past the Auckland Harbour, where you can pop into any bars or eateries that strike your fancy and peek at all of the fancy yachts in the harbour.
• Hike up Mount Eden (Maungawhau) , a volcanic cone with some of the best views of the city. From the city centre, it’s a short Uber ride to the base of Mount Eden, and the hike itself takes about 30-45 minutes round-trip.
• See the Sky Tower, an iconic part of the Auckland cityscape. If you want to experience some of the most incredible views in the city, a trip up the Sky Tower is a popular option.
• Movie buffs won’t want to miss Wētā Unleashed . This interactive tour is run by the Academy Award-winning Wētā Workshop, the studio responsible for special effects, costumes, and props from some seriously amazing films like the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
• Explore the High Street and Britomart Districts, where you’ll find a vast selection of boutique shops, cute cafes and international eateries. 
• Have breakfast at Daily Bread or Chuffed . For a casual lunch/dinner, head to Federal Delicatessen or the upscale food court in the Commercial Bay precinct. If you’re after a special meal, Hello Beasty is an excellent choice.

✅ Things to do on Waiheke Island

Waiheke Island is known for its wineries, beaches, and laid-back vibe. It takes just a 45-minute ferry ride to get from Auckland to Waiheke. 

The ferry ride itself is spectacular: you’ll glide across the sparkling Hauraki Gulf whilst taking in views of Auckland City and its surrounding landscape.

Once you get to Waiheke Island, you’ll have multiple options for how to spend the day. Here are some suggestions for you!

• Go wine tasting! Waiheke is known as the island of wine, and sampling some of the local drops is a sure way to get into vacation mode. I love Stonyridge , Batch , and Mudbrick vineyards in particular. 
• Visit Waiheke’s gorgeous beaches— Oneroa Beach , Onetangi Beach , & Palm Beach are all lovely.
• Zipline through native forest at EcoZip Adventures .
• Explore the charming village of Oneroa, and make sure to get a gelato at Island Gelato while there!
• Sample some Waiheke Island craft beers at Alibi Brewing Company , Waiheke Brewing , or the Heke .
• Lace up your boots and go for a hike along Waiheke’s scenic walking trails .

🚌 Tip: the easiest way to get around Waiheke Island is to book this hop-on, hop-off bus ! Alternatively, you can take the public bus for the cheapest option. If you plan to take the public bus, make sure to purchase an AT HOP bus card in Auckland before getting on the ferry to Waiheke.

➡️ Where to Stay in Auckland

Note : Auckland is the only location in this itinerary where I haven’t given a camping option, because I think it’s best to stay in a hotel or other accommodation in Auckland. If you’re hiring a campervan, pick it up on Day 3 and start camping on the North Island from then on!

🛏 Budget: LyLo LyLo is a hip hostel located right in the heart of Auckland’s city centre. Not your average backpacker’s hostel, LyLo offers modern, clean accommodation ranging from shared rooms (with cosy sleeping pods) and private rooms with either shared or ensuite bathrooms.

🛏 Mid-range: M Social  The M Social is, hands-down, my top hotel choice in Auckland. The location is absolutely perfect for exploring Auckland, and the rooms are faultless. I recommend splurging a bit on a room with a view so you can watch the ferries go in and out of the harbour. 

🛏 High-end: Park Hyatt Stay right by Auckland’s waterfront at this luxurious hotel, which overlooks the Waitematā Harbour and has everything you need for a fabulous stay.

🗓 Days 3-4: Coromandel Peninsula (Hahei)

// Driving time from Auckland to Hahei: 2 hours 30 minutes ( Directions )

Today, it’s time to hit the road!

Get an early start to the day and fuel up with a quick breakfast—my choice would be a pastry (usually a ham & cheese croissant) and flat white from Daily Bread. 

After breakfast, pick up your rental car or campervan. Depending on where you’ve hired your vehicle from, you may need to hop in an Uber to get to your car rental depot.

After getting your vehicle sorted, make sure you have your Google Maps directions all plugged in and ready to go—and now it’s time for your road trip!

Your destination today is Hahei on the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula , where you’ll stay for the next two nights in blissful beach paradise. 

Tip : if you need to stock up on gear or do a big grocery shop, you’ll find the best selection in Auckland. Here are some places you might find helpful:

• Pak ‘n Save : If you need to do a big grocery shop, head to a Pak ‘n Save supermarket. Pak ‘n Saves are huge supermarkets that usually have the cheapest prices for groceries in NZ.
• Kmart or the Warehouse : For budget-friendly road trip items (like a chilly bin/cooler) or anything else you forgot to bring with you, head to a Kmart or Warehouse store. I’d compare them to Target or Walmart stores in the USA.  Kmart is my usual go-to, but either will do the job.

📍 Stops on the Drive from Auckland to Hahei

• Thames: You don’t need to go out of your way to visit Thames, but I’m mentioning it here if you need a bathroom break or didn’t get groceries/gear in Auckland. Thames is the last chance to pop into a supermarket or Warehouse store before reaching Hahei.
• Tairua: Visit the Tairua surf beach to check the waves, and stretch your legs by walking up to the summit of Mount Paku . This 30-minute (round-trip) walk climbs up to the summit of the volcanic peak Mount Paku and offers gorgeous views over the Tairua harbour mouth and surrounding beaches. 
• Colenso Country Cafe : If you’re in need of some lunch at this point, visit this lovely cafe and enjoy a meal in their sunny garden. They grow a lot of their own produce and the food is fantastic.
• The Family / Hot Water Beach Brewing : This awesome family-run brewery is located in Whenuakite, just 10 minutes before reaching Hahei. It’s a great spot to grab a pint and snack, but of course indulge safely if you’re the driver on this trip! 

✅ Things to do in and around Hahei

• See Cathedral Cove , the most famous beach in the Coromandel. Unfortunately, the track to walk to Cathedral Cove is closed indefinitely due to cyclone damage. However, you can still see Cathedral Cove by taking a boat tour or kayak tour!

➡️ Since you can’t currently walk to Cathedral Cove, I recommend booking one of these Cathedral Cove tours, which depart from Hahei Beach ⤵️ ⛵️ A one-hour Hahei Explorer Cathedral Cove Boat Tour is the easiest way to see Cathedral Cove, especially if you have limited time! 🛶 Fancy something more active? A kayaking tour with Cathedral Cove Kayaks is an epic way to get out on the water and see Cathedral Cove (and potentially marine life, too!).

• Dig a hot pool in the sand at Hot Water Beach . To access the hot water, you’ll need to visit the beach within 2 hours on either side of low tide. Hire a spade (shovel) from Hottie’s Cafe or the Hot Water Beach Top 10 Holiday Park.
• Walk up to the Te Pare Point Reserve , a historic fortified Māori settlement. At the summit, you’ll be met with sweeping ocean views stretching over the Cathedral Cove marine reserve.
• Hang out at Hahei Beach . Beach walks here are glorious!
• Shop for local goodies at Cove , a beautiful boutique store in Hahei.
• Day trip to New Chums Beach , a pristine hike-in beach with white sand and crystal-clear water. Another favourite Coromandel beach of mine is Lonely Bay, which is just a 15-minute drive from Hahei.
• Get breakfast at Little Blue Kitchen (they make great breakfast burritos & bagels!) or Hahei Beach Cafe . For dinner, head to Pour House for a house-brewed craft beer or cider and thin-crust pizza.

➡️ Where to Stay in Hahei

🛏 Mid-range: Tatahi Lodge   This laid-back lodge has great vibes and beautiful grounds – the lush gardens here are just lovely. Choose from a 2-person studio or 2-bedroom units for a larger group. The property is right in town and it’s just a 5-minute walk from here to Hahei Beach.

🛏 Mid-range: The Church Accommodation Hahei The unique Church Hotel was built around a reconstructed early-1900s church and has private cottages set amidst native bush. You’ll have options here, including 2-person cabins with or without kitchenettes, or a 3-bedroom holiday house. There’s an excellent restaurant on the property, too, and you’ll be within walking distance of Hahei Beach.

⛺️ Camping: Hahei Beach Resort  One of the best campgrounds in the Coromandel , the Hahei Beach Resort is located in an epic beachfront location and has tons of amazing amenities (including hot tubs for hire!). 

🗓 Day 5: Mount Maunganui

// Driving time from Hahei to Mount Maunganui: 2 hours 45 minutes ( Directions )

Today, you’ll be making your way from one beach town to another, all while stopping at several other beach towns on the way!

Honestly, the beaches along this drive are some of the best beaches on the North Island, so take your time and enjoy them! 

There are also some excellent coastal walks and delicious eateries to try, so today is really going to be something special.

📍 Stops on the Drive from the Coromandel to Mount Maunganui

• Whangamatā: This charming coastal town is set next to a popular surf beach . Stop here for a beach walk (or swim!) and lunch at Port Road Project or Soul Burger . Another popular activity here is kayaking to Whenuakura (Donut Island).
• Waihi Beach: Yet another cute town set next to a gorgeous beach, Waihi Beach is a great place to go for a beach walk or peruse the cute shops and cafes in town. Hikers will love the 45-minute (one-way) coastal walk from Waihi Beach to Orokawa Bay , a hidden beach paradise. 

✅ Things to do in Mount Maunganui

• Hike to the summit of Mount Maunganui’s namesake volcanic cone, also known as “Mauao” by locals. Or, for an easier hike, walk around the Mount Maunganui Base Track. Both of these Mount Maunganui walks are super stunning!
• Hang out at the beach! Head to the Mount Main Beach for surfing opportunities and long beach walks; for a sheltered swimming bay, visit Pilot Bay Beach.
• Soak in the Mount Maunganui hot pools , which are located at the base of Mauao and contain heated saltwater. 
• Go shopping on the Mount Main Street, where you’ll find lots of cute local shops. My favourite shop in Mount Maunganui is the Paper Plane Store , which is a perfect place to pick up a local souvenir that’s a little out of the ordinary.
• Eat & drink your way around town! For brunch, go to the General (their Turkish eggs are divine), and Rice Rice Baby is my favourite spot for a delicious Vietnamese dinner. 
• Fancy a craft beer? Then head to the Rising Tide ,  located a 5-minute drive from the town centre. They have an incredible selection of locally-made craft beers and serve up excellent dumplings, too!

➡️ Where to Stay in Mount Maunganui

🛏 Mid-range: The Mission Belle Motel My #1 accommodation option in the Mount is always the Mission Belle Motel. Their rooms and clean and modern, the location couldn’t be better, and the owners are lovely. Kitchenettes are the icing on the cake.

🛏 Mid-range: Quest Mount Maunganui An excellent location and new, modern rooms make the Quest one of the best places to stay in the Mount.

⛺️ Camping: Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park Camp right in the heart of Mount Maunganui at this beachfront holiday park, which is located at the base of Mauao and is just steps away from town.

🗓 Day 6: Rotorua (via Hobbiton)

// Driving time from Mount Maunganui to Rotorua via Hobbiton: 2 hours ( Directions )

Today, you’ll be heading inland to one of New Zealand’s most unique destinations: Rotorua.

Rotorua is known for its Māori culture and geothermal activity, including hot springs, geysers, and mud pools. 

It’s also a major tourism hub for the North Island, with so many activities on offer you could honestly spend a whole week here and not get bored. 

Here’s where to stop on the drive today, plus what to do once you get to Rotorua.

📍 Stops on the Drive from Mount Maunganui to Rotorua

• Hobbiton: A must-do on most North Island itineraries, take a walking tour of the famous Hobbiton movie set from the Lord of the Rings films. It looks just like it does in the movies! The setting is gorgeous, too, amidst sheep-covered pastures and rolling green hills. 

🌟 Tip : make sure to book your Hobbiton tickets well in advance, because they often sell out.

• Tirau: Stop in Tirau for a lunch break—I recommend the Baker for a meat (or veggie) pie and sweet treat!
• Putāruru Blue Springs (Te Waihou Walkway): Hike along the stunning Te Waihou Walkway to see the Putāruru Blue Springs , which have incredibly clear, blue water and look like something out of a fairytale. ( Note: the Te Waihou Walkway is closed until Spring 2024, so I’ve included it here just for future planning purposes! ).
• Over the Moon Dairy : Sample delicious locally-made cheese and purchase some goodies for road trip snacks.

✅ Things to Do in Rotorua

There is honestly so much to do in Rotorua, and you won’t be able to do it all on a short visit.  But that’s okay—here are some ideas, and you can pick and choose what appeals to you most!

• Walk through the Whakarewarewa Redwood Forest (it’s gorgeous, and free), or book a treetop walk.
• Stroll around Kuirau Park, which is one of the best free attractions in Rotorua and will give you a taste of the area’s geothermal activity.
• If adrenaline activities are your thing, there’s a lot of that here—you can book a ziplining experience , go white water rafting , or try zorbing . 
• Soak in the soothing hot springs of the Polynesian Spa .
• Have dinner out at one of Rotorua’s excellent restaurants—I recommend Abracadabra or  Atticus Finch for sharing plates & cocktails, or Sabroso for some of the best Mexican food (and margaritas!) you’ll find in NZ.

➡️ Where to Stay in Rotorua

🛏 Mid-range: Aura Accommodation Aura Accommodation is my go-to motel in Rotorua. The location is within walking distance of town, the staff are super friendly, and there are onsite hot pools to enjoy!

🛏 Mid-range: Kings on Peace Apartments These modern apartments are located in a quiet, residential part of Rotorua and have everything you need for a comfortable stay, including private decks, a spa pool, laundry facilities, BBQs, and fully-equipped kitchens.

⛺️ Camping: Blue Lake Top 10 Holiday Park The Blue Lake Top 10 Holiday Park is located a bit out of town, but the lakefront setting is so peaceful and pretty that it’s worth it! This is by far my favourite campground in Rotorua. Make sure to ask at the front desk about the glow worm walk nearby!

🗓 Days 7-8: Tongariro National Park

// Driving time from Rotorua to Tongariro National Park: 2 hours 15 minutes ( Directions )

Today, you’re heading to the mountains! 

Your destination will be Tongariro National Park, a World Heritage site and the oldest national park in New Zealand. 

Along the way, you’ll travel through geothermal wonders and will visit beautiful Lake Taupō. 

It’s going to be an epic day filled with so much to see, so you’ll want to get an early start.

📍 Stops on the Drive from Rotorua to Tongariro National Park

• Visit a geothermal park—choose from Te Puia , Waimangu Volcanic Valley , or Wai-o-Tapu . For a free option, hike to the Crater Lake lookout on the Rainbow Mountain Track , which gives you gorgeous views over a turquoise geothermal lake.
• Soak in one of the many natural hot springs between Rotorua and Taupō . 
• Experience burbling geothermal mud at the free-to-see Mud Pool near Wai-o-Tapu.
• View the stunning blue water of Huka Falls .
• Stop in Taupō for a lunch break and lakeside stroll. Or consider a game of disc golf in Spa Park (BYO discs or hire from AJ Hackett Bungy)—follow your disc golf game with a soak in the free Otumuheke Stream Hot Pools ! Replete Cafe is the best spot for lunch in Taupō (their prawn linguine is incredible, and they have excellent cabinet food). If you have extra time, take a scenic cruise on Lake Taupō to see the Māori rock carvings at Mine Bay.

Note : There aren’t that many places to eat in Tongariro National Park, unless you stay in Ohakune. I recommend picking up groceries on the drive into the park, so you can self-cater. Pak ‘n Save in Taupo has the largest selection, or there’s a New World supermarket in Turangi.

✅ Things to do in Tongariro National Park

• Trek the Tongariro Alpine Crossing , one of the North Island’s best day hikes. You’ll need to book a shuttle to go to and from the crossing, which is a serious hike that takes between 6-8 hours and a good level of fitness.
• Or tackle one of the smaller hikes in Tongariro National Park— Taranaki Falls is a favourite of mine. Tama Lakes is a great alternative to the alpine crossing (and you can combine it with a visit to Taranaki Falls).
• Walk to Tawhai Falls to see one of Tongariro’s best waterfalls and a Lord of the Rings filming site—it featured as Gollum’s Pool and is a gorgeous spot, even if you’re not a LOTR fan!
• Visit Ohakune, the largest town in Tongariro National Park, and check out the carrot-themed playground, disc golf course, and—for a real treat—their open-air wood-fired hot tubs .

➡️ Where to Stay in Tongariro National Park

Tip: If you’re planning to hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, I highly recommend that you stay in either Whakapapa or National Park, where you can easily catch a shuttle to access the crossing. Tongariro Alpine Crossing Shuttles (a good, reliable shuttle service) have pickup points near the below campsite and accommodation options.

🛏 Mid-Range: Plateau Lodge The Plateau Lodge is my top choice for accommodation in National Park. You’ll have access to a shared kitchen when you stay here, making it easy to prepare meals. Their King Studio Pod is my favourite option—it has an outdoor bath, which is a massive treat after hiking.

🛏 Mid-range: Parkview Apartments These comfortable two-bedroom apartments are a great option for families. The apartments have fully-equipped kitchens, fireplaces, and amazing views to boot!

⛺️ Camping : Mangahuia DOC Campsite or the Whakapapa Holiday Park Both of these campsites are in beautiful, beech tree-fringed settings—if you want a hot shower after a day of hiking, though, then go with the holiday park! Definitely book either in advance, as these are two of the most popular camping grounds in Tongariro National Park.

🗓 Day 9: Raglan

// Driving time from Tongariro National Park to Raglan: 3.5 hours ( Directions )

After some time in the mountains, you’ll make your way back to the coast. 

Today you’ll journey to Raglan , a relaxed West Coast surf town with gorgeous black sand beaches and creative vibes.

My partner is a surfer so he and I have spent quite a lot of time in Raglan over the years.

However, even if you don’t surf, it’s still a wonderful town to spend some time in (I’m not a surfer but love visiting Raglan nonetheless!).

Along the way, you’ll get to stop at another highlight for many visitors to the North Island: the Waitomo glow worm caves!

Here’s how to spend the day.

📍 Stops on the Drive from Tongariro National Park to Raglan

• Waitomo Glow Worm Caves: Cruise along an underground river with sparkling glow worms lighting the way. This magical experience is popular for good reason, so I do recommend that you book your tickets in advance.
• Hamilton Gardens (detour):  Make a slight detour to visit the Hamilton Gardens , which are completely free and well worth seeing. These impressive themed gardens are a delight—allocate at least an hour to wander through them, as there’s a lot to see!

✅ Things to do in Raglan

• Visit Bridalveil Falls , one of the North Island’s best waterfalls. Bridalveil Falls is located a 15-minute drive from Raglan, so you may wish to visit it on the drive into town instead.
• Go surfing or simply watch the surfers at Manu Bay . If you’re keen for a surf lesson, contact Raglan Surf School .
• Enjoy a long beach stroll at Ngarunui Beach , a beautiful black sand beach.
• Pop into the boutique shops in Raglan. I love Tony Sly for pottery, and Artisan & Merchant for locally-made clothing and housewares.
• Have dinner at the amazing Ulo’s Kitchen (seriously—don’t miss it!), or head to the Raglan Wharf for fish ‘n chips by the sea at Raglan Fish .
• Relax on a sunset harbour cruise , or just watch a sunset from the beach for the final night on your 10-day North Island itinerary.

➡️ Where to Stay in Raglan

🛏 Mid-range motel: Raglan Sunset Motel The Raglan Sunset Motel offers great-value rooms in a convenient town centre location. This is my go-to motel when I visit Raglan.

🛏 Mid-range apartments: Bow Street Studios For something a bit more boutique in feel, check out the Bow Street Studios. They offer waterfront apartments and a historic cottage, all perfectly located right in town so you can walk to Raglan’s shops, cafes, and restaurants. 

⛺️ Camping: Raglan Holiday Park The Raglan Holiday Park is the best place to go camping in Raglan. This campground is located by the beach and within walking distance of town, making it so convenient to explore Raglan at your leisure!

🗓 Day 10: Return to Auckland

// Driving time: 1 hour 45 minutes (or more with traffic) ( Directions )

The time has come to make your way back to Auckland.

Head straight to the Auckland Airport to return your hire car or campervan and complete your 10-Day North Island road trip.

Before hitting the road, though, grab breakfast and coffee in Raglan—I recommend the Shack or Wyld .

Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport. 

Without traffic, the drive from Raglan to the Auckland Airport takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes.

If you’re travelling during peak commuter hours (between 7 am to 9 am or 4 pm to 6 pm), give yourself even more time in case there’s traffic.

Best Time of Year for this 10-Day North Island Road Trip

This trip is best completed between October through April, which coincides with Spring through Autumn in New Zealand.

While you can still do this trip in winter, I’d omit Tongariro National Park and swap it with an extra night or two in Rotorua and/or a night in Taupō, unless you plan to go skiing at Mt Ruapehu.

More North Island Itinerary Options

If you’d prefer to road trip one-way from Auckland to Wellington, simply swap Day 9 (Raglan) for a night in Wellington. There are so many great things to do in Wellington ! From Tongariro National Park, it’s about a 4-hour drive to Wellington.

Then to continue the adventure, you could take the ferry from Wellington to Picton and continue on a road trip from Picton to Queenstown !

And if you have more time for the North Island, consider adding a visit to either Napier —known for its wineries and art deco architecture—or New Plymouth , where you’ll find black sand beaches and more mountain scenery.

Thanks for Reading my 10-Day New Zealand North Island Itinerary!

I hope it’s helped you plan an epic trip. As always, please leave a comment or send me an email if you have any questions about this post (or about NZ travel in general), and I’ll be happy to help!

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10 DAY NORTH ISLAND ITINERARY (2024): THE ULTIMATE NEW ZEALAND ROAD TRIP!

LOOKING TO PLAN THE ULTIMATE 10 DAY NORTH ISLAND ITINERARY?

During the beginning of our self-driven road trip around New Zealand, we were lucky enough to first spend a wonderful 10 days exploring the exotic North Island.

We headed north out from Auckland to the Coromandel Peninsula, before heading progressively south down to Rotorua, Waitomo, Tongariro, Taranaki before our final stop of Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city.

From here, catch the Interislander ferry and continue your New Zealand adventure following our 21 day South Island itinerary .

Since returning from our trip, we have used our experience on the North Island to re-craft and perfect the ultimate 10 day North Island itinerary, detailed for you below:

DAY 1: ARRIVE INTO AUCKLAND, PICK UP YOUR CAMPER & DRIVE TO COROMANDEL

MORNING: ARRIVE & PICK UP CAMPER VAN Pick up your rented Britz campervan from the Auckland branch and immediately make your way out of the city towards the rolling hills of the Coromandel Peninsula, the first destination on your North Island itinerary.

Drive 1 hour 30 minutes (107km) before stopping off on route at your first supermarket, Pak N Save in Thames (a small town just before the Coromandel Peninsula) to do your first food shop!

Drive the remaining 1 hour (54km) along the scenic coastal road of State Highway 25 until you reach Coromandel town.

AFTERNOON: COROMANDEL DRIVING CREEK RAILWAY One of the best things to do in Coromandel town is the Driving Creek railway , an idyllic train ride through the rainforest. Feeling adventurous? Opt for the epic zip-line experience at the top! It is highly recommended to pre-book your ticket in advance.

Fun Fact : There is the option to zip-line at the top of the Drive Creek Railway!

EVENING: SUNSET AT KAURI TRAIL SCENIC SPOT Seal the day off with an epic sunset! Walk 10 to 15 minutes along the relatively flat Kauri Block Walk until you reach this scenic spot . Indulge in your first panoramic view of New Zealand’s beauty, with glittering blue waters and secluded beach coves.

WHERE TO STAY IN COROMANDEL WITH YOUR CAMPER VAN:

For your first night in your camper van, one of our top tips for hiring a campervan is to always stay at a powered site on your first night to fully charge the camper van battery.

Here are the top powered campsites to stay at in Coromandel: TOP 10 COROMANDEL HOLIDAY PARK 📍 TOP 10 SHELLY BEACH HOLIDAY PARK 📍

Or, click to book into a hotel in Coromandel town! 🛏️

DAY 2: CATHEDRAL COVE & HOT WATER BEACH

EARLY MORNING: DRIVE TO HAHEI VILLAGE From Coromandel, drive North for 1 hour 15 minutes (78km) along State Highway 25 to loop the top coast of the peninsula, then heading down to Hahei village on the East coast. You could stop off for refreshments at Kūaotunu Beach on route!

EARLY AFTERNOON: EXPLORE CATHEDRAL COVE WITH A GUIDED TOUR

Updated 2024 : We had originally suggested to complete the scenic clifftop walking trail from Hahei to Cathedral Cove. Unfortunately, since we visited this track has now been closed for a prolonged period due to safety and subsidence concerns.

Thankfully, it is still possible to get round to Cathedral Cove from Hahei village in 2024. Book onto one of the many brilliant water-based guided tours, including these top options we found below:

• One Hour Cathedral Cove Boat Tour in Hahei
• Glass Bottom Boat Whitianga Cathedral Cove Cruise
• Cathedral Cove Coast and Cave Activity
• Morning Glory Chilled out Sail (3.5hrs)

Top Tip : We recommend using this  free visitor parking lot when visiting Hahei. We were surprised by how big this car park, plus grateful that it has free toilets too!

LATE AFTERNOON: HOT WATER BEACH After returning from Cathedral Cove, drive 8 minutes (8km) from Hahei to Hot Water Beach for one of the most unique geothermal experiences on the North Island!

Hot Water Beach is a seemingly everyday beach with an incredible secret 20cm below your feet. Geothermal activity below the surface means you can dig your own beach hot spring!

We soon discovered that the trick is to find a spot that pivots between a “hot” (up to 64 degrees celsius!) and “cold” area of water to create a “just right” bath temperature. We dug a hole for ages before realising the water that was coming through we in fact very cold!

Once you’ve given Goldilocks a run for her money – have a soak, relax and enjoy the view.

Top Tip : There is a Pay & Display car park at Hot Water beach if you are not planning on staying in the area.

Top Tip : You will need a big spade to dig! You can rent one from the majority of Holiday Parks in the area. We personally stayed at the TOP 10 Hot Water Beach holiday park (a 3 minute walk away from the car park) and rented a spade for $5.

Top Tip : The “Hot Water Beach” section is only on a certain 20 metre stretch. As you enter the beach from the car park, turn left and it is the area between the large cliff faces and the sea. You’ll most likely see other people there already to know you’re in the right spot.

Top Tip : Timing is everything! You must visit 2 hours either side of low tide, otherwise the sand area you need will be under water. Ask your accommodation or  check daily tides here .

WHERE TO STAY AT HOT WATER BEACH WITH YOUR CAMPER VAN:

PAID CAMPSITE OPTIONS:

TOP 10 HOT WATER BEACH HOLIDAY PARK 📍 Our experience: 3 minute walk from Hot Water beach. Powered site, spade hire, shared kitchen, lounge room, laundry, toilets and hot showers.

Or, click to book a hotel in Hot Water Beach 🛏️

DAY 3: WAIRERE FALLS & EXPLORE ROTORUA TOWN

MORNING: WAIRERE FALLS LOOKOUT From Hot Water Beach, our next destination is Rotorua. However, you cannot miss the opportunity to stop off halfway to see the best waterfall on the North Island, the mighty Wairere Falls !

Drive 2 hours 20 minutes (156km) to Wairere Falls track carpark, which is free to park at. From here, it is an incredibly scenic 25 minute walking trail through the forest to the Wairere Falls lower lookout.

Here, you can witness this amazing large waterfall in all its glory, as shown in the photograph below. This photograph was taken by our good friend Helen, who has recently completed her own North Island itinerary!

AFTERNOON: EXPLORE ROTORUA TOWN Drive the remaining 1 hour (78km) to the geothermal town of Rotorua. You will certainly be able to smell when you are getting close, as the town has a constant underlying smell of sulphur! Strangely enough, you do actually get used to it after a while!

Spend leisurely afternoon walking around the town and its central lake, Lake Rotorua. Top things to do in Rotorua town are:

• Walk the Rotorua Lakefront Boardwalk .
• See crystal clear waters at Hamurana Springs .
• Visit Kuirau Park geothermal gardens (free).
• Ride up the gondola to Skyline Luge .
• Indulge in a spa afternoon at the world famous Polynesian Spa .

A great free parking spot near the lake is Hatupatu Dr Car Park and Scenic Point .

WHERE TO STAY IN ROTORUA WITH YOUR CAMPER VAN:

COSY COTTAGE THERMAL HOLIDAY PARK 📍

ALL SEASONS HOLIDAY PARK 📍

Or, click to book a hotel in Rotorua! 🛏️

DAY 4: WAI-O-TAPU GEOTHERMAL WONDERLAND, REDWOODS FOREST & MĀORI VILLAGE

MORNING: WAI-O-TAPU GEOTHERMAL WONDERLAND This morning, head to the Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland , located 25 minutes outside of Rotorua town.

Arrive early, first heading to the Wai-O-Tapu Welcome Centre and ticket office (opens at 8.30am) to buy the combined “Thermal Park & Lady Knox Geyser” ticket, priced at $45 NZD in 2024 for an adult.

Head back up the road to first wait at Lady Knox Geyser for the explosion, which happens once a day at roughly 10.50am!

Afterwards, drive back down to the main car park for the Geothermal Wonderland.

Follow the parks trail of violently bubbling hot pools of all colours (from orange, pink and even bright green!).

We would strongly advise not to eat anything before you wander the park, especially if you don’t have a strong stomach! The sulphur smell can be a bit overbearing at times! Poor Liam felt sick most of the time during our visit.

Top Tip : The park takes around 1 to 1.5 hours to complete. There is a gift shop, toilets and large parking lot on-site. 

AFTERNOON: REDWOODS TREETOP WALK, ROTORUA From Wai-O-Tapu, drive 28 minutes (32km) back towards Rotorua for the Whakarewarewa “Redwoods” forest. Here, buy tickets for their enchanting canopy walk, a treetop trail along 28 hanging bridges set high in the Giant Sequoia trees.

Tickets for the day time canopy walk, or even the Nightlight lanterns time tree walk option, are $37 each per adult. Check all options on their website .

Top Tip : There is miles of parking along the road, the best and closest place to park is here near the iSite Visitor Centre . This is where you also buy your tickets for the Redwoods Bridge Walk.

EVENING: MITAI MĀORI VILLAGE EVENING EXPERIENCE An absolute must in Rotorua is the “Badge of Excellence” rated Mitai Māori Village experience , an epic activity giving an authentic insight into the thrilling Māori culture and history.

Be mesmerised by authentic Haka and Poi dances plus acting displays involving weapons, warriors, traditional dress, ancient canoe paddling and more!

Top Tip : You can arrange pick up / drop off from your Rotorua campground with the tour operator, Mitai Maori Village , for free. Pre-arrange this in advance before you travel.

Click to book this Mitai Māori Village experience! 🗿🇳🇿🛶

DAY 5: HOBBITON MOVIE SET TOUR & WAITOMO GLOWWORM CAVES

MORNING: HOBBITON MOVIE SET TOUR Lord of the Rings fans, this is the day your dreams officially come true! Leave Rotorua early and drive 55 minutes (69km) to The Shire’s Rest in the small village of Matamata for the Hobbiton™ Movie Set Walking Tour from Shires Rest .

Check in, await your group shuttle bus and arrive at the film set!

I, Jordie, have been a huge Lord of the Rings fan since childhood, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint! The detailing is breathtaking, from the 40+ hobbit hole facades, washing lines, Shire community posters, fishing rods, and even real vegetable patches. It truly looks like you stepped into the real Shire.

My favourite part was taking a photo next to Bilbo’s infamous “No Admittance” sign outside Bag End. Finish off the tour with your feet up and an included drink in the Green Dragon Pub. Truly a magical experience on your 10 day North Island itinerary.

Top Tip : Book your Hobbiton tour in advance  to avoid disappointment! This attraction is constantly busy, with groups being taken round the set 10 minutes one after the other. 

Fun Fact : The set has a team of 40+ constantly tending to it – including landscapers, gardeners, prop designers and decorators to keep it pristine all year round.

Click to book this Hobbiton™ Movie Set Walking Tour from Shires Rest! 🧙‍♂🌋

AFTERNOON: WAITOMO GLOWWORM CAVES TOUR After your Hobbiton tour, immediately drive 1 hour 15 minutes (88km) to Waitomo to discover a magical hidden underworld on this  Waitomo Glowworm Caves guided tour . Pre-book in advance for a seamless transition on arrival and to avoid any unexpected crowds.

On the tour, you’ll enter the delicate cave formations, descending further into eery but super peaceful darkness. Half way down you’ll reach the tallest cave chamber, known as ‘The Cathedral’, which is famous for its incredible acoustics.

What we loved about this tour was the unexpected song that our tour guide sung in The Cathedral to show us the jaw-dropping acoustics. It literally gave us goosebumps! From this point onwards, a calm silence is required from everyone as we reach the glowworms, as they are very sensitive to sound.

Step into the row boat and prepare to be stunned as you glide through the short section of cave. You will see thousands of glowworms illuminating above you sparkling like the night sky before concluding your tour at the end.

Top Tip : The main centre for the Waitomo Caves is instantly recognisable by a large, glass dome structure. Directly opposite the road is a huge free car park to use.

Top Tip : It is forbidden to take any photographs or videos at all in the caves to not disturb the sensitive glow worms or cave formations. This includes cameras without flash.

Fun Fact : The Cathedral has hosted a number of celebrities testing out its acoustics, including a performance by Katy Perry!

Fun Fact : The glow worms use their hanging ‘saliva’ strings to collect food, and can have 20-30 dangling at a time. 

Fun Fact : The other epic glowworm cave experience is in Te Anau, on the South Island of New Zealand, which we have included in our 21 day South Island itinerary ! 

Click to book your Waitomo Glowworm Caves tour! 🌌🐛

WHERE TO STAY IN WAITOMO WITH YOUR CAMPER VAN:

YHA JUNO HALL, WAITOMO 📍 Our experience: Powered site, 5 to 6 Camper-van spots, 3 minute drive from Waitomo Caves, cosy alpine lodge feel, animals everywhere (dogs / pigs / sheep), huge DVD collection to borrow for free, huge communal kitchen, large communal toilets & hot showers.

Or, click to book a hotel in Waitomo! 🛏️

DAY 6: EXPLORE TAUPO & LAKE TAUPO

MORNING: EXPLORE TAUPO TOWN Today is a flying day visit to the centre of the North Island! Drive 2 hours (150km) from Waitomo to the small town of Taupo.

Take time to explore the town, particularly the official “World’s Coolest McDonalds” – an old converted military plane! There is also the famous ‘LOVETAUPO’ sign next to the lake where you can take your photograph.

AFTERNOON: MINE BAY MĀORI CARVINGS, LAKE TAUPO There are lots of exciting half day activities to do on Lake Taupo, including cruises, kayaking or even paddle boarding to see the Mine Bay Māori rock carvings set in the middle of Lake Taupo. Here are a few of the top tours we spotted for you:

• Māori Rock Carvings Eco Sailing Taupo (2.5 hours)
• The Māori Carvings Half Day Kayak (4 hours)

Top Tip : Taupo offers multiple areas of free parking. We parked here at  Taupo Boat Harbour  down Redoubt Street. It is only a 3 to 5 minute walk into the main town from here.

EVENING: DRIVE TO NATIONAL PARK VILLAGE After a full day exploring Taupo, drive 1 hour 25 minutes (101km) from Taupo to the tiny village of National Park for the night. This is the closest base for the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing hike, which you will be doing tomorrow.

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing will require a very early start tomorrow (the trail is approx 8 hours long), which is why we strongly suggest to stay in National Park the night before.

There are two places to stay for camper vans, the paid powered campsite called Manowhenua Lodge , and the freedom camping spot KiwiCamp Tongariro .

WHERE TO STAY IN NATIONAL PARK WITH YOUR CAMPER VAN:

PAID CAMPSITES OPTION:

MANOWHENUA LODGE 📍

FREEDOM CAMPING OPTION:

KIWICAMP TONGARIRO 📍

Or, click to book a hotel in National Park village! 🛏️

DAY 7: TONGARIRO ALPINE CROSSING HIKE

FULL DAY: EXPLORE TONGARIRO ALPINE CROSSING HIKE This extremely popular day hike in the Spring and Summer sees an ants trail of 5000+ people a day freedom hiking across to the volcanic craters and the bright emerald lakes.

Tongariro Alpine Crossing during the Spring / Summer: A freedom hike just requires you to pre-book a shuttle to drop off / pick up from the two different sides of the mountain. You can easily book these shuttles in advance through your camp ground Reception desk the night before. If you want to ensure it is all pre-booked before you arrive, contact the Tongariro Crossing Shuttles directly here .

Tongariro Alpine Crossing during the Winter: Freedom hiking on Tongariro Alpine Crossing is not permitted in Winter if weather conditions deem it too dangerous, and the usual shuttles will not run, which was the case when we visited the North Island during the month of August.

In this case, the only way to complete the hike (or partially) is with a guided company, we highly recommend  Adventure Outdoors NZ from our own personal experience.

An adult ticket is $295 each (2024 prices), including return transfers, all safety equipment (fleeces, pants, shoes, tops, pick axe, cramp-ons, helmets, sunglasses, etc) and extremely friendly professional guides, who kept us safe and provided us with the most memorable tour on our own 10 day North Island itinerary.

DAY 8: MOUNT TARANAKI HENRY PEAK LOOKOUT

MORNING: DRIVE TO EGMONT NATIONAL PARK Wake up bright and early to drive 3 hours 40 minutes from National Park to Egmont National Park, towards the central giant mountain of Mount Taranaki.

AFTERNOON: HIKE TO HENRY PEAK LOOKOUT POINT Park at this car park at the end of Mangorei Road. This is located at the very start of the Pouakai Circuit walking trail. There are free toilets to use at the car park.

Stretch those legs out from yesterdays hike by walking the scenic 2 hours of the Pouakai Circuit until you reach the iconic Henry Peak Lookout point – a wonderful scenic photo point of Mt. Taranaki in beautifully reflected in the small lake below it!

WHERE TO STAY IN EGMONT NATIONAL PARK WITH YOUR CAMPER VAN:

STRATFORD KIWI MOTELS AND HOLIDAY PARK📍

FREEDOM CAMPING OPTIONS:

MANGAORAKA CAR PARK 📍

Or, click to book a hotel around Egmont National Park! 🛏️

DAY 9: DRIVE TO WELLINGTON, MOUNT VICTORIA & CUBA STREET

EARLY MORNING: DRIVE TO WELLINGTON Drive 4 hours (320km) down to our last stop on our North Island road trip – New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington!

Top Tip : A good half-way point down to Wellington is a town called Levin , you drive straight through on State Highway 1. There is a McDonalds & Countdown supermarket right next to each other.

AFTERNOON: MOUNT VICTORIA & HOBBIT’S HIDEAWAY Once you’re all parked up, head to Mount Victoria Park. For the best panoramic views of Wellington, go to the Mount Victoria Lookout . On a clear day, you can clearly see airplanes land and take off from Wellington Airport’s runway.

Attention my Lord of The Rings fans, there’s one more stop to cover before you leave! Mount Victoria forest is also home to the filming location of Hobbits Hideaway . Find a park map and follow the Hataitai-City route walking route to reach this spot.

We were surprised to find out on arrival that the tree root in the movie is actually superimposed! Check out our comparison photograph we took below:

AFTERNOON: VISIT CUBA STREET Wander into the city for dinner. Keep your eyes peeled for all of Wellington’s quirky details, like whacky street art, rainbow zebra crossings and even the traffic lights figures doing the Haka!

A great place to start is Cuba Street , the short section sat between Ghuznee and Manners Street. Here, find delightful independent shops to browse and a funky water bucket fountain.

Top Tip: If you loved these WETA Workshop figures, you can see even more by booking a guided tour around the official WĒTĀ workshop . See breathtaking wax-work creatures, models and costumes from films such as Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit!

WHERE TO STAY IN WELLINGTON WITH YOUR CAMPER VAN:

TOP 10 WELLINGTON HOLIDAY PARK 📍 17 minute drive from Wellington city centre, opposite side of the lake.

EVANS BAY MARINA CAR PARK 📍 Our experience: The only camping ground near to Wellington city centre. 20+ close knit spots available, very popular. Get there early (no later than 3pm) to get a spot. It’s a 50-minute walk into Wellington City centre (below Mt Victoria underpass).

Remain parked to not lose your space. 2 on-site toilets. Only self-contained campers are permitted to freedom camp. 

Or, click to book a hotel in Wellington! 🛏️

DAY 10: WELLINGTON CABLE CAR, ZEALANDIA ECO SANCTUARY & TE PAPA MUSEUM

MORNING: HOP ON THE WELLINGTON CABLE CAR Jump aboard the infamous Wellington red Cable Car, disembarking at the last stop, Kelburn. At the top, wander the free botanical gardens, or visit the space education centre (open Tuesday, Friday evenings and all day weekends) or the free small Cable Car museum.

Top Tip : The Cable Car ticket office is down this small pathway off Lambton Quay high street. It has a small cable car replica on top of the sign. Return adult ticket is $9.

EARLY AFTERNOON: ZEALANDIA ECO SANCTUARY You can also catch the shuttle bus to Zealandia Eco Sanctuary, nestled just outside of Wellington. This lush forest paradise is home to over 40 rare species of native New Zealand birds and wildlife, including the hihi, kākāriki and takahē!

Pre-book this 5* rated ‘ Small Group Daytime 2-Hour Eco Wildlife Tour at Zealandia ‘ guided tour to avoid disappointment!

Top Tip : Over 150 Wild Kiwi birds live and roam freely in Zealandia eco-sanctuary. Being nocturnal birds, the best chance to see them is on a guided night tour . There is also a chance to see thousands of glow worms after dark!

Click to book this ‘Small Group Daytime 2-Hour Eco Wildlife Tour at Zealandia ‘ guided tour! 🥝🐦🦜🦋

LATE AFTERNOON: TE PAPA WATERFRONT MUSEUM Arriving back to Wellington, if you have time pop into the free Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa along the waterfront. Out of the 6 levels, we recommend Level 2 in particular to see the realistic WETA Workshop figures in the ‘Gallopoli: The Scale of our War’ exhibition.

Level 2 also features a Nature Exhibition with New Zealand wildlife taxidermy and an interactive Earthquake house.

Leaving Te Papa museum, opt for a scenic stroll along Oriental Bay to wind down your evening.

DAY 11: INTERISLANDER FERRY TO SOUTH ISLAND

And that’s it! You have officially completed our self-drive 10 day North Island itinerary!

Now, catch the Interislander Ferry from Wellington port to continue your New Zealand adventure following our 21 day South Island road trip itinerary !

HOW TO GET TO NORTH ISLAND NEW ZEALAND

Getting to new zealand north island by air:.

If you are looking to get to the North Island directly from another country, the most convenient method for you is to fly into Auckland airport (AKL) if you are coming from outside of New Zealand. Check Skyscanner for the best deals on your dates .

GETTING TO NEW ZEALAND NORTH ISLAND BY VEHICLE:

If you are heading to the North Island from the South Island by camper van or car, the best way to get to the South Island is by taking the Interislander ferry from Picton to Wellington across the Cook Strait, the body of water dividing North and South islands.

This is the only way to travel between New Zealand’s islands with a vehicle. You will need to declare your vehicle when booking your ticket directly from the Interislander’s website .

GETTING TO NEW ZEALAND NORTH ISLAND BY PUBLIC BUS:

For those not hiring a camper van and using a flexible hop-on, hop-off bus pass to explore New Zealand (for example, the Kiwi Experience bus ), your Interislander ferry ticket to get to the North Island should be included in your bus itinerary package.

HOW TO GET AROUND THE NORTH ISLAND

Getting around north island by campervan.

The most convenient and budget-friendly method to get around the North Island is by hiring a self-contained camper van.

This gives you 100% flexibility on your plans and saves money on expensive daily hotels by having the option to freedom camp. We recommend hiring a campervan from Britz New Zealand .

GETTING AROUND NORTH ISLAND BY CAR

However, if you want the flexibility of driving your own car, but favour the comfort of daily accommodation over the campervan lifestyle, your best option is to rent a car .

Click book all your North Island hotel s in one place!

Or, click to book all your North Island budget friendly hostels in one place!

NEW ZEALAND PACKING LIST

• Travel plug adaptor to suit ‘Type I’
• Your in-date driving license for campervan hire!
• Smaller ‘day pack’ to keep your items together while exploring.
• Waterproof / durable hiking boots
• Walking boot socks
• Lightweight waterproof poncho
• Layers to suit any notorious changes in New Zealand weather: from tank tops, to long sleeved tops, jumpers, fleece, leggings, thermal socks.
• Comfortable walking shoes for inner city, i.e. trainers, converse etc.
• Buy 1x large cheap coat when you’re out there (Winter months)
• Sun cream (high ozone here)
• Refillable water bottle
• Microfibre towel (fast drying)
• Powered battery pack for your phone
• First aid kit with blister plasters, plasters, anti-septic cream etc.

DRIVING ON THE NORTH ISLAND: QUICK AND USEFUL FACTS

Parking on North Island, New Zealand We found most destinations below on our North Island road trip usually had free parking options designated for cars and campervans.

The Roads of North Island, New Zealand New Zealand drive on the left-hand side of the road (same as the UK). The majority of New Zealand’s roads are ‘State Highways’, effectively single carriageways. Every 10/15 minutes or so, there are usually signposted and designated ‘passing lanes’ on the State Highways, allowing slower vehicles (i.e. campers and lorries) to pull in for a few hundred yards to let trailing cars pass you.

ABOUT NORTH ISLAND: “KNOW BEFORE YOU GO” FAQ’S

What is the north island of new zealand known for.

The North Island of New Zealand in particular is known for its active geothermal activity from volcanoes, hot springs and sulphur pools.

It is also famous for its insight into its strong Māori culture at the Māori village in Rotorua, being the birthplace of Hobbiton and for its sub-tropical beaches and rolling green hills.

IS NORTH ISLAND WORTH VISITING?

Absolutely! The North Island of New Zealand has so much to see and do in even a short period of time. Despite the South Island being more popular due to its landscapes, the North Island also has so much to offer and should not be overshadowed!

WHAT IS THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT NEW ZEALAND NORTH ISLAND?

Generally, the North Island of New Zealand is sub-tropical, with comfortable climates throughout the majority of the year.

If warmer weather is what you are after in particular, the North Island is better to visit in the Winter over a much colder South Island!

The further North you go, the warmer it gets. Even in Winter, you can sunbathe at the Bay of Islands on the North Island.

If a quieter experience is what you prefer, we believe the overall best time of year to do a New Zealand North Island road trip are the two shoulder seasons (Autumn and Spring):

• Autumn (March – May) : Beautiful autumnal colours on the trees. • Spring (September – November) : Ranges from warm and sunny to cold frosts. Expect beautiful new foliage and baby lambs everywhere you go!  

HOW MANY DAYS DO YOU NEED FOR A NORTH ISLAND ROAD TRIP?

The North Island of New Zealand is bursting with incredible things to see and honestly, to see everything would take a good month or so.

However, for a short trip, we believe 10 days is the minimum amount of time required to drive around and explore the North Island of New Zealand.

WHAT SHOULD I NOT MISS ON NORTH ISLAND NEW ZEALAND?

If you follow our EPIC self-drive 10 day New Zealand North Island road trip itinerary above (which we have personally trialed and tested), you will absolute see all the things you should not miss.

CONCLUSION: 10 DAY NORTH ISLAND ITINERARY

To conclude, while this 10 day North Island itinerary does include a lot of driving, it makes it all worth it being able to include all of the key sights, activities and experiences you can not miss while on the North Island!

In such a short amount of time you can see epic landscapes, mighty waterfalls, visit Hobbiton, see magical glowworm caves, dig your own beach hot spring, hike Tongariro crossing, witness Mt Taranaki and explore quirky Wellington.

We hope that this travel guide has helped you immensely to book your own epic road trip around the North Island, and that you have the most amazing time here.

This blog post was written by… Jordie Flain! Founder of TheFlainsTravel.com, Travel Itinerary Creator & Wildlife Enthusiast

LOOKING TO BOOK YOUR NEXT TRIP? CHECK OUT OUR FAVOURITE SUPPLIERS BELOW:

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Jordie Flain is the owner and author of The Flains Travel, a travel blog with emphasis on ethical wildlife experiences, "seen to be believed" natural beauty and "real magic" phenomena, such as the northern lights. Jordie crafts every itinerary and post to perfection for travellers to follow and get the very most out of their time in a destination.

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ZigZagonEarth

Plan unforgettable road trips!

New Zealand North Island itinerary – 4 options (7, 10 days, 2 weeks)

Last updated on December 11, 2023 by Claire Robinson - this article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I get a small commission ( more )

Planning your New Zealand North Island itinerary can be daunting. There is so much to see and do: volcanoes, geothermal parks, beaches… But don’t worry, wherever you go, it will be beautiful. Below are my suggested North island itineraries for 7 days, 10 days, 2 weeks or 3 weeks. Have a wonderful New Zealand road trip!

Tips to plan your North Island New Zealand itinerary

Before I share with you my suggested itineraries for your New Zealand North Island road trip, below are a few tips for a better understanding of opportunities and constraints.

TIP1 – Driving times & New Zealand North Island Map Tourism

Let’s start with a simple map of North Island, with the most famous highlights to consider adding to your road plan:

Always plan more time to go from point A to point B than what Google says. I can assure you that on any  New Zealand road trip  you will want to stop all the time to admire the scenery. And New Zealand is much bigger that one imagines. It seems so small compared to Australia that we think we can easily visit the whole country, but it takes quite a long time. Also the roads in North Island are very sinuous, so you don’t drive fast. You can check out my NZ driving guid e.

On the map above you can see many driving times and Auckland to Wellington = 8h drive

TIP 2 – Daylight

Check out sunrise and sunset times, to see how much daylight you have available when you are traveling. This way you will know how long you have to see all the sites during the days. This is important to define the best time to travel around New Zealand .

TIP 3 – Optimize your New Zealand itinerary with tide times and sunrise, sunsets…

There are places in New Zealand that you can only visit a low tide. They are mostly in South Island, but you have a few in North Island such as Piha beach, so that you can walk between the mainland and Taitomo Island or Cathedral Cove. So, if those are must-see for you, make sure you start by planning those first.

Same for sunset and sunrise, there are some great locations for that, and you should book a night there: Piha beach for sunset, Gisborne or Castlepoint for sunrise, Mt Taranaki for both.

TIP 4 – Plan some flexibility

If some locations are really big ticket items for you, I recommend planning a night close by so you can have double the chance to see it under nice weather. For example on my first day in Taranaki, the summit was covered in clouds, but the next morning it was all clear and I could see how magnificent the volcanic cone is.

TIP 5 – You can’t drive everywhere

What I mean is that although some locations seem close by, you sometimes need to do a big detour to travel between 2 places. For example driving from Taranaki to Tongariro is a really a pain. So be sure to check driving times and roads to avoid planning too much in a day.

TIP 6 – Use domestic flights

The driving times being so long, an option to be able to cover more is to start in Auckland and finish in Wellington. Then you take a domestic flight back or fly through by Australia. Just note that rental car price may go up because of it.

Need to rent a car in New Zealand ?

• Compare prices on my favorite platform:   Discovercars.com – one of the best rated comparison sites!
• Prefer a car with enough power for the mountain areas
• Consider their full coverage option – it for peace of mind! 
• Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!

See all my tips

TIP 7 – Tool to plan your itinerary with practical maps

I have just noted the really big highlights on the map above. But there are many other fascinating stops along the way. You can find my complete planning maps with my selection of the best stops for each region in my eBooks. Each stop includes GPS coordinates and practical information to make the most of your time:

Plan your dream trip to New Zealand with my guides!

• 12 easy-to-plan maps
• 200+ pre-selected locations
• GPS coordinates 
• Useful planning tips
• 285+ large photos 

• 6 easy-to-plan maps
• 90+ pre-selected locations
• 150+ large photos 

Or jump to the itinerary you want

North 7 days: Beach & Coast

North 7 days: Volcanic Wonders

North 10 days: Highlights

Note: For all accommodations listed below, I selected them myself and paid entirely (no ads).

North Island  New Zealand Itinerary 7 days – Beaches & Coastal gems

STARTS IN – Auckland ENDS IN – Auckland

On this itinerary, you are staying North of Auckland, in the Northland to discover some of the most famous coastal areas in New Zealand

Day 1 – North Beaches & Coastal Gems – Matapouri

• Starts in – ​ Auckland
• Ends in – Matapouri
• Driving time – 2h30 / 3h15 (if return to Whangarei)
• Driving difficulty – Main road + Smaller sinuous roads as you approach the coastal areas
• Main stops to consider – STOP 1 – Whangarei falls – this is an easy stop along the road. The 26m high waterfall is surrounded by native bush. The walkway takes you to 3 top platforms and to the bottom – 30min loop STOP 2 – Matapouri Bay & Whale Bay, next I recommend the detour to Matapouri bay. I think this beautiful shaped cove is stunning. At low tide you can complete a walking loop that also takes you to Whale Bay (1h loop)
• Where to stay – Matapouri / Tutuka – ​ Check out options Or back to Whangarei for more choice of accommodations (+45min drive) – Check out options

Day 2 – North Beaches & Coastal Gems – Bay of Islands

• Starts in –  Matapouri or Whangarei
• Ends in – Paihia
• Driving time – 1 to 2h (depending on departure)
• Driving difficulty – Main road easy, sinuous is choosing the coastal road
• Main stops to consider – Drive straight up to Piahia, the getaway to the Bay of Islands. What to enjoy in Paihia: STOP1 – Paihia beach and city center – this is one of my favorite towns in New Zealand. It has a really good vibe, nice restaurants and a charming waterfront. STOP 2 –  Waitangi Treaty ground – if you are interested in the Maori culture and history, visit the museum and watch the performance – Get your entry pass STOP 3 – Haruru falls – Those are not the most impressive, but it is an easy short stop STOP 4 –  Cruise – The most famous activity in the Bay of Islands is to take a cruise to see the many islands and the Hole in the rock – Book your seats
• Great activities – Other experiences to enjoy in Paihia include: Kayaking to the bottom of the Haruru falls Helicopter Tour of the Bay of Islands to the Hole in the rock with a possible landing on top of it! – Check out details and book Or check out the many activities in Paihia
• Where to stay – Paihia is a great place to spend the night. There is a large choice of accommodations – Check out the best rated options I stayed at the Admirals View lodge which was nice – Check out photos and availabilities

Day 3 –  North Beaches & Coastal Gems – Doubtless bay

• Starts in –  Paihia
• Ends in – Mangonui or Karikari peninsula
• Driving time – Between 1h30 and 3h
• Driving difficulty – Generally easy roads – you can find bumpy gravel roads if you head to some destinations on the Karikari peninsula
• Main stops to consider – STOP1 – Rainbow falls – This is an easy stop at the beginning of the day. The 30min loop takes you to the top and the bottom of the 27m waterfall STOP2 – Taupo Bay – a detour from the main road takes you to this quiet bay on the West Coast. If you want more time to explore Karikari you can skip this detour. STOP3 – Doubtless bay – Drive along doubtless bay. It has several beautiful beaches. And you can also enjoy the quaint little town of Mangonui. There you can go to Rangikapiti Pa, a Maori site with a fantastic view of the harbour STOP4 – and if you are not tired you can go off the touristic path to explore the beautiful Karikari peninsula. This is quite a detour, but the beaches are stunning.
• Where to stay – There are a few accommodations in Mangonui – check out options or you can find a place to stay on the Karikari peninsula – check out options

Day 4 –  North Beaches & Coastal Gems – Cape Reinga

• Starts in –  Mangonui
• Ends in – Kaitaia
• Driving time – 3h20
• Driving difficulty – The roads are easy with one lane in each direction. However, side roads to forested places or to the dunes, are not paved.
• Main stops to consider – Today you are heading to the most Northern region of New Zealand. It is quite narrow, so you can do some stops on the way North and others on the way South. Some of the most famous stops are: STOP 1 – 90-mile beach – this is one of the most famous beaches in New Zealand. Visually it is not much but at low tide it becomes a highway. 4WD go on it to drive. However, if you plan on doing this yourself, be careful, tidal waves can be dangerous STOP 2 – Cape Reinga – at the most northern point you can enjoy a walk to the lighthouse. It offers splendid views and explanations about the Maori cultural elements. STOP 3 – Te Paki Sand dunes – This requires driving on a gravel road for 3,5km but it is worth it! Even if you don’t climb on the dunes, you can stop at the carpark and admire them and the contrast with the green bush.
• Great activities – If you don’t want to drive yourself on the 90-mile beach or to the dunes, but you still want to experience them. You can book a day trip from Paihia – Check out program and book
• Where to stay – Anywhere between cape Reinga and Kaitaia – Check out options in Kaitaia – and use the map, zoom out to see other options

Day 5 –  North Beaches & Coastal Gems – Hokianga

• Starts in –  Kaitaia
• Ends in – Opononi
• Driving time – 2h 
• Driving difficulty – Be careful, Google maps will take you via the ferry. I recommend taking the detour so as not to not be blocked by ferry times (it is not that much longer to drive)
• Main stops to consider – The harbor is stunning with mountains, rock formations and sand dunes on the opposite side. STOP 1 – Relax in the charming town of Opononi STOP 2 – Check out the old Omapere wharf, it is very photogenic STOP 3 – walk around Signal station for beautiful views of the harbor mouth and the sand dunes on the other side
• Great activities – You can take a boat tour from Oponui to see the other shore and go sand boarding if you want There is also a twilight tour of the forest with the old Kauri trees
• Where to stay – Stay in Opononi or nearby – Check out options

Day 6 –  North Beaches & Coastal Gems – Mangawhai

• Starts in –  Opononi
• Ends in – Mangawhai
• Driving time – 2h30
• Driving difficulty – Drive back towards the East Coast. The last section of the road is quite sinuous but not difficult.
• Main stops to consider – STOP 1 – At the beginning of the day, enjoy the ancien forest. Go and see Tane Mahuta, the famous giant Kauri tree. STOP 2 – Then drive to the east coast to reach Mangawhai heads. Plan a walk on the beach (or longer with the cliff walk) at low tide.
• Where to stay – Mangawhai and Mangawhai heads are a great places to stay with a laid back atmosphere – Check out the accommodation options I stayed at the Mangawhai Chalets and love the beach decor. Beautiful room. Check out photos and availability

Day 7 –  North Beaches & Coastal Gems Day – Piha

• Starts in –  Mangawhai
• Ends in – Piha (or Auckland airport)
• Driving time – 2h40
• Driving difficulty – Fast road until you reach the Auckland traffic jam and the narrow sinuous road down to Piha
• Main stops to consider – Today you drive down to the West of Auckland. This is a black sand beach paradise surrounded by bush and forest. STOP 1 – Muriwai cliffs – unless you can’t stand the smell check out Muriwai with stunning cliffs and a gannet colony STOP 2 – Then head to Bethells beach and walk to the black sand dune STOP 3 – Finish the day in Piha beach. Try to be there for low tide and sunset if possible. Climb to the view point and walk in the canyon formed by Taitomo island.
• Where to stay – Check out the accommodations in Piha (mostly rentals) I stayed at the Piha beach stay. Not by the beach but I had a stunning room with a terrace looking at the forested hills – Check out photos and availability

Make it a New Zealand itinerary North island 10 days

If you have 10 days in North Island New Zealand, you can consider the following for your extra 3 days:

• Spend some time in Aukland
• Or drive down to Rotorua for some geothermal wonderlands – my favorite option
• Or if you want more beach time you can head to the surf town of Raglan and add a detour South to the Waitomo glowworm caves
• Or head to the Coromandel peninsula with Hot water beach and Cathedral cove

New Zealand  North Island  Itinerary 1 week – Volcanic Wonders 

On this itinerary, we head South of Auckland to discover the geothermal and volcanic wonderlands of the North Island. My favorite short itinerary.

Day 1 – North Volcanic Wonders Gems – Blue Spring & Rotorua

• Starts in –  Auckland
• Ends in – Rotorua
• Driving time – 3h
• Driving difficulty -Easy drive
• Main stops to consider – STOP 1  – Hobbiton or Blue Spring – I think the Blue Spring is a wonderful place and should not be missed, but I know some are really big fans of Lord of the Ring, so your first stop can be one or the other. STOP 2  – Pick one of the activities – I think to avoid driving more you should visit Te Puia and its Geyser or Whakarewarewa or both – check out my guide on the best geothermal parks
• Great activities – You can enjoy a scenic flight above the region to see the fault line and many lakes – for example: Book an helicopter tour with the fault line or you can relax at a geothermal spa- The Polynesian Spa is right by the lake: mineral hot pools, cold plunge pools, heated recliners… – pre-book your experience
• Where to stay (book for 2 nights) There is a large choice of accommodations in Rotorua from B&Bs to luxury stays – Check out the best rated options and book I stayed in a room at a B&B (Rotorua City Homestay). They were very welcoming and I enjoyed the breakfast a lot – Check out more photos and availabilities

Day 2 –  North Volcanic Wonders Gems – Rotorua

• Starts in –  Rotorua
• Driving time – No too much driving, depending on what you want to see
• Driving difficulty – Easy to get around Rotorua
• Main stops to consider – STOP 1 – Wai-o-Tapu – in the morning I recommend to most famous valley with the Champagne pool and features with crazy colors. Don’t miss the Lady Knox geyser at 10:15 am. See my article  or  Pre-purchase your entrance ticket in your currency here   STOP 2 – I also recommend the Waimangu valley – it is a walk along several geothermal features to a lake – you can complete different walking tracks and buses take you back. Don’t start too late!  Pre-purchase your entrance ticket in your currency here STOP other – if you want to see only one geothermal valley today, you can also head to the Redwood forest for a peaceful walk or to the Hamurana spring.
• Great activities – There are lots of great activities in Rotorua, I listed the spa and the flight previously. Check out the many other options
• Where to stay – Same as the night before

Day 3 –  North Volcanic Wonders Gems – Taupo

• Ends in –   Taupo or Whakapapa
• Driving time – 1h30 or 2h30
• Driving difficulty – easy drive
• Main stops to consider – STOP 1 – Orakei Karako is my favorite geothermal park in the region of Rotorua -Taupo. It is a small detour from the main road, but what an incredible place. The main terrace has many colors and is surrounded by forest and lake. Breathtaking. pre-purchase your entrance ticket in your currency here STOP 2 – Craters of the moon, close to Taupo is something completely different from the other parks. The 1h walking loop is quite fascinating and worth a stop in my opinion even if it is not as colorful STOP 3 – Huka falls – a powerful rush of water as the river enters a shallow ravine after being 100m wide
• Great activities – Other activities around Lake Taupo include A jet boat experience around the Huka falls – adrenaline rush guaranteed! – Check out details and book For a quieter water experience, discover Lake Taupo and its Maori rock carvings on a small cruise – Check out details and book
• Where to stay – You can either stay in Taupo to be in a large town with a lake – Check out the best rated options and book or you can already head to Whakapapa in Tongariro National Park if you want to enjoy a lot of hiking – Check out the options and book I stayed at Sails on the Lake in an apartment with Lake view and all the equipments I needed –  Check out more photos and availabilities

Day 4 –  North Volcanic Wonders Gems – Tongariro

• Starts in –  Taupo or Whakapapa
• Ends in – Whakapapa or Whanganui
• Driving time – Hiking or 1h around driving or more
• Driving difficulty – Easy
• Main stops to consider – Several options for today. If you are in great shape you can do the famous Tongariro Alpine crossing that takes all day If you enjoy walking but don’t feel like doing it for 10h, you can choose one of the smaller hikes, for example the Taranaki falls 2h loop And if you can’t do a long walk you can still enjoy the roads all around the National park as they offer splendid views. And you can drive up to the ski fields for breathtaking views of the lava flow. If you are not hiking, you can already save driving time on the next day, and head to Wanganui to spend the night
• Great activities – In the region, you can also enjoy intense rafting on the Tongariro river – More info
• Where to stay – If you are hiking all day, stay in Whakapapa in Tongariro National Park if you want to enjoy a lot of hiking – Check out the options and book Or stay in Whanganui on your way to Taranaki – Check out the options and book

Day 5 –  North Volcanic Wonders Gems – Taranaki

• Starts in –  Whakapapa or Wanganui
• Ends in – New Plymouth
• Driving time – 3h or 5h
• Main stops to consider – There are many viewpoints around Mt Taranaki. When it is not in the clouds, it is magnificent Consider: North Egmont visitor center, the Dawson falls area, Te Rewa Rewa Bridge, Lake Mangamahoe, the black sand beaches… There are many walks possible
• Where to stay – New Plymouth has a wide range of accommodations – check out the best rated options I stayed at the Ratanui Villas. Really nice of off the hustle of the town – Check out photos and availability

Day 6 –  North Volcanic Wonders Gems – Waitomo caves

• Starts in –  New Plymouth
• Ends in – Waitomo
• Driving difficulty – OK
• Main stops to consider – If you love volcanic wonders, I am assuming you love caves as well. Waitomo has been made famous for its glowworms, but the caves themselves are worth the visit. I would skip the most touristic cave and rather visit Anuari and Ruakuri for the features. (you can see glowworms in Ruakuri). But there are also other privately-owned caves in the area I also recommend a short drive east to see the impressive Mangapohue Natural bridge and the Marokopa falls
• Where to stay – You can stay in Waitomo or start driving North and stop at Hamilton. If you you are staying in Waitomo, book early as there are limited accommodations – Check out options I stayed at the Waitomo caves guest lodge which was really practical – Check out photos and availability or see the best rated options in Hamilton

Day 7 –  North Volcanic Wonders Gems – Black sand beaches

• Starts in –  Waitomo
• Driving difficulty – Easy drive until you reach the Auckland traffic jam and the narrow sinuous road down to Piha
• Main stops to consider – Today you drive up to the West of Auckland. This is a black sand beach paradise surrounded by bush and forest. STOP 1 – Muriwai cliffs – unless you can’t stand the smell check out Muriwai with stunning cliffs and a gannet colony STOP 2 – Then head to Bethells beach and walk to the black sand dune STOP 3 – Finish the day in Piha beach. Try to be there for low tide and sunset if possible. Climb to the view point and walk in the canyon formed by Taitomo island.
• Where to stay – Check out the accommodations in Piha  (mostly rentals) I stayed at the Piha beach stay. Not by the beach but I had a stunning room with a terrace looking at the forested hills –  Check out photos and availability
• Spend some time in Aukland, you can go to the top of the Mt Eden volcano
• Or head to the Coromandel peninsula with Hot water beach and Cathedral cove and then to the East coast to access white island
• Or spend more time hiking in Taranaki or Tongariro

All the stops listed in these itineraries are included in my eBooks with practical info to make the most of your time

New Zealand 10 day itinerary North Island  – Highlights 

New zealand north island 10 day itinerary – highlights   day 1 – coromandel peninsula.

• Ends in – Hot water beach or Hahei
• Main stops to consider – Drive all the way to the Coromandel peninsula STOP 1 – Cathedral cove , the famous walk must be completed at low tide. It offers beautiful sea cliffs and access to a giant archway and sea stacks STOP 2 – Hot water beach – go dig yourself a hole and soak in hot water
• Where to stay – Depending on your timing with the tide, you can either stay at Hot water beach ( see options ) or in Hahei ( see options )

10 days in North Island highlights   Day 2 – Rotorua

• Starts in –  Coromandel peninsula
• Driving difficulty – easy
• Main stops to consider – STOP 1  – Hobbiton or Blue Spring – I think the Blue Spring is a wonderful place and should not be missed, but I know some are really big fans of Lord of the Rings, so your first stop can be one or the other. STOP 2 – Pick one of the parks – This afternoon I would pick Te Puia with the geyser or the Waimangu volcanic Valley
• Great activities – You can enjoy a scenic flight above the region to see the fault lines and many lakes – for example: Book an helicopter tour with the fault line or you can relax at a geothermal spa at the end of the day- The Polynesian Spa is right by the lake: mineral hot pools, cold plunge pools, heated recliners… – pre-book your experience There are lots of great activities in Rotorua, I listed the spa and the flight previously – Check out the many other options
• Where to stay – There is a large choice of accommodations in Rotorua from B&Bs to luxury stays –  Check out the best rated options and book I stayed in a room at a B&B (Rotorua City Homestay). They were very welcoming and I enjoyed the breakfast a lot –  Check out more photos and availabilities

North Island highlights ​   Day 3 – Geothermal wonders

• Ends in – Taupo
• Driving time – 1h30
• Main stops to consider – STOP 1 – Wai-o-Tapu – in the morning I recommend to most famous valley with the Champagne pool and features with crazy colors. Don’t miss the Lady Knox geyser at 10:15 am. See my article  or  Pre-purchase your entrance ticket in your currency here STOP 2 – Orakei Karako is my favorite geothermal park in the region of Rotorua -Taupo. It is a small detour from the main road, but what an incredible place. The main terrace has many colors and is surrounded by forest and the lake. Breathtaking. pre-purchase your entrance ticket in your currency here STOP 3 – Craters of the moon, close to the Taupo is something completely different from the other parks. The 1h walking loop is quite fascinating and worth a stop in my opinion even if it is not as colorful STOP 4 – Huka falls – a powerful rush of water as the river enters a shallow ravine after being 100m wide
• Where to stay – Book in Taupo for 2 nights You can stay in Taupo to be in a “large” town with a lake – Check out the best rated options and book I stayed at Sails on the Lake in an apartment with Lake view and all the equipments I needed –  Check out more photos and availabilities

North Island highlights ​   Day 4 – Tongariro

• Starts in –  Taupo
• Driving time – 2h or more
• Main stops to consider – Today, head to the Tongariro National Park. There is a large choice of hikes from 30min to a complete day (such as the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing) You can also drive around for wonderful landscapes and drive up to the ski fields for a closer look at the dried lava flow.
• Where to stay – same as night before

North Island highlights ​   Day 5 – 

• Main stops to consider – Waitomo is famous because of its glowworms, but the caves themselves are worth the visit. I would skip the most touristic cave and rather visit Anuari and Ruakuri for the features (you can see glowworms in Ruakuri). But there are also other privately owned caves in the area. I also recommend a short drive east to see the impressive Mangapohue Natural bridge and the Marokopa falls
• Where to stay – If you are staying in Waitomo, book early as there are limited accommodations – Check out options I stayed at the Waitomo caves guest lodge which was really practical –  Check out photos and availability or  see the best rated options in Hamilton , a little more up North (large town, no points of interest)

North Island highlights ​   Day 6 – Black sand beaches

• Ends in – Piha
• Driving difficulty – Easy drive until you reach the Auckland traffic jams and the narrow sinuous road down to Piha
• Main stops to consider – The area West of Auckland is a black sand beach paradise surrounded by bush and forest. STOP 1 – Muriwai cliffs – unless you can’t stand the smell check out Muriwai with stunning cliffs and a gannet colony STOP 2 – Then head to Bethells beach and walk to the black sand dune STOP 3 – Finish the day in Piha beach. Try to be there for low tide and sunset if possible. Climb to the view point and walk in the canyon formed by Taitomo island.

North Island highlights   Day 7 – Bay of Islands

• Starts in – Piha
• Driving time – 3h30
• Main stops to consider – I would spend the morning driving to the Bay of Islands, to enjoy a cruise in the afternoon –  Book your seat Or if you like history, you can visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds
• Great activities – Or check out the many activities in Paihia
• Where to stay – Paihia is a great place to spend the night. There is a large choice of accommodations – Check out the best rated options I stayed at the Admirals View lodge which was nice –  Check out photos and availabilities

North Island highlights   Day 8 – 

• Driving time – 5h (a bit long but if you want to see those famous places, this is what it takes) – however if you don’t want to drive that much and want to be able to see 90-mile beach via 4WD, book a day trip from Paihia and stay a second night in Paihia – Check out program and book
• Driving difficulty – Easy except some gravel road 
• Main stops to consider – STOP 1 – 90-mile beach – this is one of the most famous beaches in New Zealand. Visually it is not much but at low tide it becomes a highway. 4WD go on it to drive. However, if you plan on doing this yourself, be careful, tidal waves can be dangerous STOP 2 – Cape Reinga – at the most northern point you can enjoy a walk to the lighthouse. It offers splendid views and explanations about the Maori cultural elements. STOP 3 – Te Paki Sand dunes – This requires driving on gravel road for 3,5km but it is worth it! Even if you don’t climb on the dunes, you can stop at the carpark and admire them and the contrast with the green bush.
• Where to stay – Anywhere between cape Reinga and Kaitaia –  Check out options in Kaitaia – and use the map, zoom out to see other options

North Island highlights   Day 9 – Drive South

• Driving difficulty – Easy mostly, sinuous at the end
• Main stops to consider – ​STOP 1 – Whangarei falls – this is an easy stop along the road. The 26m high waterfall is surrounded by native bush. The walkway takes you to 3 top platforms and to the bottom – 30min loop STOP 2 – Then drive to the east coast to reach Mangawhai heads. Plan a walk on the beach (or longer with the cliff walk) at low tide.
• Where to stay – Mangawhai and Mangawhai heads are great places to stay with a laid back atmosphere – Check out the accommodation options I stayed at the Mangawhai Chalets and love the beach decor. Beautiful room.  Check out photos and availability

North Island highlights   Day 10 – Auckland

• Ends in – Auckland
• Main stops to consider – Explore Auckland – Climb on Mt Eden, get up the Sky Tower or book a cruise to see the beautiful skyline from the water
• Great activities – See Auckland activities
• Where to stay – Check out the best rated accommodations in Auckland

I don’t drink coffee

But I also like other drinks and sweets! Do you like the free content you find on my blog? All my tips and practical information, without intrusive advertising…

New Zealand  North Island  Itinerary 2 weeks and 3 weeks

Lucky to have more time?

New Zealand North island Itinerary 2 weeks

Combine both 1 week itinerary, with Coromandel to replace the double Black sand dune day 

• Day 1 –  Auckland to Matapouri
• Day 2 – Bay of Islands
• Day 3 – Doubtless Bay
• Day 4 – Cape Reinga
• Day 5 – Hokianga
• Day 6 – Mangawhai
• Day 7 – Black Sand beaches (Piha and others)
• Day 8 – Coromandel peninsula
• Day 9 – Blue Spring/Hobbiton and Rotorua
• Day 10 – Rotorua geothermal parks
• Day 11 – Taupo geothermal parks
• Day 12 – Tongariro
• Day 13 – Taranaki
• Day 14 – Waitomo

New Zealand North island Itinerary 3 weeks

To make the plan above a 3 week itinerary, head South to Wellington between Tongario and Taranaki with a detour to Castlepoint and Cape Palliser. And add some time in Auckland.

Both islands – New Zealand road trip Itinerary 2 weeks

If you are looking for a 2-week NZ itinerary that covers both islands, check out this article

Make your own NZ itinerary for 2 weeks or 3 weeks or more!

But if you have more than 2 weeks or if you want to create your own itinerary from a curated list – I have written my eBooks to help you do that:

And check out my guide about the best places to stay in New Zealand

Itinerary in North Island for Winter

North island does not have too many limitations in Winter. There is snow on the summits, but most roads remain easy to drive. The only constraint is that you will have shorter days to explore, so you should not plan more than 2h30 drive each day. 

Is my New Zealand road trip itinerary good?

You can share your itinerary on online forums, but you will get a lot of different opinions and probably people adding locations because you just ‘have to see this!’. Not so helpful…

Check the following points and you should be ready to go:

• Have I planned less than 4h30 driving per day in Summer and 3h in Winter? and are most days under 3h30 in Summer and 2h30 in Winter?
• Am I clear on the Top 10 locations I don’t want to miss and flexible about the others? (depending on weather conditions)
• Are there available accommodations that fit my itinerary? (If you are late with the planning, the lack of accommodations may influence your itinerary)
• Are you excited and stressed by the itinerary? This might be an indication you have to remove locations…

And then you are ready to go! I wish you a wonderful New Zealand trip!

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New Zealand North Island itinerary 10 days | Exploring the north island

New Zealand, or Aotearoa to give the nation its traditional Maori name, is made up of two main landmasses: the north and south island. While the south island might boast the soaring glaciers and crystal blue lakes, the north island is packed with its own attractions: steaming natural geysers, bustling cities, remote undiscovered islands and even the world’s most unique McDonalds! So, if you’re keen to explore some of these, we’ve got you covered: we’ve put together an itinerary stretching from the country’s largest city, Auckland, to its capital, Wellington, and everything in between. It’s our personally tried-and-tested New Zealand North Island itinerary 10 days.

More keen on a south island road trip? Don’t fret – we’ve got that too. You can find our 10 day itinerary for New Zealand’s south island here, just in case you are able to spread your time over both islands (and we highly suggest you do!).

Why go to the North Island of New Zealand?

We imagine that if you’ve landed on this article that you are already set on visiting New Zealand’s North Island. However, just in case you need a little more convincing to make New Zealand your next destination here are a few reasons as to why it should be:

• The Maori culture is a fascinating one, best explored in places like Wellington’s Te Papa Museum, or the ‘birthplace of New Zealand’, Waitangi Treaty Grounds, up the top of the island or even in a Maori ‘experience’ like the ones in Rotorua. If you’re fascinated by traditional cultures, then these are all a must.
• While there aren’t too many fascinating buildings in New Zealand (other than the Beehive and the Sky Tower that is), there are some very unique landmarks on New Zealand’s north island, like the bubbling geysers of Rotorua or even the volcano crater of Mount Eden near Auckland.
• Move over Queenstown , New Zealand’s north island is full of adrenalin activities, to get that pulse racing! From jet boating to bungy jumping, zorbing, zip lining, you name it – if you like to live life in the fast lane, the north island is for you!
• While sandy shores might not be the first things that come to mind, the north island has some cracking beaches along its coastline. From the more metropolitan Mission Bay near Auckland, to untouched beauties in the Bay of Islands and some more unknown ones dotted along the journey, you will definitely have time for a bit of relaxation.
• If you like anthing to do with Lord of the Rings or the Hobbiton film franchises then you have to visit!

New Zealand North Island Itinerary – 10 days

• Day 1 | Exploring Auckland
• Day 2 | Exploring Auckland
• Day 3 | Auckland to Paihia
• Day 4 | Paihia and the Bay of Islands
• Day 5 | Paihia to Rotorua
• Day 6 | Exploring Rotorua
• Day 7 | Rotorua to Taupo (via Waitomo)
• Day 8 | Exploring Taupo
• Day 9 | Taupo to Wellington
• Day 10 | Exploring Wellington

Is 10 days on New Zealand’s North Island enough?

You could easily spend a month on New Zealand’s north island, travelling from amazing place to stunning location and still nowhere near see it all. But we know that many people only have a limited amount of (holiday) time to spare and so are keen to see as much of a country as possible.

With that in mind, we’ve outlined a really achievable itinerary that allows you to see the best sites on the New Zealand north island in 10 days, and believe that our suggested timings in each place allows you to give each location the time it deserves.

However, if you are more interested in activities like hiking, and have heard about the likes of the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing near Lake Taupo, you’ll want to carve out a day to enjoy something like this. If that is the case, we’d definitely recommend that you cram your Auckland time into one day – handily, we’ve also created the perfect one day in Auckland itinerary to help you plan for that!

Getting around New Zealand’s North Island

By car: The most popular way to travel around the north island is to get yourself a decent rental car. A little different to the New Zealand south island, where we’d definitely recommend a campervan, for the north island a car is the best way. Unsurprisingly with over two thirds of New Zealand’s population living on the smaller north island, the accommodation options are way better, so no need to worry there.

Check out the best car rental deals on RentalCars!

By bus: If you’re not that keen on driving yourself, then we’d definitely suggest that you look into the fantastic coach passes that are offered by Intercity . They have a great TravelPass that will take you to the main destinations for a really affordable price.

By campervan: If you’re really keen campers, then you can also look into the campervan. There are plenty of great places like a holiday park or camping site to hook up your van, and it may be slightly more affordable than the car rental/accommodation option. The biggest vendor is Britz , although we rented our camper for the South Island through Wilderness Motorhomes and were very happy with it.

Where to start your New Zealand North Island Itinerary

You’ll most likely be arriving into New Zealand’s main city, Auckland, as it has the best international flights and connections. If you’re still looking for your flights, check out the best rates on Skyscanner . However, there are another couple of options, where you’ll start in the south of the North Island:

Taking the ferry from the North Island?

If you’re starting your North Island itinerary having already visited the South Island, you will most likely take the ferry from Picton to Wellington (it’s actually what we did), and if so, just do this itinerary in reverse!

Flying into Wellington?

Or, you may fly into Wellington to start your New Zealand’s North Island itinerary. If so, also do this 10 days New Zealand North Island itinerary in reverse…

Day 1 – Auckland

Catch the sunrise on Mount Eden

If you’re like us, and keen to make the most of your time in Auckland, get up nice and early and head up Mount Eden to get stunning panoramic views of the city waking. You can either drive up or hike it – at 196m high it’s not the most difficult walk, so a great way to start your day. Mount Eden is a dormant volcano, and you can walk around the rim of the crater, providing amazing views of the skyline in all directions.

They’re also building a new wooden walkway around the summit which should be completed in 2020!

Walk to the Auckland Domain

Next up for your first day in Auckland, take a stroll across to the Auckland Domain. It’s only 30 minutes from the top of Mount Eden to New Zealand’s oldest park. Your wander will take you past Pukekaroa Hill, which boasts a memorial for the first Maori King, and you have a number of other options for stops along the way, including checking out Lover’s Walk or popping your head into the Wintergarden.

Photo credit: Russellstreet / Flickr

A uckland War Memorial Museum

A stone’s throw from the Domain is the most popular tourist attraction on your 1 day Auckland itinerary, the  Auckland War Memorial Museum . As the name suggests, it’s an ode to the country’s military (and natural) history and you should apportion yourself about two hours to walk around.

Opening hours:  10.00am to 5.00pm daily

Cost:  International Guests – 25 NZD for adults (16.50 USD/12.70 GBP) and 10 NZD for children (10.60 USD/5.00 GBP), New Zealanders – Free

You can’t come to Auckland and not visit it’s crowning glory, the Sky Tower. The most well-known building in New Zealand (and the tallest in the entire southern hemisphere), it dominates the Auckland skyline.

Standing 328m tall, it’s amazing to see from the ground up but you most definitely want to buy a ticket to go up 220m, to a viewing deck that gives you sweeping views of Auckland twinkling below. They also have a SkyJump bungy or a Skywalk, if you’re adventure inclined!

Opening hours:  8.30am to 10.30pm (summer) and 9.00am to 10.00pm (winter)

Cost:  32 NZD for adults (21.20 USD/16.25 GBP) and 13 NZD for children (8.60 USD/6.60 GBP)

Auckland Night Market

It’s time to wrap up your day in Auckland and we suggest you do that at the Auckland Night Market . Open from 5pm daily, it shifts location each night but usually offers much of the same – interesting and diverse cuisine, plus a fun vibe!

Photo credit: Jamjar / Flickr

Opening hours:  From 5.00pm daily

Location:  Varies each night –  check out their website for more details .

Where to stay

You’ve really got a plethora of options here, as Auckland caters for all budgets! That said, here are our two favourites:

Luxury : The ‘old dame’ of Auckland, the imitable 5 star Cordis is THE place to stay where in the city. You’ll feel transported back into a time of old-world glamour and grandeur, with the plush, inviting lobby, plus this property has everything from a top-notch gym, a great rooftop pool to a wonderful restaurant, Eight.

Budget:  Located on Nelson Street, close to loads of the main Auckland attractions we’d suggest that you go for  TMACS Backpackers.  They’ve got a shared lounge, free Wi-Fi and a lovely garden and terrace to explore.

Getting from Auckland International Airport

We wanted to add in some helpful information on getting from Auckland Airport into the city as we’re sure that you’re most likely to be arriving here to start your New Zealand North Island itinerary. And the good news is that there are relatively easy and affordable solutions to get from the airport, which is located around 20km to the south of Auckland.

Uber: Starting with the quickest and most convenient way to get into town – make sure you have Uber downloaded before you arrive in Auckland, hook up your credit card details and book your ride as soon as you are through customs! The journey will cost you around 40 NZD (26.50 USD/20.30 GBP).

Shuttle Service: Slightly more convenient than taking the bus, as it’s a door to door service, check out Super Shuttle for a cheaper way than a taxi to get from Auckland Airport to your accommodation. It will cost you around 25 NZD (16.50 USD/12.70 GBP). Although if you’re a couple or group, it may be cheaper to use a taxi!

Skybus: If you’re looking for the cheapest way into town, the Skybus is a super convenient and relatively affordable way into downtown Auckland. A one way trip will set you back 17 NZD (11.20 USD/8.60 GBP). Check out the timetables and routes the Skybus takes here .

Day 2 – Auckland

We hope you love the water, since today we’ve got two activities that get you out on the beautiful ocean.

Auckland Whale and Dolphin Safari

First up is the chance to spot hundreds of whales and dolphins in their natural habit, with a safari! The Auckland Whale and Dolphin Safari is a 5 hour trip out to spot these incredible creatures, all led by a highly experienced crew who are not only tour guides but also marine biologists! So, while the trips are geared towards spotting porpoises, there is also an educational element talking about plankton and understand the water’s health.

When we went on this trip, we had a pod of over 100 dolphins follow the boat for over an hour; it was something incredibly special to behold. However, according to the operators, this is ‘not according to their own impeccable standards’ so each one of us received a complimentary voucher to come and try the tour again. What a wonderful personal touch.

Ferry to Waiheke Island

Just 35 minutes from Auckland via ferry is the stunning Waiheke Island, a place for Aucklanders themselves to escape the hustle of the city. With the white sandy beaches of Oeroa, Palm Beach and Onetangi, plus epic views over the Hauraki Gulf, there is so much natural beauty on this island.

You can take the hiking trails across the cliff tops, walk through forests, chill on beaches or delve into the art scene, while sipping a glass of white wine.

The Fullers Ferry runs up to 24 times a day from the Downtown Ferry Terminal – you can book your tickets here .

Bonus things to do in Auckland

We’ve only given you two (very short) days in Auckland and perhaps you want to make more of this large metropolis? Here are four more things you could add onto your north island itinerary:

Wander the Te Ara I Whiti The Lightpath

You might have seen the candy-coloured pink path on Instagram, but did you know that the Lightpath is actually a functional walking and cycling path that connects Upper Queen to Quay Street?

Stretching over 700m in length, this is a great place to take a walk – you’ll get awesome pics from your albums but also get those legs moving at the same time!

Insider tip: There are 300 programmable LEDs which light up at night, making for some awesome interactive displays!

Sea Life, Kelly Tarlton Aquarium

If you love aquariums, then the Kelly Tarlton Sea Life aquarium is a must-visit as part of this North Island itinerary. It is made out of acrylic tunnels situated within old sewage tanks near the harbour, making it one of the most unique aquariums in the world. Check out the penguins, or the gigantic tank full of stingrays or even the stunning seahorse kingdom!

Location: 23 Tamaki Drive, Orakei, Auckland 1071

Opening hours: 9.30am – 5.00pm daily

Cost: 39 NZD (25.70 USD / 19.60 GBP) but only if you buy it online beforehand, as its more expensive at the door! We suggest you  book it online with Get your Guide  which includes a skip the line ticket and 24 hour cancellation!

Mission Bay Beach

About 15 minutes from the centre of Auckland is the laidback beach enclave of Mission Bay. Plop down your towel and scrunch your toes into the sand on the beach, with fantastic views out to Rangitito Island. Or get your fix of fish and chips at the Fish Pot Café!

Auckland Zoo

More than just a zoo, this conversation project set over 40 acres is the country’s largest animal sanctuary.  More than 130 species and 1,400 animals call the zoo home, including everything from elephants to tigers, and even cute little red pandas. Lions, lizards, birds, rhinos, you name it, the zoo has it.

What’s great about the zoo is the famed New Zealand Centre for Conversation Medicine, which is essentially an animal hospital where you can watch procedures right before you. The most famous one was a tiger getting a root canal – now that’s something you don’t see every day, right?

Location: Motions Rd, Auckland 1022

Opening hours: 9.30am – 5.30pm daily

Cost: A Day Pass costs 24 NZD (15.80 USD/12.20 GBP) for adults and 13 NZD (8.50 USD/6.60 GBP) for kids between 4-14 (under 4’s go free).

Day 3 – Auckland to Paihia

Travel time: 3 hours

It’s time to head out of awesome Auckland and get up to some of the exquisite islands dotted at the very northern tip of New Zealand. It’s the Bay of Islands, about 200 km away where not only will you find some of the best weather in the country but also some of the most picturesque views of the North Island.

You’ll simply drive north out of Auckland on State Highway 1, towards Paihia , where we recommend you settle yourself for the next two nights. One thing to keep in mind is that there is a toll road which will cost you $2.40 NZD (1.50 USD/1.20 GBP). Most rental companies don’t have automatic toll sensors so you’ll need to  pay the toll  within 5 days so you don’t end up with a fine!

Ferry to Russell

While you should definitely base yourself in Paihia, it’s worth checking out the other key town in the Bay of Islands, Russell, once you’ve arrived.

Just hop on the ferry (which only costs 12 NZD / 8 USD / 6 GBP one way) to this charming seaside town. If you’ve got limited time, we suggest you head straight over to the oldest pub in the country, Duke of Marlborough , for a freshly served plate of beer-battered fish and chips.

And, if you have more time to spare, you could make a turn at the Pompallier Museum, Christ Church (the oldest church in New Zealand), Long Beach or even go tramping on one of the hiking trails. The most popular is the  Maiki Hill walk  (Flag Staff Hill) which overlooks Russell with panoramic views, or the Tapeka Point walk.

Insider tip: Time your ferry return for sunset – you’ll get a ‘sunset cruise’ for a bargain basement price!

We really liked Paihia and found that not only are there lots of lovely places to stay, but they are far more affordable than other hotspots like Rotorua or Taupo. Here are a few ideas of places to lay your head:

Budget:  The family-run Mousetrap Backpackers is one of the best hostels in Paihia (by the way, there are a few!). This hostel has a tennis court, free of charge bikes and a free weekly BBQ session if you time it right!

Mid-range: While in Paihia we stayed at Seabeds Backpackers , and only have positive praise for this establishment. It’s called a ‘backpackers’ but is probably more an apartment complex, although it does have a dorm. It has a high-end shared kitchen with top-notch facilities, plus has a great location near the pier but also the supermarket.

Luxury : Look no further than Paihia Beach Resort and Spa . With epic vistas across the ocean and also the beach, huge fluffy beds and a highly rated breakfast, this is a great luxury option in Paihia.

Day 4 – Paihia (Bay of Islands)

Today is your day to really get your fix of the Bay of Islands, so we’ve got a packed itinerary for you. Starting with a bit of New Zealand’s history and ending with time out on that azure ocean.

Waitangi Treaty Grounds

If you want to get to terms with the country’s history (and you should), then do visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds , known as the ‘birthplace of New Zealand’.

It’s here that the Maoris and British signed the treaty to inaugurate New Zealand as a British colony, back in 1840. While the British history might be contentious, this treaty is still seen as the ‘founding document’ of the country and even celebrated each year on Waitangi Day, like an Independence Day of sorts.

There are a number of attractions spread over this 1000-acre property, so you’ll need to prioritise a few things. We’d suggest you check out the historic Treaty House, check out the globe’s largest single-hulled canoe (the ‘waka’) and probably the flagstaff, which is where the treaty was actually signed.

Buy a  Day Pass  (which is actually valid for two consecutive days) which includes a guided tour of about an hour, a Maori performance and entry into all the attractions as well as the bush walks available on the estate. The pass costs 50 NZD (33 USD / 25.40 GBP) for adults, 25 NZD (16.50 USD / 12.70 GBP) for New Zealand residents. And as it’s free for kids (as long as accompanied by an adult).

Location: Tau Henare Drive, Waitangi 0293, New Zealand

Open: 9.00am – 5.00pm daily

Haruru Falls

There are two waterfalls in short distance of Paihia: Haruru and Rainbow Falls. We’d spring for Haruru as it’s closer and you can easily fit it into this itinerary, but we’ve included Rainbow in the ‘bonus things’ section in case you’ve got more time.

Haruru Falls, translated as ‘big noise’ in Maori, was New Zealand’s first river port and is a pretty cool waterfall to visit. There are three ways to see it: a 10 minute drive from Waitangi, a 90 minute boardwalk and bush walk from Waitangi to Haruru, or kayaking!

You can reserve a two hour kayaking trip which leads you right underneath the falls itself.  Check it out here.

Cruise to Hole in the Rock

You can’t come all the way to Paihia and not do a cruise, and there is a plethora of options. Our recommendation is to go out to the renowned Hole in the Rock, ideally on the 3-hour cruise which also has you dolphin-spotting and seeing the famous Cape Brett lighthouse.

What is the Hole in the Rock, you might ask? Well, what is says on the tin: a large hole in a rockface. But more than just a geological feature, it has some spiritual significance as Maori warriors use to glide through it on their way to war. The idea was that if a drop of water dripped on you on your passage, this was a good omen for your upcoming battle.

Insider tip: To approach dolphins, your boat needs to have a number of accreditations. So ensure you book with a reputable operator – we suggest the  Fullers Great Sights Hole in the Rock Dolphin Cruise .

Bonus things to do in the Bay of Islands / Northland region

You might not be sticking to our itinerary, or want to swap out some of our activities for something closer to your own travel style? Here are three more options for attractions in the area you might add to your New Zealand North Island road trip.

Urupukapuka Island

More than just a mouthful, Urupukapuka Island is the largest island in the Bay of Islands, and well worth a visit. You can get there via a boat trip, or as part of a package – we did it as part of the Bays and Beaches tour , which includes a stop at Roberton Island (Motuarohia).

The main attraction is to do one of the many hiking trails from one side of the island to Otehei Bay, where there is a lovely restaurant with a large grassy knoll and a wide sandy beach, to while away a few hours with a beer and, of course, more fish and chips (they are really good, by the way).

You could also do a shorter walk out of Otehei Bay – the Otehei Bay Loop is only 20 minutes or the Cable Bay Loop is one hour.

Cape Reinga

It’s another three hours up to Cape Reinga, the ‘true’ northern point of New Zealand and a must-do if you have a free day on your North Island road trip.

Cape Reinga is where the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean converge and you can actually see the tides coming together. If you’ve been to Lee’s home city of Cape Town , you’ll know the same phenomenon from Cape Point.

There’s a lot more than the ‘meeting of the oceans’ to see in Cape Reinga, like the 45,000 year old Kauri wood staircase at Kauri Unearthed or a scenic drive along Ninety Mile beach (which is 88 miles by the way!). More active travellers could try sandboarding at the Te Paki Dunes or you could just focus on admiring the legendary Cape Reinga lighthouse, one of the true landmarks of New Zealand .

If you don’t want to do a self-drive, it’s worth doing a day trip with a provider like Get your Guide, so you can save your energy for all those activities. Check out this one, which also includes a snazzy Dune Rider vehicle .

Rainbow Falls

The more impressive cousin to Haruru Falls, Rainbow Falls is about a 30 minute drive from Paihia, and we think worth the trip.

This is a ‘block’ waterfall with a 27m drop, making it a stunning sight.

If you’re up for more walking, you can take a 90-minute hiking track which takes you to the Kerikeri basin past historic buildings like the Stone House and St James’ Church.

Location: Kerikeri 0295, New Zealand

Day 5 – Paihia to Rotorua

Travel time: 6 hours

It’s a doozy of a driving day, about 6-7 hours on the road. That said, you could always make a quick stop in Auckland again to break it up. There aren’t many other attractions on your way, so we suggest just getting on your way and stopping in for coffee or more fuel when needed.

There is one attraction we would recommend for when you arrive in Rotorua though…

Redwoods Treetop Walkway

Like getting up close and personal with nature? Well get yourself to the Treetop Walkway , a set of suspended walkways amongst towering redwood trees just close to Rotorua. You’ll be 20 metres up in the air, traversing the wooden bridges for about 700 metres and hopping between trees on the 27 platforms.

The walkway is particularly pretty at night so if you arrive late into Rotorua, you can still give it a whirl – they light up the forest so it’s a very romantic activity for your first night in the town.

Location:  1 Long Mile Road, Whakarewarewa, Rotorua, 3010

Opening hours:  Daily from 9.00am to 11.30pm

Cost:  30 NZD for adults (20 USD/15 GBP)

We’ll tell you straight: Rotorua is a more expensive town when it comes to accommodation than some of the other cities in New Zealand. That said, it’s worth those extra pennies to spend a few days in the city. You could try one of the following:

Budget:   Pick of the litter is the Rotorua Central Backpackers . Central location, super social if you’re keen to meet people and even a great garden to relax in when you’re not buzzing around Rotorua.

Mid-range:   We’d make a punt for the Ibis Rotorua ,, where we stayed when there. Yes, Ibis is a budget hotel but we really thought highly of this branch plus its sister hotel, Novotel, next door gives you use of their gym and other facilities. Tip – if you’re an Accor Loyalty member you get free wifi there. So if you’re not, just sign up (free of charge) when you check in.

Luxury : With the perfect location, beautifully appointed suites and two (one indoor and one outdoor) pool, you have to choose the  Regent of Rotorua .

Day 6 – Rotorua

Ahhh… Rotorua. Definitely one of our favourite cities we visited as part of this New Zealand North Island itinerary. Well, if you can get over that pungent smell of sulphur that is!

Because there really is so much to see, we do have a day which is crammed with things to do. Our advice? Instead of wearing yourself out trying to speed between the sights, you can do what we did: book them as a tour with the country’s leading operator, Great Sights . You’ll be ferried about so you can see all the Rotorua highlights as well as make the trip out to Hobbiton, with time to spare. The tours are very popular, so make sure to book it in advance!

Te Puia Geothermal Geysers

It’s worth getting up close and personal with that icky smell, to see the fascinating geysers, mud pools and thermals of the Te Puia Geothermal Park .

It’s part of a larger geothermal hotspot, the Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley, and has everything you’ll want to see: exploding geysers, a Maori Village, the national bird (the kiwi) in a conservation project and a modern Arts and Crafts centre where they are trying to revive some of the more traditional Maori arts like wood carving and weaving.

Our best bit was sitting and watching Pohutu, the biggest geyser in the park, which blows about twice an hour, alongside the smaller ‘Prince of Wales’ geyser.

Opening hours:  8.00am to 5.00pm (winter) and 6.00pm (summer)

Location:  Hemo Road, Tihiotonga, Rotorua 3040

The Agrodome Farm Show

After you’ve seen traditional culture and a bit of natural history, get yourself off to the Agrodome for a more contemporary show with a difference. It’s pretty hard to describe but the Farm Show gives you an introduction into the various sheep breeds in the world, an onstage shearing demonstration and a sheep dog circus, all rolled into one hilarious show. It really does defy description but we’ll tell you: we loved it. Make sure it’s part of your North Island itinerary.

Show times:  3 per day at 9.30am, 11.00am and 2.30pm

Location:  141 Western Road, Ngongotaha, Rotorua 3010

Rainbow Spring Nature Park

If you are pressed for time, this is the activity we would give a miss. However, if you do have an hour or two to dedicate, then head to the Rainbow Springs Nature Park . You’ll see springs with rainbow trout (yes, hence the name), lots of different fish and reptiles and the most successful Kiwi hatchery in New Zealand. We also saw the silver fern, the fern that adorns the jersey of the country’s famous rugby team, The All Blacks, for the first time; something special for two rugby fanatics!

Opening hours:  8.30am to 10.30pm

Location:  192 Fairy Springs Road, Fairy Springs, Rotorua 3015

Even if you aren’t a die-hard Lord of the Rings or Hobbit fan (we aren’t), you must make sure you add Hobbiton to your trip.

It’s set a bit further out of Rotorua (technically back towards Auckland) but the opportunity to spend time on this movie set is something you shouldn’t pass up.

Essentially back in the late 90’s, a location scout for famous movies, The Lord of the Rings, came across the Alexander Farm in Matamata and thought it was the perfect place to film the trilogy. After this, the set was broken down but LOTR fans still found their way there, trying to get a piece of their beloved Hobbiton. So, when the film crews returned for the Hobbit movies in 2009, the enterprising farm owners (along with the film production company of course), decided to make the set a permanent feature.

And, voila! Today you can walk around the village of Hobbiton with some incredibly passionate guides, who take you to Bilbo Baggins house, impart so much trivia and behind-the-scenes information, and then plant an absolutely delicious beer, cider or apple juice in your hand at the Green Dragon Pub.

Departure from Rotorua times:  Twice daily at 8.00am and 1.20pm

Bonus things to do in Rotorua

Perhaps you aren’t keen on Hobbiton, or don’t fancy a sheep show? Here are a few more ideas that you could try to replace the other items. By the way, if you prefer, you could always check out our more comprehensive Rotorua itinerary here .

Skyline Rotorua Gondola and Luge

Get up high and see Rotorua from above, by going up the cable car! While you’re up there you could even go down the purpose-built luge for a bit more fun.

Book your experience here with Get Your Guide .

Jet Boating on Lake Rotorua

If you haven’t yet been jet boating in New Zealand, then Rotorua is your chance! Did you know that it was actually invented in New Zealand? It would be rude not to try what is essentially one of the quintessential Kiwi extreme experiences! Just book yourself onto a Jet Boating experience .

Hells Gate Mud Bath and Spa Experience

Looking for a bit more relaxation? Check out the spa pools and mud baths at Hells Gate – your body (and skin) will thank you.

More Extreme Sports in Rotorua

Honestly if you’re adventure inclined, Rotorua has a plethora of things you’ll love. You can go white water rafting down the highest commercial waterfall in the world at Tutea Falls ( book your ticket here ) , go zorbing (yes – zorbing!) in huge plastic balls with ZORB (who, again, invented the sport), or head to Velocity Valley where you could bungy jump, that the giant swing or even try your hand at BMX jumping.

Day 7 – Rotorua to Taupo (via Waitomo)

Travel Time: 1 hour (Rotorua to Taupo) or 4 hours (if adding Waitomo)

Now technically its only about an hour between Rotorua and Taupo but today we suggest you ‘take the scenic route’ and go via Waitomo, so you can experience the Waitomo glow-worm caves. That makes this closer to four hours of driving time.

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland

Before you head out of stinky Rotorua (did you get used to the smell yet? We sure did), go south and just beyond the city limits you’ll reac the Wai O Tapu Thermal Wonderland.

Here you can see even more of the natural geothermal wonders of the valley, like the very Instagrammable Champagne Pools as well as many more geysers. The most legendary is the Lady Knox Geyser where the water eruptions can reach up to 20 metres high! She blows around 10.15am each morning for about an hour.

Book your entry ticket here.

Location: 201 Waiotapu Loop Road, Rotorua 3073

Opening hours: 8.30am – 5.00pm

Waitomo Glow Worm Caves

Take State Highway 30 and 2 and a half hours from Wai-O-Tapu, you’ll arrive at the town of Waitomo. It’s pretty famous in New Zealand for having a plethora of caves filled with bright blue glow worms!

You can either do a chilled boat ride or go black water rafting, depending on your style. Alternatively, if you didn’t want to do Hobbiton yesterday, you could adjust your Great Sights tour and do Waitomo Caves instead!  Book it here .

Location: 39 Waitomo Village Rd, Waitomo Caves, Otorohanga 3943

McDonalds Dinner

It’s now time to leave Waitomo and drive for about 2 hours to… McDonalds Taupo.

We couldn’t believe we were going to tell our readers to head to McDonalds. But, here we are. That’s since the McDonalds in Taupo was voted the World’s Most Unique McDonalds, beating out 35,000 other branches vying for the coveted title.

This branch is situated in a defunct aeroplane which you can see poking out the front of the restaurant. Actually, you can even take your Big Mac and McFlurry and sit in the aeroplane itself to enjoy your meal.

Insider Tip: It seems that the plane seating closes at 6pm, so you’ll want to get there before then.

Location : Cnr Roberts and Ruapehu Streets, 48 Roberts Street, Taupo 3330

Budget : We didn’t stay here (we stayed at a terrible hostel that we can’t even bear to think of again), but we were told that this is definitely the best in town: Haka Lodge ! It’s pretty luxurious – huge contemporary kitchen, sun loungers, a hot tub and even baths in the bathrooms. A great option. Make sure you book early else you’ll end up like us – in a grotty hostel!

Mid-range: It’s a bit further out of town (a 5 min drive from the town centre) but Boulevard Waters Motor Lodge is a great option. It’s literally on the shores of Lake Taupo itself (with private balconies to view it), and the rooms are like mini-apartments, each boasting a full kitchen.

Luxury : It is by no means cheap but it’s entirely fabulous. Huka Lodge is one of the country’s leading hotels (not just Taupo itself), so if you can afford it, please do book a suite at this phenomenal property.

Day 8 – Taupo

Like Rotorua, Taupo has a rich natural history of hot springs and geysers, which is worth exploring. For us, we’d do this in a way that’s more affordable – hiking it!

Hot Springs / Spa Thermal Walk

You can do the ‘Huka Falls’ walk (known better as the Spa Thermal Walk) by starting at the free hot springs. There you can soak in the warm waters for absolutely free – there is even a changing room and a lovely on-site café to get a hot cup of coffee.

Once you’ve rested those tired bones in the spring, you’ll take the walk all the way to Huka Falls. This is an easy hike, taking about 1.5km /one hour to complete one way. We didn’t see too many people on our way, so took it easy and kept stopping off for photographs!

Location: County Avenue, Tauhara, Taupo 3378

At the end of the walk, you’ll definitely start to hear the roar of the falls as you come closer. And, once you do, it’s an incredible sight – it’s not the country’s most visited natural attraction for nothing!

Essentially Huka Falls showcases natural hydro power – the Waikato River is usually 100m wide but at the mouth, it narrows to just 15m wide, forcing the water through with immense flowing pressure. This results in the roaring of the Huka Falls where nearly 250,000 litres of water gush through each section, thundering down 11m into the river waiting at the bottom.

By the way, you can also organise a kayaking trip to the falls, if you prefer that to the hike!

Craters of the Moon

Even though you’d seen those bubbling mud pools and steamy geysers in Rotorua, we’d still like to make a plug for visiting Craters of the Moon , a geothermal park in Taupo. It’s a bit more ‘authentic’ and less touristy than the Rotorua counterparts, which we quite enjoyed.

As the name suggests, you feel that you’ve almost landed on another planet as you stroll around, not that you are just a few kilometres outside of Taupo!

Opening hours:  8.30am to 6pm

Location:   171 Karapiti Road, Taupo 3377, New Zealand

Cost: Ticket prices are around 8 NZD (5.10 USD / 4 GBP) for adults and 4 NZD (2.60 USD / 2 GBP) for kids.

Dinner at Incredible India

While we’re not sure if you’re Indian food fiends like we are, we still thought it worthwhile to throw our this suggestion: eat dinner at the Incredible India restaurant.

Often the top-rated restaurant on Tripadvisor, it lives up to its name, since the Indian fare there really is incredible. We gorged ourselves on tikka masala, dhal curry and as many garlic naans and mango lassis as they would bring us.

Location: 19 Paora Hapi Street, CBD, Taupo 3377, New Zealand

Bonus things to do in Taupo

Get out on the lake

As you would expect from the country’s largest lake, there is a lot to do on its glassy surface! Everything from kayaking to renting stand-up paddleboards, water skiing, wakeboarding, parasailing and so much more!

You could even rent a boat from a local provider , like 2 Mile Bay Centre, for the day.

Tongariro Alpine Crossing

Arguably one of the best North Island hikes , if not one of the best in all of New Zealand, this 19 kilometre tramping trail showcases some of the most epic landscapes in the world.

Set within the extraordinary Tongariro National Park, you’ll go from Mangatepop to Ketetahi Hot Springs in what is usually a 7 to 8 hour hike.

What should you expect? Bright blue watery lakes, massive craters of dormant volcanoes and steaming geysers and smoking vents. The hike of a lifetime, really.

Day 9 – Taupo to Wellington

Travel time: 5.5 hours

This was one of the more unusual drives we did in New Zealand – you’ll find the almost subterranean terrain fascinating and then, after that, feel like there is almost nothing to see until you hit Wellington. So, strap in for a long drive…!

Desert Road, Tongariro National Park

The drive is along State Highway 1 which is not the most eventful of highways. However, not far from Taupo itself is a stretch of road called ‘Desert Road’, essentially the one road that crosses the Rangipo Desert.

If you’re a Lord of the Rings fan, you’ll recognize the desert as where the Black Gate of Mordor scenes were shot; those are the epic landscapes you’ll be greeted with. We highly suggest you pull over at one of the rest stops to take a quick walk or just a snap or two – Rangipo is beautiful since it showcases three active peaks: Mount Tongariro, Mount Ngauruhoe and Mount Ruapehu.

We weren’t very good tourists and so didn’t stop in the hilariously-named town of Bulls – don’t be like us, and make sure you get out for a picture or two! There are a few funny signs dotted around the town, all plays on the word ‘Bulls’, which had us giggling.

De Molen windmill and Dutch Oven, Foxton

There aren’t many good places to eat or relax on today’s drive, but we’d probably recommend The Dutch Oven in Foxton, just so you can make a joke or two. This brightly-hued building offers up traditional Dutch food like poffertjies or croquettes but we just liked it for the gag.

In case you don’t know, a dutch oven is a large cast-iron pot used for cooking in the Netherlands. However, for some English speakers, a ‘dutch oven’ means something a little more peculiar: when you pass gas in bed and take the chance to ‘trap’ your loved one under the covers!

Anyway, the restaurant is located next to the 17 th century replica De Molen windmill that you can also tour for a small donation.

Location: 96a Main Street, Foxton 4814

Te Papa National Museum

Once you’ve arrived in Wellington, you might be a little tired. That said, there is so much to pack in!

We’d suggest that you try and visit the Te Papa Tongarewa National Museum , but you could just as easily swap that out for going up to the viewpoint at Mount Victoria or walking around Cuba Street, so we’ve included those suggestions too. You’ll probably only be able to stomach one…

If it’s the Te Papa museum, then great choice. This must count as one of the best museums we’ve ever visited (and we have visited a lot!). Jutting out on the waterfront’s edge, this museum showcases the best bits of New Zealand’s history but in a really engaging way. Every exhibition feels so interactive and well-considered – we can’t recommend this museum highly enough!

Real highlights include the Te Taiao Nature area as well as the Realm of Rūaumoko, which showcases the volcanic activity in the country. When we visited, the Gallipolli exhibition was on, which must rate as the most incredible exhibition we have ever seen. It chronicles the battle of Gallipolli in Turkey in a way that is entirely fascinating, told from the perspective of eight soldiers who took part.

Location: 55 Cable Street, Wellington

Opening hours: 10.00am – 6.00 pm daily

Cost: Absolutely free!

Mount Victoria lookout 

About ten minutes out of the city centre is a great place to get a vantage point, Mount Victoria. You just need to drive up to the car park and walk around the corner to the viewing platform.

Of course it’s generally a little windy up there (get used to it – Wellington is one of the windiest places on the planet) but you’ll get a spectacular birds-eye view over the city for your trouble.

Location: Lookout Road, Hataitai, Wellington 6021

Cuba Street

The heartbeat of Wellington, Cuba Street is where all the major bars and pubs are situated, so a good place to go if you want something vibey this evening. It’s a pedestrianised street that you can easily walk down, popping in at one of the vintage stores or settling in for dinner.

Budget : one of the most highly-rated hostels in Wellington is The Marion . It’s a pretty new hotel located near Cuba Street where you’ll find a nice social atmosphere but also strong wifi, great amenities and a cracking rooftop terrace.

Mid-range: We settled at the Gilmer Apartment Hotel , and really loved it. These are cute little self-contained apartments which give you all the amenities you need, in a great location near the museum and waterfront area. It’s also a few steps to the cable way, which you’ll want to take in the morning.

Luxury : If you’re wanting something a bit more plush, then probably spring or the Sofitel or the Intercontinental . These famous hotels both occupy prime real estate in Wellington.

Day 10 – Wellington

And just like that, your New Zealand road trip is over! Today’s your last day so you had better make it count. We’ve put together another fantastic itinerary for your day, so let’s get started…

Wellington Cable Car

The Wellington railway funicular has a long and varied history, and is an iconic part of Wellington that you have to see. The line was first laid back in 1902, giving this cable car for more than a century of heritage.

The ride only takes 5 minutes to the top where you’ll rub shoulders with locals and tourists alike, all wanting to see Wellington from up top. They run every 10 minutes.

Insider tip: Try and go early (about 8.00am) to avoid the crowds.

Once you’re at the top, you’re offered quite a number of things to do – from walking around the cable car’s own museum, to taking in a show at the planetarium, hopping on a shuttle to Zealandia or just admiring the botanic gardens on your way down. Our advice? Do them all!

Location: 280 Lambton Quay, Wellington 6011

Opening hours: 7.00am – 10.00pm weekdays, 8.30am – 9.00pm weekends

Cost: 5 NZD (3.20 USD / 2.50 GBP) for a one-way trip.

Wellington Tram Museum

It’s entirely free and just five minutes from the cable car’s top station, so pop your head into the tram museum to learn more about the tram through the ages. You’ll find one of the original cable cars, original implements and a fascinating history of James Fulton, the original engineer.

Space Place

Now the exhibition at the Space Place isn’t much to write home about but we did love the film we saw at this planetarium. Set in the typical full dome planetarium style, we lounged back in our plush seats, craned our necks back and saw a 45 minute show which linked the night sky to some of the original Maori birth legends. Fascinating stuff.

Location: 40 Salamanca Road, Kelburn, Wellington 6012, New Zealand (located in the Botanic Garden)

Opening hours: Opening times seem to vary – please check their website here.

Cost: Entrance including the show is 14 NZD (9 USD / 6.90 GBP).

At the top of the cable car station, you’ll see signage for the Zealandia shuttle, a free bus that takes you to Zealandia, one of the premier attractions in New Zealand. We suggest you hop on and go to explore all this property has to offer.

The internationally-acclaimed Zealandia Eco-Sanctuary is an attempt to regenerate New Zealand’s original biodome – the flora and fauna (mainly birds) that used to inhabit the island many centuries ago before mankind arrived. It’s a fully fenced urban sanctuary set over 225 hectares with the aim to reintroduce 20 species of previously ‘missing’ wildlife back into the area and has already had great success.

We loved doing the walking trails around Zealandia, which you can do self-guided or via a small tour with a passionate guide. You’ll come across so much beautiful birdlife, like saddlebacks and stitchbirds tweeting the trees, or the more interesting takahe or kaka birds waddling around you. There’s a lovely café too – Rata Café – to take some time off your feet.

Tickets cost 21 NZD (13.40 USD / 10.40 GBP) for adults or 55 NZD (35.20 USD / 27 GBP) for the tour (which includes general admission). You can also take a free shuttle from Wakefield street.

Location: 3 Waiapu Road, Karori, Wellington 6012

Opening hours: 8.00 – 5.00pm daily

Wellington Botanic Garden

Now when you’re done with Zealandia we suggest you hop back onto the shuttle to the cable car upper station and take a leisurely walk down the hill to the city, via the Botanic Garden.

Established in 1868, the Botanic Gardens are a mix of formal and informal flower beds, conifers and conservatories. We’d suggest you just saunter down the hill – it takes between 30 and 45 minutes depending on your pace and, of course, how many flowers you stop to admire.

Highlights include the Lady Norwood Rose Garden that you’ll find right at the bottom of the hill, or the amazing seasonal displays like the tulips in spring.

The Beehive 

As you’re walking through the Botanic Gardens and back towards Lambton Quay, you’ll walk past one of the most iconic places in New Zealand, The Beehive. It’s not really one to ‘visit’ exactly but to admire from afar.

Shaped like a honeycomb (hence the name), the Beehive was built between 1969 and 1979 and houses the executive functions of New Zealand’s parliament, including the office of the Prime Minister. It’s not the most beautiful building you’ve ever seen, but it’s a piece of the country’s history so worth a photo or two.

Location: Molesworth Street, Pipitea, Wellington 6011

Opening hours: Not open to the public

Bonus thing to do in Wellington

Weta Workshop

It feels like we’ve spent a lot of this North Island itinerary talking about the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit, but we’ve got some more to share! A quick drive from the city centre is Miramar, the home of Weta Workshop , which creates the physical effects for some of the globe’s most famous films.

From making the costumes and prosthetics for The Chronicles of Narnia to blockbuster movies like Avatar and Blade Runner, it’s a fascinating exploration of the behind-the-scenes magic of the movie industry.

You can do a single tour, like the Weta Cave Workshop Tour or Miniatures Stage Tour, or fuse them into a Combo Tour; the recommended option. Book the combo tour here .

Location: 1 Weka Street, Miramar, Wellington 6022

Opening hours: 9.00am – 5.30pm daily

Interactive Map for your 10 day itinerary of the North Island

Bonus places for your 10 days North Island itinerary

Our itinerary for your 10 days on the north island is a doozy, we know! That said, if you want to swap some of our suggested towns or cities for others, we might suggest one of the following:

Coromandel Peninsula

It’s probably the one place you wish you could fit into this itinerary: the stretch of the Coromandel Peninsula, which separates the Hauraki Gulf from the Bay of Plenty. The peninsula has so much natural beauty to explore – from the Driving Creek Railway where you traverse the forest on a small historic car, or the Karangahake Gorge, known as one of the wonders of New Zealand.

Avid trekkers head to Coromandel for ‘The Pinnacles’ an 8 hour journey across old dams, logging areas and railway lines to the summit of the peninsula itself.

There’s also Cathedral Cove, a massive beachfront cave made out of volcanic ash, which you can take a kayak out to, or Hot Water Beach to dig your toes in the sand and create your own hot pool!

You could make a stop in Hamilton if you’re perhaps skipping the Bay of Islands, and are traveling between Auckland and Rotorua. With the might Waikato River flowing through it, Hamilton doesn’t usually make it to the top of many NZ must-see lists but it’s a worthy stop just for the Hamilton Gardens and for some of the great international events and festivals. It’s got a good nightlife scene plus you could always do a cruise on the river if you’re looking for something quieter to do.

The fifth largest city in New Zealand, Tauranga is a beautiful coastal city that is often paired with a trip to Rotorua, as it’s about an hour away. Packed with pristine beaches, great galleries and delicious restaurants. Many visitors also travel to Moturiki Island, a historic settlement close to Mount Maunganui beach.

New Plymouth

We haven’t been to New Plymouth but we have been told (pretty repeatedly we’d add), that you need to head there. This old town perched on the west coast of the north island is an art-lovers paradise, plus has some great walking trails if you want to dust off those hiking shoes. The crowning glory is the Coastal Walkway, a 13km promenade track with sweeping ocean vistas.

Before there was the (more famous) region of Marlborough, the town of Hawke’s Bay was the premier winemaking destination. You can still head to this Art Deco inspired town to tour the wineries, do a vintage car tour or see about 12,000 gannets nesting out at Cape Kidnappers.

What is the best time of year to visit New Zealand’s North Island?

The summer months of December to February offer the best weather on the New Zealand North Island.

Although it’s worth noting that the Christmas/New Year period is also the big summer holiday period for New Zealand! Which means that end of December through to end of January are also the most expensive from a flights, transport and accommodation perspective. If you’re planning to visit during this time, we definitely suggest that you plan well ahead and book in advance.

Read next: The perfect itinerary for Christchurch!

What camera equipment and other gear do we use?

We’re living proof that you don’t need the most expensive gear to travel the world and take good photos. Here are some of our must have items that make it into the packing list for all our travels.

• Main Camera: Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
• Drone: DJI Mavic Air – Fly More Combo
• GoPro: Hero 7 Black
• GoPro Dive Case: Go Pro Housing
• GoPro Case: Smatree GoPro Carry Case – Small
• Packing Cubes: Eagle Creek Packing case
• Backpack: Osprey Farpoint 70
• Powerbank: Anker Powercore
• Phone: Xiaomi Mi 9
• Hard drive: Transcend Slim Storejet 2TB
• Laptop: Lenovo IdeaPad 720s
• Headphones: Bose Quiet Comfort 35
• Wifi Hotspot: GlocalMe G4

What to pack for your 10 days New Zealand North Island Itinerary?

The weather on New Zealand’s North Island can be a real mixed bag. Windy Wellington as it’s known can be chilly, whereas the far north up around the Bay of Islands can be really hot. At time of writing, New Zealand was experiencing some of its hottest temperatures on record (around 40 degrees). So if you’re travelling in summer it’s worth packing both summery beach going attire as well as a few warmer items for the evenings.

And you’ll definitely want to take a light waterproof jacket too, you can’t be certain that you won’t get a bit of rain, even in summer. For winter months, definitely look at warmer clothing.

What else should make the packing list?

• Sturdy hiking shoes or boots, you’ll want these to tackle some of the amazing trails and hikes.
• Sunglasses and suntan cream – the ozone layer is still relatively thin over New Zealand, so protect yourself against those UVs.
• Unless travelling from Australia, make sure you take a travel adapter.

What did you think of our New Zealand itinerary for the North Island? We’d really value your comments and feedback, particularly if we’ve missed anything out – just let us know in the comments.

Also, if you’re looking for more things to do in the country, check out our full section of New Zealand Travel Guides , which has more in-depth information on some of our favourite spots.

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Brilliant, loved this post on the North Island of New Zealand. Reminds me of my home… really useful for anyone who is travelling to NZ.

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New Zealand North island 10 Day itinerary

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This New Zealand North Island 10 Day itinerary features some of the most diverse geographical attractions on the planet. The small pacific island nation is famous for its incredible scenery, Maori culture, thermal parks and a whole lot of cool experiences. The North Island is no exception, dishing up an amazing amount of stunning things to see and do. Your North Island NZ road trip promises a taste of everything, taking in the interior as well as coastal highlights. 

It’s not just a destination, it’s truly an experience

The BIG New Zealand North Island Road Trip Highlights

• thermal parks
• natural hot springs
• easy scenic hikes
• unique outdoor attractions
• adventure activities
• secluded accommodation

There are many great North Island trips to take. This particular New Zealand itinerary explores much of the landscape and truly its unique sites. So let’s look at all of the amazing things to experience on a New Zealand North Island Road Trip.

You can also read: 21 seriously good reasons to visit New Zealand

How long to spend in New Zealand?

On a map, you may be incorrect in thinking you don’t actually need that much time on a New Zealand North Island road trip. But trust me, you do.

The North Island deserves at least a couple of weeks, but we are not all blessed with being able to stay this long. This trip was only 10 days but it can be suited for anyone looking for a 9 to 12 day trip itinerary. It’s one of  best road trips from Auckland for those who love nature and natural attractions.

Many people like to know if combining both New Zealand South island with the North Island is a good idea. Well, if you have a few weeks, then I say yes. Previously, I have done them separately and also as a combined trip. It really depends on how much time you have and when you plan to go. There is no best answer, you just have to plan well and get the most out of your trip as I have done here.

Best time to visit New Zealand

A North Island road trip is most popular during the summer months of December, January and February. It offers the best chance of good weather, but with it comes the larger crowds and bumped up accommodation prices. School holiday periods will also be busier.

For reasonably good weather you could try the shoulder months of November, March and April.  Take note that New Zealand can experience all types pf weather regardless of the time of year.

This particular trip was taken in July. That’s right, the dead of winter. But guess what? I had 9 glorious days of sunshine and no wind. It was absolutely calm conditions and ideal for touring. All my previous trips were taken in summer and I still experienced occasional rain so you just never know.

Winter can be a wonderful time to visit. The crowds are low so you get to explore many once jam packed attractions on your own. You also get to stay in some amazing locations at the cheapest rates of the year. I’m not saying winter is completely ideal. Yes it is chilly early morning and evening, but a steaming outdoor hot tub or natural spring makes up for that quite nicely.

Fast Facts about New Zealand

• Population: 5 million people
• Capital: Wellington
• Driving – left hand side
• Lakes : 3820
• Volcanoes: 12 active
• Snakes : 0 (that’s right, there are no snakes in New Zealand)
• Was the first country to introduce the bungee jump (located in Queenstown)
• New Zealanders are known as “Kiwis” named after their national animal, a flightless and curious bird.
• Has a strong cultural input from the indigenous Maori people
• Has the world’s longest place name with 85 letters                                                                  “Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimangahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu”

New Zealand North Island 10 Day Itinerary

Road Trip : distance covered 906 km

Trip Itinerary: 9 nights/ 10 days 

Accommodation stops : Auckland x 1 night/  Putaruru x 1 night / Taupo x 2 nights

Roturua X 2 nights / Bay of Plenty x 2 night / Miranda (near Coromandel Peninsula) x 1 night 

New Zealand Itinerary Highlights

This North Island Road Trip from Auckland covers approximately 900 km in distance.

By the time we covered all the places of interest in each region, our total trip distance was 1200 km.

The largest travel day is just under 3 hours but the rest are relatively short, so you get to enjoy your days seeing the sites rather than being stuck behind the wheel. The best part is, when you are confined to the car, you’ll be memorized by the amazing scenery along the way so it’s a win win situation all round.

As this was a winter trip, day light hours are less than in summer, so you will have the opportunity to add many extra activities to the itinerary if needed or simply down time to relax.

Our North Island NZ road trip went like this:

Day 1. Auckland 

OK, are you ready for the most amazing New Zealand road trip. Your North Island itinerary is full of scenic locations, unique experiences and some incredible places to call home each night.

Distance Auckland to Ramarama: 30 Km / drive time 37 mins

Depending on the time of day you begin your trip, will depend on how far you get for your first night. As we flew into Auckland mid afternoon we decided it was best not to venture too far in case our flight was delayed, but also because we needed time to pick up a rental car as well. For that reason we headed for Ramarama, a small farming region south of Auckland city.

Did I mention there was an outdoor hot tub awaiting also.

ATTRACTIONS

Auckland is a big city and has many attractions to see including short half day tours .Some of these include:

Auckland Sky Tower – Skip the Line

Half Day City Highlights Tour

Dolphin & Whale Watching Cruise

Sea Life Aquarium 

Gourmet Food & Wine Walking Tour

ACCOMMODATION

Auckland has a big range of hotels BUT New Zealand as a whole has a generous amount of self contained accommodation.

During your New Zealand road trip, you have the chance to stay in some pretty cool cabins or cottages which I highly recommend for comfort.

For this trip we are saving on food costs by making most meals ourselves, and instead, are staying in with the comforts of a kitchen, lounge and in most cases, a washer and dryer. A nice benefit when wanting to travel with minimal luggage.

Day 2. Putaruru

Distance Ramarama to Putaruru: 277 Km / drive time 3.30 mins

It’s off again on our North Island NZ raod trip. Today’s drive is along State highway 1 for much of the trip before turning west for Putaruru.  The countryside is evergreen as we pass through many farmland areas, leaving the city well and truly behind.

This is by far your biggest drive day as we cross off some of the areas top attractions. From then on, the days driving is relatively short and easy. You’ll need a good 9 hours of time up your sleeves if you plan to do each activity and booking in advance is crucial. A booked out activity or having to wait for the next tour will set you back.

Waitomo Glowworm Caves

Without doubt, this is one of the most popular things to do on the North Island New Zealand. To get there, it requires a slight detour to the south.

The Waitomo Glowworm Cave is a guided tour through a cave system uniquely lit up by thousands of bio luminescent insects. Accessed by boat, you’ll glide through the cave before entering the Cathedral cave on foot.

Tours are very popular so it is highly recommended you book in advance, otherwise you’ll be left to wait it out for a spot. Tour time is 45 minutes.

You can read more here and see pricing. Waitomo Glowworm Caves

Hobbiton Movie Set 

Though I did not participate in this activity myself, if I didn’t mention it I’d be feeling a great load of guilt. Especially as the location is a place you’ll be passing straight by.

For Lord of the Rings fans, this 2 hour movie set tour takes you to all the great movie locations including the Green Dragon Inn. Note that Hobbiton can ONLY be access via a tour. Departures start from 9.30 am and there are at least 5 tours per day running.

You can read more here. Hobbiton Movie Set

Blue Spring – Te Waihou Walkway 

Of all the things we visited in New Zealand, the Blue Spring is my “cannot miss” activity.

Simply stunning is the Blue Spring, a river of  water so clear it will leave you breathless in its beauty. It supplies up to 70% of all New Zealand bottled water and for this reason, you cannot swim here.

The Blue Spring can be accessed via 2 different walking tracks. The longer version is 4.7 km one way (9.4 km return trip) along the Te Waihou Walkway and is expected to take 3 hours to complete. The starting point is from the car park on Whites Road and meanders through some of the prettiest scenery you could imagine.

Alternately, you can choose a shorter 15 minute walk from the Leslie road car park. Just to give you an idea, the shorter walk provides the biggest ‘wow” section and the longer walk provides that plus a beautiful scenic hike overall.

Lake Karapiro

The Karapiro Lake area is popular with water sports enthusiasts and families who are there to enjoy the lake atmosphere. It’s also the chosen back drop for my next nights stop.

The region is famous for its bike trails such as the Waikato River and Te Awa Cycle trails. Another spot if you have time is Sanctuary Mountain Maungatutari.  

Want to feel like royalty for a night?

You can’t go past the Versace Suite at Lake Karapiro Lodge.  An incredible space of lux furnishings, super king bed and large balcony overlooking Lake Karapiro, it really doesn’t get any better than this. The hosts also provide a cooked to order breakfast along with fresh fruits and more.

Day 3 & 4 Taupo

Distance Putaruru to Taupo : 86 Km / drive time 1.02 mins

Day 3 of our North Island road trip and it is a leisurely short drive toward the city of Taupo. But before we reach our next destination, we make a stop at one of the most impressive thermal parks of the trip. We are here for the next two nights, taking in many must see attractions and things to do.

Orakei Korako Geothermal Park

Staying on State Highway 1, you’ll turn off eventually to take the 13 km drive to Orakei Korako.

The visitor centre rests on one side of a lake and the park on the other. You will be taken by boat to start your self guided 2.5 km walk through an array of impressive features. These include geysers, bubbling mud pools, a cave and the colourful silica terraces.

Of all the thermal parks in the region, I have to say this was probably my favourite. It just had so many different features and an abundance of cool colours. Also, the crowds are a lot less here as it’s not as accessible as some of the other parks.

You can see ticket prices here. Orakei Korako Geothermal Park

No visitor to Taupo should skip the chance to witness this amazing rush of water barreling at full speed before descending into an 11 metre drop waterfall. It is quite astounding to witness.

The noise alone is deafening as hundreds of people stand at numerous viewing points to see 220.000 litres of water per second (aha, that’s right) hurtling through a narrow gorge along the Waikato River.

You can even take a jet boat ride to see the falls up close for an added adventure.

Cruise Lake Taupo

The largest lake in all of New Zealand can really only be explored by boat. Formed by a volcanic eruption thousands of year prior, the city of Taupo is build up around it.

We are setting off on a trip around the lake to see the Maori rock carvings that adorn the cliff face on the other side of the lake. The 90 minute return cruise is the perfect amount of time, especially as you have so much more to see. You can see tour details here – Scenic Maori Rock carving cruise

Aratiatia Rapids

We stumbled onto Aratiatia Rapids by chance and wondered why I hadn’t discovered it earlier.

The rapids are created from the opening of the Aratiatia Dam Wall each and every day. The first signs that anything is about to happen is the loud sirens that fill the air, a warning to anyone in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Watch as thousands of litres of water fill the shallow river bed before exploding over the rocks and pushing down stream. The whole process takes around 15 minutes. Times for the dam wall opening is best checked on the website to be accurate, but generally they open 3 times a day in winter and 4 times a day in summer.

Wairakei Terraces Thermal Pools

It’s time to unwind and soothe those aching muscles (OK, so no reason actually needed) by taking a dip into the outdoor naturally heated pools.

There are 3 pools which are all adults only.  The cost is NZ $25 per person.

It was simply heaven on a cool winters day and I couldn’t believe how toasty it was. Ranging from 34 to 40 degrees Celsius, I could see why everyone had a bottle of water to keep hydrated, it gets hotter than you may think.

The property also has a thermal walk you can do (extra cost) and towels are available to hire if needed.

Taupo is a big city so accommodation options are plentiful.

We stayed absolute lake frontage in a great apartment at The Village Resort. It had everything you could need just like the comforts of home.

Day 5 & 6 Rotorua

Distance Taupo to Rotorua : 79 Km / drive time 57 mins

We have crossed the half way mark of our North Island NZ road trip but I’m trying not to think about it. I’m totally ready for more crazy cool experiences. 

It’s a  quick drive to Rotorua in under an hour, and the fun activities start all over again.

Rotorua is an action packed place to be so an extra night would have been ideal, but we are up early and ready to take on the town for the next 48 hours.

Rotorua has a few thermal parks, each different, each worth a visit.

I had previously visited Wai-O-tapo Thermal Wonderland which is by far the most popular but also the most crowded. Now that I have seen all the big thermal parks I not convinced it is the best but I have to say that all the parks blew me away.

Waimangu Volcanic Valley

Unspoiled, untouched and memorizing in every possible way.

Located 45 minutes north of Taupo along the Thermal Explorer Highway, and just 20 minutes south of Rotorua, it is best done on your way up to Rotorua.

The entrance sits high up on a mountain and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the valley beyond and below. Access to the park involves a decent walk which is a highlight in itself. It is 4 kms from the visitor centre all the way to Lake Rotomahana so make sure you have the right walking shoes. The first section is downhill and needs some amount of grip underfoot.

before you start thinking about how you are going to get back to your stating point, there is a free shuttle bus from 3 points within the park, including from the lake.

The 1.5 km walk to Frying Pan Lake is lush and incredibly scenic, and down hill. From here it is flat and an easy walk to the lake. Other magical sites include Cathedral Rocks, Inferno crater, geysers, hot springs and silica terraces.

Once you reach the lake (at the very end) you can opt to take a boat cruise for 90 minutes which I did.  It takes you to areas that can only be accessed by boat, where you can see thermal activity along the shore line.

There is a tonne of things to see here but what I loved about Waimangu Volcanic Valley was the overall scenery. If you only do a couple of thermal parks, you must include this one.

To read more check out – Waimangu Volcanic Valley Self Guided Walk 

Te Puia – thermal park

Located within city limits, Te Puia is smaller in size and less attractive than the other parks i have seen. BUT there is a big BUT.

The park is home to the largest active geyser in the southern hemisphere and it is seriously impressive. I would happily pay the entrance fee just to see this. In fact, I stayed around to watch it twice as i was so mind blown by it.

The Pohutu geyser shoots up to 30 metres and goes off once or twice every hour.

Overall, expect to spend up 1.5 to 2 hours here.

Redwoods Tree Top Walk

A wonderful experience in Rotorua where you get to walk high above the forest floor.

Though this was a tourist hot spot, I loved it so much. The 800 metre walk across a series of swinging suspension bridges is pretty cool. The best part is you can come back after dark and do it all again under lights. A totally different experience  and well worth it.

You must also take one of the walks just beside the visitor centre and stroll through towering redwood forest. There are a few to choose, from short to longer walks.

Skyline Rotorua

For another thrilling up in the air experience, be sure to ride the cable car to the top of Rotorua. The whole complex is an entertainment hub of family fun activities, including luge rides, zip lining, sky swing and mountain bike park.

If that’s all too much you can simply take in the lake and surrounding views, have lunch or dinner or simply watch all the action unfold. We spent around 2 hours at Sky Rotorua.

You can see more here- Skyline Rotorua

Okere Falls Reserve

If waterfalls and rain forest walks are your thing, you must visit Okere Falls Reserve.

Located 20 minutes north of Rotorua city, the reserve is home to 4 waterfalls. The track is well formed and can be accessed from 2 car parks.

There are a few steps to make your way down to the viewing areas of the falls but is not too demanding. I spent a total of 90 minutes here and really enjoyed it. The whole area is extremely picturesque and was not too overcrowded.

Kerosene Creek

A magical spot of geothermal heated stream water, Kerosene creek  is pretty popular, or so I heard. Seeing I was there in winter, it was only occupied by a few keen travellers. Being 30 km out of town might help also.

So a quick change into my bathers and a quicker run for the stream (like I said it was winter) and it was soothing in every way. Be careful of the rocks which are hard to see and if you are visiting in the warmer season, expect bigger numbers. The fact that it is free makes it a worth while place to venture.

Looking for more Rotorua Attractions: 40 Best things to do in Rotorua

While Rotorua has plenty of great accommodation options, you have the chance to find a more secluded and peaceful spot if needed.

For this reason, we stayed 10 minutes out of town on Lake Okareka, a peaceful little town with a great lake walk right at your doorstep. The Blue Lake is also near by.

Day 7 & 8 Bay of Plenty

Distance rotorua to bay of plenty: 74 km / drive time 54 mins.

In less than an hour we find ourselves along the magnificent Bay of Plenty. The weather includes blue skies and calm conditions, perfect for a day of scenic walks.

The next two days are all about relaxation while just enjoying the beach.

Mt Maunganui base walk

The trendy town of Mt Maunganui sits at the end of a sand spit with water encompassing from all angles. The mountain itself is at the very tip and therefore provides a perfect coastal view walking track.

The town is a hub of activity, with droves of people out to enjoy the base walk around the mountain. The 3.4 km walk is an easy paced activity and you soon realize why it is considered one of New Zealand’s most popular walks.

For those with extra energy and up for a challenge, you can choose to take the track to the summit which takes around 40 minutes to complete. it is considered somewhat strenuous but well worth the sweaty climb.

The rest of your day, including the next is all about taking some time to enjoy the beach, swim season or not. Why not try a range of activities on offer:

Bike hire including helmets

V8 Chevrolet Trike Ride

Dolphin cruise and swim

Craft Beer Tour with food included

I have booked the most incredible isolated cabin right on the beach. It is off grid, so no electricity and instead runs on a generator. It has private beach access, an outdoor hot tub overlooking the ocean and not a soul in sight.  There is a kitchen, lounge, outdoor setting, BBQ area  and free WiFi. Though it was just the two of us, the cabin (which is actually split into two separate cabins) can accommodate up to 7 people.

Day 9 Coromandel Peninsula

Distance Bay of Plenty to Coromandel Peninsula: 160 Km / drive time 2.30 mins

Depending on where you chose to stay on the Bay of Plenty will determine how far your drive is up the coast. It may be less or more. The peninsula is an enjoyable drive with lots of stunning coastal scenery.

Hot Water Beach

Located between the towns of Tairua and Whitianga is a special little place known as Hot Water Beach.

It’s where naturally heated mineral water makes it way to the earths surface on a stretch of sand along the Pacific Ocean. This unique place is only accessible 2 hours either side of the low tide. Come at high tide and you will find it all under water. Unfortunately I couldn’t get there at low tide but hopefully you’ll have better luck.

You can dig your own personal hot tub then watch it wash away, ready for someone else tomorrow. Believe it or not, you can actually hire shovels from the store next to the car park. Because lets face it, how many people travel with a shovel for those “need to dig a hole” moments.

Cathedral Cove

Heading further up the coast from Hot Water Beach (only 10 minutes) is another famous landmark on the Coromandel Peninsula.

Cathedral Cove is a naturally formed arch and is the most popular tourist attraction in the area. Beautiful white sandy beaches can be found here on either side of the arch, and is the perfect place for a picnic and a swim if the weather is ideal.

Like Hot Water Beach, it is best seen 2 hours either side of high tide but is not a big deal if you can’t. You just won’t be able to pass through the arch without getting your lower half wet.

To get to Cathedral Cove you will have to endure a gorgeous scenic walk that is 2.5 km each way and takes around 90 minutes return. There are two side tracks, Gemstone Bay and Stingray Bay that you can explore also.

It is worth noting that the start of the trail head is 1.5 km’s from the actual car park for Cathedral Cove, and it’s steep. Shuttle buses run during the busy season but not the off season. But you will be able to drive your car all the way to the top car park without having to negotiate the hill.

Your last night is a couple hours from Auckland so make the most of it.

If like us, you need to be a bit closer to the airport or to drop your rental car off, I recommend the most gorgeous little cottage in the town of Miranda. It’s right near a coastal bird sanctuary and offers great views of the area. That way you are less than an hour from the city but still far enough away to enjoy a peaceful last night.

Day 9 Auckland return

Distance coromandel peninsula to auckland : 190 km / drive time 2.35 mins.

Distance Miranda to Auckland : 80 km /  drive time: 57 mins

Our last day involved a slow drive back toward Auckland, probably because we just didn’t want it to end. We took a couple of detours just to make sure we were satisfied we had seen everything…..as you do.

If you are coming from the Coromandel Peninsula and have time, continuing around the peninsula till you hit the town of Thames is well worth it. With unobstructed sea views, it’s a nice finish to your trip.

Another worthwhile stop is at the Robert Findlay Wildlife Reserve , a sanctuary for thousands of local and migrating birds. You will need to head to the town of  Miranda before reconnecting back on the main highway, Auckland bound.

North Island NZ Road Trip Review

New Zealand is an epic country. So much to see and do in such a small space, and a changing landscape that surprises you at every turn. They certainly know how to tug at a tourists soft spot.

My favourite part of New Zealand was the never ending scenery, and that’s free. Well most of it. And that is why a road trip is best suited to see it all. You get to do it your way and at a pace you are comfortable with.

So why wait any longer if you are still contemplating if and when to go. Just do it. Because the world including you needs to see what makes this amazing destination so magical and special.

What to read next:

40 Best Things to do in Rotorua

21 Serioulsy good Reasons to visit New Zealand

Guide to Queentown

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How to Plan an Amazing New Zealand North Island Itinerary

Planning a road trip on the North Island of New Zealand? You’re in the right place. We just got back from our second trip to New Zealand, and spent our time exploring as much of the North Island as we possibly could over the course of more than three weeks on the road. 

On the North Island, you’ll find a landscape shaped by volcanic activity over countless millennia, which is a unique aspect of this part of the world, along with beautiful stretches of coastline featuring sweeping views and glorious sand beaches, fertile agricultural land producing some of the country’s best produce (and cheese!), and the two best cities in New Zealand (for our fellow city lovers). 

We had spent time on the South Island before, but weren’t quite prepared for just how different the two islands are from each other (it’s honestly no wonder that the majority of the Māori ended up on the North Island, which feels like a much more pleasant place to live). 

In this guide to planning your New Zealand North Island itinerary, here’s what we’re going to cover:

• Exactly how to plan a 14 day New Zealand North Island road trip including what stops to make, what route to take, and all the important logistics you need to know.
• A guide to what to do, where to stay, and how to get there for each stop on the itinerary.
• Options for shorter (7 & 10 days) and longer trips if you have more or less time than two weeks. 

Throughout the guide, we’ll share our favorite finds and experiences in New Zealand based on our trips to help you plan your unforgettable trip.

Sound good to you? Let’s dive into planning your trip to the North Island!

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post, like hotel links, are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we make a little bit of money if you click through and book. That being said, we would never recommend something to you that we don’t stand behind 100%.

How Many Days Do You Need for a North Island Road Trip?

We spent a lot of time discussing this topic as we wound our way through New Zealand’s beautiful countryside, either on foot or in the car.

For context, we had three weeks to make our way from Wellington at the southern tip of the North Island up to Auckland, which is near the northern edge of the island. And we felt like that was a solid amount of time to see what we wanted to see (though more time would have been even better!). 

However, as we got into the trip, we realized that there is so much to see on the North Island, and it made us realize that, even with three weeks, we were having to skip places we wanted to visit because we just didn’t have enough time. 

Unfortunately, we know that many people don’t have three weeks of vacation time to burn (particularly Americans like us). 

We’ve chosen to write this guide for two weeks, which is the absolute minimum amount of time we’d recommend if you want to cover the entire North Island between Wellington and Auckland. 

That gives you time to explore both Wellington and Auckland – two cool cities that are worth a day of your time on either end of your road trip – and also see the highlights of the North Island’s beautiful landscapes, from the mountains (really, volcanoes) to the sandy beaches. 

However, it is worth noting that two weeks gives you enough time to BARELY cover the highlights. It’s going to be a fair amount of driving, and you won’t have much flexibility if it happens to be raining on a day you want to do a big hike, for example.  

If you have more time, we have plenty of ideas in the “with more time” section below the main itinerary. 

If you have less than two weeks to spend on the North Island, we have some ideas for that too in the “with less time” section below the main itinerary.

At a high level, we’d recommend covering one half of the island, and which half you choose largely depends on what you’re looking for (which we get into in that section). 

One thing we want to note up front is that, after doing a version of this North Island road trip ourselves, you should not stay in a single place for less than two nights . 

Otherwise you’ll spend more time in the car driving from place to place (the average drive time between places on this itinerary is somewhere between two and three hours) than you will actually seeing places!

We’ve seen itineraries that suggest spending a single night in 10 different places, and that just sounds exhausting. 

Do yourself a favor and spend at least two nights in each place on your itinerary . Your future self will thank you. 

Where to Start and End Your North Island Road Trip

The best places to start and end your road trip on New Zealand’s North Island are the two biggest cities on the island, which are helpfully located at the southern tip and near the northern edge. 

Those two cities are Auckland , which is by far New Zealand’s biggest city near the North Island’s northern borders, and Wellington , which is the capital of New Zealand that is on the southern coast (and is a very cool city that reminds us a lot of San Francisco, minus the insane wealth inequality). 

You’ll want to fly in and out of Auckland International Airport (AKL) , which is the busiest airport in New Zealand and is where most international flights will come in, and Wellington International Airport (WLG) , which is smaller and will likely require a connection if you’re coming from overseas (typically through Auckland). 

So, which direction should you go? 

We went south to north, starting in Wellington and ending in Auckland, and would recommend it for a few reasons. 

First, it front loads the big hikes in Egmont National Park (should you choose to include it) and Tongariro National Park , which means you’ll work hard at the beginning of the trip and spend the rest of the trip eating local cheese and drinking sauvignon blanc (although, there are also obviously hikes elsewhere, they’re just less intense). 

Second, this puts your longest flight connection at the beginning of the trip , when you’re still bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and ready for adventure. 

Like we mentioned above, most flights coming into New Zealand from overseas connect in Auckland and continue onwards to the smaller airports elsewhere in New Zealand. 

Flying to Wellington likely means you’re connecting through Auckland, which means it’s going to be a little bit of a longer journey to get to. We’d rather have that longer journey at the beginning of the trip than at the end, when we’re ready to just be home. 

Do You Need to Rent a Car for this Road Trip?

It might be obvious, but you’re definitely going to need a car to do this road trip . 

As two people who visited Australia many years ago and chose not to rent a car because it was too scary to drive on the other side of the road, we’re here to tell you that yes, to make the most of your trip you definitely need to rent a car. 

Or a campervan, but we’ll get to that in a second. 

There just really isn’t enough public (or private, frankly) transportation coverage around the country to make this itinerary work (especially if you have limited time!). 

Let’s take Milford Sound as an example. If you don’t have a car, you can either take a bus to Milford Sound, which doesn’t make any stops along the way and basically just drops you off at the pickup for the cruises, or take a guided day trip that costs several hundred dollars, though it probably includes a few more stops along the way.

Whichever option you choose between those two, you’re going to be missing out on exploring some of the great hikes near Milford Sound, and you’re going to miss the opportunity to see the Sound at sunrise or sunset. 

Having a car will give you more flexibility and the ability to do a bit of exploring that just isn’t possible if you don’t have a car. 

The best way to do it is to rent a car at the airport when you arrive and drop it off at the airport when you depart. 

By flying into one city and out of another, you may incur a one-way fee, but it’s well worth the small extra fee to avoid having to loop back to Wellington (which is roughly 8 hours of driving in perfect conditions and without road construction). 

For what it’s worth, we’ve used GoRentals on both this road trip, and our South Island road trip a few years ago, and our experience has been nothing but great both times.

Renting a Car vs. Renting a Campervan

If you’ve never done a road trip in a campervan, New Zealand would not be a bad place to have your first campervan experience. 

Scratch that, it would be an absolutely magical place to do it. 

For both of our trips to New Zealand, we priced out our own itinerary in a campervan versus renting a regular car, including gas, insurance, and accommodation (campgrounds / private rooms in hostels) fees. 

We’re not going to share the exact numbers that we came up with (for a comfortable van, it’ll cost somewhere in the range of $4,000-$6,000 NZD depending on dates, type of van, and destinations), because it varies so much by itinerary, time of year, company, and plenty of other factors. 

However, the main takeaway is that it is roughly the same price to rent a budget campervan and stay in campsites as it is to rent a compact car and stay in budget hotels and private rooms in hostels. 

It is worth noting here that, in both scenarios, we were planning on having access to a kitchen and cooking 90% of our meals. If you were going to eat out for every meal in the regular car scenario, it probably becomes less attractive from a price standpoint. 

You can pretty easily price it out for your own specific trip (just grab a quote from a couple of campervan companies, calculate the rough distance you’ll drive to get to gas costs).

If you want one of the fancy campervans, like a Mercedes Sprinter (or equivalent), it quickly becomes significantly more expensive than the car + hostel / budget motel option. 

The question you need to ask yourself (and then answer) is whether you want to have that unique campervan experience, and whether you’re willing to pay a (slight) premium for it. 

Ultimately, we lived in a converted Honda Odyssey for a few years on a never ending road trip around the Western United States (and still spend big chunks of our summers sleeping in a van at home in Oregon), so we didn’t feel like we needed that experience. 

However, we also understand that might be different for you, which is why we included this section to give you our perspective on how to think about whether or not a van makes sense for you. 

It’s important to note that over the past decade or so, there has been a movement in New Zealand to restrict freedom camping, which just means camping outside of sanctioned campgrounds. 

There are several very understandable reasons for this, including the sheer amount of garbage and feces that freedom campers were leaving all over New Zealand. 

The implication here is that even with a campervan, we’d still recommend booking campsites to park at rather than just showing up and winging it, because that has gotten significantly more difficult and complicated over the past few years. 

The other important consideration here is that most of the big campervan companies don’t have a location in Wellington, which means if you wanted to do this trip by campervan, you’d have to modify it to be round trip from Auckland . 

That would add roughly eight hours of driving to your itinerary, depending on how you did it (we’d go from Auckland down the east coast all the way to Wellington, come back north to Tongariro, and then continue on to Auckland). 

Things to Know About Driving in New Zealand

As you may or may not already have picked up on, we’re American. Which means we drive on the other side of the road from New Zealand. 

Here are a few things we noted on our road trip that you may (or may not) find useful about driving in New Zealand. 

They drive on the other side of the road . This should be obvious, but it’s a little bit of an adjustment. At the moment I’m writing this, we’ve been home in the US for a couple of days and I still find myself flicking on the windshield wipers instead of the turn signal after three weeks on the road in New Zealand. The main differences are that everything in the car is switched EXCEPT for the gas and brake pedals. 

Many, many roads in New Zealand have a single lane in each direction . This has two main implications. First, there is a lot of road construction, particularly in the summertime. Second, there is a lot of trucking happening on said roads with one lane in each direction, which means that things move a little slow, particularly on the hilly portions. There are usually good passing lanes, but not always. Plan on driving taking approximately 20% more time than planned. 

Your driver’s license needs to be in English (or you need to have an English translation) . If you’re coming from the US, Australia, the UK, or Canada, your driver’s license is good to go as-is (assuming it’s in English) and you do not need an International Driving Permit. If you’re coming from elsewhere, you need an English translation. More information on that here . 

You can’t take a left on red (in the US, the equivalent would be a right on red) . No left on red. Period. Pretty simple. Unlike the US, you need to wait for the light to turn green.  

There are a few toll roads, and you pay your tolls online after you use the road . There are a few toll roads in the northeast corner of the North Island near Tauranga (and north of Auckland) that are well signed and have free alternative routes readily available. If you choose to take a toll road, which generally costs $2.10 NZD and saves 10-15 minutes or so, you go on this website , click “buy or pay a toll,” enter your license plate, and pay any tolls within five days of the time you entered the toll road. We found it to be pretty simple (we only took it once going into Tauranga). 

There are a lot of roundabouts in New Zealand . Which we love! However, based on our experience at home in the US, it seems like Americans in particular don’t really understand how roundabouts work. Here’s a crash course. All traffic goes left – clockwise – around the roundabout. You yield to the cars behind you in the roundabout (which means on your right in New Zealand), and to take a right turn you have to go all the way around the roundabout (you can’t just go right and cut through it, which happens all the time here at home). When you enter the roundabout, signal left if you’re going left, signal right if you’re going all the way around to the right, and don’t signal if you’re going straight. Signal left as you’re getting ready to exit the roundabout. 

How to Plan an Amazing 2 Week New Zealand North Island Itinerary

Now that we’ve covered a few of the most important pieces of logistics, let’s get into the fun part – the itinerary itself!

As we already covered, for this two week itinerary, you’ll start your trip in Wellington and end up in Auckland. 

Because it’s generally a bad idea to spend 12-24 hours flying around the world and then immediately hop in a car and drive four hours, we’d spend your first days exploring Wellington, acclimating to the time change and getting ready for an action-packed couple of weeks. 

From there, you’ll snake your way up the east coast, straight through the volcanic center of the country, and then up to the northeast corner of the country before ending in Auckland, New Zealand’s biggest city.  

Here’s what the itinerary below looks like at a high level (note that we’re not talking about what to do and see each day, it’s just a general idea of where you’ll be):

• Day 1: Arrive in Wellington
• Day 2: Wellington
• Day 3: Hawke’s Bay
• Day 4: Hawke’s Bay 
• Day 5: Tongariro National Park
• Day 6: Tongariro National Park
• Day 7: Tongariro National Park
• Day 8: Rotorua / Tauranga (Bay of Plenty)
• Day 9: Rotorua / Tauranga (Bay of Plenty)
• Day 10: The Coromandel Peninsula
• Day 11: The Coromandel Peninsula
• Day 12: The Coromandel Peninsula
• Day 13: Auckland
• Day 14: Auckland

And here is a map of the route to help you visualize it as you’re reading: 

Below, we’ll go through each stop individually, highlighting why we think the place is worth your time, some of our favorite things to do and see (and eat and drink), and an overview of where to stay (and sometimes some specific places that we stayed or that caught our eye). 

One important note at the top. We believe, based on our own experience, that with two weeks you will have to make a choice between Hawke’s Bay – an incredible food and wine destination – and Mount Taranaki (and New Plymouth), which is the center of a beautiful national park and some of the North Island’s best hiking. 

The reason you have to choose is basically geography and, by extension, time. They’re both about three hours east or west of Tongariro, which is central and is an easy place to continue north towards Rotorua from. 

It’s also important to note that both places deserve more than a day, especially given the hefty drive times, so it doesn’t make sense to split the two days between them. 

Given the fact that you already have Tongariro on this road trip, we chose to include Hawke’s Bay in the main itinerary, and put Taranaki in the “with more time” section.

However, it’s easy to swap in Taranaki if that’s what you’re more interested in. You can essentially follow the same exact itinerary, just swap in Taranaki for Hawke’s Bay.

Taranaki is also the first place we’d add if you happen to have two extra days in New Zealand.  

And now, let’s get specific!

Wellington (Days 1-2)

Of the two main cities on the North Island – Wellington and Auckland – we found ourselves innately drawn to Wellington.

It’s a beautiful city set on a nice little bay (who doesn’t love a water feature) with a great food and drink culture (for New Zealand) and great access to the natural beauty nearby, from forests to beaches. 

It should come as no surprise that we enjoyed Wellington given that we lived in San Francisco together for a decade, and Wellington reminds us A LOT of San Francisco. 

Driving through some of the hilly neighborhoods in Wellington, you could have told us that we were actually in South San Francisco or Daly City and we would have believed you. 

Except for one thing: the archaic practice of parking on the side of a two-lane road (which basically means in the middle of the road) with blind curves, which is something we encountered all over the city.

That aside, we spent three days exploring Wellington, and we’d go back in a heartbeat (especially if it didn’t require a 14 hour flight). It’s a fun, young-feeling city in a beautiful location, and we think it’s a great first stop on your New Zealand North Island road trip.

We recognize that you are most likely here in New Zealand for the natural beauty – and, for the most part, so were we! – but it’s worth taking a day or two on either end of being immersed in that nature to appreciate the cultural and historical aspects of New Zealand, which is best done in Wellington (and Auckland).  

What to Do in Wellington

Here are some things we really enjoyed in Wellington, and we think should be a part of your itinerary. 

Zealandia: We absolutely loved Zealandia , a wildlife sanctuary just outside of the city center where they’re doing their part to restore wildlife – birds mostly – populations to pre-human arrival levels. It’s fully fenced (to keep the birds that can’t fly in), and we spent a few hours walking a long loop around the lake where we saw (and heard) tons of birdlife. Matt’s not usually into birdwatching, but he was excitedly trying to identify different calls in an attempt – usually successful – to catch a glimpse of the plethora of bird species that call this place home. You can visit on your own, but we really wanted to do a dusk or night tour only to find they were completely sold out for weeks (if you want to do that, book in advance!). 

Te Papa: Te Papa is arguably the best museum in New Zealand (plus, it’s free!), this is a great introduction to visiting New Zealand with exhibits on New Zealand’s plant and animal life and geography, the Māori, and a rotating cast of exhibits that, collectively, tell the story of New Zealand. Sort of, anyway. It’s a very European point of view, evidenced by the fact that I went to two of New Zealand’s top museums (the other being the Auckland War Memorial Museum) and never saw a hint towards the process by which the British took the land from the Māori, which I had to learn about via a podcast later in the trip ( this one , for the record, and I thought it was a great introduction!). We do the same thing in the US around the history of our indigenous communities, but I was disappointed to not find any acknowledgement here in New Zealand given the fact that they seemed much further along in their journey of acknowledging and repairing relationships between communities.  

Mount Victoria: Mount Victoria stands tall on the southern side of Wellington’s CBD, and is a short hike away. Here is the route , though there are plenty of different route options thanks to the network of trails here. You can also drive up to the top, and there is plenty of parking. From the top, you’ll have a great view of the city, along with some nice explanatory signage that tells the story of Wellington. Make sure not to miss the short walk along the road out to the lookout over the harbor ( here on Google Maps), which has a great view over the water out to the north. 

Mount Kaukau: While the view from the top of Mount Victoria is nice, the view from Mount Kaukau is next level. It’s a short hike that will make you work for those views, but the views back towards Wellington are spectacular, and well worth the effort. We probably wouldn’t do the loop, which follows a mountain bike track that is steep and pretty unpleasant at points. Here’s the route we’d do . 

Wētā Workshop: I, Matt (the resident LOTR nerd) have mixed feelings on Wētā Workshop . And it probably makes more sense to focus on Alysha’s perspective, because she is not really into Lord of the Rings . This is where the majority of the costume and prop-making magic happened for the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The tour is VERY commercial (almost more so than Hobbiton, which we’ll get to in a bit), and our guide was frenetic and hard to follow (even though they were clearly following a script). The props and costumes you get to see are cool, but ultimately it was far, far less interesting than Hobbiton. And with limited time, unless you’re a HUGE fan, we’d choose Hobbiton over Wētā Workshop.

Where to Stay in Wellington

When it comes to choosing a place to stay in Wellington, you have two high-level options that present a sort of fork in the road. 

On one hand, you can stay right downtown in the middle of all the action. 

On the other hand, you can stay slightly outside of the downtown core on one of Wellington’s many hills. 

One of the nice things about Wellington is that the city is very compact (at least the downtown core) and most things are within walking distance – restaurants, museums, bars, the waterfront, etc etc. 

By staying outside of the downtown core, you’re sort of missing out on that walkability, which is why our recommendation is to stay somewhere in the city center, especially with a limited time to see the city. 

Our top recommendation in Wellington is Ohtel Wellington , and that recommendation is based on an excellent experience in Auckland at their property there (great service, mid-century modern style, and an excellent location, which is true in Wellington too). 

Their property in Wellington is on the south side of the harbor, right under Mount Victoria (it’s a very short walk to the trailhead to climb up, which you should do), and is basically across the street from Te Papa. 

For what it’s worth, we stayed slightly outside of the city center (at this gorgeous Airbnb ) because we had more time to explore and wanted somewhere quiet and peaceful.

We liked that aspect, but didn’t enjoy the fact that we had to hop in the car and drive every time we wanted to go anywhere. 

Hawkes Bay – Hastings & Napier (Days 3-4)

Drive time and distance: 4 hours and 10 minutes // 326 km (203 miles)

Hawke’s Bay is a fertile, warm, sunny section on the southeast coast of the North Island, and I’m quite literally sitting here on a pleasantly warm summer day eating fresh stone fruit and writing about why I think you should include it on your New Zealand North Island itinerary. 

There are a few reasons why Hawke’s Bay is worth your time, and they are, in no particular order, wine, beaches, and food (specifically, produce). 

Let’s talk about each of those reasons in a little more detail. 

First up, wine . Hawke’s Bay is one of the three biggest wine producing regions in New Zealand (the others being Marlborough and Central Otago). 

However, unlike those other places, the climate in Hawke’s Bay is hot and dry, which means bigger reds like Merlot and Syrah thrive here, versus more delicate varietals like pinot noir and sauvignon blanc, which do well in Marlborough and Central Otago.

It also reminds us a little bit of the Anderson Valley in California, which is basically adjacent to Napa and Sonoma, but offers a little more of a low key, laid back experience (and lower tasting fees, too). 

There is a nice range of wineries in Hawke’s Bay, from casual places to enjoy some wine and maybe a cheese plate, to fancier spots to have a 7 course lunch with wine pairings.

Second is beaches . Hawke’s Bay, as you might imagine, is coastal. Again, reminding us of California, it’s where the rolling golden hills (and apple orchards and sheep paddocks) meet the Pacific Ocean. 

There are several really nice beaches right in Napier and Hastings (or just outside), and a bunch more just outside of those towns – particularly to the south – where you’ll find more locals than tourists. 

Last is the food . Thanks to the climate and geography, Hawke’s Bay is the perfect place to grow fruit. Berries. Stone fruit. Apples. Grapes. You name it, they probably grow it here. 

There are produce stands lining Napier Road selling fruit that was picked a day ago or less, and that bounty of farm-fresh produce (among other ingredients like cheese) translates to some really good food around Hawke’s Bay. 

If your idea of a good time is a morning hike to a peak with a great 360-degree view, followed by a well-earned brunch, some wine tasting, and an afternoon on the beach, we think you’re going to love Hawke’s Bay (we definitely did). 

What to Do in Hawke’s Bay and Hastings

Here are some of the things to do in and around Hawke’s Bay that we really enjoyed, and think you will too. 

First, if you happen to be in town on a Sunday, the Hawke’s Bay Farmers Market is a must-visit, we think. It’s massive, which isn’t surprising given the area, and has all sorts of vendors from fruit and vegetables to cheese to olive oil to bread to coffee…you get the idea. 

Second, we had what might have been the best (gluten free) meal we had in New Zealand at the Te Mata Figgery Cafe .

They grow figs (which ripen in late summer, somewhere around February and March) and use them in a bunch of creative ways at the cafe. The French Toast is amazing, topped with seasonal fruit, ricotta, and bacon (love that sweet and salty combo!). 

Te Mata Peak: The craggy peak overlooking the valley, this rocky outcropping is home to the best hike in the area. Start from the parking lot at the entrance to the park ( here on Google Maps) and climb up to the highest point in the area, where you’ll have views in all directions on a clear morning. Along the way, you’ll also have some nice views – particularly towards the coast – and you’ll even get to walk through a redwood grove, which provides a nice change in scenery. You can also drive, though the road is narrow (only room for one car in sections) and parking at the top is limited. 

Scenic drive through the Tuki Tuki Valley: Based on a tip from the host of our accommodations, we did an early morning drive down to the southern end of Hawke’s Bay to check out a couple of beaches. Driving through the Tuki Tuki Valley, you’ll experience rolling hills that continue all the way to the coast and are lined with grazing sheep and exquisite views of Te Mata Peak across the river. We’d go out to Waimarama Beach, a surfer’s paradise, and stop at Ocean Beach (a better beach for swimming) on the way back. The drive takes about an hour each way, and we enjoyed every second of it. Here’s a rough route to take. 

Wine tasting: As we mentioned above, Hawke’s Bay is one of New Zealand’s premier wine regions. It’s known for bigger, bolder reds thanks to its warmer, drier climate than, say, the Marlborough region, which isn’t really our thing. We’re much more into white wines and bubbles! Our favorite experience was at Askerne Estate Winery , where we had a very laid back, casual tasting led by a very friendly Kiwi who happily answered all of our (read: Matt’s) questions. At $10 a tasting for 5-6 wines each, we loved it. All of their wine comes from fruit grown on their property in Hawke’s Bay, too! Next is Craggy Range , which is probably the most prestigious winery in Hawke’s Bay. It’s definitely on the higher end, and prices and experience both reflect that. They have a couple of different tasting and food experiences to choose from, including a full on vineyard tour and wine and food pairing. Last is Te Awanga Estate , which was a recommendation from our host (though we didn’t actually make it there) as a casual place to try some wine and grab a bite to eat (she specifically called out their pizzas). 

Where to Stay in Hawke’s Bay

Once again, you have a fork in the road before you decide on where to stay, and it centers around whether you want to stay in a city or in a more rural setting.

For what it’s worth, we chose a more rural setting and absolutely did not regret it. We stayed at the Freefall Hut down near Te Awanga (south of Hastings and North Havelock) and loved both the location, and the specific place we chose. 

It was quiet, peaceful, private, and we loved spending the evening outside watching the sunset and listening to the cacophony of local birds. 

However, it’s certainly convenient to stay in town and be able to walk to restaurants, shops, wineries, and even the beach.

If you would prefer to stay in a city (really, a town), we’d DEFINITELY choose Napier , which we found to be more charming than Hastings.   

For a similar experience to our place down south, with a cozy cottage and a quieter environment, check out the Bluff Hill Bed & Breakfast , which is up on the hill just north of the Napier city center (plus, they have a pool!). 

Our other recommendation here based on our research would be the Laneway Apartments , which are self-contained apartments (with kitchen facilities!) that are a few blocks from the beach and the rest of downtown Napier, and are both spacious and stylish. 

Another option is the Art Deco Masonic Hotel , which is a little cheaper and in a similar location, but doesn’t have a kitchen and the rooms are much more compact (which makes sense given it’s a hotel, not apartments). 

Tongariro National Park (Days 5-7)

Drive time and distance: 3 hours // 232 km (144 miles)

Tongariro National Park is almost smack dab in the center of the North Island, and your visit here marks the halfway point on your North Island road trip.

Tongariro is a special place. It was the first designated national park in New Zealand (and sixth in the world), and has since been declared a dual UNESCO World Heritage Site for cultural and natural values. The summits of the volcanoes are considered sacred to the local Māori iwis (iwis means tribes, roughly), which is one of a few good reasons why you shouldn’t summit them. 

The park revolves around the three active volcanoes in the park – Mount Ruapehu, Mount Ngauruhoe, and Mount Tongariro – all of which you’ll get a glimpse of if you tackle the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing (which we’ll cover below). 

It’s not every day that you can hike along the base of an active volcano! The geography and geology in Tongariro is what we think makes it special and worth your time. 

If you’re lucky with the weather, anyway. The weather in this part of the world is notoriously unpredictable, and the Department of Conservation follows strict guidelines around wind, rain, and temperatures when they determine which trails are open on a daily basis. 

A couple of examples of this in action would be both of the big hikes we did in Tongariro – the aforementioned Crossing and the hike to Tama Lakes .

Our hike to Tama Lakes started out beautifully! Sunny, warm, and perfect visibility so that we could see both Mount Ruapehu and Mount Ngauruhoe. 

Half way through, we couldn’t see either peak and the fog was getting thicker by the minute. 

By the time we finished, it was raining sideways, we were soaked to the bone despite being clad in waterproof gear, and we were in flash flood territory.  

Part of the reason we have you spending more time here than you might expect is to maximize your chances of getting a good weather day where you can see the peaks of the mountains.

We met multiple other hikers who had their shuttles for the Crossing canceled and didn’t get to do the hike because they had to move on, which would be a major bummer. 

Plus, there’s plenty to do and see here aside from the Crossing!

What to Do in Tongariro National Park 

Before we get into our favorite things to do and see in Tongariro National Park, it’s worth taking a second to talk about the park’s geography. 

The park, centered around Mount Ruapehu – the biggest active volcano in New Zealand and the country’s first national park – is big and sprawling, covering almost 800 square kilometers (400 square miles) on New Zealand’s North Island. 

While it may be big and sprawling, there are really two areas you’ll be accessing as a visitor for a couple of days; the area on the eastern side of the park near Whakapapa Village (which is a Māori word that is pronounced “fah-kah-pah-pah”), and the area on the southern side of the park near the town of Ohakune. 

Both are worth a visit, and we’d recommend driving all the way up to Turoa (a ski resort in the winter, here on Google Maps) on the southern side of the mountain for an up-close-and-personal view of the southern face of Mount Ruapehu.

It probably makes sense to stop at the southern side of the park on your way up from Hawke’s Bay. 

Now, let’s talk about what to do and see in the park. 

Hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing: Billed as the best day hike in the country (and one of the best in the world, which we’re not sure we agree with), this is the premier hike in the park. It’s also the busiest and most complicated, because it’s a one way hike that requires a shuttle service to take you from your car, parked at the end of the trail, up to the trailhead to start the hike. It’s not an easy hike by any definition – we clocked 12 miles and 2,600 feet of elevation gain – but provided you’re prepared physically and with the right equipment, we’d say it’s worth it. We have an entire guide dedicated to hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing where you can find all the information you need to hike the trail safely and confidently (including all the logistics!). 

Hike to Tama Lakes: This shorter hike is not quite as spectacular as the crossing, but it’s significantly easier (still a tough day hike, with tons of sun exposure) and less complicated, which makes it an excellent alternative if you want a quieter trail, an easier hike, or don’t want to pay the $60 NZD fee for the shuttle services (per person). You start near Whakapapa Village and quickly ascend into that barren, desolate landscape that made the perfect Mordor in Lord of the Rings . It’s a steady climb up to two lakes – and you should absolutely make the climb up the ridge for the second one! We also have a guide to hiking to Tama Lakes with all the logistics and information you need to hit the trail.  

Mangawhero Falls (southern side): A great waterfall that is a few hundred meters from the parking area. If you’re lucky and you’re here on a clear day, Mount Ruapehu will be peeking its southern face out from behind the falls, giving you a shot that reminds us a lot of Myrtle Falls in Mount Rainier National Park in our backyard. 

Waitonga Falls (southern side): A few minutes away from Mangawhero, this is a short hike through the woods to a towering waterfall. It’s a short hike, but it involves more climbing than we were expecting because you climb up to the top of a hill (where you have an excellent – and unexpected – view of Mount Ruapehu) only to climb back down to a river. Which means two sets of stairs to climb up and down! Still, we’d recommend it – the falls are beautiful, as is the view of Mount Ruapehu. 

Where to Stay in Tongariro National Park

You essentially have three choices when it comes to choosing a place to stay near Tongariro National Park. 

Your first choice is to stay inside the park near Whakapapa Village , which is set around the national park visitor center. The choices here are slim, but it’s actually not as expensive as you might expect (there’s a backpacker lodge called Skotel that is an excellent budget option). 

Your second choice is to stay right outside the main entrance to the park, in a town (fittingly) called “ National Park .” It’s a small town catering mostly to visitors to the park, so there are a few restaurants and cafes, a grocery store, and that’s about it. 

Staying here puts you about 10-15 minutes away from Whakapapa Village, which is the main area on the eastern side of the park, and about 45 minutes away from Turoa, the highest point on the southern side of the park. 

As you can see, the location is great, but you’re going to pay for the privilege.

There are a couple of nice places to stay here, including the Plateau Lodge (a cross between a hostel and a hotel, with common kitchen facilities available). Most of them skew towards the budget side of the spectrum in terms of facilities, but prices skew more mid-range. 

Your last option, and the one we chose, is to stay further away on the northeastern side of the park in a town like Tūrangi , which is about 30 minutes from Whakapapa Village and an hour from the southern end of the park. 

The disadvantage is that it’s a longer drive to Whakapapa Village on the eastern side of the park AND to the southern side of the park. 

However, if you’re hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing and using one of the many shuttle services offering one-way transportation to the trailhead, this is actually the closest option to the parking lot where you’ll park bright and early in the morning. 

We would not recommend staying on the southern side of the park (in towns like Ohakune) because it’s a long drive to both the eastern side and an extra long drive to the parking lot for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, which you’ll have to be at early in the morning to catch a shuttle.

Rotorua and Tauranga (Days 8-9)

Drive time and distance: 2 hours and 15 minutes // 177 km (110 miles)

We’re grouping these two areas together – which are roughly an hour apart by car – because they are in the same general vicinity (though they do offer different things). 

We did a day in Rotorua, spent a morning in Tauranga doing the big hike and enjoying a nice lunch plus ice cream, and then headed to Hobbiton that afternoon. Two days is probably the right amount of time here. 

There are three things that stand out in our minds as reasons to spend a couple of days here, and they are – in no particular order – the intense geothermal activity near Rotorua, the area around Mount Maunganui in Tauranga, and the proximity to Hobbiton, which we think is worth both the detour and the price (especially for Lord of the Rings fans, but not exclusively for them). 

The other thing to know about this area is that, if you’re interested in diving deeper into the Māori and their culture, this is one of the best places in the country to do it.

We were excited to visit the Rotorua Museum , but we realized it was closed to all visitors for several more years after earthquakes in 2016 rendered it unsafe to be inside. There is a big renovation project going on at the moment. 

However, if it had worked from a timing perspective, we would have absolutely loved to do an external tour with the museum staff , which runs at 11am and covers the history of the gardens and museum (at the time of writing). 

The other way to gain some insight into the Māori from a cultural perspective is one of the cultural tours near Rotorua. 

We’re always a little skeptical of “cultural tours” that do things like visit a “real life village” of the local indigenous people after several bad, fairly cringeworthy experiences elsewhere that left us feeling icky. 

So we skipped that aspect of Rotorua. But if that experience sounds like something you’re interested in, we’d go with this evening tour (with dinner) , which gets rave reviews.  

If you’re in search of more things to do and see in Rotorua, we’d point you here for crowd-sourced ideas!

Things to Do in Rotorua and Tauranga

Rotorua is most famous for its intense geothermal activity, and that’s probably where your visit should start here. There are multiple options, and we’ll cover them below (and why we chose the one we did). 

A special shout out for the Rotorua Night Market , which happens in downtown Rotorua on Thursday evenings and was one of the highlights of our (brief) visit to the city. 

The geothermal parks: At a high level, there are three geothermal parks to choose from in and around Rotorua. The first, Kuirau Park , is free and is right next to the downtown area. It basically has one bigger pool, some smaller mud pools, some informational signage, and that’s about it. It’s a good option on a budget, but lacks some of the “WOW” factor that the others have. The second option – and the middle option in terms of budget – is Wai-o-Tapu Thermal Wonderland , which is the one we chose. It has a diverse array of different geothermal features, a nice walking path to follow, and good signage. It’s a good middle ground between the free option, and the last option that requires an expensive guided tour. It does feel a little bit like a theme park, but we didn’t notice it too much. Make sure to be there at 10:15am to see the Lady Knox Geyser erupting! Last, and certainly not least (in terms of price) is Te Puia , another geothermal park. This one requires that you visit on a guided tour, which is expensive. However, we would say that if you’re interested in more of the cultural and historical context around the geothermal activity, this is a better option (and we kind of wish we had chosen it for our own trip). 

Walk through the redwoods: Who knew you could find California Redwoods in the middle of New Zealand? Whakarewarewa Forest features trails weaving through towering California Redwoods that are planted side by side with native plants like tree ferns. As two former Californians, the juxtaposition was a weird one. This is a great place for an easy hike, and they have a huge network of both walking and mountain biking trails through the massive park. 

Walk the waterfront in Rotorua: Rotorua is set on Lake Rotorua and there’s a very nice waterfront path that starts near the northern end of the downtown area (roughly here on Google Maps) and continues around the point to the Government Gardens, which are beautiful and worth a visit. It’s not a long walk, and you shouldn’t miss the odd architecture of the Rotorua Museum. Here’s a rough route for a nice loop. 

Climb Mount Maunganui for spectacular views: To be honest, we went into this “hike” thinking we’d be one of a few people on the trail early in the morning. We were absolutely flabbergasted when we realized we were not the only ones with the idea to do this hike around sunrise, and that it is a very common early morning activity for locals to climb to the summit and enjoy the view of the sun rising over the beach and the town below. It’s a quick and easy stair-filled hike to the top, and we’d strongly recommend including the coastal walk around the base as a part of your walk. It’s beautiful, and reminds us a lot of hiking along the California coast south of San Francisco (near Monterey, specifically). This is a nice loop that will take you away from the crowds. Don’t miss Sea People Ice Cream for a post-hike (gluten free and plant-based) treat!

Experience a small slice of Middle Earth in Hobbiton: The first thing you should know here is that Matt is a huge Lord of the Rings nerd. He has read the trilogy (and the Hobbit, but not the Silmarillion) many times, and watches the movies at least once a year, including a few weeks before our trip (extended editions or bust). Alysha is, uh, not. That being said, both of us really enjoyed the experience at Hobbiton . After filming the Hobbit Trilogy, rather than breaking down the real Hobbiton sets that they had painstakingly built, they decided to keep them intact and turn it into a place where visitors could come and experience the magic of the Shire (and pay them a lot of money for the privilege). It’s a two and a half hour experience that involves a guided tour through the set, including a drink at the Green Dragon Pub at the end of the tour, which is where the only brew for the brave and true comes from (if you know, you know). It’s expensive, and it’s a bit of a detour, but we really enjoyed the incredible attention to detail that went into crafting every piece of the set, and think it’s well worth it. 

Where to Stay in Rotorua and Tauranga

At a high level, we think you should stay in Rotorua because there is just more to do and see than in Tauranga (in our opinion, anyway). That’s what we did, and we didn’t regret it. 

We stayed at the very nice Paradise Valley Lodge , which is a 15 minute drive from the center of Rotorua. They have a variety of rooms, including a handful that are perfect for couples, and most have some sort of kitchenette. It’s a lovely property, set in the quiet hills above Rotorua. 

We stayed in the Country Room, and slept like babies. 

If you want to stay more central, there are plenty of hotel options in the downtown area, which will mean you’re walkable to all the restaurants and shops in that part of the city. 

However, we’d also say that the coolest parts of Rotorua are outside of the city center, and we feel the same way about places to stay. There are some fun lakefront lodges and hilltop B&Bs just outside of town, and that’s where we’d stay if we were you. 

The Coromandel Peninsula (Days 10-12)

Drive time and distance: 3 hours // 215 km (134 miles)

The Coromandel Peninsula is a great final stop before you head to Auckland (and, by extension, get ready to head home) because it offers something very different to the landscapes you’ve experienced thus far (although it does feel fairly similar to a place like Hawke’s Bay). 

When we think of famous landscapes in New Zealand, we think of the tussock-laden flatlands butting up to the Southern Alps on the South Island and the pastoral hills covered in sheep that you’ll find all across the country. 

You certainly get a heavy dose of that pastoral feeling here, but you also get something that we didn’t usually associate with New Zealand until spending the better part of a week exploring here: pristine white sand beaches. 

The Coromandel Peninsula is just littered with beaches, and after two weeks spent hiking volcanoes and exploring geothermal wonderlands, you deserve a little beach break. 

What really stands out to us about the Coromandel Peninsula is the fact that you’ll be driving the windy road through pastoral landscapes with sweeping green hills where cows and sheep graze freely and then BAM, it’s a pristine white sand beach. 

Despite the fact that Alysha grew up in Marin County, California, which is sort of similar, we were blown away by just how quickly it went from farmland to beach. 

Now it’s worth noting that the Coromandel Peninsula is a big area, and access can be limited as there are only a couple of roads running through the middle of it, which means you sometimes have to drive alllll the way around to get to the other side. 

Our favorite portion of the Coromandel Peninsula – and the part that has the highest concentration of great beaches, viewpoints, and more – is the northeastern corner, which is where we’d recommend you focus your time.

What to Do on the Coromandel Peninsula

Here are a few of our favorite things to do on the Coromandel Peninsula. 

Kayak to Cathedral Cove: Over the course of your research, you may have come across either pictures or a write up of Cathedral Cove on the Coromandel Peninsula. Unfortunately, the cove is no longer accessible on foot thanks to a series of huge landslides that happened in 2023, and there is no timetable around reopening at the time of writing in 2024. That means, for better and for worse (fewer people, but more expensive), the only way to access the picturesque protected cove is by boat. We loved our kayak tour with Cathedral Cove Kayaks , which was a very pleasant three hours spent out on the water exploring the stretch of coast (and the volcanic islands) near Cathedral Cove. It’s not a hard paddle, so even if you’ve never kayaked it’s worth hopping in a boat and heading out on their morning tour to check out Cathedral Cove. 

Hot Water Beach: The volcanic activity that you’ve already experienced in places like Rotorua and Tongariro National Park followed you out to the Coromandel Peninsula! Hot Water Beach is a beautiful beach, yes, but the real draw here is the fact that it sits on top of two hot springs, and at low tide you can dig a hole and it will fill up with warm water, creating your own little hot spring right on the beach. It’s very unique, and is worth the trip out there (but check the tides first – you want to be here within an hour or so of low tide). 

Hahei Beach: We stayed within walking distance of Hahei Beach for the second half of our time up here, and would rank it either our second or third best beach that we visited on the Coromandel Peninsula. It’s a good swimming beach and it has a nice hike on the eastern end of the beach that takes you up to the former pā (a defensive settlement in Māori times) at Te Pare Point with sweeping views back towards the beach, and out towards the open ocean. It gets crowded, but it’s still worth a visit. There’s a big parking lot here where you can park if the main lot is full (it’s a ~15 minute walk down to the beach). 

The Northern Beaches: Partially on the advice of the friendly person at reception at the Church (where we stayed for the second half of our time on the Coromandel Peninsula), we set out early one morning for what turned out to be an epic seven hour beach-filled adventure to the northeastern corner of the peninsula. He recommended three beaches – Ōpito, Otama, and New Chums – and we did a nice little scenic drive up north to hit them all. Our favorite was Ōpito ( here on Google Maps) because it was the best swimming beach AND has a nice little set of hikes at the eastern end of the beach, where you can hike up to the point, or up and over the hill down to Crayfish Bay. Runner up was New Chums Bay (short trail leaves from here on Google Maps), because it requires a short hike to get there and has no development on its shores, which makes it feel very secluded and special. Last was Otama ( here on Google Maps), but only because the other two are so spectacular. 

Where to Stay on the Coromandel Peninsula

As we mentioned already, the Coromandel Peninsula is a big chunk of land, so choosing a place to stay might be the difference between driving 10 minutes to the meeting point for your kayak tour, or driving an hour and 15 minutes to get there. 

At a high level, we spent the most time exploring the northeastern part of the Peninsula, between Whangamatā and Matarangi , and that’s where we’d recommend staying. 

We spent four nights out here, and we stayed in two separate places (mostly because we were there on the last weekend of New Zealand school kids’ summer break, so the place we really wanted didn’t have availability). And they were VASTLY different vibes. 

The first place we stayed was the Top 10 Holiday Park at Hot Water Beach . If you’ve spent time in New Zealand before, you are almost certainly familiar with Top 10 Holiday Parks, which are all over the country. 

It’s essentially part campground with nice shared facilities (including a kitchen, a pool, and laundry facilities), part budget motel. While we don’t have them, it’s basically paradise for kids (which may or may not be what you’re looking for – if not, see the second place). 

We stayed in one of their cabins, and it was nice enough, but don’t go expecting luxury. It’s basically a place to sleep, and you’ll use the shared facilities (including bathrooms). 

The best part about it is the fact that it’s a 10 minute walk down to Hot Water Beach, which is a nice perk because it’s 24 hour paid parking at the beach, and it gets very, very busy down there. 

The second place we stayed was the Church Accomodation in Hahei . Similar to the other place, this was a 10 minute walk from the beach (which is also where the kayaking tour we did and recommend met and left from). 

This was a very, very different experience. They have a set of quiet, private cabins that were a very pleasant place to spend a couple of nights. Plus, friendly and helpful staff and a great location within walking distance from the beach and small town. 

Auckland (Days 13-14)

Drive time and distance: 2 hours and 40 minutes // 176 km (109 miles)

Compared to Wellington, which we absolutely loved, we were less enthused about Auckland as a city.

We do love big cities (to visit, not really to live), but even after the better part of a week in Auckland, we didn’t really find that we could put our finger on what it was all about. 

That being said, there are two big benefits of visiting Auckland . 

As the biggest city in New Zealand – somewhere between ⅓ and ½ of New Zealand’s population lives in Auckland – you get the benefit of a bigger, more diverse group of people. 

First and most notable is the better food and drinks than just about anywhere else in the country. Sure, there are good places to eat and drink sprinkled through New Zealand, but Auckland has by far the best breadth and depth of different types of foods out of any of the bigger cities we’ve visited in New Zealand. 

The second big benefit is that the airport has the best selection of international flights (versus having to connect from a smaller city through Auckland and then on to your destination), which means the shortest leg of travel is, hopefully, at the end of your trip.

So, while Auckland isn’t really our favorite city in the world, we do think that it’s an important component of your trip to the North Island.

Many people fly in and immediately leave the city to explore the natural beauty of the rest of the North Island (or head straight to the airport when they’re leaving), and we think that would be a mistake. 

What to Do in Auckland

Here are a few of our favorite things to do in Auckland. 

Take a walking tour with Aucky Walky: Generally, we’re big fans of starting our time in a new city with a walking tour. The Introduction to Auckland with Aucky Walky, owned and operated by Auckland locals, was an easy choice for us. Unfortunately, because they limit their tours to a maximum of eight per guide, they were sold out when Matt arrived in New Zealand. So we actually did this tour on the last day of our trip. However, it would make a solid introduction to Auckland, covering three kilometers in the center of the city. You also walk away with a tasty treat, a cheat sheet with the host’s recommendations around what to eat, drink, and see, and more context as you set out to explore the city. 

Take the ferry to Devonport: On my (Matt here!) first morning in Auckland, I woke up at 5am after falling asleep at 7:30pm (with the lights on, might I add) and decided I was going to go on a little early morning excursion across the harbor to Devonport. Devonport is a little waterfront town with a charming array of architecture and bars and restaurants on its main strip along the waterfront along with a couple of great views of the Auckland skyline (most notably from the peak of Mount Victoria, which is about two blocks from the ferry terminal and is worth the quick climb). To get there, you leave from the ferry building on the waterfront ( here on Google Maps) where you can buy tickets. I walked a big loop from the ferry, up to Mount Victoria, and over to Cheltenham Beach, which is an excellent way to spend a half day or so. After that walk, grab food and a drink along Victoria Road (the main drag when you get off the ferry). Here’s a map of what that looks like. 

Mount Eden: You’ll notice that we haven’t included the Auckland SkyTower in this list. Most guides (all guides?) do, but we have the same problem with the Sky Tower here that we do with the Space Needle in Matt’s hometown of Seattle. It costs A LOT to go up to the top and, while the view is nice, it’s missing one key element of the Auckland skyline…. the tower itself! Plus, there is a great view available for free not too far down the road. And in Auckland, that view is from the top of Mount Eden. Mount Eden is a dormant volcano with a cone that is 150 feet deep. From the top, you have an excellent view of Auckland’s skyline, plus views in every direction (truly 360 degrees). It’s a short uphill walk to get to the viewing platform, and a bit further to the true summit (which is worth it). Start your walk here by either grabbing a bus or a taxi / rideshare from wherever you are, and do the quick little loop around the crater at the top.  

The Auckland War Memorial Museum: I was very confused when people recommended the “Auckland Museum” to me, because there are multiple museums in Auckland and none of them are called by that particular name. However, the Auckland War Memorial Museum is the one they mean, and it’s a great museum covering the history of New Zealand (sort of – they miss the whole colonization and taking of land from the Māori, but at least it’s a start). The Māori portion of the museum is good too, for the most part, even if it is clearly European-ized. More information here . 

Eating and Drinking: As we mentioned above, one of the best parts about Auckland is the diversity that comes with a (much) bigger city than the other ones you’ll find in New Zealand. Usually, that means there is some great food to be had! For coffee, Daily Daily was our favorite coffee shop of the entire trip, but it’s further out. Rumours , D.O.S.E., and Kompass are in the CBD are a few blocks away from each other, and are all excellent. For food, we liked Ponsonby Central , a food hall straight out of Brooklyn (we liked Ola’s Arepas because we’re always in for arepas!), the food court on the top floor of the Commercial Bay shopping mall , Little Bird Kitchen for gluten free and vegan food, plus Duck Island Ice Cream and Giapo for ice cream (the ice cream at Duck Island is better, but Giapo is a 100% gluten free facility and is more convenient right downtown). 

Where to Stay in Auckland

With more than a day, we’d strongly consider staying outside the main commercial center of Auckland (the Viaduct, CBD, and Britomart). 

However, with only a limited time, we’d stay in either the Viaduct or Britomart to maximize your time, which will put you within walking distance (or a short bus ride) of just about everything. 

The Viaduct is Auckland’s waterfront, and while it is very commercial, Matt stayed here for several nights when he first arrived in Auckland (before flying down to Wellington to meet up with Alysha for their road trip) and enjoyed it.

Specifically, he enjoyed staying at Ohtel Auckland , which was among the best hotels we’ve stayed at in New Zealand. 

The rooms are decorated with mid-century modern sensibilities, and the service was excellent.

Matt arrived at 7am on the day of check-in, and was able to leave his bags with the friendly staff at the front desk so that he could head out and do some exploring. 

The location is also a great combination of convenience and quietness. It’s about a block off of the main walkway along the waterfront, which means you can walk there in roughly 90 seconds, but you’re a bit removed from the noise. 

Oh, and there’s a pool for you to use! Though it is shared with the nearby apartment complex. 

The other place that was on our list was M Social , which is right on the main drag along the waterfront. Matt chose Ohtel for the quieter location to recover from jetlag, but this would also be a good option.

What to Do with More Time on New Zealand’s North Island

If you have more time to dedicate to your North Island road trip, here is what we’d recommend adding to your itinerary. 

Note that some of these places were on our list, but didn’t make on our own trip, so we’ll link out to guides from other people that we found useful and helpful (and, most importantly, were written by humans who had actually had the experiences themselves). 

Taranaki, Egmont National Park, and New Plymouth (2-3 Days)

If you have more than two weeks on the North Island, the very first thing we’d add is Taranaki National Park and New Plymouth, which are about three hours west of Tongariro National Park on the southwestern coast of the island. 

There are two main reasons that we didn’t include them in the main itinerary above, choosing Hawke’s Bay instead. 

First is that it’s a lot of driving if you’re doing both Hawke’s Bay and Taranaki, which sit roughly three hours in either direction of Tongariro National Park. We did it, and it was fine because we had a little extra time to play with, so it didn’t feel like we were moving at breakneck speed.

If you’re continuing north AND you only have two weeks, it probably makes the most sense to choose between them. 

However, if you have more time to spend, it’s absolutely worth adding Taranaki and New Plymouth to your itinerary!

Second is that big swaths of land on the slopes of the mountain are a lush rainforest. Which means it gets a lot of rain, and your chances of showing up to only see a cloud where the peak is supposed to be are pretty high, even in the summer. 

Ask us, we spent 2+ days there and only saw the mountain once on the drive in. From then on, clouds and on-and-off torrential rain!

The main reason to go to Taranaki is to hike, we think. It’s a beautiful backdrop.

The main attraction (when we’re talking about day hikes, anyway) is the Pouakai Crossing , which takes you from the North Egmont Visitor Center on the western slopes of the mountain, up through the rainforest to a rocky crossing, down into a massive valley filled in part with a swamp, and then back up atop a rocky ridge for the grand finale (and one of the best views on the hike). 

As we mentioned above, we didn’t see the peak of the mountain once on this hike, and we still loved it. 

The only problem is that it’s a one-way hike, which means that like the Tongariro Alpine Crossing , you’ll need to arrange a shuttle service.

In this case, you’ll park at the Mangorei Track Trailhead ( here on Google Maps), and book Taranaki Mountain Shuttle to take you up to the Visitor Center where you’ll start the hike (that’s what we did, and it was easy and convenient). 

If you’re not up for either the long distance on that hike or the cost of the shuttle, then the hike from the Mangorei Track trailhead up to the Pouakai Tarns is a good option (it’s still a very tough hike though, because it’s straight up a set of stairs basically the entire way). 

In terms of other things to do in the area, the town of New Plymouth and the coastline north and south of it are the other attractions here. 

Drive an hour north to the Three Sisters for some nice sea stacks, and 20 minutes south to Ōakura for a nice swimming beach (shout out to the barista in Wellington who recommended it to us!). 

In New Plymouth, we love Ozone Coffee Roasters for coffee and brunch – we first discovered them in London in the UK, and realized they had a New Zealand outpost. I saved it on my saved places map years ago, and came back to it when I was planning this trip. 

We stayed at One Burgess Hill when we were near Taranaki, and it was among the best places we’ve ever stayed in New Zealand. Our bedroom overlooked the river, and the apartment we stayed in was a very comfortable home base (with a full kitchen!). 

Plus, it’s directly across the road that leads to the parking lot for the Pouakai Crossing or Pouakai Tarns, which is an added bonus.

What to Do with Less Time on New Zealand’s North Island

If you have less than two weeks in New Zealand, here’s how we’d recommend spending your time.

It goes without saying that you can absolutely swap in and out places and things to do and see from the main itinerary above to create your own version. This is just our take based on our own preferences and experiences on our North Island road trip. 

10 Days – The Southern Circuit

If you only have 10 days on the North Island, we’d essentially cut the northern half of the island and spend your entire trip exploring the southern end, which is our favorite part anyway! 

After a discussion about, knowing what we know after doing a North Island road trip ourselves, whether we would do the southern circuit or try to tackle the whole island in 10 days, we settled on the southern circuit. 

Before we elaborate on why, here’s what that looks like. 

• Day 5: Rotorua / Tauranga (Bay of Plenty)
• Day 8: Taranaki National Park 
• Day 9:  Taranaki National Park 
• Day 10: Drive Back to Wellington & Fly Home

There are a few reasons why we’d do it this way if we only had ten days. 

First, we much prefer Wellington to Auckland. And it’s not close. So we’re fine cutting Auckland. 

Second, you can get a lot of the same pastoral vibes with rolling green hills that descend into white sand beaches near Hawke’s Bay. And Hawke’s Bay is SIGNIFICANTLY more convenient to get to than the (arguably more spectacular, if we’re being honest) Coromandel Peninsula. 

Third, we love Taranaki (and the beaches near New Plymouth), and though we couldn’t find a way to shoehorn it in to the main itinerary because it requires two three hour drives to make it happen if you’re continuing north, it can be done if you’re heading back down to Wellington to fly home!

7 Days – The Southern Circuit

If you only have a week to spend on the North Island, your first challenge is going to be trying to figure out which highlights to focus on, because you definitely don’t have time to see the entire island.

If it were us, our strong preference would be to group together the highlights on the southern half of the North Island, which include Tongariro National Park – our favorite place on the island. 

Here’s what that looks like, written out.  

• Day 7: Drive back to Wellington and fly home

However, if secluded beaches and limited cell service is more what you’re looking for out of this trip, you might be more into the northern circuit (see below). 

If you’re more into mountains than wine and beaches, we’d recommend swapping in Mount Taranaki for Hawke’s Bay. It would be really hard to do all three (Tongariro, Taranaki, and Hawke’s Bay) in a week, and because Tongariro is in between the other two, it essentially comes down to you and your personal preferences. 

7 Days – Northern Circuit

If you’re more into white sand beaches stretching as far as the eye can see and intense geothermal activity that makes entire cities smell like someone is cooking eggs, then you might enjoy the northern circuit. 

Aside from the differences between landscapes you’ll see here, one of the benefits of doing this version is that you’ll fly in and out of Auckland, which is New Zealand’s easiest airport to fly into from just about every international destination. 

Here’s what this seven day version of the itinerary looks like written out. 

• Day 1: Arrive in Auckland
• Day 2: Auckland
• Day 3: Rotorua / Tauranga
• Day 4: Rotorua / Tauranga
• Day 5: Coromandel Peninsula
• Day 6: Coromandel Peninsula
• Day 7: Drive back to Auckland, fly home

The Best Time to Plan a New Zealand North Island Road Trip

The best time to visit New Zealand depends on a lot of factors, but in general, we’d say that the New Zealand summer is going to be the best time to experience all of the natural beauty that exists on these two gorgeous islands . 

Remember that New Zealand is in the southern hemisphere, so the seasons are essentially flipped from those in the northern hemisphere. That means, if you’re coming from somewhere in the northern hemisphere (like us), summer in New Zealand coincides with winter back home. 

On our last trip to New Zealand, we were sitting on a beach near Auckland when it was sunny and warm while we had an ice storm and temperatures well below freezing back at home in Oregon. 

One other thing to consider is the timing of summer break for New Zealand’s schools, which falls roughly between Christmas and the end of January. During this six week period, kids are out of school and families often are off on vacation (many of them in New Zealand).

There are two impacts to think about here. 

First, many small businesses close in late December and take a break through mid-January. We experienced this multiple times on our latest trip, finding that the coffee shop in Wellington that we were most excited about was actually closed while we were in town in mid-January. 

Second, and perhaps more important, is the fact that New Zealanders often use January to explore their own country. Which means things are going to be very, very busy and, as a result, more expensive.

It’s similar to July and August in the United States, which is when things are at their busiest at our national parks (and it’s why we prefer to visit those places in September). 

Given all of that information, our recommendation for the best time to plan a New Zealand North Island road trip is late January through the end of February , where you’ll have great weather and slightly fewer crowds with New Zealand schools back in session.

However, as you might imagine, that also is the busiest and most expensive time to be exploring New Zealand. 

On our latest trip, we were talking about how it might be nice to do an earlier trip in October or November (roughly spring) when there is still snow on the many peaks and the crowds are ever so slightly thinner. 

The same would be true of a later trip – March/April – though you likely won’t have the snowy peaks (you will have better access to high elevation hikes, though!). 

In every season, the weather is going to be a little bit of a roll of the dice, and it’s going to come down to sheer luck whether or not you get a crystal clear day in Milford Sound, for example. 

However, your odds are definitely going to be better in January and February. Be prepared for rain and wind in spring and fall. 

Matt is the founder and main writer behind Wheatless Wanderlust, which he started back in 2018 as a way to share his gluten free travel guides with his fellow Celiac travelers.

Since then, Matt and his wife Alysha have visited 18 national parks, spent three months in Europe and six weeks in Colombia, and have explored every corner of the Pacific Northwest, which is where Matt grew up.

He writes super detailed guides to the places they visit, bringing together personal experience and historical context to help YOU plan an amazing trip.

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10 Day Northern Loop

Starting and finishing in Wellington explore Napier, Rotorua, Auckland Waitomo and Tongariro National Park on this circular North Island route.

This Tour Also Features

• Travel guide and in-country support
• Waitomo Glow Worm Caves
• Included transfer(s) - Private transfer Wellington airport to your accommodation (IST)

Wellington City is New Zealand's capital. It sits on a wonderful deep natural harbour and is surrounded by bush clad hills. The city centre itself is quite compact (only around 1 square kilometre) and so exploring on foot is relatively easy. From your city centre accommodation you can easily stroll the cafes and restaurants around Courtenay Place and if you arrive early enough New Zealand's national museum, Te Papa, is also close by.

You will be met on arrival at Wellington airport and transferred to your accommodation.

Your accommodation: CityLife Wellington

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Our rental car range includes the latest vehicles from the top suppliers. We have a fantastic range, from economy hatchbacks to prestige sedans and SUVs. Insurance can often be included with a small excess or deductible.

Leaving Welllington today you will first pass the  Wairarapa on the eastern side of the Rimutaka Ranges. A significant contrast to the hills of Wellington, it's rich pastures and boutique vineyards of Martinborough give way to grassy plains and rugged coastal shores. Go through Greytown, home to the largest number of wooden buildings in the country then stop in Masterton, a small farming town known for its Golden Shears competition - where shearers compete for the title of fastest shearer. Continue on to Hawkes Bay and Havelock North before arriving in Napier, the art deco capital of New Zealand.

Your accommodation: The Nautilus Napier

Driving distance and time (approximate) for this leg : 320 kms / 199 miles : 4.0 hours

With its Mediterranean climate and Art Deco style, Hawke's Bay is an attractive holiday prospect. As the nation's first winemaking region, a visit to one of its 30 wineries is a must. A trip to Mission Estate touted as the birthplace of NZ wine can't be missed. For the truly enthused head out on a tour of the vines. Those into Gatsby will enjoy the chance to view prominent Art Deco landmarks on a 1930s Vintage Car Tour. Passengers will spend just over an hour learning about the history of the city's architecture including the Napier Municipal Theatre, one of the top ten Art Deco Buildings in the world. If you're after some fresh air, hire a bike and take your pick of one of over 200km of cycling trails or head on down to one of the many beaches that ring the area. Ocean or Waimarama beach are good choices and both are patrolled by surf lifeguards during the summer. Indulge in some local produce and head out on a cheese, chocolate, honey or orchard tour. End on a high with another ride, this time in a comfortable trailer pulled by a tractor en-route to Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony, the largest of its kind in the world.

This wine tasting tour is designed for casual imbibers and wine aficionados. Meet like-minded people and share an appreciation of Hawke's Bay's fantastic wines. Taste great wines made with passion and learn of the areas unique growing conditions. Take home outstanding wines and wonderful memories. Join a fun filled wine tasting afternoon in the sun driving through absolutely stunning scenery. Meet like-minded people and share an appreciation of this region's fantastic wine. Visit four to five wineries and enjoy a cheese platter on the grounds of the Ngatarawa Vineyard beside the lily pond.

Cross the Ahiminawa Ranges to arrive into the town of Taupo which is situated on New Zealand's largest lake, Lake Taupo a gigantic volcanic caldera formed during one of the worlds largest eruptions. Just north of Taupo are the Huka Falls, an impressive body of water draining from the Waikato river. See it from the wooden viewing platform or get up close to the spray with a ride on the Huka Jet . Visit nearby volcanic reserve Craters of the Moon to see boiling pools and steaming vents. Continue on through the Waimungu Valley before arriving into geothermal Rotorua , the heart of New Zealands Maori culture.

Your accommodation: Silver Fern Suites & Spa

Driving distance and time (approximate) for this leg : 211 kms / 131 miles : 2.4 hours

Peppered with natural hot springs, boiling mud pools and steaming geysers, Rotorua sits within one of the worlds most active volcanic regions. Geothermal landmarks aside, this city of sulphur has a rich indigenous history. Home to several prominent Maori tribes, a visit to one of the Maori Villages should be high on your agenda, as should an excursion to the Polynesian Spa for an invigorating soak in its natural mineral hot springs. Spike your adrenaline at Velocity Valley Adventure Park on stomach-dropping attractions such as static skydiving, or a giant swing reaching 130 km per hour. Alternatively, head up the Rotorua Gondola for soaring lake views, and ride the luge at night for an extra thrill. Fans of Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit should drive to nearby Matamata and experience the actual movie set ‘Hobbiton’. Make the most of your time in Rotorua with an excursion through the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland , one of the area’s most colourful volcanic attractions.

The National Kiwi Hatchery Tour is a special opportunity to gain insight into and view this highly regarded conservation centre. Developed with the visitor experience in mind, the hatchery boasts special viewing opportunities and is hosted by kiwi expert guides who ensure guests leave fully informed and all questions answered. Learn all about New Zealand’s intriguing national icon and the efforts of the kiwi husbandry team, see and discover what it takes to hatch and rare chicks, and if you’re lucky see baby chicks in person!

New Zealand’s Most Awarded Cultural Attraction, presenting Te Pā Tū. Feast on song, drama, tradition, and divine seasonal kai (cuisine) within the forest Pā (village) blanketed by towering Tawa trees, blazing bonfires, and a forest-formed amphitheatre. Te Pā Tū shares Māori history, traditions, and cultural aspirations across 4-hours of celebration and feasting. These events change with each season of the maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar.

Today you'll leave Rotorua for the bustling metropolis of Auckland . Head through the heart of Waikato king country and marvel at its lush dairy pastures. Follow the Waikato - New Zealand's longest river - through the small artsy settlement of  Tirau and the township of Cambridge . Continue on a little further to arrive into Auckland, your destination for the night.

Your accommodation: Sudima Auckland City

Driving distance and time (approximate) for this leg : 219 kms / 136 miles : 2.6 hours

On the edge of a natural harbour, 'City of Sails' offers the best of both worlds. Behind a vibrant urban culture are sandy beaches, native bush and lush rainforests. Start your day with a coffee in town and watch the sailboats from the Viaduct Harbour . Wander the docks and take the helm of an America's Cup Yacht for a trip across the Waitemata. If food and wine is more your thing relax on the Quickcat to nearby Waiheke Island for a five star food and wine experience. Hike the summit of Mt Eden,  Auckland's highest volcano. Choose one of 800 regional national parks to explore Hunua Falls located within the Hunua Ranges it's one not to be missed. If relaxing is more your style, find a good book and head out to a deserted beach. Try Orewa located an hour north of the city or stay a little closer and head to Cheltenham Beach in Devonport. Make time to ascend the Sky Tower or The Harbour Bridge and spike your adrenaline by bungy jumping off either (or both!). Finish on a high with dinner at one of the many trendy eateries to be found on Ponsonby Road.

Enjoy the City of Sails from the water on a relaxed harbour sailing yacht. This cruise offers a uniquely local experience experiencing the harbour under sail with a small vessel with an intimate and engaging atmosphere. View the stunning city sights while sailing on the inner Waitemata Harbour. Sail where the wind takes us while enjoying Auckland's city highlights; including sailing under the Harbour Bridge and other well-known landmarks along the harbour's edge. The crew's local knowledge will give you the best harbour sailing experience Auckland has to offer. Become the crew and help participate with the sailing experience take the helm while you carve through the water, or if you prefer just sit back and relax above deck.

The drive south from Auckland takes you into the rolling farmland and rich dairy pastures of the Waikato, before arriving in the limestone hills of the Waitomo countryside, which is home to a huge underground network of caves.

Explore a 30 million year old cave network spread across three levels. You'll travel deep underground through the limestone caves viewing stalactites and stalagmites as well as hearing about the caves historical and geological significance. You'll then hop into a boat and glide silently through the glow worm grotto - a galaxy of tiny living lights.

Travel south into the heart of the Central Volcanic Plateau, Tongariro National Park . Leaving the limestone hills of Waitomo , follow the road through lush King Country pastures, named after the Maori King Tawhiao who lived here in exile during the mid 1800's. Continue on to arrive in this World Heritage Park, home to three active volcanoes - Tongariro, Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe - as well as many walking tracks, adventure activities and the renowned Tongariro Crossing .

Your accommodation: The Park Hotel Ruapehu

Driving distance and time (approximate) for this leg : 321 kms / 199 miles : 3.9 hours

Leaving National Park, you will drive past military town of Waiouru which hosts the Army Museum, an incredible collection of New Zealand's military history and a memorial to its servicemen. Heading south you pass through the rural towns of Taihape, Mangaweka and Bulls before arriving on the Kapiti Coast . The coastal seaside towns of Paraparaumu, Paekakariki and Plimmerton are worth a short detour before arriving into the capital city of Wellington . Plan to take most of the day for this drive. Wellington City is New Zealand's capital. It sits on a wonderful deep natural harbour and is surrounded by bush clad hills. The city centre itself is quite compact (only around 1 square kilometre) and so exploring on foot is relatively easy. From your city centre accommodation you can easily stroll the cafes and restaurants around Courtenay Place and if you arrive early enough New Zealand's national museum, Te Papa , is also close by.

Driving distance and time (approximate) for this leg : 322 kms / 200 miles : 3.9 hours

Choose to explore more of Wellington's sights before dropping your rental car at the airport depot and continuing your onward journey.

Driving distance and time (approximate) for this leg : 6 kms / 4 miles : 0.1 hours

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Day 3 - Hawkes Bay Half Day Wine Tour with Grape Escape NZD$0

Day 5 - National Kiwi Hatchery Tour NZD$0

Day 5 - Te Pā Tū Evening Maori Cultural Experience - Dinner Included NZD$0

Day 7 - Harbour Sailing Cruise with Explore NZD$0

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Last review: 28 March 2024

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10 Days in North Island – New Zealand

Although the main destination for scenic beauty for many is South Island, a visit to this beautiful country would not be complete without including North Island.

Geothermal hot springs, pristine beaches, glow worm caves, massive volcanoes and captivating landscape – these are what we found in the North Island, and we loved our trip here.

A long flight from Singapore took us to Auckland where a quarter of New Zealand’s population lives.  Despite being a busy city, it offers some beautiful sights.

The best thing to do while in Auckland in our opinion is the scenic drive around Devonport via Northcote Point to get a charming view of the Auckland Harbour Bridge and the city. King Edward Parade and Calliope Road, overlooking Stanley Bay, are also very much worth the drive.  

The first leg of our trip was a two-hour drive to Waitomo, via Hamilton.

The main attraction at Waitomo are its Caves, full of swarming glow worms, and stalactites & stalagmites.  

The cave tour took us in a boat (pulled by hand with a rope), in total darkness and complete silence, through a massive cavern swarming with millions of glow worms – this black water rafting as it is called was truly amazing experience.

Waitomo is one of the many places to see glow worms in New Zealand . 

Our next destination was the geothermal wonderland – Rotorua, another 2 hours from Waitomo.

We had always wondered what lies inside a volcano. The closest to this can be found at Rotorua, where the very earth boils and hisses, and weird smelling gases waft through the air. In Kuirau park, very close to the city center, we saw mud pools, craters ejecting steam, pools of boiling hot water, and many other types of geothermal wonders. In lovely contrast to all these volcanic wonders were the lovely blue and green lakes!  

For someone really into geothermal stuff,  Waimangu Volcanic Valley is  the  place.  Apart from its many wonders, the Valley also houses lovely walks, graded for duration and difficulty, and boat cruises in Lake Rotomahana.

We were surprised to see hundreds of white gulls and many black swans swimming at Kaikaitahuna Bay on a rainy day! (see images above).  

Lake Taupo  

Our journey continued southwards to Lake Taupo and Huka falls.

Lake Taupo is a huge blue lake, the flooded caldera of the now extinct Taupo super volcano.  Several walking tracks wind around it and many scenic lookout spots appear along the way. As we walked, we could hear a steady roar at a distance. That was Huka falls announcing itself!

From Lake Taupo the water flows along a broad canyon which narrows sharply at one point, and the water thunders down a series of waterfalls into the Waikoto river.  The enormous flow of water creates a massive roar which we had heard from afar.  The massive gush of water through the narrow gorge makes an awesome sight which held our gaze for a long time. Afterwards we went on a river cruise which took us right up to the crystal-blue pool at the base of the falls until we could feel the spray on our faces.

Wanganui (also spelt as Whanganui) came next on our trip. We avoided State Highway 4, which runs through gentle hill country dotted with rivers, preferring the long and winding drive to Wanganui along the more scenic mountainous route.

Wanganui is a beautiful riverside city with a long history, restored heritage areas, and several various options for boat rides and riverine expeditions on kayaks, canoes or rafts.

Curiosity took us the next morning to a trail leading to the mysterious ‘Bridge to Nowhere’ , which had been built across the Mangapurua Gorge to reach a remote settlement.  The settlement has been abandoned a long time ago, and only the ‘Bridge to Nowhere’ remains.  

En Route to Wellington  

We headed towards Wellington on the last leg of our North island drive.

We love zoos and automobile museums! Surely, we found one of each and had to stop.

Southward Car Museum

An 1895 Benz that looks like a cross between a horse carriage and a go cart, a 1930s gangster limo riddled with bullet holes, and some Bugatti and Bentleys too – the museum display includes a car for every occasion.  There are more than 400 such classic cars in the collection, all spic and span, including some 50s cars that brought back childhood memories.

Staglands Wildlife Reserve

Staglands Wildlife reserve is an open-air animal farm & petting zoo with tractor rides, feedings & a rustic log café, just an hour’s drive from Wellington.

It is home to a wide range of native and exotic birds and animals in an environment that has been created with nature’s materials. We found people of all ages feeding and freely interacting with the animals and having a lot of fun.

We reached New Zealand’s capital city – Wellington, aptly nicknamed Windy Welly. The city is perched on the edge of the Cook strait, in the path of the strong westerly winds known as the Roaring Forties, making the city very windy.

Wellington is a hilly city with slopes and climbs everywhere. A sturdy pair of walking shoes are a must to take advantage of the various hikes and scenes around this city. This city is big on café culture and spectacular views.

Mount Victoria Lookout (aka Matairangi)

This is Wellington’s most impressive viewpoint, located on top of Mount Victoria. You can take a bus most of the way, drive up in your car or sweat it up giving your legs a hard workout.  From the peak we could see the city, its green Town Belt, the hills and harbour, and the airport.

Two interesting finds on the peak:

1)  An old bronze cannon that used to be powder charged and fired every day at noon so that citizens could set their clocks and watches – a time signal used between 1877 and 1900.

2)  An interesting signboard listing all the fault lines in New Zealand including Wellington. (click to zoom the image below).

Shelley Bay Circular Coastal Drive

The scenic drive continued around the peninsula past the Scorching Bay Beach, Worser Bay Boating club and the popular Breaker Bay where we could see a colony of Little Blue Penguins. We could also see the remains of some WW2 bunkers here!

Our North island trip ended at Wellington, and we boarded the Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferry for an enjoyable 2-hour cruise to South Island , where more wonderful experiences awaited us.

Thank you New Zealand – we will come again!

Related Posts

Twizel – Gateway to Mount Cook – New Zealand

Dunedin and Surrounds – New Zealand

The Spectacular Southern Scenic Route – New Zealand

Roaming the Hills of South Island – New Zealand

31 comments.

The first time I visited New Zealand I spent 2 months there, of which 6 weeks was on the South Island. I’m not sure I fully appreciated everything the North Island has to offer so I’d love to return & explore many of your suggestions then.

This looks incredible and I’d love to do the black water rafting! Such a beautiful country and wonderful photos. I’m hoping to visit for an extended trip once the teen boy is off to uni 🙂

I have travelled to NZ twice and so am familiar with the places you visited on your road trip. It is a superb country to do a road trip through – the North and South Island are so different from one another in my opinion. I can’t wait to return.

We are so sad we missed Australia and New Zealand this year. I had not yet started my detailed planning for New Zealand so this post helps. I too would want to visit both the South and North Islands. But now know we will need far more time in New Zealand than we thought to do it all. I would not want to miss any of the spots you visited on the North Island! It seems like there was a little bit of something for everyone.

One day we hope to visit NZ and take a long road trip like you did. Looks like you picked all the right places to go!

I’ve only heard GREAT things about New Zealand. And this blog post really showed that. Can’t wait to be able to explore New Zealand one day! I’ll definitely be using this list to explore!

I cannot get over how many incredible things you saw on your drive! I hope to make it one day – it sounds great and like there is a little bit of everything to see!

I’ve met so many friendly and interesting Kiwis on my travels, and would love to visit this part of the world. I think if you’ve going to travel here, you have to do both north and south, and try and extend the trip for as long as possible, so that you feel you’ve really done the country justice.

I would love to return to New Zealand. I spent 3 months there, most of the time on the South Island as the weather was awful on the North Island when we were Although we had some sunny days around Lake Taupo. Reading this post has made me long to return.

I haven’t been to New Zealand yet – from Europe, it’s sooo far. Nevertheless, it, obviously, is on my list. Once I go, I’d like to visit as much as possible since it won’t be a weekend trip 😉 Your post is a great inspiration and blueprint for a visit to the north.

Your photos look amazing! I have been eager to visit New Zealand for some time now. Hopefully next year!

Wow! This is a great way to really see everything when you go on vacation rather than just the specific areas and nothing in between. The geothermal place and lake look absolutely amazing!

Lake Taupo looks so pretty to visit! I don’t know many locations in New Zealand so I’ve added some to my list for my trip there in the future!

I have never been to New Zealand, so it’s definitely a destination I would love to visit in the future. Hopefully, I can visit it next year 🙂

Never been to New Zealand, but it’s really high on y bucket list. I loved your itinerary, it has a great variety of stops which I enjoy on a road-trip so will definitely refer back to your post when I can finally visit this country.

I spent a week in Auckland for a school competition, but didn’t get the chance to do much exploring outside of Piha! Dreaming of going back to visit friends in North Island but also to visit the beauty of the South Island. A road trip definitely looks like the way to do it, thanks for sharing!

I have been to North Island on and off and have seen most of these places except Wanganui. But I would love to travel there long term. I did a similar kind of South Island travel for 10 days and it was absolutely amazing. I wanted to North Island as well but unfortunately COVID hit and I couldn’t. Hopefully I can do it someday.

I’ve never been to New Zealand, and I didn’t even realize there was a north and south. The volcanoes seem SO interesting – they’re gorgeous! I was at one in Santorini, but it was fairly anticlimactic compared to what you saw. Looks like such a great trip!

I had a chance to take an excursion to a glow worm cave once and opted for something else and have thought about it ever since so Waitomo would be a great opportunity to fix that. I would also love to experience the mud pools in Kuirau park. Ending the trip hanging out with a colony of Little Blue Penguins sounds perfect!

I think if I was ever so fortunate to travel here, I would love to see both the North and south. What a great road trip and way to see the diversity of this country. Haku falls looks absolutely stunning. I can only imagine what it looks and sounds like, seeing it in person.

New Zealand is still on my dream list. I would like to see both islands so that I can compare them. I dream of traveling around the islands in a RV. I really like your itinerary on the North Island. I’d love to use your tips. I’d love to see the geothermal hot springs, pristine beaches, glow worm caves, massive volcanoes you described.

New Zealand is so on my list. I would like to explore this Island country in near future. Your post is perfect to plan my trip to New Zealand. Very detailed and well written. Bookmarking it for future reference.

Wow! This is definitely one epic road trip. I would love to visit Waitomo and explore the caves. The swarming glow worms are a must-see. Thank you for sharing this beautiful photo. You have captured it so well. Kudos!

What a great trip! I spent a couple of weeks exploring the stunning south island of New Zealand and would love to see more of the north island! I’ll save your itinerary for inspiration. Thank you!

New Zealand has long been on my bucket list! I can’t wait for the day I get to visit. Thanks for sharing all of this great info – I’ll be sure to refer back whenever I start planning my trip! Xx Sara

I love road trips! It tends to be my go-to experience so I can see things at my pace. I would totally love to take this trip one day and stop in wellington. Great article!

This looks like a fantastic 10 days on the North Island! We looooved NZ, but I don’t feel like we had enough time on the North Island. It is so perfect for road trips with gorgeous hikes and volcanoes!

There is quite a bit to see on New Zealand North Island. No matter which route you take from north to south, there are interesting things to see. The east coast south of Hamilton has places like Napier and the culturally rich areas of East Cape while the central route has the high desert and iconic towns and farmland. I do like your west coast route with Taranaki and Raglan.

New Zealand looks beautiful! What a fantastic mix of nature, landscapes and culture! Fantastic guide and tips to get the best from your experience!

The Waitom Caves of glow worm has been on my bucket list for forever. I can’t wait to visit NZ and see them/all the other beautiful nature there.

Thank you for this wonderful guide – North Island sounds like such an incredible place! Hoping to visit soon 🙂

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On this North Island tour you will experience the best sights that this amazing Island has to offer. Highlights include Auckland ‘The City of Sails’, Whitianga and the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula, Rotorua, the hub of New Zealand’s geothermal activity and Māori Culture, and Wellington – “The Coolest Little Capital in the World.” The best part is that this is your tour done your way. Sit back, relax and experience the real New Zealand.

Wellington Arrival

Guided: Upon arrival at Wellington Airport, a shuttle driver will be waiting for you as you clear customs. This driver will be holding a signboard with your name on it and will take you to your accommodation in the city. The day and night are free to spend at your leisure and your guide will meet you tomorrow morning.

Self Drive: Upon arrival at Wellington Airport you will collect your rental vehicle within the airport terminal. Make your way to your inner city accommodation where the day and night are free to spend at your leisure and prepare for the adventure ahead.

Today is your day to explore the Coolest Little Capital in the World! This morning you will take the Cable Car from the city up to Kelburn, where you will be able to wander the beautiful Botanical Gardens. Next, hop on the free shuttle to Zealandia, the world’s first fully-fenced urban ecosanctuary, with an extraordinary 500-year vision to restore a Wellington valley’s forest and freshwater ecosystems as closely as possible to their pre-human state. The 225 hectare ecosanctuary is a ground+breaking conservation project that has reintroduced 18 species of native wildlife back into the area, 6 of which were previously absent from mainland New Zealand for over 100 years. Tonight why not enjoy one of the delicious restaurants the city has to offer?

Wellington to Tongariro National Park (Ohakune)

This morning you depart Wellington and continue North to the beautiful Tongariro National Park. In the afternoon you’ll arrive in the beautiful ski resort of Ohakune where you may wish to take a hike in the National Park itself. Enjoy a night at the Powderhorn Chateau where the cast of Lord of the Rings stayed during filming in the area!

Tongariro National Park (Ohakune) to Rotorua

En route today we recommend taking a short detour to the village of Whakapapa and the Chateau Tongariro in the Tongariro National Park where you may wish to enjoy a hike. One of The Road Trip’s favourites is 2 hours long featuring native bush, volcanic views and stunning waterfalls. In clear weather you will spot 3 of New Zealand’s most active volcanoes – Tongariro, Ruapehu and Ngaurauhoe (also known as Mt Doom). Heading North today, you will reach Lake Taupō, New Zealand’s largest lake. Winding your way around the lake, you will reach the lakeside holiday town of Taupo.

Further down the road, stop at the mighty Huka Falls where you could take a spin in the Huka Falls Jet and experience the thrill from beneath (optional). Continuing on the ‘Thermal Explorer Highway,’ you will arrive at Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland- a Wonderland of Stunning Geothermal Activity. You will visit New Zealand’s largest thermal mud pool, sinter terraces and stunning hot and cold pools of many different colours. You will arrive in Rotorua late afternoon where you could have a walk through the wonderful redwood forests or a look at Rotorua’s lovely Government Gardens and lakefront. Tonight perhaps enjoy a soak in the natural hot springs of Polynesian Spa.

This morning you will enjoy the Ultimate Canopy Tour with Rotorua Canopy Tours. This is an unforgettable 3.5-hour Canopy Tour journey. Venture deep into the wilderness to experience prehistoric New Zealand forest at its best. Following this, today is free for leisure activities. Options include: Rotorua Gondola and Luge, zorbing, or the spectacular Treewalk of the redwood forest. This evening you will enjoy an authentic cultural experience at Te Pā Tū (formerly Tamaki Māori Village). Te Pā Tū offers seasonal celebration experiences. “Tū Te Rā.” Tū Te Rā is a summer celebration, aligned with the maramataka – the Māori lunar calendar. This is a time when the sun expresses optimal energy, the days are longer, and light nourishes the natural world. Tū Te Rā celebrates the abundant harvest of this season, and explores concepts, rituals, and stories of ancient Māori warfare and peace in a feast of culture and cuisine.

Rotorua to Whitianga via Hobbiton

Today you will head towards the sunny Coromandel Peninsula. En route you will visit Hobbiton and The Shire’s Rest, the only remaining film set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies. You’ll also enjoy a buffet style feast in the festive marquee next to the Green Dragon! Following this, drive through lush native forest and end up in Whitianga, where the afternoon/evening is free to enjoy this beachside paradise.

Whitianga and Surrounds

This morning you will enjoy a glass bottom boat cruise from Whitianga. You’ll see Cathedral Cove and its fabulous white sandy beaches, iconic native New Zealand trees and incredible rock formations. Stunning volcanic coastline including sheer cliffs, towering pinnacles, blowholes and sea caves such as Orua Sea cave. Look through the glass panels to see a diverse amount of marine life including red snapper, red moki, leatherjackets and schools of demoiselles and blue mau mau. Look closely through the kelp forest to spot stingrays, crayfish and octopus. On the surface keep your eyes peeled for blue penguins, sea birds and marine mammals such as dolphins, orca and seals.

The rest of the day is free to explore the beauty of The Coromandel Peninsula. Perhaps take a walk to one of New Zealand’s most stunning beaches; Cathedral Cove where you wander through ancient native forest to the pristine beach that houses this striking rock formation. Other options for the day include a glass-bottom boat trip to a marine reserve, bathing at The Lost Spring, a visit to New Chum’s Beach (self-drive only), horse-riding at a local farm or kayaking to the idyllic other worldly paradise of Whenuakura/Donut Island (self-drive only) – (all optional – extra cost).

Please note that if you choose a guided tour, your tour guide will have a full day off guiding and driving today.

Whitianga to Auckland via Coromandel

This morning you depart Whitianga and head to NZ’s largest city, Auckland. There may be time for a walk through one the region’s many Kauri Tree forests, where you will encounter the flora and fauna of New Zealand’s North Island at its best. You follow the coast road to the town of Coromandel, where you will take a trip on ‘The Driving Creek Railway’- New Zealand’s only narrow-gauge mountain railway, with a working pottery and wild life sanctuary. From here continue on to Auckland where you will spend the next 2 nights.

Auckland Sightseeing

Today you have a full day to explore Auckland, with sights including a visit to one of Auckland’s inner city beaches; Mission Bay, where it is possible to see stunning Pohutukawa trees. The trip could also take in sights such as Mt Eden, a stunning viewpoint and one of Auckland’s most famous volcanic craters, and perhaps a gander at one of The Road Trip’s favourite look out spots that boasts great views of both Rangitoto Island and Waiheke Island. Perhaps venture out to Muriwai Beach to visit a large Gannet colony on the seaside cliffs and experience the Kauri forests of the Waitakere Ranges.

Auckland Departure Day

Today you will transfer to Auckland Airport for your onward travel arrangements. We trust that you’ve had an excellent time in New Zealand and wish you safe travels to your next destination.

Onward flight is not included.

Similar Tours

New Zealand Exploration – Off the Beaten Path

This off-the-beaten-path itinerary includes 2 nights at the beautiful and remote Moeraki Wilderness Lodge, a farm stay including a home-cooked meal and private farm tour, boutique wineries, the mighty Putangirua Pinnacles, dense native rainforest, the golden beaches of the Abel Tasman National Park, rafting in Aotearoa’s most impressive glow worm cave, Central Otago wineries, Gorgeous Hawea, and the famous Stewart island! 

North Island Sampler

Want to see some North Island highlights but you’re short on time? On this tour you can do just that! Highlights include Rotorua, the hub of New Zealand’s geothermal activity and Māori Culture and the beautiful Waitomo Glow Worm Caves.

New Zealand Express

Highlights include Rotorua, the hub of New Zealand’s geothermal activity and Māori Culture, Franz Josef Glacier – one of the only glaciers in the world to be surrounded by rainforest, the beautiful shores of Lake Wanaka and a day cruise through majestic Fiordland! The best part is that this is your tour, done your way. Sit back, relax and experience the real New Zealand!

Discover New Zealand your way with bespoke privately guided and self drive tours. Enjoy breathtaking scenery and wildlife, Lord of the Rings tours, winery tours, Māori cultural experiences, skiing/snowboarding, adventure tours and more!

Contact Info

Free Phone: 0800 4 ROADTRIP (within NZ) Phone: +64 3 668 1234 (inside and outside NZ all enquiries)

Email: [email protected]

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A Complete New Zealand North Island Itinerary | 7 – 10 Days in NZ

By: Author Charles

Posted on September 15, 2023

The big debate when planning a New Zealand trip is whether to do the North Island, South Island or a combo of the two. Since I had a month to spare for my trip, I was able to do a little bit of everything from North to South but I know that will just not be the case with everyone.

While many people may skip the North Island when planning a trip to New Zealand, I can confidently say that both the North and South islands deserve a visit – whether that be on one long trip or a couple shorter ones.

This guide in particular will go over a 10 day New Zealand North Island itinerary (as well as how to cut it done to 7 days) and walk you through all you need to know when planning that trip of a lifetime.

*  Affiliate Disclosure : This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you make a purchase through the links provided, at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting the work I put into TripTins!

A Complete New Zealand North Island Itinerary (7-10 Days)

Before jumping into the details, I wanted to lay out a few important things to know and take under consideration for this itinerary in particular.

Renting a Car: I highly recommend renting a car for your time throughout New Zealand’s North Island. Yes, you could technically rely on busses, taxis, etc. but if you want to have the liberty to do what you want, when you want, a car is the way to go.

There is little chance I would have been able to complete this itinerary without my own car. If you do rent a car, plan on picking up from Auckland airport and dropping off at Wellington airport.

Be sure to check out Rentalcars.com when it comes to renting a car in New Zealand.

The site will show you car options & prices from a variety of companies. This ensures that you will be able to choose the perfect car (and deal) for your trip to the country.

Opposite Driving : Going off of the driving subject – unlike many countries in the world, New Zealand drives on the left hand side of the road . That means everything is opposite to how one would drive in the US for example.

If renting a car please read through the Driving in New Zealand guide to get you prepared for the roads.

10 Full Days: Assume that day 1 is a full day – either arriving early AM or the night before. Similarly, day 10 would be nearly a full day as well depending on when your flight is back home.

Combo Itinerary : You can combine this 10 day New Zealand North Island itinerary with the South Island as well. If that is the case, you will continue onto the South Island by using the inter-island ferry between Wellington and Picton .

Learn More : Check out this New Zealand South Island itinerary & longer New Zealand North & South Island itinerary

Nature Focused : This itinerary is very outdoors focused . If you are not someone who wants to get out there and see/do the vast nature that New Zealand has to offer, then this itinerary may not be for you.

Start & End : I touched on this in #1 but the trip will start in Auckland and will end in Wellington . Depending on flight availabilities you may need to fly back to Auckland at the end of the trip before heading back home.

NZ Tips : Lastly, read up on the 21 Helpful New Zealand Travel Tips before heading out. It will cover many useful things to know when traveling to NZ.

High Level Overview : Here is the high level itinerary for this 7-10 day trip. Further below you will be able to see day by day details behind it all.

7 Day Itinerary

• Day 1 : Auckland
• Day 2 : Waitomo
• Day 3 : Rotorua
• Day 4 : Rotorua
• Day 5 : Taupo
• Day 6 : Drive to Wellington
• Day 7 : Wellington

10 Day Itinerary

• Day 2 : Waitakere Ranges
• Day 3 : Waitomo
• Day 5 : Rotorua
• Day 6: Rotorua
• Day 7 : Taupo
• Day 8 : Taupo
• Day 9 : Drive to Wellington
• Day 10 : Wellington

New Zealand North Island Itinerary: 10 Days Map View

The map shown below shows the 10 day New Zealand North Island itinerary starting in Auckland and ending down in Wellington.

I pin pointed down the places where you will be staying the night as well as starring some of the day trips you will take from those cities.

As you go through the itinerary you will be able to see in more detail what every activity or attraction is within the cities throughout the trip.

Detailed New Zealand North Island Itinerary

Below you will find a detailed guide for what exactly you will be doing on a day to day basis. Each day gives you a good overview of what to do and what to expect along the way, with some high level logistics of the itinerary.

If you want more details for any given day, you can click on the relevant New Zealand Guides found throughout the page.

These guides will go into greater detail and give you everything you need to know about a city or attraction.

Day 1 – Auckland

Arriving either the previous night or earlier on day 1, your first day will be focused in on the city of Auckland .

Spending a day exploring one of New Zealand’s major cities will be a great way to get over the jet lag and see what the NZ city life is all about.

Auckland is a very walkable city and you can spend several hours doing a self-guided walking tour to many of the major sites (getting to/from Mount Eden at the end of the day, you can opt for a taxi or quick Uber ride).

If you do not have a rental car just yet (you could choose to start your rental car on day 2 instead), you can opt to take a taxi, Uber, or bus (easy and much cheaper!) to get from the airport to the city center.

During my time in the city I visited the following 7 places:

• Wynyard Quarter
• Viaduct Basin
• Queen Street
• Albert Park / University of Auckland
• Auckland Domain / Auckland War Memorial Museum
• Mount Eden → Learn more about the Mount Eden Summit

Learn More : The 1 day in Auckland guide will help walk you through all you need to know about your day in the city. 

Auckland Hotels (Nights 1 & 2)

Below are some highly rated accommodation options to choose from at some different price points:

• All Around : SkyCity Hotel
• Budget : Haka Lodge
• Luxury : Sofitel Viaduct Harbor

Day 2 – Waitakere Ranges

On your second day in Auckland, you will be able to take a bit of a day trip out of the city and get in touch with New Zealand’s nature for the first time as you spend a day exploring the Waitakere Ranges .

This guide to the Best Walks in the Waitakere Ranges goes into more detail about each place mentioned

A definite highlight of my time on the North Island, the Waitakere Ranges are full of views, hikes, beaches, waterfalls and much more.

Starting in the morning, grab your car and make the drive to the Arataki Visitor Centre, where you can learn all about the area and get some helpful tips from the staff.

From there it is time to hop back into the car and explore further down below. I was able to see and take part of the following places in the Waitakere Ranges including:

Piha Beach & Lion’s Rock

The main landmark of the Waitakere Ranges is Piha Beach & Lion’s Rock. Here you will find a black sand beach with plenty of surfers and its massive rock formation jutting out in the middle.

Take some time to walk along the black sand and even hike up the trail to the top of the rock itself.

Tasman Lookout Walk

Next up is the Tasman Lookout Walk located on the southern end of the beach. This is just a short 15 minute walk to a viewpoint, where you can see Piha Beach from above.

Learn more about taking in the view in the Tasman Lookout Walk Guide .

Kitekite Falls Walk

You will also find several waterfalls all throughout the Waitakere Ranges. One of the most famous waterfalls is called Kitekite Falls. From the parking lot, it is about a 90 minute out and back trail through lush forest to see one of the best waterfalls in the region.

Once at the waterfall you can take some time to just relax and enjoy the view. If you are up for it, you can even make the walk to the top of the falls to see the view from above.

Learn more in the Kitekite Falls Walk Guide .

Mercer Bay Loop Track

The Waitakere Ranges are full of cliffs that meet up with the ocean. This is turn makes for some stunning viewpoint areas. One of these is called the Mercer Bay Loop.

Here you will find a 30-45 minute trail that brings you along the cliffs edge as you see the ocean down below.

Learn more about the experience in the guide to the Mercer Bay Loop .

Karekare Falls Walk

A second waterfall that is worthy of a visit is Karekare Falls. This is a shorter trail from the roadside, and should take just 5 or so minutes to reach this beautiful waterfall.

Learn more about the waterfall and the beach (more on that next) in the guide to Karekare Falls & Karekare Beach .

Karekare Beach

You can end the day at the much quieter (but just as beautiful) Karekare black sand beach. It is a pleasant walk from the parking lot to the beach, where you can enjoy your last moments in the Waitakere Ranges before calling it a day.

At day’s end, make the curvy drive back up to Auckland, where you can spend you second (and last night) in the city.

Day 3 – Waitomo & Blue Springs

It is now time to head out of the city and off to Rotorua. However, before getting there, you will have a couple awesome stops along the way. First head down to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves .

Known to be one of the best glowworm spots in the country, Waitomo offers several different experiences to take part of to see the glowworms (insect larvae that glow up in the darkness).

I opted for the 3 hour Black Labyrinth tubing experience of the cave but that would require a bit earlier of a wakeup if you don’t want to get to Rotorua too late in the day. They also offer simple 45 minute walks/boats through the caves that still offer the great glowworm views.

After checking out the glowworms, hop back into the car for a 60-90 minute drive and make the stop at the Te Waihou Blue Springs .

This free attraction is well worth the visit as you get to see the crystal clear blue springs that produce 60%+ of New Zealand’s bottled water.

Head to the Blue Spring Leslie Road Carpark, where you can make the 15 minute walk and get to stroll right alongside the springs before turning back around and to the parking lot. After seeing the glowworms and Blue Springs, it is off to Rotorua for the next couple days!

Note : many people also head to Hobbiton after their glowworm experience. As I was not so interested in the site, I decided to skip it and added in the Blue Springs instead.

However if you are a big fan of Hobbiton, you can opt for that post Waitomo and before heading to Rotorua.

Rotorua Hotels (Nights 3,4,5)

Rotorua offers a variety of options for its visitors – everything from budget backpacker friendly to high luxury. No matter what you are looking for there will be an option for you.

Below are some highly rated recommendations based on price range.

• All Around : Silver Fern Rotorua
• Luxury : Black Swan Lakeside Boutique Hotel
• Budget : Hideaway of Rotorua

Day 4 – Rotorua

For the next three days, you will get to spend your time in and around the city of Rotorua and get up close and personal to some more New Zealand nature.

There is A LOT to do around the area but I narrowed it down to 12 different Rotorua activities to take part of during your time there.

Of course, if you know of some activity that you really want to do or see, you can move things around accordingly. What I have written down below for days 4, 5, and 6 is just an example of what can be done depending on your interests.

Hamurana Springs

For your first day in Rotorua you can make the loop around the lake starting at the Hamurana Springs – another crystal clear water source, at these springs you will actually be able to see the springs pump out water from down below – 4 million liters per hour!

On top of that you will be able to follow the 30 minute loop trail around the crystal clear river and small redwood forest.

Learn more in the Hamurana Springs Walk Guide to learn more about your time there .

Okere Falls

Next up you can visit Okere Falls, where the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world is located at 7 meters high! Take the short walk to the viewing point and watch those rafters go over.

Learn more in the Okere Falls guide that goes over how to take part of the experience

Blue / Green Lakes

Continue the drive to the Blue / Green Lakes (aka Lake Tikitapu and Lake Rotokakahi ). Here you will find a perfect viewing point to see both of them from one place.

Depending on whether the sun is out, you will really be able to see the incredible color difference between the two.

Learn more in the Blue & Green Lakes Lookout Guide .

Redwoods Forest

Next up head to the famous Whakarewarewa Redwoods Forest. You can take part of several options here – either one of the hiking trails, the treewalk, or mountain biking.

Learn more in the Rotorua Trails Guide up on the site.

Polynesian Spa

After a day exploring all that Rotorua has to offer, it is time to hit the spa. At the famous Polynesian Spa, you can take part of several spa offerings which will surely include some time at one of the geothermal pools.

Day 5 – Rotorua

On your second day in Rotorua, you can head south of the city as you get to see firsthand an incredible geothermal park, hike to the top of Rainbow Mountain and take a dip into Kerosene Creek.

Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland

Probably the most famous of geothermal areas in the Rotorua region is that of the Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland.

Here you will be able to take in a huge area full of different types of geothermal activity – from cauldrons to geysers to mud pools and everything in between. There are a few different walking loops to choose from – anything from 30 to 90 minutes.

Rainbow Mountain Reserve

After a morning of geothermal activity, it is a quick drive to the Rainbow Mountain Scenic Reserve.

If interested there is a 1.5 hour round trip trail that takes you to the top of the mountain with some INCREDIBLE views of the surrounding area .

I would highly advise doing so if you are up for it. Even if you are not, at least take the quick walk to the bright blue cauldron viewing point towards the beginning of the trail.

Learn more in the Rainbow Mountain hiking guide up on the site

Kerosene Creek

Now that you have had a morning of geothermal activity and an afternoon of hiking, it is time to relax for a bit. While the previous day’s relaxation was at a spa, you can now go to a completely natural one instead.

Kerosene Creek is a free hot springs river, where you can jump in and soothe those muscles after a day of exploring.

Day 6 – Rotorua / to Taupo

Your last day in Rotorua will start in the city itself before heading south towards Taupo, where you will be staying the next few nights.

Rotorua Waterfront

Begin the day at the Rotorua Waterfront, where you can take in the lake from up close and get some great views of the water. There are a few walking trails along the lake if interested in doing so as well.

Rotorua Museum

Once down at the lake, head to the nearby Rotorua Museum and Government Gardens. While the museum is closed for renovation until 2025, it is still a great area to walk around and enjoy.

Kuirau Park

Before heading out of the city center of Rotorua, stop by the local Kuirau Park. This free attraction right within the city offers plenty of different geothermal activity options all around and is definitely a bit different than your normal park.

Check out the Kuirau Park overview to learn all about this one of kind park in the middle of the city .

Waimangu Volcanic Valley

Similar to Wai-O-Tapu, the Waimangu Volcanic Valley is another geothermal park south of Rotorua. Although there are similarities, there are some big differences as well and I would highly recommend taking part of both.

You can choose from a few trails of varying lengths and take in some unique geothermal activity from the world’s youngest volcanic valley.

After an afternoon at Waimangu, continue the drive down to Taupo, your new base on New Zealand’s North Island.

Taupo Hotels (Nights 6, 7, 8)

Here are a few recommended accommodation options to choose from when thinking where to stay in Taupo:

• All Around : The Reef Resort
• Luxury : Sacred Waters Taupo

Day 7 – Tongariro Alpine Crossing

Hands down the best hike on the North Island of New Zealand is that of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.

A 19.4KM / 12.1 mile one way hike, Tongariro has everything you would want in a hike – the views, the scenery, the mountains, the valleys – you name it and the crossing has it.

Since this is a one way trail (starting and ending points are in different places), you have a couple different options to choose from to take part: 1) Round trip transportation from Taupo to starting point, and then ending point back to Taupo or 2) Drive yourself to the ending point in the morning and opt for a one way shuttle to the starting point.

At the end of the hike, you can just hop back in your car and back to Taupo.

Learn More : You can read much more about the trail, logistics, and how to prepare to the hike as part of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing overview

Important Note : the weather is the most important thing when it comes to taking part of the trail. If the weather does not cooperate – high winds, very low clouds, or lots of rain – it may not be worth the effort. For this reason stay flexible and have the option to do it the next day instead.

Day 8 – Taupo

After taking part of the epic Tongariro Alpine Crossing, it is time to unwind and relax for a day in Taupo . You can spend the morning strolling through town, enjoying the lakeside and maybe checking out the coolest McDonald’s in the world (its in an airplane!).

In the afternoon you can stop by Huka Falls , a bright blue 11 meter waterfall coming from the roaring Waikato River. You can head to a few different viewpoints around the area to take it all in.

If interested you can also opt for a Huka Falls jet boat ride, which goes around the river and right up and close to the waterfall.

Learn all about the waterfall in the Huka Falls overview guide up on the site

Aratiatia Rapids

You can then head to the Aratiatia Rapids , a dam that releases water 4 times a day (10AM, 12PM, 2PM, 4PM). Note the 4PM release is only in summer months.

Before they release the water, there is basically just a small stream of water a few feet high. Only a couple minutes after they open the dam, the water levels rise significantly through the canyon.

Tip : there are three viewing points – the one on the bridge, the lower viewing point (5 minute walk), or the high viewing point (10 minute walk). Head to the lower view for the best views all around.

Day 9 – Drive to Wellington

The Drive to Wellington. Today is going to be a driving day, a 5 hour one at that as you make the drive from Taupo to Wellington .

There is not a ton to see along the way besides for some small towns as you fill up gas and grab some food. But the drive itself is pretty easy and you should be in Wellington in no time.

Note that Wellington is not the most car friendly city. Unless your hotel has parking available, be prepared to park in a paid parking lot during your time there.

Wellington Hotels (Nights 9 & 10)

As one of New Zealand’s major cities, Wellington has plenty of different accommodation options for its visitors – from budget hostels to super luxurious hotels, you will find all of that and more there.

Below are some recommended options based on different price points that you can browse through when deciding where to stay.

• All Around : Bolton Hotel
• Luxury : Intercontinental Wellington
• Budget : YHA Wellington

Day 10 – Wellington

So you have made it to the capital city of New Zealand. Wellington, probably my favorite of New Zealand’s major cities, is full of plenty of things to do for a day.

You won’t need the car as everything is very walkable for the most part but you can spend your day enjoying 8 different things to do around Wellington . These include:

• Mount Victoria Lookout
• Oriental Bay
• Wellington Waterfront
• Te Papa Museum
• Cuba Street
• Wellington Cable Car
• Wellington Botanic Garden
• Parliament Buildings

After a full day of walking the city, it is time to spend your final night on New Zealand’s North Island. On day 11 you can grab your car and head to the airport to end a successful 10 day trip to NZ’s North Island.

If you are not ending your vacation but heading to the South Island next, then head over the ferry terminal, where you will be continuing your journey.

New Zealand North Island Itinerary: 7 Days

Now I know everyone planning a trip to the North Island of New Zealand will not have 10 days to spare so I wanted to outline what you can change/remove from the above to turn this 10 day itinerary into a 7 day one.

1) Removing a day at the beginning – either skipping Auckland or the Waitakere Ranges would be your first option. If you want to explore the city then skip Waitakere. If you want to explore some nature, then skip Auckland.

2) Instead of 3 days in Rotorua, you can do 2 days instead . This would simply just require picking and choosing what activities you want to do around the area in a 2 day period.

3) Lastly I would say you would remove the “recovery day” in Taupo after the Tongariro Alpine Crossing .

Instead of hanging out around Taupo and checking out Huka Falls and the Aratiatia Rapids, you can just head straight to Wellington the day after the hike. If you choose to do this, you can think about staying closer to the Crossing instead of in Taupo (National Park, Whakapapa Village, or Turangi).

Your 7 day itinerary would then look something like this:

• 1 Day Auckland or Waitakere
• 1 Day Waitomo
• 2 Days Rotorua
• 1 Day Tongariro Alpine Crossing
• 1 Day Drive to Wellington
• 1 Day Wellington

Well then, that wraps up a New Zealand North Island itinerary for 10 days exploring the ins and outs of the north part of the country.

Of course there is more to see and so but this itinerary is a great way to experience a lot of what the North Island has to offer.

Take a look at some more New Zealand itineraries and guides and feel free to ask any questions down below! Safe travels!

Related posts:

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The Ultimate New Zealand North Island Itinerary: Road Trips from 2 Days to 2 Weeks

This page contains affiliate links. Please read our disclosure for more info.

New Zealand’s North Island is stunning. It has some of the best beaches in the country as well as hot springs, geothermal parks, volcanoes, lakes, waterfalls, wineries, and island sanctuaries.

Outdoor activities are popular, and you can hike, swim, snorkel, sail, surf, bike, and engage in numerous adventure activities like skydiving or jet boating.

It’s the best part of the country to learn about Maori culture and to sample delicious food and coffee at the many restaurants and cafes in the cities. It’s also home to the magical Hobbiton Movie Set!

Three-quarters of New Zealand’s population lives here and it includes the country’s largest city, Auckland, in the north of the island, and Wellington, the capital city, in the south.

We’ve driven between Auckland and Wellington five times and have spent months living in the Northland and Wellington regions.

Below I share our most recent 10-day North Island itinerary (easily reduced to one week) as well as suggestions for trips ranging from two days to two weeks or more. There is also a handy map with everything mentioned.

North Island Itinerary Suggestions

North island road trip tips, map of our new zealand north island itinerary, our north island itinerary, day 1 – 3 hahei, coromandel peninsula (3 nights), day 4 – 6 lake taupo (3 nights), day 7 – 9 te awanga, hawke’s bay (3 nights), day 10 wellington (1 night +), more places to visit in north island , more new zealand posts.

These are my North Island itinerary suggestions for different trip lengths. They assume you are travelling between Auckland and Wellington (or vice versa).

Auckland is where most international flights arrive, although the much smaller Wellington airport has connections to Australia. Wellington is where the ferry to Picton on the South Island departs.

We’ve only spent a short amount of time in Auckland and aren’t huge fans. As most visitors are in New Zealand for natural beauty, I think there are better places to visit.

If you have limited time, just spend a night in the city to recover from jet lag and then continue with these itineraries.

That said, we are fans of the beaches and wineries of Waiheke Island , which is just a 40-minute ferry ride from Auckland, and a few days there is never a bad idea. 

2 Day North Island Itinerary

If you need to traverse the island in the quickest time possible, you could technically drive from Auckland to Wellington in one day (about eight hours), but it’s best to break up your journey.

When we made this trip in two days, we stayed overnight near Turangi on the southern shore of Lake Taupo . It was quieter than Taupo town (on the north shore) and on the fastest route.

We stayed at a lovely BnB outside town called Omori Lakehouse . We had a private room and bathroom with a stunning lake view as well as use of the owner’s living space. The owners were very friendly and left us beer and brownies as well as providing a continental breakfast with homemade jam.

It was a pleasant stopover and we had a pizza dinner nearby at Floating Rock Cafe on a winery.

We broke up the Taupo to Auckland day with a stop at the Hobbiton Movie Set in The Shire where The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies were filmed. 

1 Week North Island Itinerary

If you have a week for your self-drive North Island road trip, you could follow our 10-day route below but reduce the stays from three nights to two nights.

We had plenty of relaxation time, so you could still do most of the things we did. For example:

• Coromandel Peninsula – 2 nights
• Lake Taupo – 2 nights
• Hawke’s Bay – 2 nights
• Wellington – 1 night

In the 10-day section, I discuss some alternatives to these destinations.

Another option which we followed on our first trip to New Zealand:

• Rotorua – 1 night
• Tongariro National Park – 2 nights
• Wellington – 2 nights

If you are continuing south beyond Wellington, check out our picks for the top things to do in the South Island .

10 Day North Island Itinerary

This is the Auckland to Wellington itinerary I detail below.

• Coromandel Peninsula – 3 nights (stay at Tatahi Lodge )
• Lake Taupo – 3 nights (stay in a holiday rental )
• Hawke’s Bay – 3 nights
• Wellington – 1 night + (stay at QT Wellington )

You could replace one or two of the nights in Taupo with Rotorua, especially if you’d like to visit a Maori village.

If you aren’t interested in wineries, swap Hawke’s Bay with Tongariro National Park , one of the most stunning places on the North Island.

In the summer you can hike the popular Tongariro Alpine Crossing and in winter you can ski on Mt Ruapehu . I’ve written more about the park at the end of this post. 

2 Week North Island Itinerary

I recommend following the 10-day itinerary but starting with three nights in the Bay of Islands , which is four hours north of Auckland in Northland. See our guide to the best things to do in Bay of Islands .

We spent three months just outside Russell , a charming historic town that makes the best base for exploring the bay. 

It’s a long drive from Russell to Hahei in the Coromandel , but we did it at the start of this road trip, and it took us 6.5 hours plus a lunch break.

With the extra night, you can add time in Auckland, Rotorua, or Wellington.

3 week+ North Island Road Trips

If you have more than two weeks for your North Island itinerary, there are plenty more places to explore. 

This route includes many New Zealand must see destinations .

You could do a loop of the North Island by following the itinerary below and then continuing up the west coast after Wellington to:

• Tongariro National Park – For hiking and skiing on a volcano.
• New Plymouth and the Taranaki region – For beaches, art, hikes and an iconic volcano.
• Waitomo – For glowworm caves, waterfalls, gorgeous green countryside and nearby Hobbiton.
• Raglan – For surfing, waterfalls, and beach horse rides.
• Waiheke Island – For beaches, wineries, and a tropical island vibe near Auckland.

Read more about these North Island road trip ideas at the end of the post.

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A self-drive road trip is the best way to explore the North Island. 

We rented our car with Apex , which is a good option for longer rentals. We liked that they didn’t charge for one-way rentals, changing drop-off locations, or an additional driver.

For shorter rentals, search on Rental Cars for the best deals.

Renting a campervan is also a popular way to explore New Zealand, but you can only stay overnight in campsites or designated freedom camping spots.

Remember that in New Zealand you drive on the left-hand side of the road.

Simon picked up a Vodaphone SIM at the airport on arrival, and I later bought a Spark SIM. Both are fine, but Spark seems to have slightly better coverage in rural areas.

Phone signal isn’t available everywhere, so it’s best to download Google Maps offline so you always have access to directions (which are fairly simple in New Zealand—there aren’t a ton of roads!). 

I recommend packing a water bottle (we always travel with a few  Vapur flexible bottles  as they are light and foldable when empty) and a  travel coffee mug  or thermos.

Wear shoes that are comfortable for walking as you’ll do a lot of it in New Zealand. Most of the time I was fine in my Allbirds wool runners , but I was glad for hiking shoes on the muddier trails. (See my Allbirds review for more details on these super comfy shoes).

You can make this New Zealand road trip at any time of year. We drove it in June, which is early winter.

We had one beautiful, sunny day on the Coromandel, and the rest of our time was mostly cloudy and often rainy.

Temperatures ranged from 10ºC to 16ºC (50ºF – 61ºF). In general, the north is warmer than the south. 

The best weather, especially if you want some beach time, is in the summer from January to March. January is busy as it’s the school holidays, so I recommend February and March instead.

This North Island itinerary starts in Auckland but doesn’t include any time there. If you are arriving on a long flight, allow at least a night in the city to recover before you drive.

Auckland to Hahei Drive: 2 hours 15 minutes / 163km (101 miles)

The Coromandel Peninsula is a detour from Auckland if you are heading south to Wellington, but it’s well worth it and is one of the best places to visit in North Island.

Once you’ve left Auckland’s outskirts behind, it’s a lovely if windy drive through forests and mountains with rocky peaks.

We chose to stay in the cute beach town Hahei which is the perfect base for the Coromandel’s main attractions on the east coast— Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach .

It gets packed in the summer, but mid-week in winter it was very quiet. The town centre is tiny with just a handful of businesses—a shop, cafe, takeaway, ice-cream shop, and a few watersports companies.

We had dinner on our first night at The Pour House , a craft brewery that makes excellent beer and tasty food (including a creative vegetarian pizza).

Hahei Beach is one of my favourites in New Zealand. It’s a gorgeous long white sandy beach with rocky promontories at each end and views of craggy offshore islands.

We enjoyed sunset walks, sunrise runs and swims, and a relaxing afternoon reading in a quiet corner.

Cathedral Cove

Please note that the Cathedral Cove Walk Track is currently closed due to storm damage, please check current updates .

Cathedral Cove is the main attraction in the Coromandel, so it’s best to get an early start to avoid the crowds.

In winter, we had it to ourselves by leaving at 7.30am for the 40-minute walk from town. It’s best at low or mid tide.

The mostly paved walk is fairly easy, although it’s steep in parts, with some beautiful sea views on the way.

Steps lead down to Mares Leg Cove , a gorgeous powdery sand beach backed by white limestone cliffs chiselled by the elements and gnarled pohutukawa trees growing sideways out of the rocks.

From the beach, you walk through a natural rock archway for a view of the beach and sea stacks on the other side framed by the cave opening.

I was worried it might be overrated, but it’s a magical place.

On the way back we took a few of the side trails—the loop trail to a lookout (2km/30 minutes return) takes you through the forest to a platform high above the sea with fantastic views of the rugged coastline and clear turquoise water.

There are also shorter walks (5 minutes each way) to beautiful sandy Stingray Bay and boulder-filled Gemstone Bay , where you can follow a snorkel trail.

I braved the chilly water and was rewarded by seeing a giant stingray as well as banded wrasse, red moki, and crayfish.

With all the detours we ended up walking 11km (7 miles) with 2 hours 40 minutes of walking or four hours including breaks. In summer you’ll likely want to linger on the beaches even longer.

Shakespeare Cliff Lookout

After a morning at Cathedral Cove, we drove 15 minutes to Shakespeare Cliff Lookout.

The last section of the windy uphill road is gravel, but it’s worth it for the 180º views of Lonely Bay , Cooks Beach , and Maramaratotara Bay . 

Hot Water Beach

On our second full day, we made it to Hot Water Beach for sunrise.

There’s a hot spring under a small section of this unique beach where you can dig your own spa bath (only two hours either side of low tide).

It gets incredibly crowded in summer, but in winter there were only a few others around.

Digging a deep hole isn’t as easy as it looks (our bath was more of a puddle), but it was atmospheric to sit in hot water surrounded by steam with the waves crashing and the sky lit up in streaks of pink.

Drive to Coromandel Town

After a shower and breakfast, we left for a loop drive to the other side of the Coromandel Peninsula.

We started on the 309, a windy narrow gravel road that made me car sick. It goes deep in the bush and feels far away from everything.

A few worthwhile stops are the Waiau Kauri Grove , where a peaceful 15-minute loop walk takes you past some of these giant trees, and Waiau Falls , a pretty little falls with a pool that looked enticing for swimming.

We had lunch in Coromandel Town , an old gold town that still has some heritage buildings.

There’s not much going on, but we did enjoy the creative vegetarian lunch options at Wharf Road Cafe which unfortunately is temporarily closed.

UMU Cafe looks like a good alternative with tasty pizza and lunch bowl options.

You could also take a scenic train ride on the nearby Driving Creek Railway , but the times are limited in winter and we missed it.

We drove back on the 25, a sealed road with beautiful coastal views and plenty of opportunities for beach stops. I’d wanted to detour to New Chums Beach , but you can only reach it at low tide.

We ended up taking a short walk at Matarangi Beach , a long white sand beach typical of the area, but the weather wasn’t great. Rings Beach and Kuaotunu Beach are also supposed to be pretty.

Hahei Accommodation

We stayed at Tatahi Lodge , which I highly recommend. It has a range of accommodation for all budgets including a backpackers, motel rooms, and holiday cottages.

It’s set in pretty gardens and is a one-minute walk from the pub, five minutes from the beach, and 40 minutes from Cathedral Cove.

The friendly staff gave us all the information we needed on the area and lent us a shovel and beach towels. The only downside is we only got 5GB of internet free, but it was enough for our stay.

We stayed in a two-bedroom cottage with a log cabin vibe. The decor was a little dated, but it was comfortable and spacious with a kitchen and small garden with BBQ and outdoor furniture.

Hahei to Taupo Drive: 4 hours / 281km (175 miles) plus stops (1 hour 15 minutes)

Our next destination was Lake Taupo in the centre of the North Island.

The winding drive through the forest-covered mountains of the Coromandel was beautiful before we reached flatter plains and farmland. Past Matamata the scenery became more dramatic again with lush green rolling hills.

We made three stops—for coffee (and to eat our packed sandwiches) in Matamata, at the Blue Spring Putaruru , and for a quick walk in Rotorua .

I also highly recommend stopping at the Hobbiton Movie Set near Matamata. Even if you aren’t a Lord of the Rings fan, the cute hobbit village is a picturesque place to wander with incredible attention to detail.

You need to book the two-hour walking tour in advance , but if you book it for early afternoon, it fits well in this itinerary. There’s an average cafe there for lunch, or you can stop in Matamata.

Blue Spring Putaruru

As we’d visited Hobbiton on a previous North Island road trip, we chose to take a break at the Blue Spring in Putaruru , which is just after Matamata and 40 minutes before Rotorua.

We parked at the Leslie Road car park and strolled along the river for 10 minutes to reach the colourful main pool (and toilet).

The incredibly pure water is bright blue and full of floaty green vegetation, creating a magical feel.

You can continue along the river on the Te Waihou Walkway (1 hour 30 minutes each way), but we were a bit concerned about the signs warning of car break-ins.

Our next stop was Rotorua , which is a popular stop on many North Island road trips, so you may want to spend a night or two here.

The sprawling town is renowned for its geothermal activity—you can see steam emerging from the drains and smell the sulphur in the air.

It’s the best place in the country to learn about Maori culture—at Whakarewarewa Maori village you can take a guided tour and see a cultural performance.

As we’d visited previously and recently experienced a Maori performance at Waitangi in the Bay of Islands , we just made a quick stop at Kuirau Park .

At this free city park you can see geothermal activity like a large pool of steaming water and bubbling mud pools.

It doesn’t compare to the experience at the paid geothermal parks (which we’ll visit soon), but it’s worth a quick stop.

Taupo is a lakefront town, one hour from Rotorua. There are some excellent geothermal destinations to explore on the way, but we chose to return to these the following day.

Lake Taupo is the largest lake in New Zealand and is a popular spot for watersports in the summer.

It’s also a hub of adventure activities like skydiving (which we did here on our first trip to New Zealand), bungy jumping, and jet boating.

As we were visiting in winter, we focused on hot springs, waterfalls, and geothermal parks.

We mostly self-catered, but we did have a good-value lunch at Cafe Baku near the waterfront, which has a huge range of cabinet food including veggie options.

Wairakei Terraces Thermal Spa

On our first evening in Taupo, we relaxed after the drive at the hot pools at Wairakei Terraces .

Sunset would be ideal but the lighting was also atmospheric at night as we soaked in a series of large terraced pools of varying temperatures. It’s open to over 14s only. Entrance is usually $27 but we got a Grabone deal for $15.

Wai-o-Tapu Thermal Wonderland

On our first full day in Taupo we drove 45 minutes back towards Rotorua for some geothermal action.

There are a number of geothermal parks, but we chose Wai-o-Tapu as it’s known for having the most colourful pools. Tickets are $32.50 and currently can only be bought online.

We arrived at opening at 9am and had the place to ourselves. The full trail around the park is 3km and took us an hour, although you could spend longer if you read all the information signs.

It’s a unique and fascinating place with steam rising from the ground, bubbling mud pools, collapsed craters, and many colourful hot pools.

Champagne Pool is the largest hot spring in New Zealand and Devil’s Bath is an unreal neon green.

There’s also an eruption of Lady Knox Geyser at 10.15am daily at a separate site a short drive away, but we didn’t make it in time.

A few minutes’ drive from Wai-o-Tapu is this free site where you can see mud spurting out of a large pond. It’s definitely worth a stop.

Kerosene Creek

Our final stop on our first day was Kerosene Creek , a 10-minute drive from Wai-o-Tapu (towards Rotorua).

The last five minutes is on a horrible gravel road full of potholes, so I wouldn’t recommend it after rain in a normal car.

There are plenty of hot springs in the area, but this is the only hot river I found, and it’s free.

It’s a unique experience to soak in the warm, shallow water surrounded by forest.

It gets busy so it’s best to visit early, but you can just keep walking down the river to find a quiet spot to yourself. The most popular section was under a small waterfall.

Spa Park and Huka Falls

Our second day in Taupo didn’t go entirely to plan as it rained all day.

We’d planned to park at Spa Park just outside town where there’s a free natural hot spring in the banks of the river.

From there we’d walk on the riverside track (60–90 minutes each way) to Huka Falls , return, then soak in the pools.

Instead, we drove to Huka Falls and did a short walk along the river, and then drove to Spa Park.

Huka Falls is a wide and thunderous mass of water that erupts into a bright blue river.

In the afternoon we drove 25 minutes to Kinloch , a small lakeside village that’s much less developed than Taupo town.

There’s a cycle and walking trail along the lake and it seemed pleasant, but honestly, in the rain we couldn’t see much!

Taupo Accommodation

We stayed at Janey B’s on Botanical (unfortunately no longer available), a one-bedroom apartment under a friendly family’s home a five-minute drive outside Taupo town.

We didn’t mind being outside town as all the activities we wanted to do were a drive away anyway, and we’re not huge fans of Taupo town.

For alternatives search for more holiday rentals in Taupo here .

Taupo to Te Awanga Drive: 2 hours / 156km (97 miles)

Our next destination was Hawke’s Bay on New Zealand’s east coast, which is known for its wineries and Art Deco architecture. You’ll also find good food and some beautiful walks.

In winter, it’s best to visit on a weekend if possible, as not all wineries are open during the week, especially in Te Awanga .

If you’re not a wine fan, you might prefer to head south to Tongariro National Park instead for hiking in summer or skiing in winter.

It’s an easy, stunning drive from Taupo over the mountains. There’s no petrol on the way so fill up in advance.

It’s a remote area and the only place we stopped was at the sign for a scenic lookout which leads to a view of a large dramatic waterfall.

Te Awanga Estate

Hawke’s Bay is a large area that includes the towns of Napier and Hastings plus the surrounding countryside.

I found it difficult knowing where to stay and ended up choosing Te Awanga , a small seaside village, as it was a flat cycle ride to three wineries (you could even walk).

On the day we arrived, we started with lunch at Te Awanga Estate , a casual winery with views of the vineyard and sea beyond.

It was busy and chaotic on a Saturday and we really should have booked, but we managed to get a table outside.

We enjoyed a vegetarian version of their platter, which featured an array of dips, pickled vegetables, nuts, fruit, and bread, and a tasty pie of the day (chile and cheese was the veggie option), along with the local specialities—Syrah red and Chardonnay white wines.

Te Awanga Beach

After lunch, it was still too early to check in to our accommodation, so we went for a walk on the pebbly beach which is popular with surfers.

The small village consists mostly of baches (holiday homes) plus a shop, takeaway, and the waterfront wineries.

Elephant Hill Winery

Our first full day was our winery day. Despite the pouring rain we ventured out on our bikes (you can rent from Coastal Wine Cycles ) for an easy (if wet) 15-minute cycle on the limestone bike path along the seafront.

If you find yourself based in Napier you can also hire bikes from Tākaro Trails Cycle Tours .

At Elephant Hill you must book a seated tasting ($20 for four wines) and it was a relaxed, informative experience in their modern tasting room.

The view of the sea would have been amazing if we could have seen it!

We focused on the Syrah and Chardonnay again and ended up treating ourselves to a bottle of their Stone Syrah.

We spent an hour there and could have lingered longer over the generous pours.

Clearview Estate Winery

It was a five-minute cycle back to Clearview Estate where we’d booked a table for lunch.

It’s set further back from the sea, so the view isn’t as good, but the rustic dining room was cosy and we appreciated the fireplace.

It was our favourite meal in Hawke’s Bay. We shared halloumi with roasted vegetables, spinach and feta filo parcel, and polenta chips with aioli.

We liked that you could order half glasses of wine to sample their many Chardonnays (the White Caps was oaky and buttery enough to satisfy Simon).

We’d planned to cycle further down the coast to the seafront Hygge Cafe in Clifton for coffee and cake, but the rain was miserable so we spent the afternoon relaxing at our apartment instead.

You could also cycle inland to the wineries near Havelock North , but this will be a hillier route.

We started our second full day with a wander around Napier .

This small city was rebuilt in Art Deco style after an earthquake in 1931, and the streets are still lined with pastel-coloured buildings with geometric motifs.

There are quite a few tempting coffee shops in Napier, so we stopped in at Georgia on Tennyson , before driving to the suburb of Ahuriri for a seafront walk past sea wall murals.

Havelock North

A 25-minute drive from Napier is Havelock North , a boutiquey village on the outskirts of Hastings .

It’s supposed to be one of the most desirable places to stay in the area, but honestly, we didn’t find it that exciting or attractive. Perhaps if we were into shopping we would have enjoyed it more.

It is close to some great wineries and hikes, though.

Craggy Range Winery

Craggy Range is an upmarket winery next to the craggy Te Mata mountain .

We had lunch in the stylish restaurant where the fine dining menu uses local, seasonal ingredients, including produce from their garden.

Although vegetarian options were limited, we did enjoy our halloumi and green bean starter and baked gnocchi with black garlic main. Simon was a fan of their Reserve Chardonnay.

Te Mata Peak

We’d originally planned to hike the 5-kilometre Giant Circuit at Te Mata , but the steep trail was too muddy and slippery after days of rain.

Instead, we drove to the peak and took a short walk for spectacular views of the jagged limestone peaks, bumpy green hills, and down to Craggy Range Winery.

I definitely recommend a longer hike here if the weather is good—it’s the most scenic part of Hawke’s Bay.

Ocean Beach

Our final stop was Ocean Beach , a 30-minute drive from Te Mata and Te Awanga, but it’s well worth a detour with beautiful views of undulating green hills on the way.

Ocean Beach is gorgeous—a long, wide, golden sand beach backed by small dunes and larger green hills.

It feels quite remote and is undeveloped except for a collection of simple wooden baches. I would love to stay here. 

Hawke’s Bay Accommodation

We rented a large studio apartment underneath a family home in Te Awanga.

It was a two-minute walk from the beach and came with free bikes but unfortunately, the accommodation is no longer available.

Alternatively, if you have the budget, you could stay in a luxury cottage on a vineyard at Craggy Range .

The views are stunning here and you’ll have easy access to their restaurant and tasting room. 

Te Awanga to Wellington Drive: 4.5 hours / 323km (201 miles) plus 15 minutes of breaks

It was a beautiful drive down the SH2 to Wellington, especially after Featherston over the dramatic Rimutaka Hill .

There are lots of options for stops on the way, although we only stopped for coffee.

We were tempted to add an extra night at Castlepoint , a remote beach town with a scenic lighthouse, but the weather put us off.

If you want more wine, Martinborough is also worth a night or two (we visited as a side trip from Wellington). Why not try this Half Day Martinborough Winery Tour from Wellington ?

It’s a smaller wine region than Hawke’s Bay with flat, easy cycling to many nearby wineries (don’t miss the platters at Poppies).

Alternatively, drive through Palmerston North (where you can visit the New Zealand Rugby Museum ) and down SH1 to the Kapiti Coast.

If you have time, you might want to stay in one of the beach towns—we love Paekakariki .

On this trip we spent a week in Wellington staying with friends, but if you have limited time in the country, you’ll probably only want a night or two here.

We do love this compact capital city (we’ve since spent a few months here), but most people come to New Zealand for nature and will likely want to get on the ferry and head to the South Island (see our best East Coast South Island road trip stops and the best South Island activities ).

A few of our favourite things to do in Wellington include the Wellington Botanic Gardens (and the cable car ride up there), a walk along the waterfront to Oriental Bay , the Sunday morning Harbourside Market , the view from Mount Victoria , learning about native birds at Zealandia , and seeing seals on the Red Rocks Walkway . 

Check out these other scenic Wellington walks .

You’ll find some of the best food and coffee in the country here. We love coffee tasting flights at Hangar , hot chocolate at Scopa , seaside brunch at The Botanist or Maranui Cafe in Lyall Bay , vegetarian tasting menus at Hillside Kitchen , and wine at Noble Rot .

Wellington Accommodation

Although we stayed with friends on this trip, we have visited Wellington multiple times. Our favourite place to stay is the stylish boutique hotel QT Wellington .

It has the perfect location opposite the Te Papa museum with harbour views.

Rooms are creative and comfortable (Harbourview Gallery rooms are best) and there’s cool artwork throughout the hotel.

If you have longer than 10 days to travel the North Island, consider adding one or more of these destinations. You could even loop back to Auckland by following these places north. 

Tongariro National Park

Tongariro National Park is one of the most spectacular places on the North Island with three active volcanoes in a wild and beautiful landscape.

It’s most famous for the challenging (and very busy) day hike, the Tongariro Crossing .

We visited in early spring when the route was still covered in snow, but there are plenty of other hikes in the area.

We stayed in Whakapapa , the tiny village nearest to Mount Ruapehu and its ski resort.

Our room at Skotel Alpine Resort was simple but had wonderful views of the symmetrical dome of Mount Ngauruhoe , which stood in for Mt Doom in the Lord of the Rings films.

Our picks for the area include:

• Tama Lakes hike – An incredible walk to two volcanic crater lakes. The 17.8km trail took me just over four hours plus breaks. It starts next to the Skotel (they rent poles which were useful for the last section).
• Skiing or snowboarding at Mt Ruapehu – While I hiked, Simon spent a day on the slopes. It’s a unique opportunity to ski on a volcano, but the resort does get busy (avoid weekends and July school holidays). Shuttles run from the village. You can also ride up the gondola just to enjoy the magnificent views.

New Plymouth and Taranaki

New Plymouth is a small seaside city in Taranaki , a region on the west coast that is usually overlooked by visitors and even Kiwis.

We soon fell for the green countryside, black sand beaches, cool art, and most of all, the perfectly conical volcano, Mt Taranaki .

Hiking to snow-capped Mt Taranaki in late winter and seeing it reflected in Pouakai Tarn is one of my top North Island experiences.

Read my guide to the best things to do in New Plymouth and Taranaki for more details. 

Waitomo Caves is one of the top tourist attractions in the North Island.

The typical 45-minute cave tour , which we did, includes a walk through an impressive cave and boat ride under a magical sky of glowworms, which glitter like fairy lights.

It’s a commercial operation and the magic is often ruined by the constant flow of tour groups but visiting when the borders were closed, we really enjoyed it. There are also longer cave tours in the area.

Nearby, we also loved the Ruakuri Bushwalk (you can see glowworms here at night), Mangapohue Natural Bridge , and Marokopa Falls , my favourite waterfall in New Zealand.

Raglan is a small surf town on the west coast with a cool vibe. In the area we recommend:

• Horse riding on Ruapuke Beach – Horseback was a fun way to experience this remote jet black beach. We did the trip with Wild Coast who were fantastic.
• Te Toto Gorge – A scenic platform overlooking the gorge with sea views.
• Bridal Veil Falls – A beautiful 55 metre waterfall with four different viewpoints.
• Dinner at Ulos – This quirky, colourful restaurant is run by a friendly Japanese family and has delicious Japanese/Korean food with veggie options.
• Brunch at The Shack – A cool cafe with delicious food.

The impressive Hamilton Gardens are only 45 minutes away—we stopped here on the way to Auckland. You could spend half a day exploring the many gardens including Maori, Japanese, Italian Renaissance, Chinese, Indian, Tudor, and surrealist.

Waiheke Island

This dreamy island would make a good first or last stop in the country as it’s only a 40-minute ferry ride from Auckland .

Many people visit on a day trip, but if you like beaches and wineries, you might want to stay longer. Our picks include:

• Man O’ War Vineyard – The food is just ok, but the wine is excellent and the beachside location is wonderful. It’s a windy but beautiful drive on a gravel road to get out here.
• Poderi Crisci – An authentic Italian restaurant on a vineyard in an undeveloped part of the island. Our favourite meal on Waiheke—expect to linger.
• Casita Miró – Delicious tapas and wine with vineyard and sea views and a colourful mosaic design.
• Wine tasting at Mudbrick – It’s worth a visit to this upmarket winery to enjoy the lovely gardens and stunning views. Walk up the hill to the helicopter landing pad for 360º views of the island.
• Cable Bay Vineyard – We enjoyed our mezze platter here, but the views are what people come for.
• Little Palm Beach – My favourite beach on Waiheke is beyond the rocks at Palm Beach and has a secluded feel backed by cliffs (it’s popular with nudists). The walk above Palm Beach also has a lovely view.

There are some amazing holiday homes on Waiheke. We stayed at Te Kereru Onetangi , a spectacular architecturally designed house surrounded by native forest with views of Onetangi Beach below (a 15-minute walk away). We loved the birdsong, sunlight, secluded feel, modern design, and many terraces.

Bay of Islands

A beautiful area of beaches and islands in Northland. Taking the ferry or water taxi to Urupukapuka Island is our top recommendation for the area.

We also spent six days learning to sail a yacht with Great Escape and then sailing ourselves around the islands.

See more recommendations for activities in Bay of Islands New Zealand .

I hope this New Zealand North Island itinerary has given you some ideas for your trip.

There are many fantastic options, but this route is an excellent mix of beautiful beaches, relaxing hot springs, fascinating geothermal parks, stunning hikes, and delicious wineries.

Read more of our tips for exploring beautiful New Zealand.

• 25 Beautiful Places to Visit in New Zealand

North Island

• 22 Fun Things to Do in Wellington
• 8 Stunning Wellington Walks Not to Miss
• 15 Unforgettable Things to Do in Bay of Islands
• 15 Best Things to Do in New Plymouth and Taranaki
• Exploring Beautiful Urupukapuka Island in the Bay of Islands
• Learning to Sail in the Bay of Islands (While the World Falls Apart)
• Visiting the Magical Hobbiton Movie Set

South Island

• 25 Best Things to Do in South Island NZ
• 20 Unmissable Things to Do in Wanaka
• 17 Relaxing Things to Do in Queenstown
• Queenstown to Milford Sound Scenic Flight: The Most Beautiful Half-Day Trip in New Zealand
• 12 Best Road Trip Stops on the East Coast of the South Island
• 24 Best Things to Do in Nelson
• 23 Best Restaurants and Cafes in Nelson, New Zealand
• The Ultimate Guide to Abel Tasman National Park
• Lake Dunstan Cycle Trail: The Ultimate Guide to New Zealand’s Spectacular New Bike Ride
• A Detailed Guide to Walking the Queen Charlotte Track in New Zealand

Enjoyed this post? Pin for later!

Great list! We’re planning a New Zealand trip for whenever that’s possible again and this will come in handy. It’s been on our list for a long time so super excited to start the early planning stages.

Reply ↓

Hi Erin, thanks for this wonderful post in these difficult times. Maybe to have something to look forward to in the future: could you do an update post on your current packing list? I am always so interested in the little details (and it helps to mentally look forward to better days where travelling is hopefully possible again).

Thanks & all the best

Hi Jayden, it’s funny you should say that – I’m just working on that right now and it’ll be out by next week!

Here’s our updated packing list: https://www.neverendingvoyage.com/carry-on-travel-packing-list/

Great details! Gorgeous land. We’ve always wanted to travel New Zealand, just haven’t made it over yet….it is on our Bucket List!

I hope you make it to NZ one day! It’s such a beautiful country!

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New Zealand North Island Road trip – 2 week itinerary

• July 14, 2020
• Oceania , New Zealand

Geothermal hot springs, glow worm caves, 2000-year-old trees, white sandy beaches, massive volcanoes and heaps of other crazy landscapes; New Zealand’s North Island has it all and so much more!

The list of things that you can do on New Zealand’s North Island is almost never-ending, and you can spend months or even years exploring without seeing it all (I know I did!).

If you only have a few weeks, it can feel like a mind-boggling task to choose what to see and what to skip. But don’t worry, I got you covered! I did multiple trips to the North Island, even lived in Auckland for a while and in total, I spent about a year exploring the North Island. Safe to say, I already did all the research for you!

By following this 2-week New Zealand North Island itinerary you’ll cover all the best things to do and see, and take the optimal route to make the most out of your time on the North Island.

P.S. This article contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase following one of these links we’ll get a small commission at no additional cost to you. We only share products and services that we love and believe you will love too.

Who is this itinerary for?

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This New Zealand itinerary of the North Island takes you the long way around from Auckland to Wellington and shows you all the highlights to help you make the most of your time here.

To follow this itinerary you will need your own wheels. The best way to explore New Zealand is by campervan, but if you prefer to get a car instead that is fine too, we’ve included where to stay in both cases.

If you’ve been road tripping around New Zealand’s South Island first and just took the ferry up to Wellington, then just follow this itinerary in reverse.

We’ve written this itinerary for people who like to make the most out of their time when travelling, but without rushing. This means taking the time to experience what this beautiful country has to offer, seeing the highlights as well as some more obscure places, and taking in the scenery and incredible views.

This itinerary is for you if you don’t mind driving each day, you love authentic experiences and exploring and sightseeing out in nature.

Book your NZ North Island must-dos:

• Auckland SkyTower
• Donut Island
• Maori cultural experience
• Hobbiton movie set
• Waitomo glowworms
• Rotorua geothermal parks & spas
• Hawkes Bay wine tasting

Two weeks is the optimal amount of time for a New Zealand North Island road trip. 10 days is the minimum amount of time you need to see the highlights of New Zealand’s North Island. Less than 10 days would mean rushing and skipping a lot, and that is not something we advocate for.

Depending on how much time you have to spend on New Zealand’s North Island, you can shorten or lengthen this two-week itinerary as follows:

10 days – If you have 10 days in New Zealand’s North Island, then follow this itinerary, but skip going north of Auckland (day 3, 4, 5, and 6). This makes your route a New zealand North Island 10 day itinerary. If you have less than 10 days to spend, then this itinerary is not for you.

14/15 days – Great! Then this is the itinerary for you. Follow it from A to Z to get the most out of your time on the North Island.

3 weeks or more – Awesome! This allows you to go off the beaten path a bit to see some really unique places. Have a look at the three-week New Zealand North Island road trip route at the end of this article for suggestions on more amazing things to do in New Zealand’s North Island!

2 Week Itinerary Overview

DAY 1 – Auckland DAY 2 – Waiheke Island or Piha DAY 3 – Paihia DAY 4 – Bay of Island DAY 5 – Cape Reinga DAY 6 – Waipoua Forest DAY 7 – Cathedral Cove DAY 8 – Donut Island DAY 9 – Rotorua DAY 10 – Taupo OPTIONAL DAY – Tongariro Crossing DAY 11 – Waitomo DAY 12 – Taranaki Peninsula DAY 13 – Drive to Wellington DAY 14 – Wellington

Day 1 – Auckland

Kia ora, and welcome to Aotearoa; the land of the long white cloud! After landing in Auckland, New Zealand’s biggest city, get a SIM card (so you can look up and follow this itinerary on the go) and then you can start exploring!

Either get a taxi or hop on the SkyBus to make your way into Auckland. This shuttle bus takes you directly from the airport into Auckland CBD for $22.5, which unless you’re travelling in a group, is a lot cheaper than a taxi.

While you probably decided to visit New Zealand for its natural beauty (and a big city like Auckland doesn’t really fit into that picture), this is the best place to start from and Auckland offers some really cool things that are worth checking out. You can explore on your own or join this guided tour of the city. Let’s start exploring!

Read next: Auckland Itinerary Where to stay in Auckland Best Day Trips from Auckland

Let’s start the day with something exciting, and check out the Sky Tower. This 328 meter high telecommunications tower is the most iconic building in Auckland’s skyline, and you can go up to its observation deck … to then jump off of it.

Wait, what? Yes, you can jump off of the Sky Tower. On the 53rd floor at 192 meters high sits the SkyJump . For $158 you can jump off the Sky Tower and safely land on your feet at ground level! They do this by attaching you to a cable system that slows you down when you get close to the ground. We can say from personal experience that stepping off the edge is a bit scary, possibly even scarier than bungy jumping, but the thrill you get as you soar down makes you instantly forget that!

If jumping off feels like too much, but you still want to see the view, then buy this Skip the Line ticket that gets you access to the upper levels as well. Between the 50th and 60th floor, there is a café, two restaurants and two observation decks, the highest of which at 220 meters high, giving views up to 82 kilometers in the distance.

Right, after that excitement it’s best to do something more relaxed and with both feet on the ground. And learning about the Māori people and Maori culture and history seems appropriate since you’re in New Zealand.

The Auckland War Memorial Museum which has a permanent Māori exhibition. The whole ground floor is filled with Māori treasures and items like a massive canoe called a “ waka ”, totems, weapons, and even a beautifully decorated Māori meeting house called a “ wharenui ”. This museum is a great place to get a bit of an understanding of the lives of New Zealand’s first settlers.

Get tickets for the museum here .

Auckland is built on top of 50 volcanoes, The highest of which is Mount Eden . This 196-meter high hill stands in the middle of the city. You can take public transport to the base of the hill or visit as part of this city tour.

Mt Eden hill and its surroundings are covered in greenery and on a sunny day its a beautiful area to go for a walk, but the real appeal is the summit. From the summit, you can look straight down into what used to be the volcano’s crater, and you get 360-degree panoramic views over the whole city.

By now you’re probably hungry, and that’s a good thing because one thing we do really like in Auckland is the bar and restaurant selection. There are heaps of little eat streets full of bars, café and restaurants that serve all sorts of good food, and best of all; craft beer. We LOVE craft beer, and New Zealand is great at it! If you’re a bit of a beer conouseur, make sure to book this craft beer tour.

For good food, we recommend taking a stroll on either High Street or at the Waterfront. High Street has a lot of options for good food, from chique restaurants for fine dining to little cafés and takeaway Asian fusion. The Waterfront doesn’t have any options for fine dining, but the food there is still good and the vibe and scenery are awesome. If you consider yourself a foodie or would like to learn more about NZ wine, make sure to join this food tour with a local guide which will also take you through the markets.

For drinks the options are pretty overwhelming in Auckland. The city alone already has more than 200 breweries, and that number just keeps rising. We really like Brother Beer City Works Depot for their tasty craft beers, industrial look and relaxed atmosphere, or 16 Tun for their insane amount of craft beers on tap and their location by The Waterfront.

Chic Princes Wharf Studio

HOME WITH VIEWS

This studio offers a chic escape in the heart of the action, with stunning harbor views and easy access to the city’s top attractions.

CHECK PRICES

SO/ Auckland

STYLISH & CENTRAL

Fusing urban luxury with creative design, avant-garde décor, exciting events, and delicious food, SO/Auckland brings a whole new level of fun to your stay.

Park Hyatt Auckland

HARBOUR LIVING

An exquisite waterfront retreat with world-class amenities, stunning vistas, and unparalleled hospitality in the heart of the city.

Today starts with a choice. Either spend the day on an island full of wineries just off the coast of Auckland or pick up your car/campervan and start your New Zealand road trip by going to the beach.

Which choice to make depends on what you like to do and on your budget. Waiheke Island is considered a bit of an upscale place and tends to be pricier than the mainland. If you can afford to splurge a little, we wholeheartedly recommend you opt for Waiheke Island as it’s absolutely stunning. And did we mention the wine?

Waiheke Island

Waiheke Island is an island just off the coast of Auckland. Known for its beaches and wineries. It is a popular escape from the busy city among locals and tourists alike.

In the morning, check out of your accommodation and make your way to the wharf to take the Passenger Ferry to Waiheke Island. The ferry goes every half an hour, takes about 45 minutes to get there. Buy your ferry ticket here .

Drop off your bags at your accommodation and check out the beach. We recommend either Oneroa Beach , which is a nicely sheltered beach but tends to get quite busy, or Onetangi Beach , the island’s largest beach that is great for swimming and has lots of cafés and restaurants around.

When you’ve soaked up enough sunshine, let’s taste some of that wine that Waiheke Island is so famous for! Book your hop-on, hop-off bus ticket to explore the wineries on your own or join this group tour if you’d like some company.

There are countless wineries to choose from, but we recommend Tantalus Estate because on top of good wine they have delicious craft beer as well. Alternatively, take a look at Obsidian. We love them for their down-to-earth simplicity and incredible wine.

In the evening everyone heads to Charlie Farley’s for a drink. Located right next to Onetangi Beach this is arguably the island’s most popular pub. We’re sure you’ll understand why once you’re sitting on their deck with a drink while watching the sunset.

Kiwi House Waiheke

PERSONAL TOUCH

This cute bed and breakfast looks like the perfect holiday house. The owners have put heaps of thought and effort into the interior and decoration, giving the whole place a lot of character. Oh and the breakfast is delicious!

GREAT LOCATION Prefer having your own place? At Four Huia, you get your own little chalet with a garden, terrace, and a balcony with sea views. It is also just a stone’s throw away from Oneroa Beach and a bus stop on the main bus lane.

The Moorings Studio Apartments

AMAZING VIEW Your own luxury apartment with arguably the best views on the whole island. The Moorings Studio Apartments is next to a bus stop, and only a few minutes away by foot from the ferry terminal, which makes arriving and leaving super easy.

Driving distance: 40 km | driving time: 45 minutes

Alright, time to really start your North Island road trip! Have a good breakfast in Auckland and get ready to start exploring New Zealand’s North Island.

Make your way to your rental vehicle pick-up location. If you’ve opted for a campervan (you really should!), then the campervan rental company will show you all the features of the van and explain how everything works. It might seem complicated, but folding down the bed, filling and emptying the water tanks, and using the battery is actually pretty simple and straightforward.

If you prefer to roadtrip in a car then have a look at Discover Cars to find the best deals. They let you easily compare offers from different car rental companies and offer pick up and drop off locations all across the country.

In either case, make sure that you can drop off your rental vehicle in Wellington or on the South Island if you’re planning to cross over after your North Island road trip. This will allow you to explore a lot more as you don’t have to drive back to Auckland.

Pack all your stuff into your vehicle, and drive to the supermarket to stock up on some supplies (remember to drive on the left side of the road!). Make use of the fact that you’re still in a big city and do your grocery shopping at PAK’n’SAVE. They are the cheapest supermarket chain in the country, but you only find their supermarkets in the bigger cities.

Time to hit the road and drive to Piha ! Actually, if it isn’t late in the afternoon yet, you can take a short detour and check out the Karekare Falls on the way to Piha. These falls definitely won’t be the most impressive waterfall you’ll see in New Zealand’s North Island, but it’s still pretty to look at, easy to get to and has a nice plunge pool at the bottom that is perfect for a little dip.

After your short stop at the waterfall (if you had time for it), continue to Piha. This tiny coastal is town well known for its awesome surf, beautiful beach and stunning sunsets. But before you run in for a surf, make sure that you know what you’re doing. The current and riptides in Piha are strong and conditions on the water can change quickly, making it dangerous for less experienced surfers.

Danger aside, Piha is an incredibly scenic beach. Lion Rock , a big rock in the middle of the beach that looks like a lying male lion, and the black colour of the sand give it this moody and rugged feel that is so typical to New Zealand. Make sure you find a nice and comfy spot on the beach in the evening, because you don’t want to miss the sunset here that lights up the sky in all shades of red, purple and pink.

Piha Domain Motor Camp

BEST CAMPERVAN OPTION

This is the only option for campervans in Piha, but that doesn’t mean it is a bad option. The camp is only a few minutes to the beach by foot, they have a decent kitchen, and clean bathroom and toilet facilities.

Piha Beachstay Accommodation

GREAT VALUE

This lovely homestay has both dorm rooms and private rooms. If you’re on a tight budget, go for the dorm rooms. If you want more comfort and privacy, then opt for a private room.

Romantic Piha

INCREDIBLE VIEW

This holiday house has everything you could possibly wish for. It is beautifully designed, has spacious and luxurious rooms, a big sundeck and the most incredible ocean views.

Day 3 – Paihia

Driving distance: 263 km | driving time: 3 hours, 50 minutes

Hope you rested well in the past few days, because from today on most days will consist of a lot of driving, all the way to Paihia in the winterless north. This buzzing town is known as the gateway to the Bay of Islands and in summer there are always plenty of things to do here.

If you stayed on Waiheke Island last night, then take the ferry back to Auckland in the morning and do the steps we’ve described above under “Pick up your rental vehicle ” and head straight to Paihia.

If you stayed in Piha last night, got up early and don’t mind driving a bit more (what, even more?!), then we suggest driving to Muriwai before heading on to Paihia. Muriwai has a black sand beach just like in Piha, but the coolest thing here is a massive gannet colony. What is a gannet I hear you think? Don’t worry if you don’t know, Tom thought that they were Pelicans when he first saw them (he can be a bit silly sometimes). Gannets are large seabirds that sorta resemble seagulls.

Now you probably won’t get too excited by the thought of seagulls and already fear getting pooped on, but hear us out. Gannets are massive. They have a wingspan of two meters and this colony consists of roughly 2500 of them. The birds are nested on two massive limestone pillars that rise up out of the sea, and a short walking path leads to a viewing platform right above the colony from where you can see them fly off and land again with hundreds at a time.

Even if you don’t care about seeing the birds, seeing the awesome cliffside rock formations still makes visiting this place worthwhile.

When you’re done watching the birds and possibly got pooped on – sorry, it can happen – get back behind the wheel and continue to Paihia.

One of the most popular activities in the Paihia area is skydiving , and it’s easy to see why with such amazing scenery. On top of that, they also have New Zealand’s highest skydive here at 20.000 feet! The thrill of jumping out of a plane and then soar in the sunshine over turquoise waters and golden sands underneath you sounds like something that perfectly fits into a New Zealand adventure, right?

Read next: Skydiving in New Zealand

Scared of heights, or can’t swing the costs of skydiving? Then how about some history and culture! Next to Paihia lies Waitangi, one of the most significant places in New Zealand’s history.

Waitangi is the place where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed. This treaty was signed to enable the British settlers and the Māori people to live together in New Zealand under common law. The treaty was signed on the 6th of February 1840, and nowadays the 6th of February is a national holiday called Waitangi Day.

On these grounds you’ll find a museum that offers educational content and a performance. Make sure to book your tickets in advance.

Even though Paihia is a small town, it still has a more than decent nightlife. This becomes abundantly clear if you stroll into Kings Road after 9 PM. The Base Backpackers Hostel and Bay Adventurer Hostel organize pub crawls to check out all the bars in town. If a pub crawl is not your thing and you prefer something more low-key then we recommend heading to the Sandpit to play some pool or to Thirty30 for some delicious craft beers.

Bay Adventurer Backpacker & Apartments

Right on Kings Road in the middle of Paihia, it has the best location in town for a budget price. They offer dorms, private rooms, and apartments. There is free WiFI and an outdoor swimming pool.

Check prices

Paihia BEach House

GREAT BREAKFAST

This beautiful bed and breakfast is located across the street from the beach, just outside the busy town center. The rooms are large and comfortable, the hosts are super hospitable and helpful, and the breakfast is delicious!

The Waterfront Suites

BEAUTIFUL VIEW

Your own luxurious suite on the waterfront just a few minutes stroll from the wharf. These big and modern rooms come with a private balcony with stunning sea views, world-class service, and a heated swimming pool. What more could you want?!

Seaview Holiday Park – This is your best campervan option. For $15 per person, you get a spot, cooking and washing facilities, and hot showers. Find it in the Campermate app.

Day 4 – Bay of Islands

While Paihia is a fun town, the real appeal of the Bay of Islands is its 144 subtropical islands full of hidden coves and beautiful sandy beaches. And what better way to explore this than by boat?!

It’s time to explore the Bay of Islands on a boat tour! Most day cruises will tour you around the bays and islands, do a stopover on one of the islands for lunch, and anchor a couple of times to go swimming, snorkelling and paddleboarding/kayaking.

This 5-hour cruise is a lot of fun and includes two stopovers on remote islands, walking up to a viewpoint overlooking the Bay of Islands, and snorkelling and paddleboarding, but the boats are quite small.

For something more comfortable, go for the Barefoot Sailing Adventures cruise on a catamaran. This boat is way nicer and the tour includes basically the same but swaps the viewpoint for a visit to a wildlife sanctuary.

If you’d like to take the sailing aspect a bit further then opt for this private sailing experience.

You’ll probably see loads of advertisements for dolphin cruises when you’re in Paihia and might be wondering why we’re not recommending a dolphin cruise. That’s because swimming with dolphins has recently been banned in the Bay of Islands, and we feel that is wrong to chase dolphins around. Seeing dolphins is awesome, but only if they come to you out of free will. Dolphins are still wild animals and should be treated that way. On top of that, there are way better places to see dolphins in New Zealand . That said, chances are that some dolphins will come to say hi somewhere along your Bay of Islands cruise.

Stay in the same place you stayed the previous night in Paihia.

Day 5 – Cape Reinga

Driving distance: 331 km | driving time: 4 hours, 37 minutes

Onwards to the far north! Well, as far north as you can go in New Zealand. This area is known for its wild beaches, massive sand dunes and rugged, wind-swept sceneries. Once you pass Kaitaia, there are no more towns other than a few tiny settlements, so make sure you have enough food, water and fuel to get to Cape Reinga and back.

On your way north, make a stop somewhere along Ninety Mile Beach. Other than its name would suggest, Ninety Mile Beach isn’t actually ninety miles, but “only” 88 kilometers (or 55 miles) long. The craziest thing about this beach isn’t its length, but that it is an official New Zealand highway. Unfortunately, most rental companies won’t allow you to take your rental vehicle onto the beach because people often get stuck or get caught in the incoming tide.

If you’re into surfing you’ll probably get excited to find out that 90-mile beach has one of the best left-hand surf breaks in the world. And if you’re not into surfing, how about blo-karting on the beach or just simply working on your summer tan?

Cape Reinga is the end of the road, literally. Although it isn’t officially the northernmost point of New Zealand, it is as far as you can go. The northernmost point is North Cape, further to the east (and a tiny bit to the north), but that isn’t publicly accessible. Regardless of it being the northernmost point, Cape Reinga is a stunning sight.

Right in front of the cape, you can clearly see two different coloured bodies of water meet. This is where the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean turbulently clash, or so is said; the truth about these oceans colliding is a bit more complicated.

Not only is the cape with its lighthouse on top an incredibly picturesque sight, but the cape is also a place of local mythology. At the tip of the cape stands an 800 years old pohutukawa tree. According to Māori belief, the spirits of deceased Māori ascend from this tree to let the ocean take them away to their ancestral homeland.

Cape Reinga is quite a tourist hotspot, and the deck around the lighthouse is often swarming with people. Fortunately the cliffs in the surrounding area are at least as an impressive sight as the lighthouse. From the car park, walk towards the lighthouse until the path splits. Take a left here and go down the steps. Keep walking for a few more minutes and you’re most likely all by yourself with cliffside views that just keep getting better and better.

We’ve already mentioned the sand dunes twice, and now on the way back down from Cape Reinga is the time to see them. The Te Paki Giant Sand Dunes do their name justice because they are truly massive. They go up to heights of 150 meters and are seriously steep. Climbing up is difficult, but once you’re on top it almost feels like you’re in the middle of a vast desert.

The real fun is in going down again, especially when sandboarding down.

In order to do so, get a sandboard from one of the vendors along the road and see how far you can go. Zi made it almost all the way down before coming to a stop, and Tom thought he could beat that, but dove headfirst into the sand instead. Now you might think that won’t happen to you, but it’s honestly a lot harder than it looks!

Beachcomber Lodge & Backpacker

BEST VALUE Located just off the town center close to shops and stores, this is the most popular hostel in Kaitaia. They offer both dorms and private rooms and have a bar and restaurant on site.

Orana Motor Inn

GREAT LOCATION Located in the middle of town, this hotel offers super comfy beds, an outdoor pool, and a restaurant on site.

Kiwi Call Cottage

BEAUTIFUL SCENERY

This comfortable cottage is beautifully located amidst lush green hills. The cottage itself is spacious, modern and stylish. It has a massive garden and also comes with a hot tub! Look up at night, because the night sky is extremely clear from here

If you have a campervan, then you can stay at the Tapotupotu Camping Area close to Cape Reinga. This remote DOC campsite lies next to a beautiful secluded bay with a rugged beach. There is no phone signal, no potable water, and only cold showers, making staying here a real off the beaten path adventure.

Keep in mind that if you choose to spend the night here instead of in Kaitaia, you do add another hour and a half of driving to your day tomorrow, which already consists of a lot of driving. But if you don’t mind driving a bit more and have a campervan, then staying at this campsite is really worth it in our opinion.

Day 6 – Waipoua Forest

Driving distance: 348 km | driving time: 5 hours, 26 minutes

Today you’ll walk amidst the ancients in Waipoua Forest. Some of these trees are so old that they were already there long before the Māori people arrived in New Zealand. When driving from Kaitaia, take the ferry from Kohukohu to Rawene instead of going around. This saves you a considerable amount of time and distance driving.

This big native forest is special because of the many kauri trees that stand in it. Kauri trees are big coniferous trees that only grow on New Zealand’s North Island, and the biggest of them stands in the middle of Waipoua Forest. This tree is called “ Tāne Mahuta ”, which means God of the Forest, and in Māori belief, this tree is actually considered a God. It stands 51 meters tall, but even more impressive is its girth of over 13 meters. That equals at least 8 people standing around it with their arms spread wide.

A short walk takes you from the road going through the forest to this behemoth of a tree where a guide stands to tell you its story if you want to hear it. Tāne Mahuta is estimated to be 2000 years old but isn’t even the oldest Kauri tree in the forest. The oldest Kauri tree is Te Matua Ngahere , meaning Father of the Forest, and is estimated to be nearly 3000 years old.

If you liked walking in the forest and seeing these incredible trees, then also stop a bit further down the road to see the Four Sisters and Te Matua Ngahere.

After passing the town of Dargaville you’re driving through mostly flat farmland, except from one hill standing out, visible from miles away. This is Tokatoka Peak , and you should walk to the top! Don’t worry, this isn’t some strenuous hike.

Tokatoka Peak isn’t even that high, but because the surrounding area is so flat you can see very, very far from the top. It takes only 20 minutes to get to the top and is a nice activity to break up the driving. Do wear proper shoes though because the track is quite steep.

After climbing Tokatoka peak (and having a picnic on the top) drive onward to Auckland. If you’d like another break from driving then make a quick stop in Warkworth , where another impressive Kauri tree stands.

Stay in the same place you stayed the last time in Auckland.

Day 7 – Cathedral Cove

Driving distance: 237 km | driving time: 3 hours, 23 minutes

Today you get to sleep in, yay! With less than four hours of driving and only one sightseeing spot on the agenda today you can take it easy. After a lazy morning, drive to the Coromandel Peninsula.

But if you’re an early riser and want to see more of the Coromandel, make sure to check out out Coromandel travel guide for more beautiful spots and activities on this peninsula.

The Coromandel Peninsula might well be our favourite area on the North Island so it’s totally worth waking up for! Secluded bays, misty rainforest,cliffside views and the best beaches in New Zealand’s North Island are awaiting here.

Take the costal road in Thames, then drive straight to Hahei. Park at Hahei Beach and start getting excited for the magical Cathedral Cove , an absolute must see in New Zealand’s North Island.

An easy and beautiful 45-minute walk takes you from the beach, through the trees, over a grassy saddle with wide-open ocean views to the insanely picturesque Cathedral Cove and its adjacent near-perfect beaches.

If you prefer to explore by water then this boat tour is the perfect choice for you.

Cathedral Cove’s main feature is the massive picture-perfect archway that frames the Te Hoho Rock that rises up from the sea just right and gives passage from one beach to the other. Just off the beach more rocks rise up out of the water to make the scenery more interesting, and if you feel like shenanigans today then swim out to the flat rock to do some acrobatic jumps off of it.

In summer Cathedral Cove gets really crowded during the day, so we recommend to walk here a few hours before sunset so you have time for a swim and to relax on the beach, and then stay for an amazing sunset. We went here for sunset on a weekday in summer and had the whole cove to ourselves for most of the evening. Remember to bring a torch with you as the walk back will be in the dark.

Read Next: All you need to know about Cathedral Cove

When the sun is down, make your way back to your car or campervan and drive to the laid-back surf town Whangamata. It will be dark by now so you won’t see much of it, but that will change tomorrow.

Surf N Stay Whangamata

This hostel is only one street away from the beach, so you wake up to the sound of the waves rolling onto the shore. They offer both dorms and private rooms and have a surf school and surf rental in the hostel.

Brook Lodge

BEAUTIFUL LOCATION

Located a bit away from the town center, staying in this peaceful lodge set amidst a jungle garden feels like a getaway. All rooms have their own patio, they have a beautiful garden and sun deck, and a spa and wellness center.

Whangamata Vistas B&B

BEST BREAKFAST Overlooking the harbour, the marina, and the pacific ocean this place has the best views in town. They offer very large and comfortable rooms, have a big sundeck, and an amazing breakfast is included.

Whangamata Information Centre Carpark – This is your best campervan option. Free overnight campervan parking in town. Usually, it doesn’t completely fill up, but if it is full check the Whangamata Marina for $10 per person instead. Find both in the Campermate app.

Day 8 – Donut Island

Driving distance: 184 km | driving time: 2 hours, 49 minutes.

Wake up nice and early, head to the beach and park at this overnight campervan parking . If you have a campervan, you’re probably wondering why we didn’t tell you to stay the night here. Well, there are only three spots available for overnight parking, and in summer they are basically always full.

Anyway, this is where you should park now because it is the closest you can park to Whenuakura Island , more commonly knows as Donut Island . Donut Island is an old dormant volcano where a cave-in left it with an open roof and a flooded center. The center of the island can be accessed from the sea through a cave opening, and for us going here is one of our absolute favourite experiences to date!

Put on your togs (Kiwi slang for swimwear), rent a kayak or paddleboard from the beach for $30 per person and paddle to Donut Island . But beware of the tides and currents.

If you’re not used to paddling out on the ocean it is best to book this kayaking tour to Donut island.

The opening is on the south-eastern side of the island and paddling there takes about half an hour one way. We assure you that it will be one of the most awesome things you’ll do in New Zealand.

When you’re back from Donut Island you’ve most certainly worked up an appetite, so now is a great moment to head into town. Take a stroll on Whangamata’s main street to peek into all the quirky boutique shops and then grab some food at Soul Burger . They’re a serious contender for serving the country’s best burger if you ask us!

Coromandel: 24 amazing things to do in the Coromandel Peninsula

Cathedral Cove:   A guide to Cathedral Cove

Donut Island:   How to paddle or kayak to Donut Island

After you’ve munched down a delicious soul burger (or two, we won’t judge) drive to Matamata for a must-do for any Lord of the Rings fan; the Hobbiton movie set ! If you are a fan, then this place is most definitely already high up on your ‘NZ bucket list’, and if you don’t like Lord of the Rings, then just skip this activity.

The Hobbiton film set is the only film set from the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies that hasn’t been broken down after filming, instead, it has been turned into an open-air museum. To enter Hobbiton you need to pre-book tickets , so make sure that’s covered before heading there.

During the two-hour long tour through The Shire, you get a chance to see 37 hobbit holes. This includes Bag End where you can imagine Bilbo and Frodo in their waddling around on their big hairy feet preparing tea and ends with a jug of ale in the Green Dragon Inn. The tour does feel a bit rushed in all honesty, but if you’re a fan then you’ll regret not going.

Read Next: Lord of the Rings filming locations

We hope you didn’t drink too much in the Green Dragon Inn, because there is still a bit of driving to go. Head to Rotorua and go straight to the Whakarewarewa Forest. Within this forest stands 7 hectares of Californian Redwood trees. These trees are over 100 years old and some of them are over 75 meters high. The most interesting thing about these trees, however, is that you can walk among high above the ground.

Redwoods Treewalk created a treewalk consisting of wooden platforms high up in the trees connected by 28 suspension bridges. You get to see the forest from a whole new perspective, and in the evening the whole walk is illuminated by lanterns in art installations, giving the forest a magical ambience.

The Backyard Inn

This place is pretty unique. They’re located right next to the Kairau Park and their swimming pool gets geothermally heated from the same underground vents. They offer campervan parking, dorms, and private rooms.

Jet Park Hotel Rotorua

GREAT LOCATION

This building was recently refurbished into a beautifully designed, modern hotel with a clean look in the center of town. Comfortable rooms, a café, and an outdoor pool and spa.

Karanda BnB

AMAZING VIEW

If you have a bit more to spend you’ll love Karanda BnB for a more luxurious stay. Wake up in a gorgeous, massive villa on top of hill just outside of Rotorua, with incredible views over Rotorua towards the lake.

Hinemoa Street Carpark or Lakeside Rotorua – There are two free overnight campervan parking areas in Rotorua, but both usually fill up quickly. Find both of them in the Campermate app.

Day 9 – Rotorua

Rotorua is one of the most interesting cities on the north island. It is the country’s core of Māori culture, and full of (smelly) geothermal activity. The smell of sulphur – which in reality smells like rotten eggs – might scare you off at first, but once you get used to the smell a bit you’ll find that Rotorua is an awesome place to spend a few days . So let’s dive right in, possibly literally!

How does rafting off a 7-meter high waterfall sound? Awesome? Scary? A bit of both? Rotorua is home to highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world, and today you’re going to conquer it! Book this rafting tour with Kaituna Cascades and they’ll pick you up from your accommodation in the morning to take you to the Tutea Falls .

After instructions and a safety briefing by your highly experienced guide (really, they’re the best in the world), you’ll get into the raft and onto the river. The adventure on the river takes about 45 minutes, takes you over 14 rapids and small waterfalls, and ultimately the big 7-meter high one.

About 50% of the rafts flip over while going down the waterfall. So did ours, but we wouldn’t have it any other way because it was such a fun thrill! And don’t worry, it is perfectly safe. Tom was completely unharmed after flying out of the raft in the picture above.

After all that excitement, we bet that you could use something a bit more relaxing. Get yourself some food on Eat Street – we recommend BREW | Craft Beer Pub (Craft beers, yes!) – and walk to Kuirau Park in the center of town.

This geothermal park is full of bubbling mud pools, small geysers and a steaming lake with a boardwalk going right over the middle. Taking a stroll through this park while watching these otherwordly features is the perfect way to wind down from the thrill of plunging down that waterfall.

A big perk of the geothermal activity is the natural hot springs it creates. What better way to papmer yourself than by sitting in a warm bath or mud bath? If you’re looking to relax, I suggest you check out (at least) one of the following options.

Hell’s Gate

Don’t let the name put you off, more than hell, this spa is heaven! It takes mud baths to a whole new level. This therapeutic  mud bath and sulfur spa package  will leave your body rejuvenated, your skin smooth and nourish and your mind relaxed and calm.

Polynesian Spa

The iconic Polynesian is situated just off the shores of Lake Rotorua and has everything you need to  indulge in a day of rest and relaxation.  Here you can enjoy 5 mineral hot pools overlooking Lake Rotorua, a cold plunge, geothermally heated poolside recliners and massive relaxation areas.

Secret Spot Hot Tubs

Tucked away in the native bush, these hand-crafted cedar hot tubs are as relaxing as it gets.  Reserve yours here  and just soak as the stress and aches fade away.

As we mentioned, Rotorua is New Zealand’s heartland of Māori culture, and now it’s time to experience this firsthand. There are multiple Māori villages in and around Rotorua that you can visit, but we recommend getting tickets for the Te Pa Tu Māori Village (formerly Tamaki Maori Village) to get a real show.

They’ll pick you up in town and drive you to the village where you’re welcomed by the men of the village with an imposing haka. After the welcoming ceremony, your guides walk you through the village to teach you about arts & crafts like their tattoos, the famous haka, and how to make a hangi meal.

After the tour, the people of the village will put on a show for you and then you get to eat a delicious hangi meal. We can assure you that you’ll go for multiple food runs to the buffet!

Stay in the same place you stayed the previous night in Rotorua.

Rotorua guide:   32 breathtaking things to do in Rotorua

Rotorua itinerary:   Best things to do in Rotorua in 1, 2, 3 & 5 days

Day 10 – Taupo

Driving distance: 182 km | driving time: 2 hours, 25 minutes

Don’t get out of bed too late because today will be a busy day in and around Taupo. The town of Taupo lies on the shore of Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s biggest lake. Lake Taupo is actually the flooded caldera of the Taupo supervolcano. Have a look at the size of Lake Taupo to get an idea of how incredibly big this volcano is. The Taupo volcano is responsible for most of the geothermal activity in the center of the island, and you’ll see some more of that today.

On the way from Rotorua to Taupo, about half an hour in, lies Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland; your first stop for today. This big park is full of steaming lakes and oddly coloured hot pools, and boardwalk paths take you past all of it. It is considered as New Zealand’s most diverse and colourful geothermal sightseeing attraction, and definitely worth a visit.

Make sure you get here no later than 10 AM because shortly after that the park’s most spectacular feature happens. Every morning, at 10:15, the Lady Knox Geyser erupts and shoots boiling hot water 20 meters up in the air. Get your tickets for Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland in advance.

After Wai-o-tapu, continue driving and stop at the Huka Falls just before reaching Taupo. It is literally next to the road to Taupo, so this stop isn’t even a detour. The Huka Falls aren’t impressive in terms of size, we wouldn’t even call it a waterfall but rather rapids or cascades, but they are very impressive in terms of volume. Every second, almost 250m3 of water comes down the Huka Falls, that is a quarter of a million liters of water per second and it would fill an Olympic swimming pool in 11 seconds!

A small footbridge goes over the falls, from where you can see all of this water thunder underneath you. Or, for a more exciting experience you can take this jet boat ride to the bottom of the falls and feel the force of the water first hand.

Get some lunch in Taupo (we recommend Victoria’s for good food) and check out the lake. Lake Taupo is approximately the same size as Singapore and is so big that it has tides!

One of the coolest things to see on the lake are the Maori Rock Carvings , on the lake’s northeastern shore. These carvings are an impressive artwork of a 14-meter high tattooed face carved into the cliffside, and some smaller sculptures carved into the surrounding rocks. They are only accessible by water, and there are basically two options of getting there.

• Guided kayak tour – The most fun way to get there is by kayak! Book this half-day kayaking tour for an awesome experience. From Taupo, your tour guide takes you to a bay close to the Maori Rock Carvings, from where you’ll paddle the rest of the way. There is plenty of opportunity to explore a bit more of the lake and to go for a swim.
• Boat tour – Seeing the Maori Rock Carvings and Lake Taupo by boat is obviously the most relaxing way. Book this Lake Taupo boat tour and step aboard a beautiful sail yacht for 2,5 hours. Sunbathe on deck while you sail on the lake on your way to the carvings.

Time for the natural hot pools we mentioned earlier! Especially if you went kayaking to the Maori Rock Carvings, you’ll love relaxing your muscles in these warm waters. Park in this car park and follow the path to the Otumuheke Spa Park .

Here hot water bubbles up from the ground and creates a stream that flows into the Waikato Rives. Where the water bubbles out of the ground it is way to hot to get in (really, don’t try as you can get severe burns from it), but where the hot water meats the Waikato river it gets cooled down to a perfect hot tub temperature.

Beware that you don’t put your head underwater , there are bacteria in the hot water that can get in your system and make you sick.

When you’re done soaking and your fingers are all wrinkly from the warm water there is a choice to make.

If you’re up for a hike, drive to National Park to do the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. It is a tough but oh, so rewarding day hike. If you like hiking, this will be a true highlight of your trip in New Zealand. Even if you’re not that into hiking, the scenic views are still absolutely worth it and might even turn you into an avid hiker. Hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing will add one day to this itinerary.

Otherwise, skip the hike and drive straight to Waitomo instead.

National Park Alpine Lodge

This is an option both for campervan and car. They have campervan sites for $20 per person, and budget rooms if you need a room. The facilities include cooking and washing facilities, and hot showers.

Plateau Lodge

This lodge has dorms, private rooms and apartments. A great addition is that they also offer a shuttle service to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, and they have a hot tub that guest can use to relax their muscles after the hike.

Tongariro Springs Boutique Suites

INCREDIBLE SCENERY

These mountain-hut-style suites are located a bit south of National Park and have incredible views on Tongariro National Park. To make things even better they also have a large hot pool to admire the view from.

Optional Day – Tongariro Alpine Crossing

Driving distance: 142 km | driving time: 1 hour, 47 minutes

Today you’ll hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing , the most popular of all the New Zealand North Island hikes, and arguably also the most rewarding one. This 19.4 kilometer long track takes through steamy thermal fields, up steep mountain slopes, past volcano craters and colourful lakes, and then winds down over tussock fields into the forest.

Don’t underestimate this hike just because it is so popular. It is long, steep and exposed, so prepare well with the right equipment before setting off. An important detail to know before you go is that it is a one-way track and parking on each side is limited to 4 hours. The track will take 6-8 hours to complete, so you can’t drive there yourself and park at the start.

The solution is booking this shuttle service . They take you from National Park to the start of the hike in the early morning and pick you up again at the end to take you back to National Park.

When you’re back in National Park at the end of the afternoon and you feel like your legs can carry you again, drive to Waitomo. Get an early night, you must be exhausted. Waitomo is where you’re going caving tomorrow!

JunoHall Backpackers  

This hostel has campervan sites, dorms and private rooms. There is an attached petting zoo and the manager has an endless supply of jokes and always has a Lord of the Rings movie playing on the tv.

Waitomo Caves Guest Lodge

Located in the center of town but still completely surrounded by greenery and native trees. From the rooms, you have a beautiful view over the valley, and a delicious breakfast is included.

Woodlyn Park Motel  

QUIRKY & UNIQUE

This could be the coolest and most unique New Zealand North Island accommodation. Their rooms are all truly unique. How about a room that is built into an old airoplane?! Or a boat, a train carriage, or a hobbit hole?!

Day 11 – Waitomo

Driving distance: 330 km | driving time: 5 hours, 18 minutes

Waitomo is famous for its many cave systems. There are over 300 known caves in the area, and it is estimated that the total number of caves is even quite a bit higher. The main attraction in Waitomo isn’t the caves themselves though, but the glowworms that live in them. If you ask us, this is another New Zealand North Island must see.

Time to see what Waitomo is famous for. Book this black water rafting tour for the morning. We recommend going for the 3-hour tour rather than the 5-hour tour, as the 5-hour tour doesn’t really give you much more and is quite a bit more expensive. The tour will start with your guides explaining a bit about the caves, and dressing up in a wetsuit, gumboots and a fashionable helmet before going underground.

After a bit of crawling you’ll get to a spectacular sight; a hall FULL of glowworms. There are so many glowworms that their light is bright enough for the guides to take some pictures of you with them.

Then you get to the rafting part of the tour. Don’t expect something like the rafting in Rotorua, but leisurely floating under a sky of glowworms in an underground stream on an inflatable donut. Less thrilling, but absolutely not less interesting. The guides love joking around and will definitely keep you entertained while keeping everyone safe.

If you’re not a big fan of floating in the water or narrow caves, then this boat tour of the glowworm caves is a better choice for you.

Once you’ve emerged from underground again, drive to the Marakopa Falls . The 35-meter height of this waterfall is already quite something, but when you combine that with its width you’ve arguably got the most impressive waterfall on New Zealand’s North Island. The amount of water and the force the water comes down with is so big that you can feel the spray on the viewing platform, more than 100 meters away.

There is a fence behind the viewing platform, but you can easily skip it (through the massive gap right next to it, haha) to get closer to the waterfall. The path down can be quite slippery, so be careful, but it is worth it for a much better view of the waterfall. Depending on the time of day, you might even see a rainbow at the bottom of the falls.

Wipe the spray from the waterfall off your face, drive to Kawhia on the island’s west coast and park at the end of the road here . You might have heard about Hot Water Beach in the Coromandel, one of the big attractions in New Zealand’s North Island, and might also have wondered why we haven’t included in this itinerary. That is because we’re hardly exaggerating when we say that on a regular summer day there are more people than grains of sand there.

Fortunately, we found a far less crowded alternative, and that is the hot water beach in Kawhia where you’re going now.

Get your beach bag out, grab something you can dig with and walk over the sand dune to the beach. As you come down from the sand dune there is a pole sticking out of the sand. From this pole, walk in a straight line towards the water and keep an eye out for little bubbles in the sand or the smell of sulphur.

When you see bubbles or smell sulphur, just start digging! Once you’re about 30-40 centimeters deep, warm water comes up from the ground and you’ve got yourself your very own hot pool on the beach. After yesterday’s challenging hike your legs will thank you for this!

The next stop is the Three Sisters and Elephant Rock. These rock formations are only accessible around low tide, and if possible try to combine this with arriving just before sunset because that’s when they are a truly stunning view. Park your car at this car park on Clifton Road and follow the rocky coastline for about 5 minutes until you get to the beach.

When you get around the corner, you are met by the Three Sisters , standing where the beach meets the sea. These 25-meter high rock formations look a little bit like Te Hoho Rock at Cathedral Cove. Funny enough there are actually only two sisters still standing, and 20 years ago there were even four of them. Erosion has taken its toll and made two of them collapse in recent years.

Continue past the three sisters to get to Elephant Rock . This is a big rock that (you guessed it) resembles the shape of an elephant. It looks a bit disfigured, but this is again due to erosion. It used to look like the elephant had its trunk in the water, but a few years ago the poor thing lost its trunk to the sea.

Get back in your vehicle and drive another hour alongside the coast to New Plymouth, at the foot of the magnificent Mount Taranaki.

YHA SUnflower Lodge  

Located just out of the city center and surrounded by greenery, this hostel has both dorms and private rooms. It also has a sun lounge that looks out on Mount Taranaki.

Country Retreat Glamping  

MOST UNIQUE

Ever been glamping? This is your chance! And what better place than at the foot of the magnificent Mount Taranaki?! These luxurious tents out in nature are equipped with all necessary facilities.

Tivoli Homestay  

This stunning wooden mansion is located on the top of a hill just outside of New Plymouth’s center. From the big terrace, you have beautiful ocean views. The rooms are big, stylish and comfortable, and the included breakfast is incredible.Try the Eggs Benedict!

Lake Rotomanu – This is your best campervan option. It is located in a park right next to a beautiful lake and a few minutes walk from the Te Rewa Rewa Bridge, which is a sightseeing option for tomorrow. Find it in the Campermate app.

Day 12 – Taranaki Peninsula

Driving distance: 105 km | driving time: 1 hour, 23 minutes

What you’ll do today depends on how you feel and what you want to see. If your legs feel fine again, then there is a 5-hour return hike on Mount Taranaki that is well worth the time. If you’re still sore then it is best to skip this hike. Instead, we can suggest a few spots to see Taranaki from, and some nice beaches that are perfect for a relaxing day.

If you’ve done some more research on spots to see, you most likely came across pictures of Mount Taranaki and its perfect reflection in the water. These pictures were taken on this hike. Getting there takes about 2,5 hours one way, and then the same way back. The elevation change is only gradual, but almost the whole track long. While it isn’t nearly as straining as the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, it is not a leisure walk in the park. So don’t forget to wear proper hiking gear and bring plenty of water and some snacks.

In the morning, drive towards the mountain and park in this car park at the end of Mangorei Road, this is where the track starts. The first 1,5 hours of the way leads you up through the forest. The forest is beautiful, but other than the forest there is nothing to see in this part. After you pass the Pouakai hut and reach the top of the ridge, Mount Taranaki peaks out and as you reach the saddle you can really see how HUGE this volcano is.

Another 20 minutes and you’re at the tarns. If you’re lucky enough to get a clear and wind still day, you get a perfect reflection of Mount Taranaki in the water. Get your Instagram shot, have a snack by the water and return back the way you came.

If you’ve decided not to hike up to the Pouakai Tarns, then start your morning with a stroll in New Plymouth. This small city is full of quirky coffee shops. Just pick one that catches your eye and go in for breakfast. New Plymouth is known for its art scene, and many coffee shops double as art galleries to allow local artists to showcase their work.

Still want a nice view and a decent picture of Mount Taranaki? Then go to the Te Rewa Rewa Bridge . The shape of this bridge is made to look like a breaking wave, and if you look straight across it from the northern side it perfectly frames Mount Taranaki. The bridge lies next to a nice park with a lake, and it is also the start of the coastal walk to New Plymouth.

Another option is to go to Lake Mangamahoe . This lake feels a bit like a hidden oasis in the middle of a forest. From the northern shore of the lake, you have an incredible view on Mount Taranaki over the water.

Just don’t make the same mistake we made and don’t get into the water of the lake. We took our paddleboards out on the lake, but then a DOC ranger came to take us out and told us that going in the lake is prohibited. Apparently this lake is used as New Plymouth’s water supply, whoops…

Highway 45 going west from New Plymouth, alongside the coast of the Taranaki Peninsula, is known as the Surf Highway . On top of awesome surf break after surf break, this coast is also known for its beautiful black sand beaches. The nicest beaches along the way are Oakura Beach, Opunake Beach, and Ohawe Beach.

Another worthwhile stop is at the Cape Egmont Lighthouse. Looking from the coast inland you get an amazing photo opportunity with the lighthouse in the foreground and Mount Taranaki in the back.

Wheatly Downs Farmstay  

Located in the middle of a massive farm with wide-open views on Mount Taranaki. They offer dorms, private rooms and self-contained chalets. If you’re there in spring you can help feed the calves if you like.

Kerry Lane Motel

This 4-star motel located just outside of Hawera’s center is surrounded by big gardens with farm animals. The motel has a hot tub with an unobstructed view on Mount Taranaki.

Tairoa Lodge  

AMAZING BREAKFAST

Big wooden house in the middle of a beautiful estate. They offer spacious, elegantly furnished rooms, a big terrace, and an outdoor swimming pool. A delicious breakfast is included.

Day 13 – Drive to Wellington

Driving distance: 282 km | driving time: 3 hours, 35 minutes

Today you’ll make your way down alongside the coast to Wellington, the last stop of your New Zealand North Island road trip. You’ll pass a few interesting spots and beaches, and the Kapiti coast with Kapiti Island just off the shore.

Have an easy morning, maybe go to the beach for a bit and then drive to Whanganui. The town of Whanganui itself isn’t all that much, but it the Whanganui Regional Museum is worth a visit. This museum has a lot on the history of New Zealand’s flora and fauna. Have you ever heard of the Moa ? A massive ostrich-like bird that reached almost four meters in height and was hunted to extinction by the Māori people. Well, they show loads about the Moa here. They have a giant waka in the center of the museum, and something that can only be described as a mad scientist’s lab.

Have some lunch in Whanganui, and drive on to the Kapiti Coast . The Kapiti coast consists of 40 kilometers of uninterrupted beaches. The west coast is notorious for strong riptide and undercurrents, which makes that not all the beaches are suitable for swimming, but most of them are beautiful and tranquil.

You can either explore the beaches on the mainland or hop over to Kapiti Island. This island is a predator-free bird sanctuary 5 kilometers off the coast and a must do for all bird watchers. Take this tour to get acquainted with the native birdlife.

Otaki Beach is known for its epic surf and always has a surf watch in summer. Peka Peka Beach is the smallest town on the Kapiti Coast but has the most beautiful beach. Waikanae Beach is the best beach for swimming and has the best views of Kapiti Island.

After all that beach hopping in the past few days, you’ve probably seen enough beaches for a while. Brush off the sand and drive to Wellington for the last day of this itinerary.

Hotel Waterloo And Backpackers

This hostel in the city center has dorms and private rooms for great prices. They host activities and games in their bar for those interested. Value for money you won’t find anything better in Wellington.

Astelia APartment Hotel  

Located in the center of town, a few minutes walk away from Civic Square and the wharf. These spacious and modern apartments are perfect if you want a quiet night and a good sleep.

InterContinental Wellington

MOST LUXURIOUS

The InterContinental brand is known all over the world for its excellence. In this case, you get a 5-star luxury hotel located on the city’s waterfront. Big and elegant rooms, a fitness center, indoor heated pool and spa, two bars and an award-winning restaurant. Pure luxury!

Owhiro Bay or Evans Bay – These free campervan parking sites are your best campervan option. Combined they have 67 parking spots, but they tend to fill up fast. Have a look at the suggestions above as a back-up. Find both in the Campermate app.

Day 14 – Wellington

Welcome to New Zealand’s capital, also known as Windy Welly or Wellywood!

The nickname Windy Welly comes very simply from Wellington being very windy. Wellington lies on a point of land sticking out into the Cook Strait. The Roaring Forties, strong westerly winds found below 40 degrees latitude on the Southern Hemisphere, push through the Cook Strait even stronger, making Wellington extremely windy.

The nickname Wellywood comes from the massive film production business that was established in Wellington by Peter Jackson for the Lord of the Rings movies.

Whichever name you use for Wellington, it is a buzzing city with lots to do and see, with great food culture, and generally just one of the nicest cities in New Zealand’s North Island if you ask us!

Driving around Welly in a campervan and finding parking can be a challenge so we recommend you rent these e-bikes to explore without a headache, or book this sightseeing tour for a fuss-free experience.

Are you a Lord of the Rings fan? Then you have to check out the Weta Cave, or better yet, join this LOTR tour for the ultimate Middleearth experience.

The Weta Cave is part of the Weta Workshop where all special effects, most of the props and costumes for the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Movies were made. After filming, the Weta Cave was opened to show visitors the making of special effects and props, and where many of the props used in the movies are displayed. Make sure to book your tickets for the Weta Workshop in advance.

Drive up Mount Victoria (or walk up if you’re in for a bit of a workout) and stop at the Mount Victoria Lookout . This lookout provides unobstructed 360-degree views over the city and the harbour. On a clear and less windy day, you can even see New Zealand’s South Island from here! On a windy day, Mount Victoria is as windy as it gets and walking uphill will be a real struggle. Oh, and don’t wear a hat or a cap up here. Tom lost his to the wind basically the second he stepped out of the car.

This museum is housed in a beautifully designed building on the waterfront in the center of Wellington and houses a permanent exhibition on the Māori people, New Zealand’s incredible wildlife, and the earthquakes that regularly terrorize the country. It also has an earthquake simulator that lets you experience just how severe the 2011 earthquake that laid waste to Christchurch and cost the lives of 185 people was.

One of the things we love the most about Wellington is the many bars and craft beer breweries! Take a walk around the wharf and sit down at one of the many bars (like on the massive lawn in front of St John’s ) or head into town to visit one of the many craft beer breweries.

Our favourite one is The Garage Project . As the name suggests, they started brewing beer in their garage (and still kinda do) and the beer they make is just yummy! Even though they’ve grown quite a bit since then, they still have a bit of this underground microbrewery vibe.

We also like the Whistling Sisters brewery that is more centrally located. A bit further out of town you’ll find the Parrotdog Brewery . Their beers are delicious and the name is just hilarious. There are many more breweries to choose from in Wellington, and if you’re a craft beer enthusiast like us you’ll love this Craft Brewery Tour .

  Read Next: 20 secrets nobody tells you about travelling in New Zealand

So that’s it, the end of this New Zealand North Island road trip itinerary! So what’s next? What to do if this is the end of your New Zealand trip, and what to do if you’re going to the South Island?

Pack up your stuff and go to your car or campervan rental company. All the bigger rental companies have locations both in Auckland and Wellington, and in Wellington, most of them are conveniently located near the airport. Go to the airport and fly home or to your next destination.

That’s awesome, good for you! New Zealand’s South Island is possibly even more scenic than the North Island. The easiest way to get to the South Island (and the only way to take your vehicle with you) is by ferry.

There are two New Zealand North to South Island ferry companies that can take you there, and it doesn’t really matter which one you pick as they are very similar and equally priced, just make sure you drive to the correct one as they each depart from a different port.

• Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferry – They have a small cinema aboard this ferry where they play movies. The Bluebridge ferry terminal is located at 50 Waterloo Quay , Pipitea, Wellington.
• Interislander Cook Strait Ferry – They have free Wi-Fi on board, which in all honestly is too slow to be of any use. The Interislander ferry terminal is located at Aotea Quay, Pipitea, Wellington.

Read next: NZ South Island itinerary

3-week North Island Itinerary

If you have more than two weeks to spend for your New Zealand North Island road trip you can add some stops to the above itinerary.

Below we’ve listed some suggestions of places that would be a great addition to your trip. If want to add these extra days, we recommend changing your route to make it more efficient.

The optimal route, in this case, would be the same up until day 8, and then from Hobbiton change the route as follows: Hobbiton – Waitomo – Taranaki – Forgotten World Highway – Tongariro Alpine Crossing – Taupo – Rotorua – Gisborne – Napier & Hastings – Castlepoint – Putangirua Pinnacles – Wellington.

This is basically the same route we took ourselves, except that we travelled it veeeery slow and spent over three months exploring everything around. If you have three months too, lucky you! If you don’t, then three weeks is enough for this route.

3-week itinerary overview

Days 1-8 – As above Day 9 – Waitomo Day 10 – Taranaki Peninsula Day 11 – Forgotten World Highway Day 12 – Tongariro Alpine Crossing Day 13 – Taupo Days 14 & 15 – Rotorua Day 16 – Drive to Gisborne Day 17 – Gisborne Day 18 – Napier & Hastings Day 19 – Castlepoint Day 20 – Putangirua Pinnacles Day 21 – Wellington    

State Highway 43 is more commonly known as the Forgotten World Highway. This 148 kilometer long road winds its way from Stratford near Mount Taranaki over green rolling hills, through dense rainforest, and past impressive rocky cliffsides to Taumarunui close to National Park. While 148 kilometers doesn’t seem that long, driving it will take you all day. This is because the road goes up and down over the many hills in the region, most of the time you’re driving on gravel roads, and there are plenty of (peculiar) things to see along the way.

The most peculiar thing on the Forgotten World Highway is Whangamomona . This tiny settlement of only a few dozen buildings declared itself an independent republic in 1989, and now has its own government and president. In the center of town stands the Whangamomona Hotel, where you can get your passport stamped.

The second peculiar thing is the Moki Tunnel . The Forgotten World Highway is a two-lane and two-way road all the way, except for the Moki Tunnel. This 180-meter long tunnel was carved out by hand, and is only wide enough for one vehicle. You better check if no one is in from the other side as you enter, or you might get stuck in the middle!

The last point of interest is the Mount Damper Falls . Driving there is about an hour detour off the Forgotten World Highway, and then another hour return walk over private farmland full of sheep to the waterfall, but it is more than worth the extra time. With a 74 meter drop, this is one of the highest waterfalls on New Zealand’s North Island, and after some rainfall, it is a truly spectacular sight.

Gisborne is New Zealand’s most eastern city, and it is the first city in the world to see the sunrise! Apart from getting up early to be able to brag to your friends that you saw the sunrise before anyone else, there is enough to do in Gisborne to fill a few days.

Another good thing that comes from Gisborne being located on this eastern peninsula is a pumping surf. If you’re into surfing then this is an amazing place to get your surfboard (and wetsuit because the water is cold) out as it is regarded as one of the best places for surfing on New Zealand’s North Island

The coolest thing we found around Gisborne is the Rere Rockslides and Rere Falls, about 45 minutes from Gisborne. Here you’ll find a big, curtain-like waterfall that you can walk behind, to then jump through the waterfall into its plunge pool.

The real attraction, however, is a short drive upstream from the waterfall, where the water has polished the rocks into a 60-meter long natural slide. Bring a bodyboard or an air mattress and speed down on the rocks. When you’re done with all this fun head south to Haweks Bay to indulge at one of the many wineries in the area.

Napier and Hastings are well known for their wineries, possibly even more so than Gisborne. Visiting a winery is always a good idea, but how about visiting multiple in a row, without having to worry about drunk driving? Book this bicycle tour if you feel like you nee a bit of exercise or join this wine tasting tour for a lazier and more comfortable experience.

Both tours take you through the beautiful Hawke’s Bay region and visit multiple wineries where you can sample some of their delicious wines.

Next up is Napier itself. Napier is known as the art deco capital of the South buildings and landmarks that make the town so interesting. Take a stroll through the quirky city center, join this guided Art Deco tour or explore by vintage car to be transported back in time.

Then head to Te Mata Peak just south of Hastings. If you feel like hiking, then walk up as it is a beautiful walk, but if you’re feeling lazy you can just drive to the top (which is what we did). From the top, you have an incredible 360 degrees view over Hawke’s Bay and all its rolling hills, green fields, and vineyards.

Castlepoint is a small town at the end of a long road, leading away from anything else, but it is honestly the most worthwhile detour you can make on New Zealand’s North Island. This off the beaten path location is absolutely stunning. We decided to go to Castlepoint, thinking we’d have a quick look and turn back in a matter of hours, but got completely mesmerized by the scenery and ended up staying for three days.

So why is Castlepoint so special? Well, for starters it has a beautiful, long, sandy beach. But what makes it one New Zealand’s top 10 most loved beaches is actually the surrounding scenery. Read all about Castlepoint here , and we’ll guarantee that you’ll want to make the detour as well.

Close to the South Island’s most southern point; Cape Palliser, you’ll find the Putangirua Pinnacles . This otherwordly landscape of gravel pillars is seven million years old, and are arguably the most awesome rock formations in New Zealand.

A two-hour loop track takes you up through the forest to a platform overlooking the Pinnacles and then takes you down to walk in between these giants. You get a bit of an eerie feeling when you walk past all these barren rocks, which makes you understand why this location was chosen to film the Dimholt Road in The Lord of the Rings – Return of the King.

Typical costs of travelling in New Zealand

The costs of travelling in New Zealand are greatly determined by your choice in travelling by campervan, or by car. A campervan costs a lot more to rent per day, but you can save a lot by sleeping in campsites and cooking your own food, whereas with a car your accommodation and food costs are a lot higher.

The cost breakdown below is based on eating one meal in a restaurant per day and cooking the rest yourself, and doing some of the activities that we suggested in the itinerary. The difference between 175 and 225 NZD per person per day comes down to what type of car/campervan you choose and the type of accommodation you stay in.

Suggested New Zealand road trip budget: 175 – 225 NZD per person per day as a couple

Cost breakdown  

HOTEL: 80 – 300 NZD / NIGHT HOSTEL: 20 – 30 NZD / NIGHT/ PP CAMPSITE: 0 – 30 NZD / NIGHT GROCERIES: 5 – 10 NZD / MEAL / PP RESTAURANT: 20 – 40 NZD / MEAL / PP ACTIVITIES: 20 – 300 NZD CAMPERVAN RENTAL: 100 – 300 NZD / DAY CAR RENTAL: 50 – 100 ND / DAY DIESEL: 1,65 NZD / LITER PETROL: 2,39 NZD / LITER  

• Cook your own meals as much as you can. Al lot of accommodations have a kitchenette and your campervan will come with a cooker. Campsites often have cooking facilities too and you can find free or coin-operated barbeques in parks around the country.
• Do your grocery shopping at PAK’nSAVE. We found this to be the cheapest supermarket chain in New Zealand, but they only have stores in the bigger towns. FourSquare is generally the most expensive one. We also found that grocery prices can vary a lot depending on your location, so we recommend to stock up in the bigger cities and less touristic places as they tend to be cheaper.
• If you’re renting a campervan, stay in free campsited where you can.
• When eating out, check First table for 50% off on food at restaurants. They have a big variety of participating restaurants you can choose from. You need to book the table in advance via their website. The reservation is 5-10NZD and you get 50% off on your meals, but not drinks. We used this quite a bit to eat at some very nice restaurants, without having to pay top dollar for it.

By now we’ve probably made it clear that you really need your own transportation in New Zealand, and one of the main things to be aware of when driving in New Zealand is that they drive on the left side of the road .

The next thing to keep in mind is that New Zealand roads are different and you should always account for some extra time when driving from A to B. The roads are often steep, windy and narrow, there are one-lane bridges everywhere, roads are hardly ever more than two lanes and gravel roads are a common occurrence. Take your time, stop regularly (which is not a punishment with all that beautiful scenery) and don’t see maximum speeds as a target, because there are often unsafe.

That being said, let’s talk about the best way to get around in New Zealand; in a campervan! Not only does it help you cut down on costs as we explained before, but you also don’t have to pack and unpack all the time, you always have your home with you in bad weather, and it gives you a lot more freedom to go where you want to go. We’ve converted our own campervan and travelled around New Zealand in it for a year, so we can tell you from personal experience why a campervan is the best way to travel New Zealand .

The best time to visit New Zealand all depends on what you prefer. The weather, cost of travelling, amount of people and even how the landscapes look is different in every season of the year. The weather in New Zealand’s North Island is subtropical to temperate. In summer temperatures go up to around 30 degrees celsius, and in winter they go down to around 0 degrees celcius, with snow and ice on higher altitudes.

SPRING: September, October & November – With spring starts the hiking and outdoor adventuring season as temperatures start to rise and the country is in full bloom. Funnily enough, the lakes and rivers are the coldest in spring, as they fill up with melting water from snow in the mountains. New Zealand is the greenest in spring, and the prices for vehicle rental and accommodation are relatively low. Spring is best if you like mild temperatures but don’t mind the occasional rain shower, like to see New Zealand in its fairytale-like state and want to avoid the crowds.

SUMMER: December, January & February – Summer is high season in New Zealand. This means that higher amounts of people and higher prices come along with the higher temperatures. Summer is the best season to spot most of New Zealand’s incredible wildlife and to visit New Zealand’s beaches. Go to New Zealand during summer is you want high temperatures, don’t mind crowds or just actually want to meet people, and don’t mind paying more for vehicle rental and accommodation.

AUTUMN: March, April, May – Autumn is great for hiking and outdoor activities. The country changes to autumn colours and the days are still relatively long with pleasant temperatures. Most of the crowds have left and with them the high prices as well. Autumn is best if you want to focus on outdoor activities without overheating in the summer sun.

WINTER: June, July, August – When it comes to tourism, winter in New Zealand has one focus: Winter sports. With snow on almost every mountain, skiing and snowboarding is what it is all about in New Zealand during winter. Outside of the winter resort areas, all the crowds are gone, and vehicle and accommodation prices are half of what they are in summer. Winter is great is you want to save money and avoid the crowds or if you want to go skiing. For skiing in New Zealand’s North Island; check out Mount Ruapehu.

New Zealand is not your typical holiday destination, so what you should pack isn’t typical either. Of course there are the basics like our clothes and toiletries but be sure to put some thought in what you’re going to need specifically for New Zealand, like your hiking gear, an extra sweater and rain jacket for the unpredictable weather, a daypack, your camera gear, and plenty of insect repellent.

  Read Next: New Zealand Packing List

If you’re travelling with someone, we recommend to each get a SIM card from a different provider. Mobile reception in New Zealand is patchy to say the least, and when one provider doesn’t have any coverage, the other one often does. This gives you the biggest chance of at least one of you having reception. We went with Spark and 2degrees and this combination worked well for us.

We found that fuel is the cheapest around Taupo and Rotorua. So it is a good idea to fuel up as much as you can before leaving this region.

ACC covers you for accidents but if you get sick or loose your luggage or anything else happens, you’ll need a good insurance to cover it for you. We always get insured before we leave and Travel Insurance Masters is our go to platform to find the best insurance options for the specific trip.

Download the Campermate app – This app shows you where (free) campsites on New Zealand’s North Island are, where facilities like public toilets, water taps are, and even gives you suggestions on things to see nearby.

Download the Maps.me app and download the map of New Zealand in the app – This navigation app works without any data, as long as you have a GPS signal. This is great for when you’re in an area without mobile coverage.

Learn from our experience and read our breakdown of New Zealand’s good, bad, and ugly .

Good travel insurance is an absolute must when travelling abroad, and we’ve learned that the hard way!

ACC in New Zealand covers you for accidents but if you get sick or loose your luggage or anything else happens, you’ll need a good insurance to cover it for you.

We always get insured before we leave and Travel Insurance Masters is our go to platform to find the best insurance options for the specific trip.

The TIM platform works as a search engine and suggests the best insurance company and insurance plan for your criteria so you don’t end up paying more for things you don’t need!

You can get your quote & provider recommendations here .

New Zealand is a really easy country to travel in. It is safe, the people are friendly and helpful, and there are facilities for travellers everywhere. The country caters really well to travellers, and this shows in the increasing amount of visitors the country welcomes each year. Because New Zealand is not densely populated and has all these vast areas of rugged landscape, it is easy to get off the beaten path, but if you stick to the main touristic hotspots you can still expect some crowds.

New Zealand’s North Island is an amazing place full of culture and the most beautiful sceneries. Following this New Zealand North Island road trip itinerary will be the adventure of a lifetime, but a real New Zealand road trip isn’t complete without including New Zealand’s South Island, which is possibly even more impressive!

NZ South Island: New Zealand South Island Road trip – 2 & 3 week itinerary

Auckland: Auckland Itinerary Where to stay in Auckland Best Day Trips from Auckland

Rotorua: Rotorua itinerary Where to stay in Rotorua

Coromandel Peninsula: Coromandel Peninsula road trip Cathedral Cove guide Where to stay on the Coromandel

Skydiving in New Zealand

All you need to know about NZ – good, bad, ugly

Zi @Craving Adventure

Zi is the Founder and Editor in Chief behind Craving Adventure.

19 Comments

This blog was amazing… I came here for Waitomo info because those caves are on my bucket list. However, it was almost as if each place you listed was even cooler & more beautiful than the last. Pinning & saving this blog for when I make it to NZ.

Hi Shelley, that’s great! The Waitomo caves are heaps of fun, but there is so much more amazing stuff to do around that it would be a shame to miss out. Super glad that we were able to inspire you!

Your photos are so beautiful and always grab my attention! Great post and so many stunning recommendations for a holiday in North Island!

Thank you so much Cass, that is such a nice compliment!! We could honestly easily write about enough places on the North Island to double the length of this blog haha, there is just sooooo much out there that is worth seeing.

What an amazing blogpost!! I absolutely loved reading it and to see how much time and effort went into creating this one. The design and lay-out is so clear and it’s easy to navigate. I’ve wanted to travel to New Zealand for YEARS but it’s so far away from the Netherlands. I just graduated university and hopefully have a job soon. I can’t wait to save my money and plan a trip in the future! Will definitely do a full-on road trip for at least the 2 weeks you suggested.

Yay, we are so happy to read your comment, Melissa! And super awesome that New Zealand is so high on your list. We know exactly what you mean, Tom is from the Netherlands too and it is just so far away that we feel we can’t justify going unless we can spend at least multiple weeks there. Then in our case, it turned into multiple years, haha Let us know when you’re making the actual plans to go, we’d love to help!

Love your pictures and the details in your itinerary 🙂 I love it when blogs have maps with the path highlighted. It’s an essential to plan a road trip!

Thanks Lekha! We love adding little design bit like those maps. Glad to know that they help!

New Zealand is stunning! This is a great itinerary to follow.

Thank you Rebecca, New Zealand sure is! We just can’t get enough, even after already spending so much time in New Zealand, haha!

Cool road trip. We still haven’t made it to Taranaki yet. Good suggestions here.

Thank you, Rhonda! Taranaki is such an incredible mountain and the region as a whole is just beautiful. Definitely worth a visit when you get the chance next time!

Such a comprehensive road-trip itinerary! You covered all potential questions…and loved the photos. New Zealand is beautiful! Pinning for a future visit!

Thank you so much! Hopefully, New Zealand opens its borders again soon so you get to visit! We can’t wait to go back either.

This article provides details about new Zealand north island road trip . This blog happens to be one of the best blog, which give proper details about it. I enjoyed reading this blog and would suggest others too, and you would get to read about it in this link.

I would love to go on a longer road trip like this! There are so many incredible locations to stop at – thanks for all of the tips!

I love your guys map. Did you guys created? or someone did the edition? thanks

Hi. I plan to visit NZ for the 3rd time and this time will bring group, family and friends. We are from Indonesia and most of us are above 55 years. We need sugestion which place should we skip from your list. And whether campervan is easy enough to handle. Thank you. This article is awesome.

Hi, so glad you found this article helpful! A campervan is a fantastic way of exploring New Zealand and there’s plenty of campsites for you to choose from. however, if you don’t feel comfortable driving one you might consider opting for a car instead. Some roads can get quite narrow, steep and windy. As per what places to skip – that’s a tough one to answer and it will depend on how much time you have, what your interests are as well as your traveling style and fitness level.

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New Zealand North Island Itinerary: 2-Week Road Trip

If you’re planning to visit New Zealand’s North Island, you’re in for an amazing experience. There are so many unique and memorable things to do in the North Island.

If you only have a couple of weeks (or less), it can feel like a daunting task choosing what to see and what to skip. That’s where I come in! I’ve lived in New Zealand for two decades and have done multiple trips around the North Island over the years.

This 2-week New Zealand North Island itinerary is based on all the best spots from our own experiences! From amazing beaches, water activities and boat tours to glowing insects, geothermal wonders, world-class hikes and the country’s finest wine regions.

It includes all the best things to see and do, where to eat and places to stay for each location, plus the optimal route to take so you can make the most of your time.

Ready to plan the trip of your dreams? Let’s dive in!

» Read Next: Packing List for New Zealand: What to Wear & Pack

Table of Contents

North Island Itinerary Overview 

This North Island itinerary will take you from Auckland to the Far North and then south to Wellington.

For those arriving at Wellington International Airport or starting with our New Zealand South Island itinerary and taking the ferry from Picton, you can follow this itinerary in reverse starting in Wellington.  

You’ll need a vehicle for this itinerary, and it doesn’t matter whether you rent a car or campervan. I’ve included where to stay for both options. Campermate and DOC are good resources for freedom camping sites.

Who is this itinerary for?

This itinerary is for people who are planning to drive around the North Island and want to see a mixture of New Zealand’s top attractions and authentic experiences out in nature.

You’ll be driving each day and will need to be familiar with New Zealand’s road rules and comfortable navigating the sometimes narrow and winding roads.

This itinerary covers a lot of ground, so it’s best suited for the summer months (November to April) when daylight hours are longer and those who don’t mind starting the day early.

How many days do I need on the North Island?

You can have a great trip with any amount of travel time, but you’ll need to be selective about how you spend your time. Two weeks is a good amount of time to see a lot of what the North Island has to offer including the best highlights.

Our top New Zealand travel tip is don’t try to do everything. We’ve listed a range of things to do in each location to suit a variety of travel styles and budgets. Pick the ones that appeal to you the most so that you can take the time to enjoy them.

I’ve included suggestions on how to shorten or lengthen this two-week itinerary at the end.

North Island Road Trip Overview

Day 1-2 : Auckland & Waiheke Island 

Day 3 : Paihia 

Day 4 : Bay of Islands (stay Paihia) 

Day 5 : Cape Reinga (stay Kaitaia) 

Day 6 : Piha Beach (via Waipoua Forest) 

Day 7 : Coromandel 

Day 8 : Waitomo (via Hobbiton) 

Day 9 : Rotorua 

Day 10 : Taupō 

Day 11 : Tongariro National Park (optional)

Day 12 : Hawkes Bay 

Day 13 : Martinborough 

Day 14 : Wellington 

14-Day New Zealand North Island Itinerary 

Auckland is an ideal place to start your North Island road trip. It’s New Zealand’s largest city and most international flights arrive at Auckland International Airport. 

I recommend grabbing a SIM Card at the airport so you have access to this itinerary while on the road.

I’ve provided estimates for drive times and the time needed for stops and activities to help with your planning. Please note these timeframes are a guide only and subject to traffic, weather conditions and your preferred pace. 

Day 1 – Auckland

These first two days in Auckland are all about easing into your trip with some of Auckland’s highlights before hitting the road.

You can follow our one-day Auckland itinerary or check out the top attractions listed below. These top Auckland tours , are another great way to see the city in a short amount of time.

Sky Tower (1-2 hours)

The Sky Tower is an iconic landmark in the city skyline. There are three viewing platforms at the top of the tower where you can see panoramic views of the city and Hauraki Gulf. You can even jump off or walk around the top of the tower if you’re looking for a thrill.

Due to its popularity, the Sky Tower is a good place to visit in the morning. It opens at 9:30am and we recommend booking your tickets in advance to skip the line.

Auckland Museum (2-3 hours)

The Auckland Museum is a beautiful museum located in the Domain, a 30-minute walk or short bus ride from the city center. It houses a vast collection of artifacts and exhibits showcasing New Zealand’s history and culture.

The museum is open daily from 10am and from 9am on Saturday and Sunday. You can secure your Auckland Museum General Admission ticket here .

There’s a nice café at the museum to stop for lunch.

Alternatively, you may be interested in visiting the Auckland Art Gallery or Maritime Museum, both located in the city center.

Mount Eden (1-1.5 hours)

Mount Eden is a dormant volcano and the highest natural point in Auckland with stunning views over the city and harbor.

It’s a 20-minute walk from the base to the top of the volcano. From here, you can see into the crater that is now covered in grass and stroll around the perimeter for different viewpoints around the city.

You can drive (about 15 minutes), take the bus or hop in an Uber or taxi to get there. If you drive yourself, there’s a small parking lot at the base in Tahaki Reserve or you can usually find parking along one of the side roads.  

Viaduct (2+ hours)

The Viaduct is where you’ll find the largest concentration of bars and restaurants lining the U-shaped marina. This is also where the Maritime Museum is located.

It’s a nice walk across the pedestrian bridge over to Wynyard Quarter and further along to Silo Park.

This is a great area to have dinner. We like Saint Alice for pizza and elevated views over the marina and White & Wong’s for vibrant fusion cuisine. Try to get a table on their outside veranda if it’s a nice day.

The Viaduct is also where you can experience Auckland’s nightlife . Try Dr Rudi’s for craft beer with marina views, HQ for a local pub experience or Parasol & Swing for delicious cocktails.

Where to Eat in Auckland

Here are some other great areas for dining out in Auckland from casual to fine dining.

Viaduct: For upscale dining on the water, try Oyster & Chop or Soul Bar for fresh seafood or Bivacco for delicious Italian cuisine.

Britomart: A nice area near the waterfront with a selection of restaurants and bars. Try Amano for rustic Italian.

Commercial Bay : Features an upscale food hall and restaurants near the waterfront offering cuisine from all around the world.

SkyCity: At the top of the tower, Orbit revolves as you dine, and The Sugar Club is modern and chic with dishes made for sharing. For casual, there’s Depot Eatery & Oyster Bar just across from the tower. It’s a favorite place for locals, myself included.

Fine Dining: Try Sidart Restaurant for New Zealand dishes with wine pairings, The Grove for a degustation of New Zealand food with a French twist or Sails Restaurant for its contemporary surf and turf menu.

Where to Stay in Auckland (2 Nights)

Campervan: Takapuna Beach Holiday Park

Budget-Friendly Stay: LYLO Auckland

Mid-Range Stay: Holiday Inn Express

High-End Stay: The Hotel Britomart (I love this hotel, cannot recommend enough)

Or check out our guide on the best areas to stay in Auckland for more great options.

Day 1 Summary and a suggested timetable

9:30am: Explore the Sky Tower

11:30am: Visit the Auckland Museum + lunch

2:30pm: Travel to Mt Eden

3:00pm: Climb to the top of Mt Eden volcano

5:00pm: Walk around the Viaduct

Day 2 – Waiheke Island

The highlight of day 2 is a trip to Waiheke Island , the ‘island of wine’. It’s covered in vineyards with over 30 wineries and cellar doors around the island.

There’s also secluded beaches, walking trails and activities such as ziplining on the island.

You’ll start by taking the 40-minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland to Waiheke Island. The ferry boards by your place in line so I recommend getting to the ferry terminal early .

The wineries are spread out around the island so the best way to experience the island is by taking a winery tour.

I particularly like this Gourmet Food and Wine Tour because you can sample local artisan foods along with top local wineries, plus it includes a platter lunch.

If you prefer to explore Waiheke Island on your own you can hire a car, use the public bus or purchase a ticket for the Hop on Hop off bus .

Prefer adventure to wine tasting? This Zipline and Forest Walk Tour on Waiheke Island is good fun.

Alternatively, you can skip Waiheke and take the ferry or even join a kayak tour to Rangitoto Island . Then hike through lava fields to the top of this dormant volcano. There are fantastic views of the harbor and city from the top.

You can stay on Waiheke Island or another night in your Auckland hotel. If you stay on Waiheke Island, you’ll need to get an early ferry back to Auckland.

Where to Stay on Waiheke Island

Budget-Friendly Stay: Waiheke Backpackers Hostel

Mid-Range Stay: Cable Bay Views (we stayed here a couple of times, highly recommend)

High-End Stay: Delamore Lodge

Day 2 Summary and a suggested timetable

9:00am: Ferry to Waiheke Island

10:00am: Explore Waiheke Island

6:00pm: Walk around the Viaduct

Day 3 – Paihia, Northland 

Total Drive Time: 3.5-4 hours | Distance: 230km (143 miles) 

Hope you are feeling rested after a couple of days in Auckland, because today you are heading to sunny Northland.

Paihia is the gateway to the Bay of Islands which has plenty of fun things to see and do in the winterless north. We recommend making an early start for your journey north as it’s a bit of a drive. 

Note: This route has toll roads. You can find out how to pay online or at select service stations on the NZTA Government website .  

Stop 1: Whangarei Falls (30mins) 

Whangārei Falls is an iconic set of waterfalls standing at 26 meters tall. This waterfall was much bigger than I was expecting and a good place to stretch your legs. It’s an easy 10-minute walk from the parking lot to the base of the falls.  

I suggest allocating 30 minutes for this stop. This will give you time to walk to the falls and grab a few snaps.  

Whangarei town center is a good place to stop for a quick lunch before the final one-hour drive to Paihia. There are plenty of cafés and fast-food restaurants to choose from.  

Stop 2: Paihia (final stop) 

Waitangi Treaty Grounds (2- 3 hours) 

Visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, a historical site regarded as ‘the birthplace of New Zealand’. It’s where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed by the British settlers and the native Māori people in 1840, thus establishing the country’s founding document.  

The grounds have museums, cultural performances, a carving studio, plus a traditional meeting house to explore. 

It’s open every day from 9am to 5pm. Entry is $30 NZD for adult NZ residents and $60 NZD per adult for international visitors. 

Take the Ferry to Russell (2-3 hours) 

Take a 15- minute ferry ride from Paihia to the historic township of Russell. Or you can drive around the coast.   

Russell is New Zealand’s first seaport and European settlement and retains its original layout and quaint architecture.

It’s a lovely place to walk around, visit New Zealand’s oldest church and end the day with dinner at iconic The Duke of Marlborough while watching the sunset over Kororareka Bay. 

Where to stay in Paihia (2 nights) 

Campervan: Falls Motel and Waterfront Campground

Budget-Friendly Stay:  Haka Lodge Bay of Islands (Paihia)

Mid-Range Stay: Admiral’s View Lodge & Motel 

High End Stay: Paihia Beach Resort & Spa Hotel   

Day 3 Summary and a suggested timetable

8:00am: Drive Auckland to Whangarei Falls

10:30am: Visit Whangarei Falls

11:00am: Early lunch in Whangarei

12:00pm: Drive Whangarei to Paihia

1:00pm: Explore Waitangi Treaty Grounds

3:30pm: Ferry to Russell

4:00pm: Walk around + Dinner in Russell

7:00pm: Ferry back to Paihia

Day 4 – Bay of Islands 

Now that you’ve explored the historic town of Russell and learned a bit about New Zealand history, it’s time to experience the real gem of the Bay of Islands. And the best way to do this is by boat! 

Bay of Islands Boat Cruise (4.5-6 hours) 

Spend your morning exploring the Bay of Islands on a boat tour. Take a cruise to one of the 144 islands, including hidden coves, beautiful sandy beaches, and the iconic hole in the rock.   

This Hole in the Rock Cruise & Island Tour will take you around the isles with the opportunity to hop off and explore a couple of the remote islands. You’ll also drop anchor at the best spots for swimming, snorkeling and paddleboarding.  

For a slightly longer tour on a larger boat, this Bay of Islands Island-Hopping Sailing Cruise is the way to go. This tour includes mostly the same but on a beautiful catamaran with a picnic lunch and an additional stop to a wildlife sanctuary.   

Paihia Town and Opua Forest Lookout Track (3+ hours) 

Spend the rest of day exploring Paihia’s town center. Take a walk along the Opua Forest Lookout Track for stunning views. Visit Haruru Falls and afterward stop at PhatHouse Brewing Co to sample a selection of craft beer.  

Stay in Paihia for another night.  

Day 4 Summary and a suggested timetable

10:00am: Bay of Islands Boat tour

4:00pm: Explore Paihia and Lookout Track

6:00pm: Visit Haruru Falls

7:00pm: Dinner at PhatHouse Brewing Co.

Day 5 – Cape Reinga 

Total Drive Time: 5.5 hours | Distance: 347km (215 miles) 

Today we are heading as far north as you can go in New Zealand, and you have a couple of options for the how to explore the awesome gems you’ll find up here.  

Day Tour from Paihia (11.5 hours) 

One option is to take this full day tour from Paihia and stay in Paihia for a third night. It’s a full 11-hour day that takes you to all the best spots, including a drive along the spectacular Ninety Mile Beach.  

Most rental car companies don’t allow you to drive their vehicles onto the beach for safety reasons. It’s only suitable for 4WD vehicles and the tide can be tricky to navigate so you don’t get stuck!   

If you want the full experience of driving along Ninety Mile Beach or just want a break from driving, a tour may be worth considering. 

Drive Yourself to Cape Reinga  

Otherwise, continue making your way north to wild beaches, massive sand dunes and a picturesque lighthouse perched on the tip of New Zealand.  

There aren’t any amenities after Kaitaia, so be sure to have enough fuel, water and food to get to Cape Reinga and back to Kaitaia. I recommend bringing a packed lunch for today. 

Stop 1: Ninety Mile Beach (1 hour) 

On your way to Cape Reinga, make a stop along Ninety Mile Beach to stretch your legs. It’s not actually 90-miles long as the name suggests, but an 88 kilometer (55 mile) stretch of pristine white sand.  

Although the beach is officially a highway (crazy I know) you’ll have to leave the rental in the parking lot and wander down the beach on foot. Plan to spend up to an hour walking the golden sands and taking in the scenery. 

Stop 2: Cape Reinga (1-1.5 hours) 

Cape Reinga sits at the top of New Zealand and is the furthest accessible point you can get, marked by a beautiful lighthouse.  

Look out from the cliff face and watch as the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean collide into one.  

Also keep an eye out for the old Pohutukawa tree at the tip of the cape. According to Māori belief, this 800-year-old tree is the point where the spirits of the deceased leap into the ocean and return to their ancestral homeland. 

On your way back to the parking lot take a quick detour to see the cliffs surrounding the area without the crowds. Follow the path to the right where it splits and go down the steps for spectacular cliffside views.  

Tapotupotu Campsite (optional)    

If you have a campervan and prefer to stay in Cape Reinga for the night, the Tapotupotu Campsite is a scenic Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite right next to the ocean. it’s an incredible spot with basic amenities for a real off the beaten path experience.  

Just bear in mind, if you stay here for the night, you’ll have an extra hour of driving time tomorrow which is already a big driving day. If you do stay, you may want to visit our next stop on the way to Cape Reinga, so you don’t have to backtrack. 

Stop 3: Te Paki Giant Sand Dunes (1 hour) 

We’ve saved the sand dunes for your way back because after a few trips down you’ll have sand coming out of places you didn’t know was possible!  

These giant sand dunes are truly impressive and so much fun to slide (or roll as the case may be) down. They go up to 150 meters tall and are steep. It’s hard work getting up there but once you’re at the top it feels like you’ve arrived in the desert.  

Be sure to get a sandboard from one of the vendors along the road. Climb as far up as you can then hop on the board and slide down. It’s good fun! 

After shaking out as much sand as you can, make your way to Kaitaia for the night. We recommend getting an early night because tomorrow is the biggest driving day for this North Island itinerary. 

Where to Eat in Kaitaia 

There are plenty of restaurants, cafes and takeaway establishments along Commerce Street in Kaitaia. We had take out from Kai Thai Restaurant which was good. The portions were huge. I’ve also heard good things about Beachcomber Restaurant.   

Where to Stay in Kaitaia 

Campervan:  Norfolk Motel & Campervan Park

Budget-Friendly Stay: Beachcomber Lodge & Backpacker  

Mid-Range Stay: Kauri Lodge Motel

Day 5 Summary and a suggested timetable

8:00am: Drive Paihia to Ninety Mile Beach

10.30am: Walk along Ninety Mile Beach

11.30am: Drive Ninety Mile Beach to Cape Reinga

12.30pm: Explore Cape Reinga

2:00pm: Drive Cape Reinga to Sand Dunes

2:30pm: Sandboarding at the Sand Dunes

3:30pm: Drive Sand Dunes to Kaitaia

5.00pm: Arrive in Kaitaia

Day 6 – Piha Beach (via Waipoua Forest) 

Total Drive Time: 6-7 hours | Distance: 400km (248 miles) 

Today you’ll be driving along the largely untouched west coast of the North Island. The scenic route from Kaitaia down the west coast to Auckland is a lot quieter than the main highway because it takes a little longer.  

It’s a big driving day and we recommend starting early. You can take the ferry from Kohukohu to Rawene instead of driving around, which will save you a considerable amount of time and distance. 

If you opted to take a tour to Cape Reinga and stayed in Paihia for an extra night, you can take SH12 to Waipoua Kauri Forest which will take a little under two hours.   

Stop 1: Waipoua Kauri Forest (20 minutes) 

The first major stop is to a huge forest that is home to many kauri trees, which are native to New Zealand’s North Island.  

Tane Mahuta (aka ‘Lord of the Forest’) is the most famous of them all. In Māori belief, this tree is considered a God. It’s estimated to be 2000 years old and is massive, standing 51 meters tall and a girth of 14 meters. Try to wrap your arms around that!  

The parking lot for Tana Mahuta is well signposted from SH12 and it’s an easy 5-minute walk from the parking lot. 

Stop 2: Kauri Walks (50 minutes) 

A few minutes’ drive down the road from Tane Mahuta is another nice walk where you can visit Te Matua Ngahere , meaning Father of the Forest, and the oldest and second largest living kauri tree in New Zealand. 

This walk starts from the Kauri Walks parking lot. Then, it’s a 20-minute walk through the beautiful, lush forest to Te Matua Ngahere. 

Stop 3: Dargaville (1 hour) 

Continue following the scenic highway through towering green forest and massive ferns until you reach Dargaville, the Kumara Capital of New Zealand. This historic town was built on the timber and gum industries until it was replaced by farming in the 1920s.  

It’s a good place to stop for lunch. This small coastal town offers a surprising selection of restaurants and cafes. Try Moa Bakery and Café for a fresh baked savory pie. 

From Dargaville, the rest of the drive back to Auckland is mainly through flat farmland. At Wellsford you have the option to carry on State Highway 1 for the most direct route or follow the scenic route (State Highway 16) to Piha Beach with an optional stop at Muriwai Beach.  

I recommend taking the direct route, otherwise you won’t get to Piha until the evening.

However, I’ve included the scenic route below with a stop at Muriwai Beach in case you prefer this option.  

Stop 4: Muriwai Beach (1 hour – optional) 

If you opt for the scenic route, you can stop at Muriwai Beach to see the Gannet Colony if you’re traveling between August and March . Note: The walking track to the Gannet Colony is currently closed due to cyclone damage. 

Head to the upper car park for elevated views over the black sands of Māori Bay and the rugged and picturesque coastline.  

Down on the beach there’s caves you can explore if it’s low tide and you can see the gannets flying around the rocks overhead. 

Stop 5: Piha Beach (final stop) 

The wild and rugged black sand beaches of Auckland’s west coast are magic, and we highly recommend spending the night here. Or you can head back to the city center and stay in the same place as day one. 

Food options are limited in Piha, so your best option is stop for dinner in Kumeu, which you’ll pass through after leaving Muriwai.  

Try the Huapai Tavern for classic pub food or Morepork BBQ for American style food. You’ll also find a variety of eateries along the main road for something quick and easy.

Once you arrive in Piha, take a walk along the black sand beach surrounded by rugged coastline. Follow the path up Lions Rock for elevated views over the beach. It’s a great spot for sunset, just be sure to climb down before dark. 

Where to Stay in Piha Beach 

Campervan: Domain Motor Camp 

Mid-Range Stay: Piha Beachstay Hostel

High-End Stay: Romantic Piha

Day 6 Summary and a suggested timetable

7:00am: Drive Kaitaia to Waipoua Forest

10:30am: Waipoua Kauri Forest

10:30am: Kauri Walks

11:30am: Drive Waipoua Forest to Dargaville

12:30pm: Lunch in Dargaville

1:30pm: Drive Dargaville to Muriwai Beach (optional)

4:00pm: Muriwai Beach (optional)

5:30pm: Dinner in Kumeu

7:30pm: Piha Beach

Day 7 – Coromandel 

Total Drive Time: 4.5 hours | Distance: 272km (169 miles) 

Today you’re heading to the picturesque Coromandel Peninsula with its secluded bays, pristine beaches and cliffside views.

Roads are both scenic and winding on the Coromandel Peninsula so allow extra time for a relaxed drive and photo stops. 

The total drive time and distance are based on the most direct route from Auckland to Hahei Beach and then down to Whangamatā via State Highway (SH) 1 and SH 25, since most activities listed below are on the east coast.  

Stop 1: Hahei Beach & Cathedral Cove (2-3 hours) 

Hahei Beach is an absolute gem and one of my favorite spots on the Coromandel. It’s a long white sandy beach with calm turquoise water. You can go for a walk, take a swim or enjoy snorkeling and sea kayaking in the pristine water. 

Cathedral Cove is known for the giant arched rock cavern that joins two pristine beaches. The walking track is currently closed but you can catch a water taxi from Hahei Beach to Cathedral Cove which takes 10 minutes and runs every 30 minutes, no booking required.  

It costs $80 NZD per adult for a return trip which isn’t cheap, but you’ll get to enjoy this incredibly picturesque spot with a lot less crowds than there used to be.  

You can see updates about the track on the DOC website . 

Stop for lunch at one of the cafes in Hahei before heading to your next stop. 

Stop 3: Hot Water Beach (1-2 hours optional)    

Hot Water Beach is world-famous because you can dig your own natural hot pool during low tide, thanks to geothermal activity below the sand.

It’s certainly a unique attraction and with that comes a huge crowd. This beach is packed in that two hour window before and after low tide.  

If your timing doesn’t line up with low tide or you simply want to skip the crowds, continue to our next stop. It’s a good one!  

Stop 4: Donut Island (2 hours) 

Whenuakura Island is the official name for Donut Island, a large volcanic blow hole that has collapsed and created a turquoise lagoon in the center of the island. It’s surrounded by native fauna and volcanic cliff rock and pretty spectacular.  

You can paddleboard or kayak to the island from Whangamatā Beach. 

I highly recommend taking this guided kayaking tour to Donut Island because the wind and current can shift quickly, plus there is only one spot where you can enter the middle which they will help you find.  

The last tour departs at 3pm, so you will probably need to choose between Hot Water Beach and Donut Island unless you leave Auckland super early. 

Stop 5: Whangamatā (final stop) 

Check out the quirky boutique shops along main street and grab dinner at Soul Burger . They are one of my top 3 burgers in the country! 

Where to Stay in Whangamatā: 

Campervan: Wentworth Valley Campground  

Budget-Friendly Stay: Surf N Stay Whangamatā 

Mid-Range Stay: Palm Pacific Resort & Motel 

Day 7 Summary and a suggested timetable

8:00am: Drive Piha to Hahei Beach

11.30am: Hahei Beach & Cathedral Cove

1:30pm: Drive Hahei Beach to Whangamatā

3:00pm: Kayak tour to Donut Island

5:00pm: Dinner in Whangamatā

Day 8 – Waitomo (via Hobbiton Village) 

Total Drive Time: 3 hours | Distance: 209km (130 miles) 

Today we are heading to the small town of Waitomo, known for its underground cave systems that are home to the unique glowworms. 

On the way, we’ll be stopping at the Hobbiton Move Set, a must-do experience for LOTR fans. If this isn’t for you, then skip this stop and enjoy a leisurely morning in Whangamatā. 

Stop 1: Paeroa (10 minutes) 

About an hour from Whangamatā you’ll come to the town of Paeroa, home of the famous New Zealand soft drink , Lemon and Paeroa (aka L&P). There’s a giant L&P bottle that sits at the entrance to the town.  

Make a pit stop and grab of snap of this iconic statue. Better yet, grab a bottle of L&P to try if you haven’t already. It’s sweet and refreshing. 

Stop 2: Hobbiton Movie Set (2.5-3 hours) 

Visit the Hobbiton Village Movie Set, just outside Matamata. This guided 2-hour tour takes you all around the village including to Hobbit Holes, the Shire Mill and finishes with a pint at the Green Dragon Inn.

Tours run throughout the day, every day but you’ll need to book your tickets in advance for entry.

The Shire’s Rest Café is a good place to stop for lunch after your tour.  

Stop 3: Waitomo Glowworm Caves (1.5 hours) 

The Waitomo Glowworm Caves is one of the top places to see glowworms in New Zealand. A guided boat tour is the best way to explore the underground cave system to see how thousands of luminous glowworms light the dark caverns.  

Tours run throughout the day but bookings are essential , and you need to be there 30 minutes before the start of your tour. 

If you’re feeling adventurous, this black water rafting tour inside the caves is a must-do and my preferred choice, highly recommend. You’ll need 3 hours in total for the black water rafting experience.

There’s also the Ruakuri Cave which is incredible. It provides a more immersive experience with a walking tour through Waitomo’s longest underground cave .

Stop 4: Marokopa Falls (1 hour) 

Marokopa Falls is an impressive 35-meter-high waterfall that cascades over a rockface and is surrounded by native tawa and nikau forest.

It’s a 35-minute drive past Waitomo and then a 20-minute walk from the parking lot. Worth a visit if you have some extra time before it gets dark. 

Stop 5: Waitomo (final stop) 

Head back to the peaceful rural town of Waitomo for the night. For dinner try the HUHU Café or Tomo Bar & Eatery .  

Where to Stay in Waitomo 

Campervan: Waitomo Top 10 Holiday Park (they also have motel rooms and cabins) 

Budget-Friendly Stay: JunoHall Backpackers  

Mid-Range Stay: Waitomo Village Chalets  

Day 8 Summary and a suggested timetable

8:00am: Drive Whangamata to Hobbiton Movie Set

10:30am: Hobbiton Movie Set

1:00pm: Drive Hobbiton to Waitomo

3:00pm: Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tour

5:00pm: Marokopa Falls (optional)

6:30pm: Waitomo

Day 9 – Rotorua 

Total Drive Time: 2 hours | Distance: 139km (86 miles) 

Ready to experience the geothermal wonders of Rotorua? Don’t let the rotten egg smell put you off. It’s a truly unique place that you’ll struggle to find anywhere else in the world.  

With so many great things to see and do, I’m listing the top activities so you can pick and choose how you spend your time in Rotorua. 

Hell’s Gate (1-3 hours) 

Visit Hell’s gate to experience boiling hot pools, Sulphur rocks and erupting waters at New Zealand’s most active geothermal reserve.

Dip your feet in a genuine mud pool or go for the full experience with a thermal mud bath and sulphur spa . Just bring an old bathing suit, they’re never quite the same after.

ZORB Rotorua (1 hour) 

Zorbing is where you get inside a big, wet inflatable ball and roll down a hill, and Rotorua is where this bizarre activity started. It’ll probably be the most hilarious (and expensive) 3 minutes of your life, but so worth it. Bookings are essential . 

White Water Rafting (2.5 hours) 

Thrill seekers may want to try the Kaituna Rafting experience . Learn the history of the Kaituna River from expert guides as you make you way down the river, over rapids and small waterfalls, and ultimately the 7-meter high Tutea Falls, the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world. It’s a must-do for adventure lovers. 

Skyline Rotorua (2 hours) 

Skyline Rotorua is the go-to place for fun adventures for the whole family. You can ride the gondola for spectacular views over Mt Ngongotaha and Lake Rotorua, zip down the luge, zipline through the Redwood Forest or try the adrenaline pumping Skyswing.

The amount of time you spend here will depend on the number of activities you do and how crowded it is. There’s also a Skyline in Queenstown in case you don’t get a chance to do it here and are heading to the South Island next. 

Rotorua Tree Top Walks (45 mins) 

The Redwoods Treewalk is where you can walk across a series of suspended bridges and platforms amongst the giant redwood trees of the Whakarewarewa Forest.

At night the forest lights up with lanterns and art installations for an enchanting experience. They are open until 10:30pm during summer and until 9:30pm in winter. 

Tamaki Māori Village (4-hours) 

An evening at Te Pā Tū (formerly Tamaki Māori Village) is must-do cultural experience. Over the course of the evening, you’ll get to know Māori song, tradition, and kai (food) through interactive experiences in this fully recreated traditional Māori Village.

It’s recognized as one of the Top 10 Experiences in the World. We recommend booking your Te Pā Tū tickets early to avoid disappointment.

Geothermal Spa (1-2 hours) 

Relax in one of Rotorua’s famous spa pools. The Polynesian Spa and Secret Spot are both good options.  

The Polynesian Spa is the original and a larger complex. There is a large indoor pool and 5 mineral hot pools overlooking Lake Rotorua filled with geothermal water, plus a cold plunge.  Book your Polynesian Spa experience and let the day melt away.

The Secret Spot is smaller and more intimate. Each guest gets their own cedar hot tub filled with forest spring water that is heated and freshly circulated for each visitor. The tubs are lined up amongst native plants for a serene and relaxing experience.  Reserve your spot here .

Where to Eat in Rotorua 

Eat Street is Rotorua’s food haven, where you’ll find a dozen or so restaurants and bars lining the street offering everything from Thai to Italian. We particularly like BREW | Craft Beer Pub for good casual food and craft beer. 

Where to stay in Rotorua 

Campervan: Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park 

Budget-Friendly Stay: Crashpalace Backpackers  

Mid-Range Stay: Jet Park Hotel

High-End Stay: Karanda B&B

Day 9 Summary and a suggested timetable

8:00am: Drive Waitomo to Rotorua

10:00am: Zorb or Treetop Walk

11:30am: White-Water Rafting

2:00pm: Hell’s Gate or free time in town

5:00pm: Te Pa Tu Cultural Experience

9:30pm: Geothermal Spa or Redwood Treetop Walk

Day 10 – Taupō 

Total Drive Time: 1 hour | Distance: 80km (50 miles) 

Today we are making the short drive to Taupō, with some fantastic stops along the way. Taupō is a small town that lies on the shores of Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake.

The lake is actually the caldera of a supervolcano which is responsible for a lot of the geothermal activity in the area, like you’ll see at this first stop.

Stop 1: Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland (2 hours) 

On your way to Taupō, visit Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland and take one of the many walking tracks to experience this geothermal park.  

Each track can take from 45 – 90 minutes as they wind their way through unique and world-famous attractions like the Champagne Pool, bubbling mud pools, shooting geysers and volcanic craters.  

The Lady Know Geyser goes off at 10.15am daily reaching heights of up to 20 meters. Be sure to arrive by 10am to see this spectacular feature. You can book you tickets in advance to save time.

Stop 2: Huka Falls (10 minutes) 

Stop at Huka Falls just before Taupō and take the short walk across the bridge to access the lookout. From here, you can watch as more than 220,000 liters of crystal blue water thunder over the 11m cliff face every second.  

Stop 3: Taupō (final stop) 

Taupō is your final stop for today. There’s plenty of bars, restaurants and cafes in Taupō to grab some lunch. The Two Mile Bay Sailing Club does awesome pizzas with outdoor seating. 

Māori Rock Carvings (2-4 hours) 

After lunch take a scenic cruise around the blue waters of Lake Taupo to see the extraordinary Maori Rock Carvings, accessible only by water.

The massive carvings are the work of a local master carver from the 1970s. They depict Ngatoroirangi – a visionary Maori navigator who guided the local tribes to Taupo over 1000 years ago.  

We like this Eco Sailing Cruise on New Zealand’s only electric yacht. You’ll explore the rock carvings at Mine Bay and several other bays during the 2.5-hour cruise with a complimentary drink. You can even go for a swim. 

Or this Half-Day Kayak to the Māori Rock Carvings is a fun way to see the rock carvings, and my preferred option. You can get up close to the carvings and explore tiny inlets along the way, plus a chance to swim or go rock jumping. This one starts at 1:30pm and lasts for 4 hours.  

Hot Water Beach (1 hour) 

Did you know there’s a Hot Water Beach in Taupo ? In case you missed the chance to dig your own hot pool at Coromandel, you can dig one on the shores of Lake Taupo without the crowds. You can find it along the Great Lake Pathway. Just dip a toe first, it can be hot.  

Otumuheke Spa Park (1 hour)

End the day with a relaxing soak in these natural hot pools. The Otumuheke Spa Park is where hot water from the ground creates a stream that flows into the Waikato River.

Find a spot close to where the stream meets the river and dip a toe until you find a comfortable temperature. Just be sure to avoid where the water bubbles up because it’s very hot and can cause serious burns.

Also, don’t put your head under water as there can be certain bacteria that thrive in the warm temperatures that can cause serious illness.

To get here, park in the County Avenue carpark and follow the path to Otumuheke Spa Park . Oh, and did I mention it’s free!

Where to Eat in Taupo 

There’s plenty of restaurants to chose from in Taupo town center. Try The Bistro for a nice sit-down meal, Jimmy Coops Lakehouse for good burgers with outdoor seating or grab fish and chips to go from the Grasshopper and eat it by the lake. 

Where to Stay in Taupo 

Campervan:  Taupo TOP 10 Holiday Park  

Budget-Friendly Stay:  Finlay Jack’s Backpackers  

Mid-Range Stay:  Chevron Motel 

High-End Stay: Sacred Waters Taupo

Day 10 Summary and a suggested timetable

9:00am: Drive Rotorua to Wai-O-Tapu

9:30am: Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland

11:30am: Drive Wai-O-Tapu to Taupo

12:00pm: Huku Falls

12:30pm: Taupo (lunch)

1:30pm: Māori Rock Carvings

5:30pm: Hot Water Beach or Otumuheke Spa Park

Day 11 – Tongariro National Park 

Total Drive Time: 1 hour 20 minutes | Distance: 100km (62 miles) 

This next stop is an action-packed adventure around Tongariro National Park. Be sure to bring a packed lunch and plenty of water.

If you prefer, you can skip this stop and spend an extra day in Rotorua or Taupo, or head straight to Napier for a relaxing day among vineyards instead of hiking through ancient lava flows. 

Tongariro National Park encompasses three volcanoes and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Choose from the following walks to experience emerald lakes, steaming volcanic crates, ancient lava flows and Mt Doom!  

Tongariro Alpine Crossing (7-9 hours) 

Regarded as one of the best hikes in the world and the most popular hike in the North Island. At 19.4 kilometers long, over exposed and steep terrain, it’s not for the faint hearted but arguably one of the most rewarding experiences. 

The walk takes about 7-9 hours in total and can only be walked as a one-way track. This means you’ll have to arrange for return transportation.

The best option is to get a park and ride from Ketetahi , located close to the end of the crossing, which gets you a one-way shuttle service from there to the start of the crossing. This way your car is waiting for you at the end of the hike.  

Tama Lakes Walk (6 hours) 

A scenic alternative to the Tongariro Crossing without the crowds. This 17.6-kilometer walk takes you through tussock and alpine herb fields until you reach the emerald waters of the Tama Lakes, one of New Zealand’s most iconic geographic attractions. 

Taranaki Falls Walk (1 hour) 

An easy loop walk that takes you to some of the Park’s best sites, including the 20-meter-tall Taranaki Falls, which tumbles spectacularly over the edge of a 15,000-year-old lava flow. 

Tawhai Falls (5 minutes) 

A quick walk to a pretty waterfall which featured in Lord of the Rings. 

After your walk, you can drive back to Taupo and stay at the same place (book 2 nights) or stay in Tongariro National Park. 

Where to Stay in Tongariro National Park 

Campervan & Budget: National Park Alpine Lodge

Mid-Range Stay: Plateau Lodge (they offer a shuttle service to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing)

Day 11 Summary and a suggested timetable

6:30am: Drive Taupo to Tongariro

8:30am: Shuttle to the start of the crossing

5:30pm: Pick up car at end of track

7:00pm: Drive to Taupo or stay in Tongariro

Day 12 – Napier & Hawkes Bay 

Total Drive Time: 2.5 hours (from Taupo) | Distance: 165km (102 miles) 

Today we’re heading over the mountain range to the beautiful Hawkes Bay, a renowned wine-producing region of New Zealand. 

There’s plenty of things to do in Hawkes Bay whether you enjoy wine tasting, hiking or nature. Here’s a list of activities so you can choose what suits you best.  

Stop 1: Napier  

Art Deco Trail (2 hours) 

Explore the beautiful town of Napier, the art deco capital of New Zealand. Take a walk along Marine Parade to see the art deco landmarks and architecture the city is known for along with beautiful views of coast.

There’s plenty of places to stop for lunch in Napier. We had a nice sandwich from That Sandwich Place for something quick and easy. 

Bike Tour (1-6 hours) 

Rent an E-bike and explore the incredible network of cycle trails. It’s also a great way to visit some of the many wineries in the region.

You’ll get a map for a self-guided tour that takes you to a selection of wineries and other points of interest including breweries, classic kiwi pubs, wildlife estuaries and seaside pathways. 

Stop 2: Havelock North (final stop) 

Wine Tasting (2-6 hours) 

Havelock North is home to some of New Zealand’s best Wineries & Cellar Doors. Here are some of our top choices.

Craggy Range Winery: Set at the foot of Te Mata Peak, this stunning Cellar Door offers a relaxed and intimate tasting experience and exceptional restaurant. I like the Te Muna Road Pinot Noir and Te Kahau, a Bordeaux style blend. 

Te Mata Estate: Established in 1896 and one of New Zealand’s oldest wineries open for walk-in wine tastings and cellar doors. I love the Gamay Noir. 

Heretaunga Wine Studio: An interactive experience offering a range of wine varietals and exclusive samples straight from the barrel. Their studio theatre offers an immersive audio-visual treat. Try the Heretaunga Syrah. This is a good one to end the day, it’s open until 9pm.  

Cape Kidnappers (3 hours) 

Cape Kidnappers is a beautiful reserve and home to Gannet Colonies. It’s worth a visit if you didn’t get to see the Muriwai Gannet Colony in Auckland.  

The beach walk has reopened following a significant landslide but risk of rockfall and further slips remains high. The best way to see the Gannet Colony is to take this Gannet Safaris Overland Tour across a private farm.  

Tours run twice daily from September to April . You’ll learn about the area and these unique birds from an expert (and entertaining guide). The scenery is breathtaking and for many, a highlight of their North Island itinerary.  

Te Mata Peak (2 hours) 

Hike up Te Mata Peak for a chance to see incredible 360-degree views of Hawke’s Bay and the Heretaunga Plains. 

There are a series of well-graded tracks that vary in length and difficulty. For experienced hikers, it’s about a 2-hour return walk from the Main Gates Car Park to the summit on the blue trail. Just make sure you’re back by 10pm when the gates close.

Alternatively, you can drive to the summit. Just a heads up, the road is narrow and winding with a steep drop off in parts. It gets a little scary near the top with one way sections so do take care.

Where to eat in Havelock North 

For dinner, head to Alessandro’s Pizzeria for good Italian food, our preferred choice. We’ve also heard good things about Deliciosa Restaurant .  

Where to Stay in Havelock North:  

Campervan & Budget: Hastings TOP 10 Holiday Park  (10 minutes from Havelock North)

Mid-Range Stay:  Guest House on Guthrie 

High-End Stay: Porters Boutique Hotel   

Day 12 Summary and a suggested timetable

8:00am: Drive Taupo to Napier

10:00am: Art Deco Trail or Bike Tour

1:00pm: Drive Napier to Havelock North

1:30pm: Wine Tasting or Cape Kidnappers

5:30pm: Te Mata Peak

Day 13 – Martinborough 

Total Drive Time: 3 hours 15 min | Distance: 250km (155 miles) 

Today we’re heading to the underrated town of Martinborough, another top wine-producing region with a charming small town feel and one of the country’s best kept secrets nearby.

Stop 1: Greytown (30 minutes) 

On your way to Martinborough, stop in the small town of Greytown to stretch your legs and explore the cute boutique shops housed in restored Victorian buildings along the high street.  

Stop 2: Martinborough (final stop) 

Martinborough is a little gem with a population of just 2000-ish people. The town is loosely shaped on the Union Jack with a square at its center and various roads named after the travels of the towns founder, John Martin. 

You have a few options for how to spend your time here.  

Explore the Town Center (1-2 hours) 

Martinborough town center has a hipster flair but with a small-town charm. The shops are all super cute, even the butcher shop. Explore the fresh cafes with vibrant mural walls, rustic bakeries and boutique shops selling unique items.  

Hire a Bike (2-4 hours) 

There are over 60 vineyards on your doorstep, regarded as some of the best in the country. Being a compact area with relatively flat terrain, renting a bike is a great way to explore the cellar doors on a warm sunny day. 

Patuna Chasm (3 hours)

The Patuna Chasm is that best kept secret I mentioned, located 20 minutes’ outside Martinborough.

It’s a huge chasm carved out of limestone where you can walk through the clear stream at the bottom of the chasm to see the impressive rock formations, stalactites and fossils.

The Patuna Chasm is open from November until March . It’s on private land so you’ll need to book through Patuna Farm Adventures for access.

Visit The Runholder (3 hours) 

The Runholder is home to Te Kairanga wine, Martinborough Vineyard and Lighthouse Gin, and a mere four minutes from Martinborough town center. Housed in a slick black barn amongst the vineyards, The Runholder has a light and airy contemporary design, a huge tasting room and an open plan dining area.  

Book in for lunch (or dinner on Friday and Saturdays) and wine tasting. Then head downstairs for a behind-the-scenes tour of the modern wine cave.

Finish off the day with gin tasting and learn about the impressive story and meticulous care that goes into producing Lighthouse Gin. 

Putangirua Pinnacles (4 hours) 

Note: The Putangirua Pinnacles track is closed due a large slip. Check the DOC website for updates.

For something a little off the beaten path, the Putangirua Pinnacles are a 1-hour drive from Martinborough. These ancient spires jut out of the forest providing a dramatic landscape.  

There are tracks where you can hike to the lookout and get right up close to these giant formations. It should take around 2 hours all up to see the pinnacles. Wear sturdy shoes, the gravel can be slippery.

Where to Eat in Martinborough 

For dinner you could try Karahui Wine Bar & Eatery , or the York Bistro located in Parehua Resort. For a light meal, Martinborough Brewery has a good snack and beer menu. 

Where to Stay in Martinborough 

Campervan: Martinborough Top 10 Holiday Park

Mid-Range Stay: The Vicarage Martinborough

High-End Stay: Parehua Resort  

Day 13 Summary and a suggested timetable

8:00am: Drive Havelock North to Greytown

11:00am: Greytown

11:30am: Greytown to Martinborough

12:00pm: Explore town center

1:00pm: The Runholder (lunch & wine tasting) or Patuna Chasm

6:00pm: Dinner in Martinborough

Day 14 – Wellington 

Total Drive Time: 1 hour 17 min | Distance: 82km (51 miles) 

Your final day starts with a short drive over the winding Remutaka Range to Wellington, New Zealand’s capitol city and the final stop on this North Island itinerary.  

Here are some of the top ways to spend your time in Wellington. 

Te Papa (2-3 hours) 

Te Papa is New Zealand’s national museum where you can explore everything from Māori and European settlement to Giant Squids. There’s plenty of interactive displays and activities, including an earthquake simulation.  

It’s open daily from 10am-6pm. You can explore the museum on your own or take a one hour guided tour to see the highlights. Entry is free for everyone, although charges apply for some short-term exhibitions and special events.  

Wellington Cable Car (1 hour) 

Ride the Wellington Cable Car from Lambton Quay to the top of Kelburn for spectacular views of the city and harbor. The ride takes only a few minutes and there’s a Cable Car Museum and Botanic Gardens at the top.

Once you’re finished exploring you can ride the cable car or walk back to Lambton Quay. 

Zealandia (2-3 hours) 

Zealandia is an urban sanctuary located on the outskirts of the CBD where you can see native birds and wildlife. It’s a 10-minute drive or there’s a free shuttle you can take from the Wellington isite at top of the Cable Car. 

This ecosanctuary has reintroduced 18 native species into the region. You can walk the beautiful grounds on your own or take a tour. Keep a look out for native birds such as the tui, kaka and kereru and reptiles such as the tuatara.  

Cuba Street (1-2 hours) 

Cuba Street is a historic part of Wellington with old buildings and a bohemian vibe. It’s nice to walk around the pedestrian only walkways. There’s an eclectic mix of shops, cafes and art galleries.

Wellington is known for fantastic coffee roasters so be sure to stop at one of the cafes if you’re a coffee lover. We had a nice meal and great coffee at Fidel’s Café on Cuba Street. 

Mount Victoria (1.5 hours) 

The Mount Victoria Lookout Walkway is a 4.2km (2.6km) walkway that climbs through pine forests to a lookout point that offers spectacular views of Wellington Harbor and the city. 

It’s an easy well-maintained path that starts from Courtenay Place with a steep bit through the town belt. You can return the same way or loop down to return to Oriental Bay.  

Where to Eat & Drink in Wellington 

You’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to restaurants in Wellington.  

For lunch we like the Dockside Restaurant & Bar and the Crab Shack . Both have outdoor seating on the wharf.  

For dinner, Charley Noble specializes in delicious wood-fired dishes. Or Burger Liquor is good for a casual meal. 

If you like craft beer, be sure to check out the craft breweries around town. The Garage Project and Parrotdog Brewery is a good place to start.

Where to stay in Wellington

Campervan: Wellington TOP 10 Holiday Park

Budget-Friendly Stay:  Trek Global Backpackers

Mid-Range Stay:  West Plaza Hotel 

Luxury Stay:  Intercontinental Wellington 

Day 14 Summary and a suggested timetable

9:00am: Drive Martinborough to Wellington

10:30am: Te Papa

12:30pm: Cuba Street

1:30pm: Wellington Cable Car

2:30pm: Zealandia

4:30pm: Mount Victoria

6:30pm: Dinner/Craft Beer Brewery

10 Day and 3-Week North Island Road Trip

10-day north island itinerary .

If you have 10 days on the North Island, then follow this itinerary but skip going north of Auckland (days 3, 4, 5, and 6). Start with days 1 and 2 in Auckland then to go straight to day 7.  

3-Week North Island Itinerary  

If you have more than two weeks – Fantastic! You can see even more unique places and some of the more remote areas of New Zealand’s North Island.  

We recommend changing the route from day 8 and adding some stops as follows:  

Day 1-7 same as above – Day 8 Tauranga – Day 9 Waitomo (via Hobbiton) – Day 10-11 Taranaki – Day 12-13 Tongariro National Park (via Forgotten World Highway) – Day 14 Taupo – Day 15-16 Rotorua – Day 17 Napier (Hawkes Bay) – Day 18 Masterton/Castle Point – Day 19 Martinborough – Day 20-21 Wellington.  

New Zealand North Island Road Trip Planning Guide & FAQ 

Best time to visit new zealand’s north island .

The best time to travel around the North Island is between late October and early May (Spring, Summer, and Autumn). This gives you the most daylight hours, warmer days and relatively stable weather, although we get rainy days throughout the year on the North Island.  

December to February (summer) is peak travel season and school holidays in New Zealand. It’s a fantastic time of year with summer vibes in full swing, although It’s worth noting the roads will be busier and there will be more people around in general. 

Be sure to book activities, car rentals and accommodation as early as possible if you plan to visit in the summer months. 

November (late spring) is a great time to visit the North Island, the weather is getting warmer, days longer and the summer holidays haven’t started yet so it’s not too busy.

March / April (autumn) is my personal favorite time to travel New Zealand, with less crowds and comfortable temperatures for hiking.

The winter months of June to August are an ideal time to visit if you are here for the winter sports. Mount Ruapehu is the best place for skiiing on the North Island. Away from the mountains, the crowds have gone and the cost of car rentals and accommodation are at their lowest.

What to Pack for the North Island 

Layers are you best bet as the weather in New Zealand is changeable. How many layers will depend on the time of year and areas you’ll be visiting.

Here are some other top things to bring on your North Island road trip.

• Sturdy walking shoes / hiking boots
• Waterproof jacket
• High deet insect repellent
• Head torch / flashlight
• Quick dry towel
• Travel first aid kit
• Water bottle

Tips for Driving in New Zealand

• New Zealand drives on the left side of the road.
• Outside of the cities, roads can be narrow, winding with steep drop offs and sometimes gravel. Allow for more time than stated on maps and take lots of breaks.
• Road conditions can vary and maximum speed limits aren’t always safe. Take your time and use pull over bays to let traffic pass when needed (it’s common to do that here and you’ll probably get a ‘toot’ of thanks).
• You can keep an eye on road closures or alerts on the NZTA website .
• Mobile reception can be patchy in places, if you’re traveling with others get two SIM cards on two different networks for the best chance of continuous coverage. Spark, 2Degrees and One NZ (formerly Vodafone) are all different networks.

Picking up your rental car 

There are over a dozen car and campervan rental companies based in or near Auckland airport. This makes it easy if you plan on picking up your vehicle as soon as you arrive.  

Another option is to book your vehicle starting from day 3 and arrange to pick it up in Auckland City. Many companies have locations based in the city center in addition to the airport.

You won’t necessarily need a car to get around for the first two days in Auckland so this will save you money on rental and parking costs. Many hotels charge extra for parking, and it can be expensive. Plus, Auckland traffic is a pain.  

If you are getting a campervan, the cost of staying in a hotel for a couple of nights may be a little more expensive than your daily rate for the campervan, but you’ll be able to explore the city without trying to find parking and having to travel back to a campground or holiday park each night. 

Same goes for Wellington. Provided you aren’t traveling in your campervan via the ferry to the South Island, you may want to return your campervan before heading into central Wellington.

Getting from the Airport to Auckland City 

You have few options to get from the airport to the city center (aka Auckland CBD) if you don’t pick up your rental car from the airport. The airport is located about a 30–60-minute drive (depending on traffic) from city center.  

Taxi/Uber: Ask if they have a fixed fare rate to the CBD. Expect to pay around $70 to $80 for a fixed fare with Alert Taxis and Auckland Co-op Taxis (Corporate Cabs is more expensive). Uber is normally cheaper unless there is a surge in peak times.  

SkyDrive: An express bus service between the Auckland International Airport and SkyCity. A one-way ticket costs $18 per adult.  

Super Shuttle : A shared transfer in a minivan with one-way bookings starting at $36 for one person plus $8 for each extra person in the same group. 

Heading to the South Island Next?

Fantastic! You’re in for a who new adventure. The South is very different but equally impressive. Our 2-week New Zealand South Island itinerary will take you on a loop around the island with a mix of experiences from top attractions to off-the-beaten-path experiences in nature.

You can fly from Wellington to Christchurch and pick up a fresh rental vehicle for your South Island road trip. Or you can take your vehicle and cross over to the South Island by ferry.

There are two ferry companies that operate the crossing between Wellington and Picton, Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferries and the Interislander . 

There is little difference between the two, although the Interislander has larger boats and more sailings per day. Both are comparable in price which varies depending on the day and time of sailing. 

Be sure to check if your rental car company allows their vehicles on the ferry before making your booking. Some companies don’t allow their vehicles on the ferry and have depots in both Wellington and Picton for you to drop off and pick up their vehicles, in which case you’d book as a walk-on passenger.

Wrapping Up

That’s a wrap on this New Zealand North Island itinerary. Thanks for reading! I hope you have an amazing time on your North Island road trip.

Travel Planning Guide

🚗 Where should I book my rental car?

Renting a car is one of the best ways to get around New Zealand. Public transportation can only get you so far, even in the cities. I always rent with Discover Cars , which checks the prices of all major rental car companies, so you get the best rates.

🚐 What about a campervan?

Renting a campervan is a fantastic way to experience the more remote areas of New Zealand. I really like JUCY because they have a big range of vehicles and locations around the country, which offers more flexibility with pick-up and drop-off. I also like Motorhome Republic , which compares all the campervan options available in NZ.

🛏 What’s the best way to book my accommodations?

For hotels and vacation rentals, Booking.com or Expedia.com are the best sites. You can also book through TripAdvisor. If you’re considering renting a house instead, try VRBO which often has good deals.

🛩 What’s the best site to buy flights to New Zealand?

For finding the best deals on flights to New Zealand from around the world, I recommend Kayak.com .

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Heather is a travel enthusiast living in New Zealand with her family. She writes about living in and enjoying travel to New Zealand.

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Mount Cook scenic drive

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Tongariro Crossing

Remarkable views - Queenstown

Milford Sound

22 Day North & South Island All Inclusive Road Trip

Discover our 22-day self-drive adventure across New Zealand's North and South Islands! Experience the breathtaking beauty of snow-capped peaks, majestic glaciers, and vibrant cities like Auckland and Queenstown. See the best of both Islands.

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Discover New Zealand's North and South Island highlights on our 22 day handcrafted self drive itinerary. As you journey through the South Island, prepare to be mesmerised by the majestic allure of towering peaks, snow-dusted mountains, and sprawling glaciers that adorn the landscape. From the vibrant cityscape of Auckland to the adventure capital of Queenstown, each stop along the way presents an opportunity to delve into the heart of New Zealand's culture and heritage. Venture through farmland and rolling vineyards, encounter charming towns and bustling cities, each offering its own unique blend of history, culture, and hospitality. Chat with us today to customise this tour.

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10 Road Trip Itineraries In Canada That Will Leave You Wanting More Vacation Days

• Canada offers breathtaking road trip experiences with stunning views of mountains, icefields, oceans, and forests, showcasing the country's natural beauty.
• The besr road trips in Canada provide unique perspectives on the world's second-largest country, from exploring national parks to scenic highways and charming towns.
• Tourists can embark on thrilling and beautiful road trips across Canada, whether it's driving along the Icefields Parkway, the Cabot Trail, the Sea to Sky Highway, or exploring the cowboy culture along the Cowboy Trail.

Driving across a country can be a perfect mode of travel for tourists who want to experience that country at its fullest. One of the best countries for road trips has to be Canada; with towering snow-capped mountains, lively coastal areas, and fertile plains, driving across Canada is sure to display the true beauty that this North American country offers.

Tourists don't need to only visit national parks to see the splendor of this land; even the highways in this region are gorgeous! Here, travelers can find out about Canada's top road trip itineraries and highways; each of these incredible Canadian road trips offers tourists a unique perspective on the world's second-largest country, from exploring the Columbia Icefield to the stunning forests of Nova Scotia. Discover why road-tripping is one of the most thrilling things to do in Canada with these scenic drives across this breathtaking North American nation.

Related: 10 Truly Unusual Experiences You Can Only Have At Banff National Park

Icefields Parkway

The first, and probably the most famous of Canada's road trips, is Icefields Parkway. Running from Lake Louise in Banff National Park (a superb winter destination) to the town of Jasper, this roadway is considered one of Canada's best scenic routes. It's considered the best for a reason: on either side of the highway are stunning views of mountains and the famous Columbia Icefield.

Visitors on this itinerary will start at the crystalline waters of Lake Louise. They can then head to the aquamarine Bow Lake and from there to the Weeping Wall, a series of thin-streamed waterfalls that cascade down the mountain, resembling tears. After that, visitors can head to the Columbia Icefield, which is the largest glacier in Canada outside the Arctic Circle.

From there, visitors can stand on the daunting Columbia Icefield Skywalk . This is an observation platform standing high in the mountains...whose floor is made of glass! Finally, visitors can head to Sunwapta Falls and Athabasca Falls to see some of Canada's most beautiful waterfalls before heading into the town of Jasper.

• Distance: 144 miles
• Notable stops: Lake Louise, Bow Lake, Weeping Wall, Columbia Icefield, Columbia Icefield Skywalk, Sunwapta Falls, Athabasca Falls, the town of Jasper

Cabot Trail

Nova Scotia's premier highway is the Cabot Trail, which consistently ranks among the best road trip itineraries in Canada. Although this area is commonly known as one of the most beautiful places in the world for fall foliage , it is still gorgeous at any time of year. Here, tourists will see stunning views of the North Atlantic Ocean, along with the deciduous forests of Cape Breton Highlands National Park.

After starting on the Trail, tourists can first head to Baddeck, an adorable village that was once the home of Alexander Graham Bell. Next, visitors should head to Ingonish Beach, a rocky, North Atlantic-style beach with stunning views of the ocean and the nearby cliffsides. Afterward, visitors can head to Beulach Ban Falls, a gorgeous hike with a giant waterfall and moss-covered rocks.

Visitors can then head to the fishing village of Pleasant Bay, where visitors can learn all about local whales through whale watching tours or through the Whale Interpretive Centre. Visitors can also stop at the local MacKenzie Mountain Look-Off, a lookout point where tourists have been known to spot whales. Finally, visitors can head to Inverness, where they can explore the local museums, beaches, and restaurants.

• Distance: 185 miles
• Notable stops: Baddeck, Ingonish Beach, Beulach Ban Falls, Pleasant Bay, MacKenzie Mountain Look-Off, Inverness (Nova Scotia)

Sea To Sky Highway

Starting in Vancouver, this highway is among the most scenic drives in Canada; it initially hugs the Strait of Georgia before heading up inland to Pemberton. The Sea to Sky Highway has an apt name as tourists start on the beautiful, rugged coast only to head up into the clouds of the mountains. Tourists here will be able to see all kinds of wildlife (like mountain goats!), beautiful waterfalls, and rugged peaks.

An itinerary for the Sea to Sky Highway usually looks something like this: First, tourists will begin in Vancouver, where they can explore the artistic features of this coastal city. Then, they can head to Horseshoe Bay to explore the harbor and eat delicious fish and chips. After that, a northbound drive will find them at the Sea to Sky Gondola, which has a viewing platform that allows tourists to see stunning vistas of the Howe Sound region. Then, the town of Squamish, where tourists can explore an abundance of mountain biking trails, is not far.

After staying or passing through Squamish, visitors will be able to see the westward-facing mountains of the Tantalus Range. A quick stop in Brackendale to see wintering Bald Eagles in November-February will be a great way to finish off the trip before entering Pemberton.

• Distance: 234 miles
• Notable stops: Vancouver, Horseshoe Bay, Sea to Sky Gondola, Howe Sound, mountain biking in Squamish, Tantalus Range, Brackendale to see Bald Eagles, Pemberton

Related: Seattle To Vancouver: 10 Things You'll Experience On The Scenic Cascades Train Route

The Cowboy Trail

The Rocky Mountain Foothills of Canada are best experienced on the Cowboy Trail, Canada's best road trip for the wild at heart. Set along Highway 22, this road will take tourists through gorgeous mountains, aspen forests, and blue rapids. Visitors along the way should be sure to stay at a local ranch for horseback riding for at least one of the days on their trip.

The Cowboy Trail officially starts near the US-Canadian border in the town of Lundbreck, Alberta. There, visitors should be sure to stop or camp at the Lundbreck Falls, a set of gorgeous waterfalls that crash into aquamarine water. After beginning there, tourists can head up north to explore Calgary and its epic attractions , where visitors can see the sights of the city from Calgary Tower or walk down Stephen Avenue.

After that, travelers can stop at Banff National Park if they so choose to see Moraine Lake and the Valley of the Ten Peaks. Visitors can also stop at the Historic Cochrane Ranche, a museum where tourists can learn about the history of ranching in this area (Calgary isn't known as "Cow Town" for nothing!).

Visitors interested in history can stop at the small town of Rocky Mountain House, where they can stop at the Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site to learn about the fur trade and the Indigenous Peoples of the region. Finally, tourists can end their trip in the town of Mayerthorpe.

• Distance: 356.7 miles
• Notable stops: Lundbreck, Lundbreck Falls, Calgary, Calgary Tower, Stephen Avenue, Banff National Park, Moraine Lake, Valley of the Ten Peaks, Historic Cochrane Ranche, Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site, Mayerthorpe

The Irish Loop

Newfoundland, on Canada's eastern coast, is the fourth-largest island in the nation, and the Irish Loop is one of the best ways to experience it. One of many different scenic road trips in Newfoundland , this 193.8-mile loop will take tourists along rugged coasts, over suspension bridges, through pine forests, and through incredible nature reserves.

Tourists can start anywhere on the loop, but the best starting place is the provincial capital of St. John's, where visitors will see buildings painted with bright primary colors and an impressive basilica. Visitors can then head to La Manche Provincial Park, where visitors can see (and swim near!) stunning white waterfalls, and nearby can see the La Manche Suspension Bridge.

After that, visitors can see the incredible rock formation of the Berry Head Sea Arch. Next, visitors can explore the Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where tourists can see stunning rock formations and ancient fossils. Afterward, tourists can head to St. Vincent's Beach, where they'll relax and whale watch atop gorgeous gray sand.

Finally, one can hike, canoe, and look for wildlife at the Avalon Wilderness Reserve.

• Distance: 193.8 miles
• Notable stops: St. John's, La Manche Provincial Park, Berry Head Sea Arch, Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve, St. Vincent's Beach, Avalon Wilderness Reserve

Inuvik-Aklavik Ice Road

One of the most incredible roads in Canada is the Inuvik-Aklavik Ice Road. There is truly nothing like this in the entire world; the road is made almost entirely of ice! It runs across the MacKenzie River and the various lakes between, starting at Aklavik and ending at Inuvik.

As it's made of ice, each year, the road has to be rebuilt during early winter. The road is in place until early April. Something interesting is that these towns are not connected by highway during the summertime and are only accessible to each other directly by air or canoe.

The window of time travelers can experience this road is getting shorter and shorter each year due to climate change. Speed limits on this road are also only 70 km (43.4 miles) per hour due to the road being made of ice.

Tourists can start their journey in the town of Inuvik, where they can explore the beautiful Jàk Territorial Park. After that, in the wintertime, they can set out along the ice road to the town of Aklavik for one of the most unique road experiences of their lives. Here, they can see stunning views of the frozen MacKenzie River. They should also scour the boreal forest for local wildlife, like caribou, moose, polar bears, and wolves.

The Ice Road is a sight in and of itself, but there aren't man-made stops between Aklavik and Inuvik, so visitors are encouraged to traverse this road as a detour from the Dempster Highway that runs through Inuvik all the way to the northern town of Tuktoyaktuk on the Beaufort Sea.

• Distance: 72 miles
• Notable stops and activities: Inuvik, MacKenzie River, exploring the Boreal Forest, wildlife-watching, Aklavik,

Dempster Highway

One of the most ambitious highways in Canada for tourists to journey on is the Dempster Highway. This highway starts 25 miles east of Dawson City in the Yukon and runs all the way up to the city of Tuktoyaktuk on the Arctic Ocean. Visitors here will be able to see many unique and inspiring sights, like the official landmark marking the latitude of the Arctic Circle. People will even be able to experience the Midnight Sun, with 24 hours of daylight in the summertime!

Tourists can start their journey in at Tombstone Territorial Park, where visitors can see stunning and jagged black mountains as they hike. They can then head to Two Moose Lake for moose watching and further to Engineer Creek to hunt for fossilized coral. Afterward, they can head to the town of Inuvik, where they can explore the beautiful Jàk Territorial Park.

After that, they can head north to the Pingo National Landmark, where tourists can see and learn about Pingos (natural hills made from ice cores). While on the road, visitors should look for a variety of bird species, Arctic foxes, wolves, and polar bears. Finally, tourists can end their journey at the ocean town of Tuktoyaktuk.

• Distance: 458.3 miles
• Notable stops: Tombstone Territorial Park, Two Moose Lake, Engineer Creek, Inuvik, Jàk Territorial Park, Pingo National Landmark, Tuktoyaktuk

Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island is famous for its rolling green hills, its glassy ocean harbors, its red rock shores, and its adorable lighthouses. Tourists will be enthralled by the many beaches and bright green hills of this region, which served as inspiration for the famous novel Anne of Green Gables.

A road trip along Prince Edward Island will begin at East Point Lighthouse, an adorable white lighthouse with a red roof that faces out into the North Atlantic. After that, visitors can head to Prince Edward Island National Park, where tourists will encounter beautiful beaches, woodlands, ponds, and wildlife.

After an afternoon of hiking, visitors can head to the Green Gables Heritage Place in Cavendish. This historic site was originally the home of Maud Montgomery's relatives and served as the setting for her groundbreaking book, Anne of Green Gables. Visitors can then head to the charming town of Summerside, a coastal boardwalk town with Instagrammable pastel buildings. Finally, tourists can end their tip-to-tip road trip at North Point Lightstation.

• Distance: 159 miles
• Notable stops: East Point Lighthouse, Prince Edward Island National Park, Green Gables Heritage Place, Cavendish, Summerside, North Point Lightstation

Related: These Are The 10 Best Beaches On Prince Edward Island

Coquihalla Highway

The Coquihalla Highway runs North-South from Vancouver to Edmonton. This route will take tourists through snowy mountain passes, through forested valleys, and along spooky caverns. After beginning their journey in the artsy city of Vancouver, tourists can head to the Cascade Falls and Suspension Bridge, where tourists can see a giant waterfall amid a temperate rainforest.

After this, tourists can visit Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park. Here, they can explore scenic trails lined with waterfalls and rushing rivers. This location is also famous for the Othello Tunnels, man-made tunnels from the 19th century that tourists can explore today. After exploring this park, tourists can head north to the Coquihalla Summit Recreation Area, where they can see towering granite mountain peaks.

Next, tourists should head to Jasper National Park. This park is truly impressive; camping here for a few days is well worth it! After that, visitors can head to Edmonton, Canada's Festival City.

• Distance: 719.5 miles
• Notable stops: Cascade Falls and Suspension Bridge, Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park, Othello Tunnels, Coquihalla Summit Recreation Area, Jasper National Park, Edmonton

Bay Of Fundy Coast

Between the provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia is the Bay of Fundy, an estuary that leads into the Atlantic Ocean. This area is famous around the world for its unusually high tides and powerful ocean currents. With luck, tourists here should encounter a wide variety of sights and experiences, such as looking for North Atlantic right whales, seeing unique rock formations, and orange-rock beaches.

A Bay of Fundy Coast road trip starts in the coastal town of St. Andrews in New Brunswick. After stopping here, visitors should head to the City of Saint John, where visitors can see the Reversing Rapids. These rapids in the Saint John River collide with the strong tides of the bay, which creates the image of a reversal. After stopping here, visitors should head to Fundy National Park , where they can see more than 25 waterfalls and walk the Moosehorn Trail.

Next, tourists should head to the Hopewell Rocks, a unique series of rock formations formed by tidal erosion that characterize this region. Visitors can then head to Cape Chignecto Provincial Park to see old-growth forests and rugged cliffs facing the bay. After that, tourists should go to Blomidon Provincial Park to see a beach made up of orange sand underneath the shadow of red-rock cliffs.

Finally, a road trip along the Bay of Fundy ends in the town of Digby, where visitors can see an adorable ocean harbor.

• Distance: 110 miles
• Notable stops: St. Andrews (New Brunswick), City of Saint John, Reversing Rapids, Fundy National Park, Hopewell Rocks, Cape Cignecto Provincial Park, Blomidon Provincial Park, Digby

Related: 10 Best Tourist Attractions On The Bay Of Fundy Taking a road trip in Canada, whether tourists opt for the rolling green hills of Prince Edward Island or the tundra at the Arctic Circle, is something that should be on every adventurer's bucket list. There are miles and miles of untapped wilderness in this magnificent North American country to explore; all that's left is for tourists to pick their destination and hit the road to explore the most beautiful road trips in Canada!

Claudia Looi

Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow.   Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station  is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station  was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

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Moscow to Kostroma via Elektrostal

Moscow to kostroma road trip planner.

Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from Moscow to Kostroma. If you're planning a road trip to Kostroma, you can research locations to stop along the way. Make sure you check road conditions to double check the weather. Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the most talked about places recommended by Trippy members.

10:00 am  start in Moscow drive for about 1 hour

11:07 am   Elektrostal stay for about 1 hour and leave at 12:07 pm drive for about 1.5 hours

1:50 pm   Vladimir stay for about 1 hour and leave at 2:50 pm drive for about 1.5 hours

4:25 pm   Ivanovo stay for about 1 hour and leave at 5:25 pm drive for about 1 hour

6:31 pm  arrive in Kostroma

driving ≈ 5.5 hours

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Elektrostal Vladimir   (2 answers) Ivanovo

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