New Zealand North Island

New Zealand | North Island

New Zealand North Island

Most people in New Zealand live on the North Island and it is packed with things to see. In this two-week trip you can sample some of the highlights.

Day 1 – Auckland to Northland

Day 2 – Bay Of Islands

Day 3 – Kauri Coast

Day 4 – Auckland

Day 5 – Around Auckland

Day 6 – Coromandel Peninsula

Day 7 – Coromandel Peninsula

  • Cooks Beach
  • Flaxmill Cove
  • Shakespeare Lookout
  • Waiau Falls and Waiau Kauri Grove (54m drive)
  • Lodging – same place (night 2/2)

Day 8 – Hobbiton to Rotorua

Day 9 – Maori Culture and Geysers

Day 10 – Tongariro National Park

Day 11 – Napier

Day 12 – Wellington

Day 13 – Wellington

Day 14 – Fly Home

  • Fly home

In Depth Itinerary

Day 1 – Auckland

Realistically Day 1 will not put you in New Zealand. Depending on where you’re coming from and the International Date line you will most likely have a loss of a whole day. Plan accordingly. We had a great experience on New Zealand Airlines. Arrive at the Auckland airport and get a free shoe cleaning. No, seriously –  because this an ecologically sensitive Island the inspection people very kindly look at the soles of your hiking shoes and clean them before you’re allowed out onto the island. From Aukland take another flight to Kerikeri where you can pick up your rental car.

Drive to Waitangi Treaty Grounds which is an important historical site and the site of the signing of the first accord between the British Crown and the Maori people. Explore the two new contemporary museums, Te Rau Aroha, Te Kōngahu Museum of Waitangi, the carving studio, the Treaty House, Te Whare Rūnanga, and traditional Māori waka taua (war canoes).

Next drive to Paihia nearby. Take the Russell ferry from here to Russell which was the first permanent European settlement and seaport in New Zealand. Wander and explore the historic buildings and a pretty promenade of cafes, restaurants and art galleries before returning to Paihia.

Spend tonight at the Bay of Islands Beach Houses.

Day 2 – Bay Of Islands

Today you will spend on the water on a Island and Wildlife day cruise where you will also get a chance to swim with dolphins.

Spend your afternoon back in Paihia.

Day 3 – Kauri Coast

Spend your day driving along the Kauri Coast to Aukland.

First visit the Waipoua State Forest where you can hike to the largest Kauri tree. Next visit the Matakohe Kauri Museum which shows exhibits on the earliest pioneers and the history and use of the kauri tree. Afterwards visit Sheepworld. New Zealand is known for its sheep – they’re everywhere. Here you can visit a lovely park with amazing sheepdog demos. You can watch shearing and animal feeding and enjoy displays on wool history. Finally end up in Aukland.

Get drinks at Hallertau Brewery, Stafford Road Wine Bar, Annabels, Freida Margolis, Madame George, East St. Hall, or the Jefferson

We recommend heading to Stafford Road Wine Bar for a great introduction to New Zealand wines. You can also have a light dinner there. Other options for drinks include Hallertau Brewery, Annabels, Freida Margolis, Madame George, East St. Hall, and the Jefferson. For other dinner options consider Odettes Eatery, Pasture, Amano, Ortolana, North Park Restaurant and Bar, and Soul Bar and Bistro.

Stay at Ponsonby Manor, Breamar B and B, or Peace and Plenty Inn, Heritage Auckland.

Day 4 – Auckland

Start with breakfast at Buoy, Kingi, Orphans Kitchen, or Ozone.

Take a free walking tour (leaves from the docks). It’s a great introduction to both Auckland and New Zealand. After the tour grab a light lunch and ice cream at Lewis Road Creamery and take a ferry over to Davenport, a cute Victorian village across the bay which is fun to wander. You can visit Mt Victoria, North Head, Cheltenham Beach, and Victoria Road in Davenport. Don’t miss Devonport Chocolates made right there.

Ferry back to Aukland for dinner.

Day 5 – Around Auckland

After breakfast visit the wonderful Auckland Museum which has some really fantastic Maori artifacts / temples. It has other fascinating stuff as well – track down the Moa skeleton. You can visit the Aquarium. You can hike the Coast to Coast Walkway. You can ferry over to Waiheke Island via Fullers, have lunch at Oyster Inn and wine taste at Batch Winery.

Depending what you do, grab lunch at Mission by the Beach in beautiful Mission Bay.

Day 6 – Coromandel Peninsula

Drive to the Coromandel Peninsula, a lovely area not too far from Auckland.

First stop at Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve (Cathedral Cove). Park at the lot, change into your swimsuit, and hop on the bus to the trailhead. It’s about a half hour very scenic walk from here down to the beach. The scenery is spectacular – with sea stacks, lovely water and beach, and an arch. If it looks familiar it’s because it’s seemingly on every screensaver.

When you get back to your car you can head a short drive south to Hot water beach, best at low tide. Have lunch here at the Hotties Eatery.

Head to your lodging at Flaxmill Cove B and B. You can wander around the small town but we highly recommend getting reservations and grabbing dinner at Salt. After dinner grab the ferry back and drive back to Flaxmill.

Day 7 – Coromandel Peninsula

Head down to and Cooks Beach, Flaxmill Cove, and the view from Shakespeare Cliff for some spectacular scenery and then head to the end of the peninsula, park your car and grab the passenger (and sheep) ferry over to Whitianga.

Drive Waiau Falls and Waiau Kauri Grove (kauris are a native hardwood tree that was so valuable for its wood it was logged almost to extinction – big groves like this are national treasures).

Pick another place in town for dinner.

Day 8 – Hobbiton to Rotorua

After a great breakfast  head south to Hobbiton. It is probably good to have reservations as this is a popular attraction.

If you have zero interest in Lord of the Rings, you can instead do the Mount Maunganui hike and hot pools.

From here drive to Rotorua. Visit lake, or wander around Rotorua. Wander around the historic district, enjoy Rotorua Lake and park. Nearby you can visit the Buried Village of Te Wairoa archeologic sight.

For dinner head to Eat Street – an open air series of restaurants.

For lodging, check into Pohutu Vista, Black Swan, Kouto Beach B And B, or Peppers on the Point.

Day 9 – Maori Culture and Geysers

Visit Te Puia for a fascinating look at a geothermal valley that has been home to local Maori for hundreds of years. They have a great cultural show, carving and weaving schools, and a valley of mud pots and geysers. It’s worth several hours (eat lunch here).

From here make your way south toward Lake Taupo. There are several geothermal sights along the way – we enjoyed Orakei Korako where you ride a boat across a small lake to a thermal area with geysers and a large silica terrace and can take a walk through the extensive geothermal area.

From here drive south to the resort town of Lake Taupo.

Depending on what time it is, grab lunch or snacks at The Merchant of Taupo. You can also grab items here for a dinner picnic. For dinner, options include 2 Mile Bay Pizzas or The Bistro Taupo. 

For lodging we recommend Hilton Lake Taupo or Sails on the Lake.

Day 10 – Tongariro National Park

From Lake Taupo you can see large volcanoes just to the south of the lake – these are in Tongariro National Park. As you drive south along the lake you will come to a world famous fishing river – the Tongariro – home of reportedly large trout. If you so desire there are several fish guiding services in the area. Continue on to the national park. If the weather is good the Tongariro alpine crossing is supposed to be the best one day hike in the world. There are shuttle services to allow a one way walk. Allow enough time – there is a fair amount of climbing involved and its about 12.5 miles. If you want a mellower alternative that still gives you a taste of the mountain there is a nice shorter and flater loop hike to Taranki falls.

If you opted for the shorter walk when you return to Taupo join Sail Barbary for a lovely sail on the lake. You also could arrange to do this the day before if you plan to do the long trek.

Be sure and see Huka falls (basically right in town) at some point before you leave Taupo. While the falls are not high, they are impressive.

Day 11 – Napier

Drive to Napier and once you arrive do a Napier Walking Tour.

There is some great wine tasting in this region including Mission Estate, Church Road, Elephant Hill, Craggu Range, Te Mata, Black Barn or many others (as there are 76 in the region). Pick a couple to try. Visit the Hawke’s Bay Museum, home of the region’s taonga treasures. Head to Te Mata Peak for excellent views and many options for walks or hiking. Visit Marawtora Falls and swimming hole as well as Waimorama beach. End your day at Ocean Spa, heated outdoor saltwater pools.

Stay at The County Hotel, Pebble Beach Motor Inn, or Crown Hotel.

Day 12 – Wellington

From Taupo drive back south along the shores of the lake past the volcanoes and on the Wellington. It’s sort of a long drive today (4h46m) but the first part is pretty scenic. When you arrive in Wellington head to the docks and visit the New Zealand National Museum Te Papa Tongarewa.

From here it’s a short walk through downtown Wellington to the funicular which takes you up to the Botanical Gardens.

For drinks, head out to the Aro Valley area (a nice neighborhood near downtown) to Garage Project’s tap room. Have dinner right next door at Rita’s, or try Boulcott Street Bistro, Bouquet Garni, or Logan-Brown.

Check into your lodging at Hotel Mercure, Booklovers B&B, or Bolton Hotel.

Day 13 – Wellington

Spend your day again visiting Wellington. Today check out the historic government buildings and Old St Paul cathedral.

Head out of town to visit some of the Martinborough wineries. There are many options including  Schubert Wines, Martinborough Vineyard, Poppies Martinborough (consider lunch here too), and Te Kairanga Wines.

Day 14 – Fly Home

Either fly from Wellington to Aukland to fly home, or alternatively fly directly from Wellington.

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