Things to do in North Island of New Zealand is a treasure trove of experiences, from breathtaking landscapes to rich cultural encounters. Whether you're an adventure seeker, nature lover, or culture enthusiast, the North Island has something for everyone. Let's embark on a journey through the top things to do, ensuring your visit is filled with unforgettable moments.
Things to Do in North Island
New Zealand boasts some of the most picturesque beaches globally, and the North Island is no exception. Piha Beach welcomes surf enthusiasts with its roaring waves and black sand. At Hot Water Beach, you can dig your own thermal spa in the sand. Meanwhile, Cathedral Cove beckons with its stunning rock arch and crystal-clear waters. Each beach offers a unique and mesmerizing experience.
1. SPEND THE DAY ON WAIHEKE ISLAND
Let’s get started with one of our favorite experiences on the North Island of New Zealand…Waiheke Island.
This small island is located in the Hauraki Gulf, not far from Auckland. It is home to long stretches of beautiful beaches and coastlines, olive oil and gin distilleries, hiking trails, and restaurants.
But for many people, the biggest draw are the wineries. Waiheke Island is covered in vineyards, so wine tastings or a wine pairing with lunch or dinner are one of the best things to do on Waiheke Island.
Waiheke Island is an easy day trip from Auckland. Ferries between Waiheke Island and Auckland run throughout the day. Once on the island, you can get around by car, bus, or bicycle.
One day on Waiheke Island gives you enough time to visit a few wineries, have a leisurely lunch and/or dinner, and add in some activities such as olive oil tasting, gin tasting, ziplining, time at the beach, or the walk out to Stony Batter Historic Reserve.
2. ENJOY THE VIEW FROM CAPE REINGA
In Maōri, Te Rerenga Wairua means the leaping off of spirits. The Maōri believe that Cape Reinga is the point where spirits of the dead enter the underworld.
A lighthouse is perched at the end of the peninsula. From this point, you can watch as the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean meet.
To get here, drive State Highway 1 until it ends at the Cape Reinga parking area. From the parking lot, it is an 800-meter walk to the Cape Reinga lighthouse. It is worth walking all the way out to the lighthouse because the views from the walk and the lighthouse are incredible.
3. EXPLORE THE GEOTHERMAL AREAS
The center of the North Island, near Taupō and Rotorua, contains one of the most active geothermal areas in the world. Exploring this land of geysers, steaming hot pools, and bubbling mud is one of the most interesting things to do on the North Island.
At Te Puia, which is located in Rotorua, not only can you tour the geothermal pools and geysers, but you can also see kiwi birds, visit an arts and crafts institute, and watch a Maōri cultural performance. One of the highlights of the visit is seeing the Pōhutu geyser (the largest geyser in the Southern Hemisphere) which erupts twice an hour.
On June 10, 1886, a volcanic eruption of Mount Tarewera created the world’s youngest geothermal valley. This long, narrow valley is home to Frying Pan Lake (the world’s largest hot spring), the Inferno Crater (a brilliantly blue lake), and Lake Rotomahana. It is located near Rotorua.
This geothermal area is located south of Waimangu Volcanic Valley, about 30 km south of Rotorua. It is often called New Zealand’s most colorful geothermal area.
Watch as Lady Knox Geyser erupts (usually around 10:15 am daily), walk the boardwalk trails to see steaming thermal pools and colorful hot springs, and see the largest mud pool in New Zealand.
Orakei Korako Geothermal Park is a 30-minute drive north of Taupō. From the parking area, you will board a ferry for a short trip across Waikato River to the geothermal area (the ferry fee is included with the entrance fee). Boardwalk tracks lead to geysers, bubbling pools of mud, and steaming, colorful pools. It is one of the North Island’s most interesting places to visit.
Relax in the healing thermal waters, have a massage, and walk the short trails to the natural silica pools. This is one of the prettiest places in Taupō to lounge in the naturally heated waters, and these pools are adult only. For pricing, hours, and spa treatments, visit the official website.
At Hell’s Gate Geothermal Reserve and Mud Spa, take a geothermal walk and then bathe in the healing geothermal mud and sulfur waters. It’s one of the most unique “hot pool” experiences in New Zealand.
4. VISIT CATHEDRAL COVE
Cathedral Cove is one of the most picturesque places to visit on the North Island. This iconic beach is located on the Coromandel Peninsula. You can get to it by boat and by hiking. Taking a boat tour of the cove and the surrounding islands and coastal scenery is a great way to explore this part of New Zealand.
5. THE WAITANGI TREATY GROUNDS
This is where the Treaty of Waitangi (Te Tiriti o Waitangi) was first signed. This treaty is Aotearoa New Zealand’s founding document and it is a written agreement between the Maori chiefs and the British Crown to share power in New Zealand.
At the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, learn more about the Treaty of Waitangi at the Museum of Waitangi and the Museum of the Price of Citzenship, see Te Whare Rūnanga (a beautifully carved meeting house), visit the Treaty House, see the Ngātokimatawhaorua (the world’s largest ceremonial waka (canoe)).
6. THE BAY OF ISLANDS
Consisting of 144 islands, the Bay of Islands is known for its beautiful blue water, dramatic shorelines, and picturesque coves.
Popular places to visit in the Bay of Islands include Hole in the Rock, Urupukapuka Island (the largest island in the Bay of Islands), Otehei Bay (one of the bays at Urupukapuka Island), Russell, and Motuarohia Island (the original landing site of Captain Cook).
You can visit the Bay of Islands on a boat tour or a helicopter tour. A boat tour is more affordable but a helicopter tour gives a bird’s eye view of this stunning archipelago. Learn about the various tour options and how to have the best experience in our Guide to the Bay of Islands.
7. SEE THE GLOWWORMS IN WAITOMO
Seeing glowworms is one of the top experiences to have in New Zealand. There’s no better place to do this than in Waitomo.
Waitomo Glowworm Caves is the most popular option. Tours of this cave run all day, last about 45 minutes to an hour, and it is the best option if you want to see some glowworms on a quick visit.
At Ruakari Cave, just down the street from Waitomo Glowworm Caves, you can take a 1.5-hour guided tour of the cave, see and photograph the glowworms, and/or go blackwater rafting.
If you are visiting New Zealand with kids, this is an experience not to be missed. This was one of Tyler and Kara’s favorite activities in New Zealand when they were kids.
8. GO BLACKWATER RAFTING
Blackwater Rafting is one of the most adventurous things to do on the North Island of New Zealand.
Blackwater rafting is tubing down underground rivers in the semi-darkness. This experience also includes hiking, jumping off of waterfalls, army crawling through tunnels and openings, and in some cases, abseiling.
Since this is done in Ruakari Cave, you also get to see the glowworms and it is magical.
So, if you want to see the glowworms with a side of adventure, put blackwater rafting on your list. Learn all about it in our Guide to the Waitomo Caves.
9. SEE THE PUTANGIRUA PINNACLES
This geological formation, with its hoodoos and badlands appearance, slightly resembles Bryce Canyon or Badlands National Park in the USA. This was a filming location for The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
Before you go, check the DOC website for updates. At the time that I am writing this, the Putangirua Pinnacles are closed.
10. DRIVE THE TWIN COAST DISCOVERY HIGHWAY
The Twin Coast Discovery Highway is an 800 km/500-mile driving loop in Northland (the northernmost region of New Zealand).
On this drive, you will visit several other places that show up on this list, including Cape Reinga, Ninety Mile Beach, and Waipoua Forest. You can add on places like the Bay of Islands and the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.
It takes several days to drive the Twin Coast Discovery Highway. Learn more in our Guide to Northland (coming soon).
11. HIKE THE TONGARIRO ALPINE CROSSING
Labeled as the best single day hike in New Zealand, some people even consider this hike to be best single day hike in the world.
Here is your chance to hike in the shadow of Mt. Doom, walk through an almost lunar landscape, and watch as semi-dormant volcanoes smoke not too far off in the distance.
This hike is 19.4 km (12 miles) point-to-point, moderate to strenuous in difficulty, and takes 6 to 8 hours. Learn more about the hike, and see a lot more photos, in our Guide to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.
12. EAT AND DRINK YOUR WAY THROUGH WELLINGTON
Wellington is home to a huge number of coffee shops, craft beer breweries, gourmet restaurants, and cocktail bars, making it an excellent place to visit in New Zealand for foodies.
This city is famous for being the craft beer capital of New Zealand. Touring the Craft Capital Beer Trail is one of the best things to do here.
There is also a long list of highly rated restaurants in Wellington. Shed 5 Bar & Restaurant is located on the waterfront and serves amazing seafood. We had excellent Italian at Nicolini’s. Logan Brown (European), The Old Quarter (Asian), Ortega Fish Shack (seafood), and Ombra (Italian) also get great reviews.
For more information about what there is to see and do in Wellington, check out our Guide to Wellington.
13. SEE NEW ZEALAND’S LARGEST TREE
Kauri trees are native to New Zealand. By volume, these can grow to be the largest trees in the country. Their trunk diameters can become a massive 5 meters in diameter and they can grow to be 40 to 50 meters tall.
Tāne Mahuta is the largest tree in New Zealand. To see this tree, visit the Waipou Forest, which is located near the west coast of Northland.
Park at the parking lot on State Highway 12 and it is a 5-minute walk on a boardwalk trail to see this ancient tree. According to the sign that stands next to the tree, Tāne Mahuta is over 2,000 years old and over 50 meters tall.
14. PHOTOGRAPH MOUNT TARANAKI
Mount Taranaki is a dormant stratovolcano that is located on the southwest corner of the North Island. This is a popular photography and trekking location in New Zealand.
This mountain was named after Rua Taranaki, the first ancestor of the Maōri tribe (iwi) called Taranaki. On maps, it appeared as Mount Egmont (the name given to the volcano by Captain Cook) until 1986, when the name officially became “Mount Taranaki or Mount Egmont.”
This volcano sits within Egmont National Park. In the summer, it’s possible to climb to the summit of Mount Taranaki in a day, for those who are fit, fast, and experienced. In the winter, this volcano becomes a skiing destination. All year round, photographers photograph Mount Taranaki from all angles.
15. SEE HUKA FALLS
Huka Falls sits just outside of the Taupo city center. You can drive here, cycle here, mountain bike here, or take a cruise or jetboat ride to the base of the falls.
16. EXPLORE THE SHIRE AT HOBBITON
Hobbiton was constructed in 1999 for the filming of the Lord of the Rings trilogy and then later rebuilt as a permanent structure for the filming of the The Hobbit trilogy. Now the owners of the farm, the Alexanders, run tours to see the movie set.
It is amazing the level of detail that went into designing this set, everything from the scale of the houses to the landscaping to prop design. Being here almost made Tim and I feel like kids again, wanting to explore these tiny hobbit houses and hideaways. You don’t have to be a Lord of the Rings or Hobbit fan in order to enjoy a visit here, but it helps to be a kid at heart.
The only way to see Hobbiton is with a tour. Tours run several times a day starting at 9:30 am and go all day. You can also take an Evening Banquet Tour, a Second Breakfast Tour, or book a tour in Chinese.
17. WATCH A MAŌRI CULTURAL PERFORMANCE
The hāngī is traditionally cooked Maori food. Chicken, meat and kumara are cooked in an earth oven and then served in a buffet.
There are several places on the North Island to watch a Maōri Cultural Performance. We did this at the Mitai Maōri Village in Rotorua. This 3-hour experience includes a welcoming ceremony, watching as warriors paddle a canoe on the Wai-o-Whiro stream, a buffet hangi dinner, and a cultural performance.
In Rotorua, you can also attend a Maori cultural experience at Te Puia. A similar experience is also offered at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.
18. VISIT THE HISTORIC TOWN OF RUSSELL
This small coastal town is located in the Bay of Islands. It is a delight to stroll through, with a charming waterfront area and collection of restaurants.
While in Russell, have dinner at the Duke of Marlborough, enjoy the view from Flagstaff Hill, and see Christ Church, New Zealand’s oldest church.
19. GO WINE TASTING IN MARTINBOROUGH
Martinborough is one of New Zealand’s top wine regions. There are over 20 cellar doors to visit as well as a sprinkling of gourmet restaurants. You can day trip to Martinborough from Wellington or spend the night here in a boutique hotel.
This small group 5-hour tour takes care of your transportation and includes a visit to three wineries.
This is a longer tour (about 10 hours) but includes a scenic drive over the Remutaka Ranges, a visit to a few wineries, and a drive along the coastline to see the Ngawi seal colony.
20. GO ZORBING
Zorbing is similar to sliding down a water slide. The inside of the zorb is filled with a thin layer of water. You sit inside the ball, in your swimsuit, and as the zorb rolls downhill, you slide on the bottom of the ball, bouncing around a bit, but never tumbling upside down.
ZORB Rotorua is the only place in New Zealand where you can go zorbing. Learn more on the official website.
21. SEE A KIWI
The kiwi is a flightless, nocturnal bird that is native to New Zealand. There are several different species of this bird and most of them are threatened. Deforestation and the introduction of predators have contributed to the huge decline in the number of kiwis in New Zealand.
It’s very rare that you will see a kiwi in the wild, both because their numbers are low and because they are only active at night.
On the North Island, the best place to see a kiwi is the National Kiwi Hatchery in Rotorua.
The National Kiwi Hatchery is one of the largest and most successful kiwi hatcheries in the world. When you visit the hatchery, 100% of your entrance fee is put back into their program. The only way to visit the hatchery is on a guided tour.
22. SEE THE MĀORI ROCK CARVINGS
Take a cruise on Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake, to see the Ngātoroirangi Mine Bay Māori Rock Carvings. These rock carvings look like they are ancient, but they were carved by Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell in the 1970’s.
To see the carvings, you can take a 1.5-hour cruise on Lake Taupō with Chris Jolly Outdoors, which also included a cruise along the east side of the lake, with views of the hot water beach and the town of Taupō. You can also view the carvings on this helicopter tour.
23. SPEND A DAY OR TWO IN AUCKLAND
Auckland is the largest city in New Zealand. With its beautiful setting on the Hauraki Gulf, its parks and walking trails, vibrant food and wine scene, and endless day trip options, the list of things to do in Auckland is relatively long.
While in Auckland, enjoy the view from the Sky Tower, go whale watching, visit the Auckland Art Gallery and Auckland War Memorial Museum, have dinner in Viaduct Harbour, and enjoy the view from Mount Eden. Our favorite experience here was day tripping to Waiheke Island.
Learn more about Auckland in our article 20 Amazing Things to Do in Auckland and plan your time with our Auckland Itinerary.
24. DRIVE NINETY MILE BEACH
For one of the most unique driving experiences in New Zealand, drive Ninety Mile Beach from Ahipara to Scott Point.
This 88 km beach is used as a “highway.” It is located along the northernmost stretch of the North Island, ending near Cape Reinga.
To drive on the beach, you must have a 4WD vehicle. If you don’t have a 4WD vehicle, you can get views of this long expanse of sand from the town of Ahipara and the Te Paki Sand Dunes.
25. WALK OR MOUNTAIN BIKE AMONGST THE REDWOODS
Sitting beside Rotorua is the Whakarewarewa Forest, a forest of 100+ year old coastal redwoods. Some of these trees are now 75 meters tall.
Mountain biking on the trails that weave through the forest is a very popular thing to do here. Our favorite experience is the Redwoods Treewalk, which is a series of 28 suspension bridges that hover 20 meters above the forest floor. These bridges form a 700-meter loop and along this walk you get an incredible view of the Redwood trees.
We did the walk during the daytime, which was very nice. But for an even more memorable experience, you can also do the treewalk in the evening, when the forest is illuminated, creating a magical experience.
26. GO SANDBOARDING AT TE PAKI
Sitting on the remote north end of New Zealand is an unexpected landscape. Giant sand dunes rise from the ocean’s edge, creating the perfect spot to go sandboarding.
The Te Paki Giant Sand Dunes sit on the north end of New Zealand, next to Ninety Mile Beach and a short drive from Cape Reinga.
To get here, turn onto Te Paki Stream Road from State Highway 1. This road ends at the parking lot for the Te Paki Sand Dunes. At this parking lot are several stands renting sandboards.
To get out onto the dunes, you will first have to cross Te Paki Stream and then it is a short but tiring hike onto the dunes.
A visit here lasts anywhere from an hour to half of a day, depending on what you plan to do here. The sand dunes are free to visit.
27. GO SCUBA DIVING AT POOR KNIGHTS MARINE RESERVE
The Poor Knights Islands is a small archipelago that sits of the east coast of Northland. This is a popular scuba diving and snorkeling spot. You can take a cruise to the islands or join a scuba diving or snorkeling tour. Learn more here.
28. VISIT THE WAITĀKERE RANGES
Not far from Auckland, on the west coast of the North Island, is a stretch of beautiful coastline. There are several unique beaches here to visit.
Karekare Beach is a gorgeous black sand beach. We visited this beach on a Sunday morning in May and almost had the entire beach to ourselves.
Farther north, Anawhata Beach is smaller but more remote. Te Henga (Bethells Beach) and Muriwai Beach are two more gorgeous beaches to visit.
29. RELAX AT HOT WATER BEACH
Bring a shovel, dig a hole, and relax in the warm waters that bubble up from the ground.
Hot Water Beach is located on the Coromandel Peninsula. This is a great activity to combine with a visit to Cathedral Cove, mentioned earlier on this list.
30. VISIT THE CASTLEPOINT LIGHTHOUSE
For photographers and beach lovers, this is not to be missed. Sitting on the east coast of the North Island is the Castlepoint Lighthouse. This lighthouse overlooks a gorgeous beach and rugged coastal scenery, making this another excellent photography location in New Zealand.
FAQs
Q: What are the must-try dishes in North Island?
Indulge in traditional Maori Hangi, a feast cooked in an earth oven, or savor the fresh seafood along Wellington's waterfront. Don't forget to explore the exquisite wines of Hawke's Bay.
Q: Are there any family-friendly activities in Rotorua?
Absolutely! Rotorua offers family-friendly Maori cultural experiences, geothermal parks, and the thrilling Skyline Rotorua Gondola.
Q: Is it safe to try adventurous activities like bungee jumping?
Yes, New Zealand has strict safety regulations for adventure sports. Always choose reputable operators and follow safety guidelines.
Q: What's the best time to visit the North Island?
The North Island is delightful year-round, but for outdoor activities, the months from November to April offer the best weather.
Q: Can I explore Hobbiton if I'm not a fan of "The Lord of the Rings"?
Absolutely! Hobbiton's charm extends beyond the movie, offering a picturesque and whimsical experience for all visitors.
Q: Are there budget-friendly accommodation options in the Bay of Islands?
Yes, the Bay of Islands provides a range of accommodation options, from luxury resorts to budget-friendly hotels and hostels.
Conclusion
Exploring the North Island of New Zealand is a journey filled with wonders, adventures, and cultural richness. Whether you're hiking in national parks, indulging in culinary delights, or relaxing in geothermal pools, the North Island promises an experience like no other. Plan your itinerary, embrace the diversity, and create memories that will last a lifetime.
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