Top 20 Best Things to Do in North Island of New Zealand

New Zealand is a coveted destination by many and in the two main landmasses that comprise it, it’s no news that the South Island (Te Waipounamu) typically steals most of the tourists’ attention — however, there are a lot of amazing things to do in North Island (Te Ika-a-Māui) that everyone should NOT miss out on too!

In fact, apart from the usual sublime combination of forests and mountains, the North Island is highly known for its wild surf beaches (particularly on the west coast and the Coromandel Peninsula), geothermal activity (as per Taupo and Rotorua’s wonders), cultural concentration (given that the Māori are primarily concentrated there), and LOTR origin (think of the famous Hobbiton and Weta Workshop).

Clearly, there are an array of spectacular activities that you can check off of your bucket list here. In fact, to make it a whole lot easier for you, I have listed below the top must-do’s and must-sees for your New Zealand adventure in the North Island! The best part…? You can do most of these epic activities if you join a road trip adventure with Wild Kiwi!

READ:
– Things to Do in South Island of New Zealand
– Ultimate New Zealand Road Trip Itinerary

Top photo by: Shutterstock

» Quick Travel Planning

Top Things to Do in North Island

1. Have some ocean fun

Photo by: Shutterstock

Pristine beaches, legendary surf, and rugged cliffs — North Island’s coastline is the perfect place to relax or catch some waves!

• Auckland: Called the “City of Sails”, you should not leave this hub without exploring its coast and nearby islands — from the famed Rangitoto Volcano to the lush Waiheke Island. Otherwise, you can frolic around the black sand beaches of Karekare and Muriwai, and then pop over to Piha to surf and explore Lion Rock. If you’re rather looking for a sailing experience, you can do a harbor cruise tour or better yet, get a taste of what it’s like to yacht race in one of the world’s most prestigious sailing regatta.
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• Bay of Islands: With over 140 subtropical islands in its enclave, this is a great destination in the summer since it is full of hidden beaches and great terrains. Start your journey from the seaport of Russells which is the first permanent European settlement in New Zealand as you explore historic buildings and promenades. Afterward, some of the things you must see in this group of islands are Urupukapuka Island and Rainbow Warrior (shipwreck in Matauri Bay).
  TIP: Wanna travel with ease? Book a tour to the Bay of Islands and Waitangi here.
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• Coromandel Peninsula: This natural wonder has two top highlights…
  • Hot Water Beach at Mercury Bay = This place is unique for its underground geothermal hot springs that can easily be ‘accessed’ by digging through the sand because it is then that the hot water escapes through the surface — thereby forming somewhat of a hot water pool for visitors.
  • Cathedral Cove (Te Whanganui-A-Hei) Marine Reserve = With its beautiful white sand, turquoise waters, and towering rock formations, this place is quite a sight! I assure you that the hike to this cove is worth the effort; besides, the pathway here is well-known for being the opening scene from the movie Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.
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• Raglan: This small coastal town is famous for its overall surf culture and its black sands on Ngarunui Beach. As one of the world’s longest left-hand surf break, it will be quite an experience to surf here!

2. Experience natural spas

Photo by Polynesian Spa

The place to be is in Rotorua given its unique geothermal activity which steams up from just about anywhere: from the town’s pavements, the geyser fields, the mud pools, and the hot springs. As such, you should take advantage of this thermal experience by visiting the following…

• Polynesian Spa: Voted as one of the world’s top 10 spas, this lakeside establishment is renowned for its healing waters and decadent therapies since the 1800s. Basically, waters from two natural springs are fed into their 28 hot mineral pools, so there’s plenty to go around for everyone! (See their website here).
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• Hell’s Gate: For a different experience, Hell’s Gate is best known for its mud baths and sulfurous spas, reminiscent of the bathing and beauty therapies practiced by the Maori people. If I may share a tip, follow it up with a traditional Maori ‘Miri Miri’ massage that they have. (Book your relaxation retreat here).

TIP: You could also discover thermal pools to bathe in at the forest of Kerosene Creek or at the ‘hot water beach’ of Lake Tarawera.

3. Try white water rafting

This is a great thing to do with your family or friends when in Rotorua’s Kaituna River! This is actually one of the things to do in North Island that I made sure to check and it surely turned out to be an extraordinary experience!

We went through steep native bush canyons and over 14 rapids and 3 waterfalls, including the world-renowned 7-meter Tutea Falls which is the ‘Highest Commercially Rafted Waterfall in the World’! Truth be told, this was my first white water rafting activity of all time and it was absolutely a great first. (Best to book this with Kaitiaki).

TIP: Another place where you can do this is in Tongariro River near Taupō.

4. Visit breweries, wineries & vineyards

Not a lot of people know this but New Zealand does not only have great wine but also great beer! The best place for this in the North Island would have to be the premier wine region of Hawke’s Bay which has been often called the ‘Wine Country’. So for starters, go crazy on the red and white wines there — but more so on the red since the region is a leading producer of full-bodied red wines. When it comes to beer, take note of the craft beer of Hawkes Bay Brewing Co. in Napier.

In case you can’t go to Hawke’s Bay, check out the tours below that are held near the major cities of the North Island:

• From Auckland: Auckland Highlights with Wine Tasting at Waiheke Island
• From Wellington: Martinborough Gourmet Wine Tour

5. Go up high

As the land of adventure and breathtaking landscapes, admiring New Zealand from up high is a MUST on your things to do in North Island!

• Sky diving: Dive with highly-trained tandem skydiving instructors and free fall from thousands of feet in the air — it’s sure to be an experience that will leave you speechless (and you’ll even get to go home with bragging rights!). For this, I suggest doing it either in Auckland or Taupo on the North Island.
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• Sky Walk: Get the best vantage point of Auckland city from the 192-meter Sky Tower, the highest building in New Zealand! (To book your spot, go here). In this experience, you will basically walk on a 1-meter wide platform with no handrails, but with a safety harness of course. While you walk 360 degrees around this tower, you’ll get to stop at various points to have your photo taken, learn more of Auckland’s history, as well as lean over the edge.

6. Go jump

Photo by Taupo Bungy

Did you know that New Zealand invented bungy jumping? …Well okay, technically, people in Oceania have been leaping from tall towers for centuries — BUT, it was a group of Kiwis who commercialized bungee / bungy jumping in the 1980s, and as you know, the rest is history. Given this fact, it will be a blast to challenge your fears and do a bungee jump in the country that started it all. For the best places, see below…

• Auckland: Sky Tower Jump or Bridge Bungy
• Taupo: Taupo Bungy (done over Waikato River at 47 meters high and this is the highest water touch bungee in New Zealand).

7. Go fast

Photo by Huka Falls Jet

There are various things to do in North Island that will let you go through a fast and thrilling experience…

• Luge: Somewhat of a mix between a go-kart (without the engine) and a toboggan (without the snow), Rotorua’s “Luge” is a fun and fast-paced adventure activity that is great for people of all ages! I enjoyed this so much and a lot of people even say that this place is better than the Luge activity found in South Island’s Queenstown, so go and give this a try!
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• Jet Boat: This is an adrenaline-pumping activity that was invented by New Zealand. So if you like speed, spins, and thrills combined with marvelous water scenery, going on a jet boating activity will be worth your while! I have gone through this experience myself with Hukafalls Jet in Taupo and it was loads of fun!
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• Zorb: Also called ‘globe riding’, zorbing involves rolling down a hill inside a huge inflatable ball. Invented in 1994 in New Zealand, this has become one of the ‘must-do’ activities when in the country and it often gives you the chance to choose the kind of trail that you’ll go through — may it be zigzag or straight!

8. Kayaking

There are diverse kayaking opportunities in the North Island wherein you can get up close with nature’s spectacular coastal formations in clear subtropical waters. Some of the best places to do it are Auckland, the Bay of Islands, Lake Taupo, and Lake Rotoiti (Tasman) among many others.

…Better yet, if you ever sight a body of water, look for the nearest kayaking shop to rent some for you and your family and friends!

9. Chase After Waterfalls & Lakes

Whangarei Falls photo by: Shutterstock

With New Zealand’s majestic natural terrain, there is always a gorgeous waterfall or lake nearby — wherever you may be. Some of the notable ones will be…

• Lake Taupo: This is a breathtaking lake that is actually the caldera of the Taupo Volcano. As the largest lake by surface area in New Zealand, one of the popular things to do here other than kayaking is sailing in order to enjoy its waters or to go fishing. Plus, one spectacular stopover for your things to do in North Island will be the iconic Mine Bay Maori Rock Carvings which are made up of several individual carvings that each have their own story and meaning.
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• Bridal Veil “Waireinga” Falls: Found in Pakoka River in the Waikato area, this plunge waterfall is 55 meters high and with its power, it has formed a large pool at its base over time.
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• Whangarei Falls: Arguably the most photogenic waterfall in New Zealand, this 26-meter waterfall has ample walkways around and along the river and is a popular picnic spot since the 80s.
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• Huka Falls: This powerful yet astonishing set of bluish waterfalls on the Waikato River drains onwards to Lake Taupo. It is said that per second, the volume of water flowing through it often approaches 220,000 liters! For an extraordinary experience, don’t forget to try jet boating with Hukafalls Jet here!
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• Lake Waikaremoana: Located in Te Urewera, you will find here one of New Zealand’s 9 “Great Walks” which is the Lake Waikaremoana track that involves a 3 to 4-day tramping (vigorous walking). This approximately follows half of the lake’s circumference as you go through pristine rainforest, wetlands, valleys of mist, waterfalls, rivers, and a magical ‘goblin forest’.

10. Cycling

If you’re into biking, no matter if you’re a beginner or not, New Zealand is a great place to do it in — rest assured, there are plenty of rental providers that you can find during your stay. To start off, there are several “Great Rides” in Nga Haerenga (“The Journeys”) trail to choose from for every age and ability and some of the places to do it in are in…

• Hawke’s Bay Trails
• Rimutaka Cycle Trail
• Great Lake Trail

For a complete list, see here.

14. Watch a rugby game

Photo by: Shutterstock

If you’re mad for rugby like the Kiwis — most especially to their beloved ‘All Blacks’ national team (who I first discovered by watching a viral video of their powerful ‘Ka Mate’ haka performance) — then, there is no better place to indulge in this affair than to watch a game of the All Blacks in their home ground which is in Eden Park in Auckland!

For a national game, prices are usually between NZ$20 to $30 per person, while international games are about NZ$60 to $150, depending on where you choose to sit.

15. Eat, eat, eat!

New Zealand’s cuisine is largely influenced by America, Europe, and Southeast Asia and is closely related to Australia. Whereas Maori cuisine is a different thing altogether; to give you an idea, below is a list of food that you must try as a part of your things to do on North Island!

• Afghans: Crunchy chocolate cookies
• Crayfish: If you’re from the Philippines like me, shelling out about NZ$80 might be overkill, but New Zealand fishermen pride themselves when catching this so give it a try!
• Fish and chips: This might not be an original of New Zealand but it’s a vital part of the local food
• Hangi: You can best try this traditional Maori cooking method if you join one of the Maori cultural village tours
• Hokey Pokey: A vanilla ice cream mixed with caramelized sugar
• L&P (Lemon & Paeroa): This is a soft drink that’s proudly made by Kiwis. I’m not into soft drinks but I love this for its sweet lemony taste
• Lamb: This meat is cheaper in the country — after all, the sheep population is larger than New Zealand’s human population!
• Manuka honey: You’ll find a lot of things in New Zealand mixed with this and it makes sense to bring home a jar as a souvenir too
• Paua: A large sea snail that is eaten raw, fried, etc. (The shell of this snail is beautiful, by the way!)
• Pavlova: I am in LOVE with this meringue dessert which has a crispy outer layer and soft inner core
• Meat or mince pie: Kiwis love their mince pies and this is basically a pastry filled with meat and gravy
• Tuatua: Eating this kind of shellfish is believed to be a Maori tradition
• Whitebait fritter: A kind of omelet mixed with small juvenile fish
• Wine and cheese: New Zealand has a great wine region and for the best indulgence, pair a fruity red wine with cheddar cheese

16. Go hiking or trekking / tramping

Photo by: Shutterstock

Choose from any of the following…

• Any of the “Great Walks”: See the complete list here.
  • Wanna trek through Mordor? Check the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in Tongariro National Park.
• Do the Cape Brett Walkway: This is a challenging yet rewarding coastal hike in the Bay of Islands.
• Coromandel Coastal Walk: Meanders through forests and gives great sights over Coromandel Pinnacles, Great Barrier Island, Port Charles, and Cuvier Island.

17. Climb mountains and summits

Mount Ruapehu photo by: Shutterstock

Key options would be to…

• Visit mountains:
  • Mount Ruapehu: This is the highest mountain on the North Island, and though it is an active volcano, it is enjoyed by a lot of hikers, skiers, and snowboarders.
  • Mount Taranaki: The 2nd highest mountain on North Island. Climbing this is quite hard but the views from up high will be worth it.
  • Mount Taranaki: Also called Mount Egmont, this is an active volcano that is said to be the most perfectly formed in the country. Climbing its top should only be attempted in good weather and by experienced trampers — with good weather being from February to mid-April. (For more info, go here).
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• Go up Rangitoto Summit: An Auckland icon, this grants great panoramic views of the cityscape as you go through lava fields and forests.

18. Marvel at glow worms and explore caves

Photo by Waitomo Glowworm Cave

Waitomo is a village that is well known for its extensive underground cave systems, and as a visitor, you can do the following…

• Waitomo Glowworm Cave: Do you want to see stars up close — or better yet, see a galaxy of ‘tiny living lights’? With this tour, you will be gliding silently on a boat through Waitomo River as you go through the “starry” wonderland of the Glowworm Grotto which has thousands of tiny glowworms (Arachnocampa luminosa) that radiate a luminescent bluish light in the dark. Mind you, these creatures are unique to New Zealand only!
  • TIP: If you’re up for it, you can get a packaged tour where you not only get to visit the Waitomo Caves but also Hobbiton from Auckland.
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• Ruakuri Cave: Much like the main Waitomo Glowworm Cave, the Ruakuri Cave tour offers the magical experience of sighting glowworms up close; but more than this, you’ll be winding your way through spectacular limestone formations and crystal tapestries.
  • TIP: If you want a more adventurous experience, black water rafting is the best choice for you as you abseil, weave, jump, climb and float through the stunning underworld of Ruakuri Cave and a few waterfalls too.
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• Aranui Cave: Though this is the smallest out of Waitomo’s 3 main caves, visiting Aranui Cave will rather give you a closer look at all the stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones, and other limestone formations.

19. Witness the wildlife

Photo by Zealandia

New Zealand has long evolved into a continent with unique flora and fauna, so if you want to sight its local wildlife, go and visit any of the following spots…

• Zealandia Sanctuary: This is a protected natural area in Wellington wherein 225 hectares of forest are being restored. To date, this is said to be the world’s first fenced urban eco-sanctuary and it has since helped increased the number of sightings of species such as tui and kākā. Other than these, you can also see the Little Spotted Kiwi, glowworms, and other native wildlife here. (To buy a ticket, go here).
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• Rainbow Spring Nature Park: A compact zoo in Rotorua with a kiwi hatchery and interactive animal encounters. (To buy a ticket, go here).
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• Cape Kidnappers: This cape is home to the largest and most accessible gannet (seabird) colony in the world.
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• Red Rocks Reserve: This easy coastal walk from Owhiro Bay will lead you to an amazing fur seal colony with pups.
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• Tiritiri Matangi Island: This island on the Hauraki Gulf is a stunning wildlife sanctuary for the country’s native birds and endangered species. It is also home to a 150-year-old lighthouse, a network of trails, and pristine beaches.
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• Tāwharanui Marine Reserve: The best way to enjoy this reserve is to do either diving or snorkeling so that you can observe its colorful reefs and fishes. Truth be told, dolphins and orcas are even often sighted in the area.

20. Visit geothermal wonders

Wai O Tapu photo by: Shutterstock

Rotorua is packed with several geothermal parks that will leave you in awe, and if I may suggest, you should choose from any of these top 3 places (and then steel your sense of smell!)

• Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland: This showcases New Zealand’s most colorful and unique active geothermal elements that have been sculpted by thousands of years of volcanic activity. (Book your ticket here).
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• Te Puia: Other than being a Maori cultural village, Te Puia is famous for its geothermal activity, especially that of its Pōhutu Geyser which is said to be the largest geyser in the southern hemisphere. It also erupts once or twice every hour at heights that could reach 30 meters!
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• Hell’s Gate Geothermal Park and Mud Spa: Other than witnessing boiling pools and erupting waters, you could also enjoy their hot spring services that are coupled with a therapeutic mud and sulfur spa. (Book a spot here).
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• White Island: This is the country’s most active cone volcano and it is found on the Bay of Plenty. Despite its roaring gases and bubbling mud pools, it is actually possible to step foot on this live volcano’s inner crater through a tour! So if you’re up for a once-in-a-lifetime trip, go and grab this chance.

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New Zealand Travel Guide

» Best Time to Visit

Technically, there is NEVER a bad time to go to New Zealand; yet of course, since both the North and South Islands are long and narrow, the weather is not uniform. So as an overview, below are New Zealand’s seasons:

• Winter: (June to August) Queenstown for instance will be your winter wonderland, but there surely are a number of ski areas around the country. If you come in June you can enjoy the Queenstown Winter Festival.
• Spring: (September to November) This is one of the ‘off peak’ seasons as you get to enjoy warmer days and longer daylight hours.
• Summer: (December to February) This is the most popular time; hence, the busiest — but the beaches are great during this time of the year. Take note by the way that January will be the warmest month. Thinking about this, New Zealand is a great escape for these months of the year if you want to get away from harsh winters.
• Autumn: (March to May) This time is gorgeous as the leaves change colors and it’s also one of the best times to plan a getaway or a hiking spree since the summer crowds are mostly gone. To add, rates are on an ‘off peak’ level.

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» Getting in to New Zealand

By air. Auckland International Airport (AKL) is New Zealand’s largest airport, followed by Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown, and Dunedin. To search for the best flight deals, I highly recommend scanning through SkyScanner.

Meanwhile, you can reach the city from the airport by Airbus Express (NZ$16), shuttle vans, or taxi (can be NZ$50 to NZ$100). Uber has a flat rate of NZ$70, whereas Zoomy charges between NZ$39 to NZ$66.

By boat. Auckland is a major cruise ship port of call with its main cruise terminal located on Queens Wharf.

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» Visa for New Zealand

You can check this list of countries to see who does NOT need tourist visas to enter New Zealand. Naturally, if you’re NOT a citizen of any of the listed countries, you will then need to apply for a tourist visa in the New Zealand embassy that’s near you. (If you’re a Philippine citizen like me, you can read my guide on ‘How to Apply for a New Zealand Visa‘.)

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» Where to Stay (New Zealand Accommodations)

There is a wide range of accommodations in New Zealand for you to choose from. To search for the best accommodations at the best prices, I suggest checking out Agoda and Booking.com. But if you’re rather interested in renting comfortable houses, check AirBnB.

For a list of the top South Island accommodations, see my posts below…

For a list of the top accommodations, see my posts below…

• Best Hotels in Auckland
• Best Hotels in Wellington

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» New Zealand Currency

New Zealand Dollar (NZD) wherein about NZD 1.40~ is equal to USD $1, €0.85~ or Php 50~ (this is as of May 2021).

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» Cost of Travel in New Zealand

The average cost of living in New Zealand is quite high so it can be quite an investment; nevertheless, I’m telling you as early as now that it will be worth every penny!

To give you an idea, you should expect to travel in New Zealand with an average daily cost of about USD $65~ per person on a budget, or at least $130~ if you want to experience more comfort on activities, tours, hotels, and more. (Values below show low budget to medium budget ranges).

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» How to Get Around New Zealand’s North Island

By air. Doing domestic flights from one place to another is very easy in New Zealand and they are often cheaper than driving or taking trains. Some of the airlines you can choose from are Air New Zealand, Virgin Australia, and Jetstar.

By car. Driving in New Zealand is absolutely calm and pleasant (you drive on the left), that’s why a lot of visitors opt to go on road trips when visiting the country. It helps to note though that gas and rental fees can be quite expensive, this is why a lot of people who have a long holiday in the country would rather prefer to buy a car or van and then resell it before leaving — or better yet, they just join road trip tours that will take them to the best spots! My recommendation? Check out Wild Kiwi! I went with them during my stay in New Zealand and I had a blast!

By bus. This is a relatively cheap way to get around New Zealand but it helps to note that services between major towns are usually only once per day and that the buses tend to get full, so it helps to book a few days in advance (doing so can also help you score bargains). Some of the major lines are Atomic Shuttles, Flying Kiwi, InterCity, and Kiwi Experience.

By train. Both Auckland and Wellington have commuter rail services and they are operated by AT Metro in Auckland and Metlink in Wellington. Meanwhile, inter-city rail passenger services are operated by ‘Great Journeys of New Zealand’ and they rather focus on tourist trains which pass through spectacular scenery and have a running commentary, panoramic windows, and an open-air viewing carriage (an example of which is ‘The Northern Explorer’ which runs between Auckland and Wellington).

By bicycle. If you’re up for the challenge, riding a motorcycle or cycling is a great way to go around the landscapes of New Zealand, and it’s fairly easy to get a rental.

Meanwhile, when you’re mapping out your day-to-day route, just use Google Maps because it will show in detail the fastest connections you can do (by walking, by car, by bus, and by train). To stay connected while you’re on the road, pack a pocket WiFi!

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» Safety in New Zealand

There isn’t much to worry about when you’re traveling through New Zealand, after all, it is one of the most peaceful countries in the world (in fact, it’s ranked #2 out of 163 countries on the 2018 Global Peace Index). New Zealand is even one of the safest countries for female travelers — however, this is NO excuse to get too complacent. ‘Little crime’ does not mean ‘no crime’, so stay vigilant and be “street smart” by using your common sense at all times.

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» Helpful Māori Phrases

English is the dominant language spoken by most Kiwis (New Zealanders) but the country’s de jure official languages are Māori and New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL). Rest assured, Māori people are bilingual and can speak English too, but they’ll be happy to hear you try and speak the Māori language.

If you want to learn a few helpful phrases, make sure that you pronounce the following properly!

Hello (to 1 person, formal): Tēnā koe (Te-na koy)
Hello (to 1 person, informal): Kia ora (Key-oar-rah)
Thank you: Kia ora (Key-oar-rah) ~ pronounced with a rising intonation
Yes: Āe (I)
No: Kāore (Kao-re)
Goodbye (said by person leaving): E noho rā (E-noho ra)
Goodbye (said by person staying): Haere rā (Hayre ra)

I’m sorry: Aroha mai (Ar-ro-ha-mai)
Help!: Āwhina! (Af-fin-nuh!)
Cheers!: Kia ora! (Key-oar-rah!)

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