chloedickensonLast Updated on 25th April 2024
This post about New Zealand North Island itinerary contains affiliate links.
When it comes to the ultimate list of the best things to do in North Island New Zealand, I feel like I’ve got plenty of experience and knowledge with some of the must-do things.
Having lived in NZ for almost nine months and then spending over 6 weeks properly travelling around the North Island, I think it’s safe to say that I’ve got more than a few recommendations up my sleeve!
If you’ve got an exciting trip planned to the North Island (lucky you!), I’ve got you covered on all the must-see places, the best activities and where to eat and drink!
Here’s everything you need to know about planning an epic New Zealand North Island itinerary!
New Zealand North Island itinerary – best things to do
New Zealand’s North Island is home to some of my all-time favourite travel experiences; which is exactly why I’ve got it on good authority to recommend all the below to you ;).
Whether you’re looking for thrills, adventure and adrenaline, or you’d prefer to see a more scenic side of the North Island, everything you could possibly want is covered in this ultimate guide of the best things to do in North Island New Zealand.
Enjoy!
1. Eat a Big Kahuna breakfast – New Zealand North Island itinerary
Being an avid foodie, of course the first thing I’m going to recommend in North Island New Zealand is to eat a Big Kahuna breakfast!
While the Big Kahuna isn’t strictly a New Zealand ‘thing’, (it actually derives from Hawaii!), I’ve seen numerous bars and restaurants offering their own version of this hearty breakfast meal.
The one I’d personally recommend is from Mac’s Astrolabe Brewbar in Mount Maunganui; Matt and I had this after a very tiring hike up the Mount at sunrise and it still remains one of the best things I’ve eaten in New Zealand so far!
2. Stroll around McLaren Falls Park
Regardless of the time of year that you visit McLaren Falls Park, it remains one of the most stunning areas of nature and scenery on the North Island.
We were lucky enough to see it in all its autumnal glory which was truly one of the boldest and most beautiful offerings of autumn colours I’ve ever seen.
McLaren Falls Park is the perfect place to pack up a picnic, get your walking shoes on and enjoy a leisurely stroll around the waterfalls and the lake. There’s even a BBQ pit where you can cook your own delicious food during the summer months!
3. Dig your own thermal pool at Hot Water Beach – New Zealand North Island itinerary
Arguably one of the strangest, albeit most incredible experiences to enjoy in North Island New Zealand is digging your own thermal hot pool at Hot Water Beach.
Scolding water flows underneath the sand’s surface and when you dig just mere inches down, the hot water flows to the surface, creating a pool of thermal water.
We were lucky to visit during the winter so it was relatively quiet but it does get incredibly busy during peak season; despite the fact that you probably wouldn’t want to sit in the boiling water on a hot, summer’s day!
Read more: Hot Water Beach & Cathedral Cove, The Coromandel – Ultimate Guide
4. See nature at Te Puna Quarry Park
Te Puna Quarry Park is easily one of the best things to do on a New Zealand North Island itinerary. Residing 10km from the city of Tauranga, Te Puna offers visitors ample nature viewing opportunities, spectacular sightings of wildlife and beautiful hiking trails.
You can also pretend to be the Mother of Dragons on this impressive statue (amongst others dotted around the park!).
As it’s set upon an old quarry mine, Te Puna requires donations to help keep it looking lovely for visitors (although there’s no pressure if you’re on a tight budget!).
5. Hike up Mount Maunganui
To celebrate our three-year anniversary, Matt and I got up ridiculously early one Saturday morning in order to hike up to the top of Mount Maunganui in time for sunrise.
While hiking the Mount is a spectacular sight at any time of day (or season), we truly adored being up at the top in time for sunrise.
It’s certainly not an easy hike to the top but the views once you reach the summit are well worth the arduous exercise to get there!
6. Enjoy the many hiking trails in the Bay of Plenty
I’ve actually written an entire post about the best hiking trails in the Bay of Plenty but I thought that they deserved a place on this list of the best things to do in North Island New Zealand as well.
There are so many wonderful hiking trails to enjoy in the Bay of Plenty, with a range of easy tracks for beginners, stretching all the way to trails fit for professional athletes! If you’re looking for a more intense and active experience on the North Island, make sure to head to the Bay of Plenty for your fix of the best hiking trails!
Read more: The Best Hiking Trails In The Bay Of Plenty, New Zealand
7. Gaze in wonder at Cathedral Cove – New Zealand North Island itinerary
Residing in the Coromandel Peninsula, just mere minutes from Hot Water Beach, Cathedral Cove is a stunning area to visit in North Island New Zealand.
The Cove itself is an absolute marvel to wonder at, but the bush walk to arrive at the Cove and the surrounding beach are also utterly spectacular. We were lucky (like with so many other things we’ve done in New Zealand so far) that it was remarkably quiet when we visited Cathedral Cove, but I imagine in the summer months that it will get crazy busy!
Read more: Hot Water Beach & Cathedral Cove, The Coromandel – Ultimate Guide
8. Try a fresh fruit ice cream
The taste of this fresh fruit ice cream was still a prominent memory in my mind from when I lived in New Zealand eight years ago and I couldn’t wait to head back to The Big Avo in Katikati and have one again!
There are fresh fruit ice creams sold all over the North Island; primarily sold in grocery stores and dairies (corner shops). They’re absolutely delicious and the combination of scrumptious ice cream and a vast selection of fresh fruit make it the perfect delicacy to enjoy while in NZ!
9. Immerse yourself in The Shire at the Hobbiton Movie Set
Without a doubt, one of the best things to do in North Island New Zealand is to pay a visit to the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour (which is also incidentally one of my very favourite things we did in the North Island).
While most things of this variety would get a bad rep for being too ‘touristy’, we found Hobbiton thoroughly enjoyable; so much so, that I wrote an entire post about our incredible experience here!
Whether you’ve seen the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies or not, a visit to Hobbiton should definitely be on your New Zealand bucket list as it’s one of the most surreal and magical places I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting!
Book your guided tour tickets to Hobbiton here!
10. Make your way around Karangahake Gorge
Karangahake Gorge was another place that I mentioned in my list of the best hiking trails in the Bay of Plenty and it’s also one of the best things to do in North Island New Zealand as a whole as well.
The Gorge is home to a plethora of different hiking and walking trails, including the famous ‘Windows Walk’, as well as the Rail Tunnel Loop which takes you through a kilometre-long abandoned rail tunnel!
It’s a place that I visited numerous times with my family when we lived here and I absolutely adored it.
11. Ride the Wellington Cable Car – New Zealand North Island itinerary
While I personally would say that the Wellington Cable Car is slightly overrated in terms of the actual Car itself, the views from the top and the surrounding areas make it well worth the short journey.
It also felt a bit like I was in San Francisco; a place that I absolutely adored on our 3 month USA road trip!
Read more: The Best Free Or Cheap Things To Do In Wellington, New Zealand
12. Admire the impressive Redwoods in Rotorua
Another fascinating region to spend some time in during your trip to the North Island is Rotorua.
Famed for its vast offering of geothermal activity, Rotorua might smell like rotten eggs, but it’s also home to some of the most beautiful areas in the North.
The Redwoods Forest is no exception and arguably one of the most impressive sights of nature in the area. There are numerous walking trails to enjoy in the Redwoods and you can even pay to experience the Redwoods Treewalk; a 700m suspension bridge snaking through the trees.
I’ve heard great things about the Treewalk but we were on a bit of a budget so we decided to just walk underneath the trees instead which was still an incredible experience!
13. Relax at Orokawa Bay Beach
I think that Orokawa Bay Beach might just be my favourite beach that I’ve ever been to (so far!).
Gorgeous, coastal scenery, soft and supple white sand beaches and spectacularly blue sea and waves; what more could you want from a beach?!
The walk to get to Orokawa Bay begins at Waihi Beach and takes you through beautiful bush, with plentiful views out to sea almost the entire way! I’d highly recommend making a visit to Orokawa Bay Beach a priority on your North Island bucket list!
Read more: The Best Beaches In The World
14. Try wine, beer or cider tasting – New Zealand North Island itinerary
New Zealand’s North Island has quite the reputation of being a cultural hub for all things alcoholic; particularly their wine, beer and cider tasting opportunities!
While Matt and I aren’t huge beer or wine fans (I love white wine but I’m more partial to a Sainsbury’s £4.50 bottle than anything special!), we do have a ~thing~ for cider; or at least Matt does!
Waiheke Island is the perfect place to visit if you’re looking for the most beautiful vineyards, whereas the Cider Factorie in Te Puna offers the most deliciously refreshing array of cider imaginable.
If you’re partial to trying out a tipple or two, you’ll find some of the best vineyards, breweries and cideries on the North Island!
Book a wine, gin and beer-tasting tour in Napier!
15. Whizz down the hills at Skyline Rotorua
As I previously mentioned, Rotorua is a hub for all things nature, adrenaline and adventure related and their version of the Skyline is no exception!
With a hefty offering of incredible activities to choose from, Skyline Rotorua is an adventure junkies’ haven and was one of our favourite memories from the North Island!
Ride up the Skyline Gondola and then test your motor skills on the Skyline Luge. For those seeking immense thrills, have a go at the ‘Zoom Zipline’, mountain biking or even the SkySwing!
16. Be blown away by Waimangu Volcanic Valley
OK, so I think I might have said this about pretty much everything on this list by now but Waimangu Volcanic Valley genuinely was one of the best things we did during our epic New Zealand North Island itinerary.
It’s hard to explain just how impressive and elusive the valley is and I would seriously encourage you to visit to see the magnificent volcanic craters, geothermal activity and immense geysers!
Read more: Waimangu Volcanic Valley, Rotorua, New Zealand
17. Get your adrenaline on at Velocity Valley
For someone who’s not afraid of heights, completing the Bungy Jump at Velocity Valley was one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences of my entire life!
As well as the terrifying bungy jump at Velocity Valley, there are also numerous other fun-filled activities to take part in such as the Shweeb Racer, the Freefall Xtreme and the Agrojet.
If you’re looking to book tickets to Velocity Valley, I would highly recommend booking a package deal (like we did) so that you get the chance to experience all the activities that the park has to offer!
Read more: Velocity Valley Rotorua, New Zealand
18. Eat your way around Wellington’s food markets
I’ve actually written an entire post all about where to eat in Wellington and I can safely say that it’s the best place in the whole of the North Island for foodies!
We literally ate like kings while we were in the capital and thanks to its abundance of food markets and delicious eateries, you’ll find yourself eating around the city in no time!
From delectable Vietnamese, Indonesian and Indian food, to traditional British bacon sandwiches and calorific American pizza slices, Wellington is without a doubt the place to eat if you’re looking for a vast selection of food for your New Zealand North Island itinerary.
Check out my huge post about all the best places to eat in Wellington!
19. Go up the Sky Tower, Auckland
Arguably one of the more touristy but still sensational things to do in the North Island is to make your way up Auckland’s Sky Tower.
The views from the top are indescribable on a clear day and if you’re looking to go one better, consider eating at the Orbit 360° restaurant for panoramic views of the city while you eat!
Read more: Sky Tower Auckland Review – Orbit 360° Dining & SkyCity, New Zealand
20. Visit Tongariro National Park – New Zealand North Island itinerary
While I really wished we’d been able to, unfortunately, Matt and I were unable to complete the full Tongariro Alpine Crossing as it can take between 8-12 hours to complete; there are even some routes that can take 4-5 DAYS to complete!
If you too are unable (or unwilling; let’s be right, who really wants to hike through vastly differing terrain for 8 hours straight?!) to complete the full Crossing, there are numerous other short walks and valleys to discover in the Tongariro National Park.
It’s important to check the weather forecast thoroughly and ensure that you’re well-equipped and well-prepared before heading to Tongariro, regardless of the route you plan to take as the entire park is renowned for its arduous and deranged terrains and temperatures!
Make sure you check the DOC website before you go!
21. Be captivated by Huka Falls
Huka Falls is another sublime work of nature that’s hard to comprehend. Over 220,000 litres cascade down the river every second and the sight and sound of such a phenomenon really isn’t one to be missed!
The vivid blue water is also mesmerising and it’s hard to believe that something so extraordinary resides just mere miles from the town of Taupo!
22. Enjoy some culture at Te Papa New Zealand Museum
The National Museum of New Zealand, also known as Te Papa, was one of the very last things we did in the North Island.
While we’re not exactly history or museum buffs, we knew we had to pay a visit to one of the ‘top 50 museums in the world’ to see what all the fuss was about.
Having done the legwork for you guys, I can safely say that it’s worth a visit if you’re in Wellington as the culture, history and sensational stories behind Te Papa is something that you won’t want to miss out on.
I’d particularly recommend the Gallipoli exhibition, as well as the ‘Nature’ and the ‘Active Land’ exhibitions.
Book your tickets to the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington here!
More of the best things to do on a New Zealand North Island itinerary
- Visit Waitomo Glowworm Caves (we really wanted to do this but it was just a little expensive for our budget!).
- Pay a visit to the Mitai Maori Village
- Take a wine trip to Waiheke Island
Related posts:
- What Is New Zealand Famous For? 40 Things That Make New Zealand Special
- The Ultimate New Zealand Bucket List – 70+ Things To Do
- North Island vs South Island New Zealand – Which Is Better?
- Top Things To See and Do in South Island New Zealand
- The 19 Most Instagrammable Places in New Zealand
Pin for later – New Zealand North Island itinerary
Have you ever been to the North Island in New Zealand? Is it somewhere you’d like to go? Let me know in the comments or on Twitter at @imjustagirl_16.
Hi!
We have 12 days and want to explore as much as we can but would like to go out and about from a “home base”. Can you suggest a central location. We do not want to drive ourselves – are there busses or do you suggest daily tours for some of these areas?
We will be in Australia the first 10 days of the trip but after that all NZ for 15 days.
Hi Claudia, unfortunately New Zealand’s public transport system is very limited so you will really struggle to get to all of these places without hiring a car yourselves. It depends exactly which things you want to see and do with regards as to which location would be best to base yourselves in. Tauranga is pretty good, as is Hamilton or Rotorua but you won’t be able to see all of these without your own mode of transport. You may be able to get some tour buses that will take you on different day trips to places such as Hobbiton, Rotorua and Auckland but that could be pretty costly and time consuming if you only have 12 days. However, it can be done, it will just require a fair bit of planning and research to see which companies can accommodate the places that you want to visit. I hope that helps, please let me know if you need any other advice!