9 Things You Should Not Miss on the North Island, New Zealand
My first 6 months living in Aotearoa New Zealand have been a true adventure. I have compiled a list of my absolute must-sees on the North Island with an emphasis on outdoor activities. Most lists on the internet will direct you to the very overly trafficked tourist traps (some of them with good reason) so I will include more off-the-beaten-path sites that are surely worth the detour off the beaten track.
Glow Worm Caves
There are plenty of ways to see the glow worm caves that are spread across the country, but there are two great options I highly recommend as an alternative to Waitomo caves. The first one is Nikau Caves near the West Coast of the Waikato region. A very small, family-owned and operated business takes you on a much more immersive experience of the glow worms. Roughly a 1-hour tour will take you on an adventure spelunking into a cave until you reach the expansive room full of glow worms. This tour is not for the faint of heart as it requires a small 20 foot section of army crawling and some climbing to reach the chamber at the end.
The other cave I highly recommend is the Waipu Caves in Northland. There are tour options but the best part is that you are free to roam at your own risk. It only took us about 20 minutes of hiking in to reach a dark area with heaps of glow worms and it was so magical! I loved this experience because we had plenty of time to sit with the glow worms and admire them- all to ourselves. I was worried about trekking through water but we were able to manage most of it without even getting our feet fully submerged and wet; during wet season it may be deeper. If you are lucky you may even see a local freshwater eel or “tuna” showing some gentle curiosity.
Waiheke Island
Waiheke Island is right off the coast of Auckland making it an easy addition to your trip to North Island. Waiheke Island has 30 boutique wineries scattered all over the island with stunning views. It was one of the most unique winery experiences I’ve ever had. There are 3 main beaches on the island you can enjoy as well (Oneroa, Onetangi & Palm Beach).
My Waiheke Favorites:
Even if you do not drink wine, you can rent e-bikes right off the main port where the ferry will drop you off and explore the island stopping at wineries for the views and food. Click here for e-bike rental information.
Mudbrick Winery for dinner and a sunset is an absolute must! There is nowhere else on the island to watch the most stunning sunset with skyline views of Auckland. The food was also phenomenal and one of the best meals we had on the island.
We also loved the ambiance and solitude at Man-o-War, which was right on the ocean. This historic and remote winery has an amazing kiwifruit crudo plate.
The charcuterie board and views at Stony Ridge were incredible, the wine paired so well with the meat board.
Explore New Zealand’s Iconic Coastline
There are so many gorgeous beaches in New Zealand but I’ll narrow it down to 5 that I think are well worth a visit.
This was one of my favorite beaches in New Zealand for several reasons. The remoteness makes this bay feel so secluded and special. I loved the short walks all around the bays and the water was so clear and pristine. Because this bay is protected from fishing, there are so many fish to see, so bring your snorkel masks! We even saw some sting rays right off the shore. I highly recommend camping here, it was so magical to walk to beach at sunrise and to be so close to your tent. The campground is very bare bones as there are only bathrooms and a cold water shower but you can’t beat the views.
Maitai Bay Campsite Views
I was warned about the crowds of Cathedral Cove but even with my visit being during peak summer, it was still so enjoyable. There is plenty of room to roam the beach even with the number of locals and visitors. The rocky coastline and aqua-blue water are a sight to see and well worth the trip! The short 2.3km walk to the beach made it more of an all-day adventure and I loved the town of Hahei for a post-beach day dinner. There are free shuttles that will drive you closer to the starting point of the trail or you can walk the extra 45 minutes from the car park. Click here for a map of the Cathedral Cove parking options.
If you’re looking for a surf town with eclectic shops and craft coffee Raglan is the spot. Known for its epic surf, it’s also a great place to swim and hike along the coast. The Karioi summit track is one of my favorite coastal hikes in New Zealand and it the perfect hike to end with a dip in the ocean. Definitely a butt- kicker
Karioi Track
If you’re short on time and want the perfect combo of a short scenic walk along the coastline & a safe bay to swim, Whale Bay or Woolley’s Bay are roughly 2.5 hours from Auckland. They are still close proximity to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds if you are exploring Northland for that purpose. I liked Whale Bay because of the short coastal walk to get there along with the pristine water and gorgeous shells I found on the beach! In all honesty, any of the beaches in this area are less trafficked and pristine.
Whale Bay
Three Sisters and Elephant Rock
If you happen to be in the New Plymouth / Taranaki region I loved the beach right off our drive to New Plymouth. The massive boulders on the beach were so beautiful and on a clear day you can see Mount Taranaki from the coastline. Watching the seabirds nest in great numbers was also a bonus!
Three Sisters
Rugby Game
There is nothing more iconic than attending a Rugby game in New Zealand! The All Blacks are the National Rugby team and the sport has given New Zealand global recognition. Eden Park is an epic event center see them play live in Auckland.
Tongariro Crossing
Not only does this trek get its fame for being “New Zealand’s Best Day Hike” but I also loved learning about the cultural significance of this area and it truly felt like another planet. I recommend starting as early as you possibly can (we took the 5:45am bus) so you can take your time on the hike. I would also be flexible with which day you choose to hike because the weather can turn fast and potentially ruin your plan. There are multiple shuttle options depending on your car situation.
Here is a great resource to help you figure out which shuttle suits your needs
Experience the Culture
Geothermal Spas
The most iconic place to explore the Geothermal spas on the North Island is Rotorua. There are a plethora to choose from but Hell’s Gate is the most unique in my opinion. It’s the only geothermal mud spa and there is also a lot to learn about the cultural significance of this to the Maori people. If you are unable to make it to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Rotorua is a great alternative to exploring New Zealand’s culture through Geothermal Spas, a Hangi or a show.
Click here for more information on other geothermal spas in Rotorua
Click here for more information on the Maori Village in Rotorua
Waitangi Treaty Grounds
I highly recommend visiting the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. It offers a unique opportunity to learn about the Treaty of Waitangi, the nation's founding document, and the rich cultural history of Aotearoa. The hangi (traditional meal cooked below the ground) combined with a concert felt authentically educational and the museum put everything into context.
Click here for more information about the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.
Mountain Biking in Rotorua
No trip in New Zeland for an adventure-seeking traveler is complete without a ride on the iconic Rotorua trails. There is a vast network of trails to choose from unlike anywhere else in the world. The trails weave through the Whakarewarewa forest which is full of stunning redwood trees and the bike culture is strong.
Explore Mount Taranaki
Mount Taranaki is the second-highest mountain on North Island with stunning easy day-hikes surrounding the mountain. There are epic huts and campgrounds to access the many trails. I loved how close in proximity Mount Taranaki was to the beach in New Plymouth and perfect for anyone who loves a good surf break!
Hobbiton
If you’re a Lord of the Rings fan, without a doubt you should plan to visit Hobbiton. For me it was not nearly as corny as anticipated. Be warned however, it is busy as tours are booked every 15 minutes but for good reason. They did a good job of preserving the set, and it’s such an immersive experience. But be sure to book this as soon as possible because tickets sell out months in advance! If you’re lucky you can even book a meal in the dining hall.
Click here to book a Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
This list I have compiled by no means covers the wealth of experiences North Island has to offer but I hope it can steer you in the right direction. As always, connecting with a local on your travels and taking their recommendations is a great way to be open to the unexpected.
