Best Things To Do In New Zealand’s North Island

Known for its beautiful untouched landscapes, cosmopolitan cities, adventure activities, and wide open roads, New Zealand easily finds its way into every travellers' heart. And it didn't take long to find its' way into mine!

I first visited New Zealand years ago for a snowboarding trip to Queenstown in July and travelled to the famous fjord of Milford Sound to then spend three rainy days in Auckland.

While I loved the South Island of New Zealand, I didn't really see much of the North Island on that trip except for endless rain streaks from under my umbrella and the cinema screen as I went to see two movies in three days…

I've been wanting to give Auckland a second chance. And then I finally had it. Once again, I would be travelling to the City of Sails in winter. Bundle up! Unpack the boots and umbrellas!

And of course, I didn't just visit Auckland but took a whole lot of trips around the city and road-tripped and saw more of the North Island too, which was way fun. Here are my recommendations for the best things to do on New Zealand's North Island!

1. Sip Wine On Waiheke Island

Auckland is not only home to three-quarters of New Zealand’s population and therefore the country’s largest city, but the city is also surrounded by a variety of stunning bays and islands.

Approximately 18km from Auckland, you will find the best thing to do for wine lovers: Waiheke Island. This blissful little island can easily be reached by ferry in 40 minutes departing from the Viaduct Harbour.

Pay a visit to Cable Bay Vinyard and Mudbrick Vinyard on your to-do list. The second one is absolutely stunning with its old charming ambiance and views across the bay all the way to Auckland. Perfect for a wine tasting and a relaxing afternoon with the smell of fresh lavender in your nose.

And once you had enough wine, there are still some fantastic art galleries, sailing turns to take, zip-lining adventures and glorious white beaches.

Pro tip: Rent a car, or get a driver so you can try out all the amazing Waiheke vineyards! There is a public bus route too, however Mudbrick is not directly served by the bus, you can walk there from the center of the biggest town Oneroa, though.

2. Feel Like A Hobbit In Hobbiton Movie Set

Yes, Hobbiton exists! It's a real place in New Zealand even though the town it's close to is called Matamata. It's approximately 2 hours by car from Auckland.

Hobbiton actually sits on Alexanders Farm and was first spotted by Peter Jackson during an aerial search for possible film locations for The Lord of the Rings, but he immediately thought it was the perfect set for Hobbiton.

Today, it's a permanent tourist attraction featuring hobbit holes, gardens, bridge, Mill and The Green Dragon Inn.

You can only experience the real Middle Earth on a guided Hobbiton tour which runs daily starting every half an hour. There are also tours departing from Auckland and Rotorua.

I loved Hobbiton for its beautiful atmosphere and the truly exceptional shots I got to take as the sun was setting over the lush green hills. Perfect choice to join the last tour of the day at 3.15 pm.

3. Climb The Amazing Mount Maunganui

Located on the peninsula on the northeast of Tauranga, Mount Maunganui is a small coastal town in the Bay of Plenty almost 3 hours drive from Auckland.

The large lava dome which was formed by the upwelling of rhyolite lava about 3 million years ago is also referred to as Mount Maunganui.

The town is especially well-known for its high-quality surfable waves, hot saltwater pools and of course the hiking treks leading to the distinctive peak of ‘The Mount', rising 230 meters above sea level. Once you reach the top, the views of the harbour, endless beach and Pacific Ocean below will leave you stunned and suddenly make it all worthwhile.

Visit the Gourmet Night Market in town during the summer months, join a dolphin-watching tour or go on a kayak or dive trip around the Bay of Plenty.

Known for its volcanic activity, no visit to the North Island would be complete without seeing (yes, and smelling) the geothermal activities in Waiotapo, 20 minutes outside of Rotorua.

Thousands of years in the making, the thermal wonderland of Waiotapu, also known as ‘sacred waters', is one of the most colourful ones in New Zealand and well worth a visit.

You can walk around the dramatic volcanic area on the tracks by yourself or join one of the guided tours. The famous Lady Knox Geyser is only presented once a day in the morning.

Marvel at the mud pools, Champagne Pools and Devils Bath. Great to spend the morning before exploring the rest of Rotorua and watching an ancient Maori war dance, the Haka.

4. Gallop Along The Beach With Muriwai Beach Horse Treks

Muriwai Beach is truly a place for the locals to get outside of Auckland on a hot day. And yes, even in winter, they head out for a surf too!

If you love horses just half as much as I do, you will enjoy this amazing horse trek through the enchanting forest, dunes and along the beautiful black sandy beach of Muriwai, which lies on the West Coast about 40 minutes drive from Auckland City.

Rated one of the top five best horse treks in New Zealand, joining one of Muriwai Beach Horse Treks is truly something special to experience on the North Island.

From beginners to experienced riders, groups or small intimate treks, the choice is yours. I joined for an afternoon trek with my local friend Annie and we loved every minute we spent with those kindly-natured laid-back horses.

Afterward, visit the Gannet Colony and see hundreds of birds up close. Definitely stay around to see the sunset. On the day I visited, there were heaps of surfers catching the last waves before darkness which made for some awesome shots.

There are a couple of natural blow holes shooting up water too.

4. Visit Lake Taupo & Cruise The Huka Falls

Visit this set of thundering waterfalls in Taupo. With 11 meters in height, Huka Falls is one of the most visited natural attractions in New Zealand. There are many walking tracks following down the river and different platforms to view the falls from all sides and angles.

In Maori, Huka actually means ‘foam' and you will know why when you arrive at the falls. You can actually walk there in 2hrs return from Taupo too.

Fingers crossed, you'll catch a sunny day, as this is when the falls are showing off their amazing crystal-clear blue colour.

Get adventurous and jump on one of the fast Huka Falls jet boats spinning you down the white water. It's hell fun!

5. Visit Rotorua

As the second largest lake on New Zealand's North Island, Lake Rotorua was formed from a volcanic crater. If Queenstown is the adventure capital of the South Island, Rotorua would probably hold the line of New Zealand's North Island.

No matter if you like kayaking, mountain biking, fishing, golf, wellness, parasailing, or hiking, you can surely do it all here!

Lake Rotorua counts to the Bay of Plenty area and is best viewed from high up. I recommend you visit Skyline Rotorua, take a gondola to the top, have a coffee enjoying the view up there and then race down the hill with the Luge. It's like a go-cart!

You surely won't miss the ‘Welcome to fabulous RotoVegas' sign which is very closely modelled to the sign in Las Vegas and aims to bring a bit of Vegas vibe into town.

It's definitely fun for a few snaps.

Come summer, you certainly have to take a wet Zorb ride, a huge ball rolling down the hill – with you inside! And they capture your screams on GoPros installed inside the ball too. This is my bucket list item #4,819,910 (I have too many!) for the next time I return to New Zealand, then hopefully in summer!

6. Visit Waitomo Glowworm Caves

What looks solely like lush green hills actually keeps a secret underneath. In Waitomo, a labyrinth of caves, sinkholes and underground rivers are waiting to be explored.

The real highlight here is the galaxies of native glow worms that illuminate the caves. Join a boat tour and marvel at the stalactites growing down from the ceiling and the stalagmites growing up from the bottom of the cave.

Or satisfy your adventurous heart by experiencing blackwater rafting where you crawl, swim and float through the caves on a rubber tube. Zipline or climb through the caves. I recommend you check out these tours and book ahead to not miss out!

If you'd like to visit New Zealand's North Island but planning it all on your own is overwhelming, consider joining a group tour so you can sit back and really discover the adventurous side and cultural richness of New Zealand.

7. Hike to Cathedral Cove in Coromandel

Hike to Cathedral Cove in Coromandel along the well-marked trail, you'll come past lush native bush surrounded by birdcalls until you finally arrive at the viewpoint that gives sight of Cathedral Cove's iconic natural archway.

Alternatively, you can also come by boat or kayak, on a sunny day you'll get the azure waters shimmer in the sunlight. From the viewpoint, head down to the two secluded white sand beaches walking through the towering arch that the sea has sculpted the cliffs over millennia.

8. Take a Hike across Tongariro Alpine Crossing

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a world-renowned hiking trail located in the heart of New Zealand's North Island.

It's about 19.4 kilometers long and is considered a challenging day hike that takes you through a landscape of volcanic terrain, emerald lakes, and rugged peaks. The journey offers stunning views of Mount Ngauruhoe, often recognized as the iconic Mount Doom from The Lord of the Rings films.

The highlight of the trek is definitely the vibrant Emerald Lakes with their striking turquoise color created by volcanic minerals.

9. Visit Wellington

The city of Wellington on the most southern tip of New Zealand's North Island blends culture, nature, and urban charm together.

As the capital city of New Zealand, the city has a beautiful picturesque harbor and it a great stop for a few days. I recommend exploring the iconic Te Papa Tongarewa museum, to view Maori treasures and learn through interactive exhibits about the country's rich heritage.

Wander through the pedestrian-only Cuba Street where you'll find shops, cafes, and plenty of street art, embodying Wellington's creative spirit. For panoramic views, a hike up Mount Victoria to get stunning vistas of the city and harbor.

10. Explore Auckland

Exploring Auckland is a must when coming to New Zealand's North Island. It offers a mix of cultural, culinary, and scenic delights.

You have to visit the iconic Sky Tower, from the observation deck, you'll get panoramic views of the city and harbor. Then, stroll through the lively Viaduct Harbour, lined with restaurants, bars, and yacht-filled marinas. I also love visiting the nearby Auckland Fish Market.

Go shopping at popular places like Queen Street, High Street and Britomart. Sylvia Park is excellent for a large shopping mall experience. Parnell in Auckland is another charming neighborhood with historic buildings, art galleries, and chic cafes and I love going for a stroll here.

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