Top 5:
Places to visit in New Zealand’s North Island
Having done several roadtrips in New Zealand’s North Island I have stumbled across more than just a few breathtaking destinations. In this blog post I will share with you my top 5 places to visit in New Zealand’s North Island. Hopefully, this can bring you a bit of inspiration so you can plan the perfect route when you visit New Zealand’s North Island. Without further ado, let’s just get straight into it – here are my top destinations in New Zealand North Island:
1. Cape Reinga
Cape Reinga is an area, at the very Northern top of New Zealand’s North Island. However, as it is in the opposite direction of Hobbiton and a bit of a drive, it is sometimes an overlooked destination. It’s underrated by far, but offers a range of beautiful changing scenery, coasts and great stops along the way. On the drive to the top you can for example stop at the Bay of Islands, the Giant Sand dunes or the mile long beach. All beautiful stops that add to the journey. Finally, you’ll reach the very tip of the New Zealand North Island where you get an outstanding view of the lighthouse and surrounding cliffs.
Want to see Cape Reinga from a different view? Try a scenic flight tour for the full experience
2. Waitakere
Waitakere Ranges Regional Park is an area I rarely see mentioned on the “top things to do in New Zealand” lists. I find this to be a bit of a shame as it is by far one of my favorite places to visit in New Zealand North Island. A mere 40 minute drive from Auckland and you reach the small coastal town Piha where you can enjoy beaches, cliffs, and if you’re lucky, a couple of penguins hanging around. If you drive slightly south of Piha you can find a range of waterfalls, beaches, viewpoints and just overall amazing hikes throughout the area. It is the perfect destination to visit if you just have a couple of days in Auckland and want to get out of the city.
3. Napier
In the complete opposite direction to Cape Reinga, you find Napier. A cute coastal town that offers a wide selection of wineries, beautiful beaches and viewpoints over the green grassy hills surrounding the area. One of my top recommendations for Napier is taking a bike tour to visit the different wineries. This is a common offering to get around and the perfect solution if you want to taste all the wines without worrying about losing your driver’s license. Another must-see spot in Napier is the Te Mata Peak. You can choose to hike all the way up to the viewpoint – but, if you’re feeling a bit tired from the wine tastings it is also possible to drive all the way to the top. your choice.
In a rush? my favorite hotels in Napier
L’Amour Nest – Click here for prices and availability
4. Rotorua
Rotorua is one of the best places to go if you want to experience the real Māori culture. You can for example visit Whakarewarewa where you can get guided village tours and learn about the Māori way of living. Another reason to go to Rotorua is of course the nature. The area around surrounding the city offers vast amounts of lakes and geothermal landscapes. Whether you want to go for a cooling lake swim or relax in the nice warm hot springs, this is a paradise for water lovers.
Check prices and availability for a guided tour in Whakarewarewa here.
5. Coromandel
Coromandel is the perfect place to go if you are looking for beautiful beaches and a more relaxed side of New Zealand. The peninsula is full of stunning coastline, green hills and small seaside towns that make the drive itself part of the experience. One of the highlights is Cathedral Cove, with its impressive rock formations and clear blue water. But Coromandel is also a great place to simply slow down, find a quiet beach and enjoy the beautiful scenery around you.
Would I recommend travelling New Zealand North Island?
Of course! Having travelled both the North and South of New Zealand, I have found you miss out on a great deal if you simply narrow your North Island trip down to a couple of days in Auckland. The two islands offer completely different sceneries worth exploring. The North is filled with the most green beautiful nature and long white beaches. I highly recommend anyone visiting New Zealand to spend at least one week exploring the sites of the North.
If you want to know more, read my blog post about how to plan your itinerary for your New Zealand North Island travel.
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