North Island Holidays

Where is the North Island?
North Island, as its name suggests, is the top half of New Zealand. It stretches from Cape Reinga where the Tasman Sea and Pacific Oceans meet in the north, to the capital city Wellington in the south.

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Auckland & Wellington
There’s plenty to see and do in Auckland so it’s worth spending a few days here. Get your bearings by ascending to the top of Auckland's 328m high Sky Tower for panoramic views over the city. The Auckland Museum is a great introduction to Māori culture with a large collection of Polynesian artefacts. Waiheke is a 35-minute ferry ride from Auckland where you can explore some beautiful beaches and visit some vineyards for wine-tasting. For a change of scene head to the volcanic island of Rangitoto - it's about an hour's walk to the summit where you get 360-degree views of Auckland. New Zealand’s capital, Wellington, has lots of rustic charm. Perched on an exposed hillside it’s known as the ‘Windy City’. Head to Miramar, a suburb of Wellington, to discover the award-winning Wētā Workshop, the visual effects company famous for creating the costumes and props for world-renowned films. Ferries depart Wellington for the 3.5-hour scenic journey across the Cook Strait to South Island.

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North of the North
The stunning Bay of Islands is off the northeast coast of North Island and has a rich Māori and European heritage. Pay a visit to this beautiful spot and you’ll find more than 140 islands and the famous ‘Hole in the Rock’ arched formation. It’s a 50-minute flight or a wonderfully scenic three-hour drive from Auckland. As you travel along the coastline, keep an eye out for local marine life including dolphins, whales and penguins. Cape Reinga, the tip of the Aupouri Peninsula, at the northern end of the North Island is where the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean meet. It’s over 60 miles north of the nearest small town, Kaitaia, and it’s an amazing, secluded spot which gives you a sort of ‘end of the earth’ feeling when you’re standing on the bluff. Visit the unorthodox-style lighthouse, topped with a dome and a weather vane, whilst lapping up the endless ocean views.

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Napier & the East
Napier is the main city (alongside its twin, Hastings) in the Hawke’s Bay region and a fantastically unique one, famous for being rebuilt with unique Art Deco architecture after an earthquake in 1931 destroyed the town. Head to the charming seaside village of Ahuriri, home to quirky shops, art galleries, and a boutique cinema. Hawke’s Bay is one of the warmest and sunniest parts of New Zealand with a Mediterranean-style climate, and the second largest wine region in the country. It has hilly coastal land around the north and central bay and is known around the world for the quality of its wines, particularly its rich Chardonnays. Be sure to explore the rolling vineyards and book a wine tasting tour. The region also has some underrated beaches, too. Mahia Beach in the north is long and sandy with warm water, and a favourite with swimmers. You can go fishing, diving and surfing on a number of beaches along the Mahia Peninsula, and the beaches of Waipatiki and Tangoio a little further south are always popular in the summer months.

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Lakes and mountains
The popular town of Taupo sits on the shores of New Zealand’s biggest lake of the same name. It’s a fantastic outdoorsy destination where you can enjoy activities from trout fishing to hiking, and even skiing at the Whakapapa and Turoa areas. For a proper adrenaline rush, take to the skies for a tandem sky dive over Lake Taupo – a thrilling experience with mesmerising views over the land and ocean. Tongariro National Park is a must-see during a visit to New Zealand; it has breathtaking scenery including emerald lakes, glistening streams, snowy peaks and rocky craters, and three volcanoes in the centre – Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe, and Tongariro. Challenge yourself to the incredibly scenic Tongariro Crossing, a world-class one-day trek spanning the length of Mount Tongariro where you can climb lava flows and craters.

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Geo-thermals wonders and worm-lit caves
Bubbling mud, erupting geysers shooting in the air and colourful volcanic craters can all be visited in the geothermal parks in and around Rotorua. Here you can witness the power of nature as steam rises from the ground and the smell of sulphur lingers in the air. You’ll also be able to discover the fascinating traditions and proud culture of the Māori people and learn about how they have used the healing properties of mud for generations with a visit to Hell’s Gate Geothermal Park and Mud Spa. Waitomo is a village whose name comes from the Māori words wai (water) and tomo (hole). It has rolling green hills that house a superb underground secret – a maze of caves, underground rivers and sinkholes. Take a boat ride through the Waitomo Caves for a unique experience as your surroundings light up with the flicker of thousands of luminescent glow-worms.

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Hobbit holes
A trip to New Zealand wouldn’t be complete without a trip to Hobbiton™ Movie Set, the superb 12-acre site near Matamata which was transformed into The Shire™ from Middle-earth™ in Sir Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Book a private tour to experience sites including The Hobbit Holes™ and Green Dragon™ Inn as a local guide explains the fascinating history behind this now iconic film set.

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Coastal living
The Coromandel Peninsula stretches around 50 miles north from the famous Bay of Plenty and is renowned for its misty rainforests and golden beaches. The terrain tends to be fairly steep and hilly, so it’s ideal for clifftop walks and discovering secluded hideaways. Head to the outskirts of the town of Coromandel for the Driving Creek Railway, a narrow mountain railway track on a scenic route lined with pottery murals or stop off at the fascinating Hot Water Beach on Mercury Bay; this beach is on a geothermal spot and head here two hours either side of low tide and you’ll be able to dig your own thermal spa. The Bay of Plenty stretches for over 150 miles of open coastline and has some fantastic spots worth visiting during a stay on North Island. An excellent spot is Waihi Beach – this six-mile stretch of beautiful sand is one of New Zealand's safest surf beaches, home to a friendly beachside community and great for a family day out. It also has numerous walking and cycling tracks.

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