It’s very evident that you guys had a wonderful time touring the North Island! From diving with manta rays at night in Kona, Hawaii, and swimming with hammerheads of Cocos Island in Costa Rica to exploring caves in Belize's Lighthouse Atoll and diving beneath the ice floes of Antarctica, this exquisite inspirational ... Charlie Farley’s on Onetangi Beach gets busy late into the night as they have a large selection of beers and wines. This journey visits a few of the stunning golfing locations in the North Island of New Zealand. Rotorua is the place to go to see New Zeland’s thermal activity and learn about Maori life. The Pouakai Crossing is a particularly popular 19-kilometre trail that takes in Egmont National Park. Make sure you are not wearing flip flops (“jandals” in Kiwi) and be careful at the top. If you have more things on your list to do in Rotorua, this would be the day do that. There are drop toilets, a toothbrushing station and a cold water shower (but try conserve the water). (We did have to top off a few more GB’s after our two weeks, but that’s only because we use our phones for work.). Emerald Lakes to Blue Lake – 20 minutes easy descent. This area is considered a sacred area to the Maori and you should respect their culture. Day at a glance: Finish touring Auckland hop on the ferry to nearby Waiheke Island. If you want more action in your day, you could book the Huka Falls Jet Boat tour that will send you flying through the turns of the Waikato River up to the big Huka Falls waterfall. The facilities were clean and kitchen is a good size. This New Zealand North Island itinerary does not by any means cover all the highlights North Island has to offer in just 7 days. However, in my opinion, it covers most of the best or most unusual places and will give you a taste for New Zealand and hopefully have you booking a return trip to explore more! This tour includes the round-trip ferry tickets, food, olive tasting and a winery tour. If your road trip is a two-island adventure, you'll catch the ferry from Wellington for a quick ride to the South Island. Located close to the ZORB, this adrenaline packed park has something for everyone and is great for families. Go straight to the Coromandel Peninsula (Skip the Pinnacles), then Rotorua, Taupo and Tongariro Hike. Found insideLonely Planet's Hiking & Tramping in New Zealand is your up-to-date advice on what to see and skip on your next hike. Fight over that urge to sleep in and get yourself out of bed 1-1.5 hours before sunrise. Be sure to check the tides before you go. When we were passing through we unfortunately did not have the time to hike all the way to the summit, but the views look really nice. There are waterfalls and hot pools scattered in the bush that only expert guides know the locations. Day at a glance: Hike up to catch sunrise at the Pinnacles and then hike down to your campervan. Known for excellent surf and stunning sunsets, Piha is one of the best beaches on New Zealand’s North Island. 2.1 Auckland to Cape Reinga. It gave me time to sit back and enjoy my surroundings in all their glory, particularly when I went through Tongariro National Park! Lake Taupo is the North Island’s answer to Queenstown, filled with lots of adventure activities and gorgeous nature to explore. As New Zealand’s largest city, it’s a great place to explore for at least a few days. The drive to Hobbiton takes one hour from Rotorua. Cook dinner, share some wine with new friends, and get ready for the sunrise hike in the morning. Oddly, the only thing Steve and I did there, aside from eat out, was go to two different escape rooms. In addition to the unique geothermal areas, featuring geysers, mud pools, hot springs, and sulfur pools, it is the best place in New Zealand to gain an appreciation of the Maori culture. Where to Stay: We stayed at the Foxton Top 10 Holiday Park – only two hour away from Welly and a really nice holiday park with a beach nearby. The toilet in the car park wasn’t working when we were there and the woods was clearly used by loads of people. How much did you end up spending in gas? It’s just usually treated as somewhere to go the second time you visit. We got a handful of messages with sentiments like this, and we ended up being really happy we added New Zealand’s capital city to our itinerary! It was one of the highlights of our entire time in New Zealand. If you only have a little bit of time, this is worth the stop. For most visitors to New Zealand, the journey starts in Auckland. A Taste of the North Island: 7-10 Days At Te Puia, you can see kiwi birds as well as Pohutu, a geyser which erupts up to 20 times a day. New Zealand Road Trips - North Island. Drive the Forgotten World Highway,Part 2,From Whangamomona through the Tangarakau Gorge North Island,New Zealand . Below are 4 different road trip itineraries for exploring New Zealand’s North Island. We highly recommend both. Some areas we didn’t include on our trip, which you might like to consider are: Hawke’s Bay, which is famous for its wineries and Art Deco design; the Bay of Plenty, a popular spot for Kiwi holidaymakers and a centre of Maori culture; and the Surf Highway 45, which is a 105km paradise for surfers. For example this 8 day North Island multisport trip or this 10 day trip which includes the Bay of Islands. This is how I travelled the North Island and I think it’s the best way especially if you are travelling as a couple or with a friend. I actually kept a blog during my trip, We were there from February-beginning of April , Thanks for the for sharing your experience with us Beautifully describes all the different places. Jennifer. You’ll feel like you’re in a washing machine. There were lots of excellent restaurants and cafes and we enjoyed the city’s creative vibe. One of the most beautiful driving tours in New Zealand – and perhaps in the world - is around the East Cape of the North Island. While in Rotorua, we also visited Wai-o-Tapu, the geothermal wonderland. From geothermal activity to surfing beaches, the landscapes are spectacular. If you sign up to AirBnB using this link, you’ll get £25 off your first booking. If you get to the island early enough, you could go to Obsidian Winery Cellar Door and do a wine tasting before hiking up the hill to Casita Miro. From Auckland to Wellington, and everything in between, we’ve created a perfect road trip itinerary for your first visit to New Zealand. Don’t forget your headlamps (head torches). Two Wandering Soles Copyright © 2021. The 1-hour hike (3.5 km) will take you across the old bridge, through the train tunnel to a trail that safely hugs the gorge beside the river. Check out Taupo Bungy. Ruapehu. Here are some place you can find supplies: Pak’nSave: Discount supermarket (if you want the lowest prices on groceries, this is where you’ll find them), The Warehouse: Cheap “big box” store with toiletries and clothes (like Walmart). IF THERE IS BAD WEATHER: This is your turnaround point. We also have full, detailed itineraries for How to relax in Goa and Kerala; The ultimate South Africa honeymoon guide; How to make the most of 10 days in Japan; Finding hygge in Copenhagen, 48 Hours in Dublin,  five days in Iceland, and more. It’s a pretty cool experience being “inside” an island, but be careful not to get off onto land. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. After such an action packed day, the best way to wind down is to hit up a local hotspot, literally. Our entire time in New Plymouth was taken up with the festival (which was amazing! One more thing to note: We’ve heard good things about the Feast Dinner tour, so that might be something to check out if you have the time and budget for it. Emerald Lakes is a great spot to have lunch. It felt like a very liveable city, with a relaxed vibe and a great seaside location. It is best to pick up a SIM card at the airport so you can have data during your trip. However, visiting Hot Water Beach depends on the tides that day. South Crater to the base of Red Crater – 15 minutes easy flat walk. Skydiving, bungy jumping, jet boats, mountain biking, or sailing all can be booked in or around Lake Taupo. We chose to go to Whakarewarewa as this is a little village where Maori people still live today and we felt that would be more interesting. Park at the Kauaeranga Valley Road End, hide your electronics and lock your car. Where to Stay: After the falls drive back up to Thames and find a campground for the night. We picked up our camper van in Auckland and drove up to Otamure Bay. The botanical gardens are also beautiful. Pamper yourself after long days in the Coromandel Peninsula. The Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest: $29 NZD for Treewalk or free to walk on paths (1 hour), Walk around Government Park near downtown (30 minutes), Blue Lake Track: 1.5 hours loop track, around 5.5 km walk along Blue Lake also know as Tikitapui. We picked up our Spaceship camper van in Auckland and made our way up to the Bay of Islands, stopping at Whananaki along the way, mainly to break up the ride, and also because we wanted to experience a peaceful spot along the coast. This was a very different experience to R Tucker Thompson one – less personal and on a big catamaran with more people. New Plymouth is close to Mount Taranaki, Egmont National Park and the Whanganui River, so is ideal for hiking and adventure sports. We loved traveling in New Zealand, especially in the North Island. You will always have people ahead of you and people behind you. And the New Zealand’s North Island is also the place to go to experience Maori culture. But if you want to freedom camp one more night, there is a nice 6-van spot just north of town called Kapanga Road – Overnight Campervan Parking. Hiking Time: 2.5 – 3 hours one way to the hut, additional 40 minutes one way to the Pinnacles Rock Formations. We did two boat trips while we were there and loved both of them. In order to stay at the Pinnacles Hut, you’ll have to book your bed ahead of time, specially if it’s a weekend during busy season. The Kapiti Coast is becoming more popular slowly but surely with the new highway crossing through the towns of Waikanae and Paraparaumu making the Kapiti Coast easily accessible on your North Island road trip. Once on Waiheke, you can take a taxi or the bus ($3.5 NZD one ride, $10 NZD all day pass) to your hotel. This trek is SUPER busy. I would recommend getting one for at least part of the time as it’s a great experience. See our travel resources page for all our best travel tips, including how to save money with the best cards, what insurance to choose, and all our favourite tools and tricks. Check out prices and reviews on TripAdvisor. Tastings are available from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (summer hours). For shorter rentals, search … From Auckland to Wellington, and everything in between, we’ve created a perfect road trip itinerary for your first visit to New Zealand. The diversity in landscape is actually phenomenal! But that’s not all! To get back toward the interior of the island for the final stretch, you could cut through Whangaganui National Park along Highway 43. Great itinerary – we did a road trip around the North Island a couple of years ago and visited many of these places, although didn’t make it to the Bay of Islands or to Hobbiton! If you’re a big LotR (Lord of the Rings) fan, then this stop is already on your list. Psst! I get claustrophobic so the whole thing was pretty challenging, but definitely worth it – I’ve written about the experience here. Cathedral Cove is one of those places, and if you're on the Coromandel Peninsula you can't miss its pristine beaches and wild rock formations. There are many Airbnb’s that are nice in Auckland with reasonable prices. There’s a variety of trails of different lengths you can take. Coromandel Peninsula – a land of deep forests and unspoiled coastline, home to the stunning Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach. Found inside – Page 276All these events in New Zealand are remembered in flashback by the adult Sione ... The young couple embark on a road trip through the North Island of New ... Ferry Crossing from Wellington to Picton New Plymouth is also just north of the Surf Highway, so a good spot to follow on from Raglan if you’re into surfing. Drive a few minutes east of Karangaheke Gorge and you find this spectacular waterfall. We took our 5-week travels and condensed it down to 30 days because so many people wanted a 1-month route. Then head over to the Karangahake Gorge for more waterfalls and a historic hike. First, start the day with a bang (or a splash) and do an adventure activity. Road Trip: New Zealand's North Island. Auckland Airport is south of the city, so save on drive time by heading south straight away and explore the North Island. In your opinion East Coast Drive or West Coast which you stated is the best scenery in NZ? Day 5 Tongariro Crossing – 1 full day hike. You completed the Tongariro Alpine Crossing! Pack up and hike back down the Webb Creek Trail (again, DO NOT take the Billy Goat Track). One thing we didn’t have time to do is go on the Skyline Rotorua Luge. However, this one is special and one of our top things to do in New Zealand. With the shuttle service, like Tongariro Expeditions, park your campervan/car in the parking lot north of Hwy 46 near the finish line. We felt rushed throughout the whole tour, even the beer at the end (if we had more time, we probably would have paid for a second, maybe even a third?!). thanks for writing this good blog. Hi, there’s plenty of room in the ActionPod, definitely enough to fit luggage. The fastest way back to Auckland is to cut straight through the middle of the island, but that would require leaving out all of the magnificent sites on the west side. Once you feel comfortable behind the wheel (remember to stay left! There is plenty to do in the capital, so you should aim to spend at least 2-3 days during your North Island, New Zealand itinerary there tasting the many culinary delights and indulging in the craft beer scene. It’s still a very beautiful place and one of those spots you feel like you “have to see”… but so it pretty much all of NZ! The Apple Crisp Cider and the Baltic Porter are delicious! Waiheke Island – just a short ferry ride from Auckland and home to vineyards and white sandy beaches. We ended up not doing the treewalk, because walking around from the bottom was enough for us, but the nighttime/twilight walk looks pretty cool. I do think the trail was a bit over capacity but it is inspiring to see people from all walks of life come together to tackle something together. Tongariro National Park – home to three volcanoes and epic scenery, Tongariro is perfect for hiking. The Te Papa is New Zealand's national museum, dedicated to the island nation's history, culture, and biodiversity. Discover the freedom of open roads with Lonely Planet New Zealand's Best Trips, your passport to uniquely encountering New Zealand by car. Your email address will not be published. Trust me, this small country has so much to offer that even 18 days were insufficient. The drive along the bay is one of the most beautiful routes in the country, with luscious mountains to one side and the bright cerulean water on the other. Just to warn you, it doesn’t look like what you see on Instagram: one solo hot pool simmering with the sun glowing on it. Some people find this place too touristy, but I still thought it was pretty amazing with all the incredible naturally coloured waters and minerals. 2.2 Rotorua To Taupo (via Waitomo) 2.3 Auckland to Bay of Islands Loop. There were lots of excellent restaurants and cafes and we enjoyed the city’s creative vibe. Northland and the Bay of Islands – a paradise land of idyllic bays and one of our favourite places in New Zealand. Hope this helped and it’s not too late Take a Road Trip on New Zealand's North Island Auckland. It’s just that popular of a trail. We also stopped to see Te Matua Ngahere, another ancient kauri tree that isn’t as tall, but is wider and older than Tane Mahuta. They play movies and have “WiFi” you can connect to. In this fascinating book, New Yorker business columnist James Surowiecki explores a deceptively simple idea: Large groups of people are smarter than an elite few, no matter how brilliant—better at solving problems, fostering innovation, ... The biggest city is Whangarei, 100 miles from Auckland, but drive on an additional 40 miles to Northland's best-known tourist destination, the Bay of Islands. More info in our. Total driving time: 1.5 hour  | Distance: 120 km (75 miles). We like to use Booking.com when booking in New Zealand. 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