Day 1: Auckland
Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city but there’s not much to do in terms of tourism. Spending a day here is more than enough time to see the best bits of the city.
Many people like to go to the top of the Sky Tower for the views. A free alternative would be hiking to the top of Mount Eden. This dormant grass-covered volcano offers better panoramic views, since you will have the Sky Tower in your pictures!
Other activities you can do during your day in Auckland include:
- Auckland War Memorial Museum
- Auckland Botanic Gardens
- Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki
- Take a food tour (Auckland is famous for world-class cuisine)
- Auckland Zoo
- Visit some of Auckland’s many beaches
Days 2 and 3: The Coromandel
It’s time for the road trip to begin with a 2.5-hour drive to the Coromandel. This region is made up of stunning beaches along the peninsula and rainforest inland, making this the perfect place to combine relaxation with outdoor adventures.
Travellers flock to the Coromandel for the iconic Cathedral Cove, a natural archway that delights photographers from around the globe. Gemstone Bay (on the way to Cathedral Cove) is a popular snorkelling spot.
Hot Water Beach, where you dig holes to sit in the naturally hot water, is another must-do in the Coromandel. Hot Water Beach and Cathedral Cove are a short drive from each other, so they can easily be combined in one day. Pay attention to the tides, as you need to visit Hot Water Beach two hours either side of low tide.
For your second day in the Coromandel, choose from some of the following:
- Hike the Pinnacles Track (4-6 hours)
- Karangahake Gorge (a torch is a necessity for the mining tunnels)
- The Pauanui Summit Trail (2 hours)
- Mount Paku Summit Walk (30 minutes)
- Look around the town of Paeroa (don’t miss the big L&P bottle)
- Rock climbing
- Take a stargazing tour
Days 4 and 5: Rotorua
It’s time to head 3 hours south to Rotorua, renowned for its geothermal activity. This will be your first experience of the North Island’s geysers and mud baths (and the permeating smell of sulphur…). The city of Rotorua is situated on the banks of its namesake lake, Lake Rotorua.
Spend your first day exploring the geothermal attractions: volcanic craters, exploding geysers and hot water springs. We recommend Wai-o-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, home of the Lady Knox geyser, and Waimangu Volcanic Valley, with its impressive Crater Lake. Experience the healing properties of mud at the Hell’s Gate mud baths.
On your second day in Rotorua, it’s time to learn more about Māori culture. The Māori people are indigenous to New Zealand; understanding and respecting their history is an important part of any visit to the country.
There are a number of Māori villages in the area and all have great reviews. We recommend Whakarewarewa, called the “Living Village” because it is still lived in by the Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao people today. However, any village you choose will give a good insight into Māori customs, daily routines, songs, hakas and more.
Day 6: Matamata (Hobbiton)
Whether you’re a die-hard Lord of the Rings fan or a complete newbie to the franchise, anyone can enjoy a visit to the set of Hobbiton. You can take a tour bus from Rotorua or drive the hour to Matamata (where Hobbiton is located) yourself. Either way, you will need to book a guided tour once there, as it’s the only way you can access the movie set. Make sure you book well in advance, as Hobbiton is extremely popular!
The basic tour includes lots of photo opportunities in the hobbit houses and around the village of Hobbiton, behind-the-scenes fun facts, and a complimentary drink in the Green Dragon Inn. The tour only takes 2.5 hours, so you’ll have the afternoon free to explore Matamata.
The Wairere Falls walk is a popular choice; it takes around 3-4 hours to complete and provides views of the Waikato plains, as well as multiple viewpoints of the highest waterfalls on the North Island. If you don’t feel like hiking today, the Firth Tower and Museum is an opportunity for a more leisurely walk around the countryside grounds.
Day 7: Taupō
It’s only an hour’s drive today to Taupō, a town known for its proximity to Lake Taupō, a large crater lake. As well as a stroll along the lakeside, you’ll want to visit the following during your stay in Taupō:
- The McDonald’s airplane
- The “Love Taupō” sign
- Go swimming at the hot springs
- Huka Falls
- Sample local honey at the Huka Honey Hive
If you’re also going to Queenstown in the South Island during your New Zealand adventure, you won’t need any longer in Taupō. However, if you’re only visiting the North Island, you may want to shift the itinerary around to spend an extra day here. This way, you can try some of the adrenaline activities like the gondola/luge, jet boating, bungy jumping, white water rafting, etc. These activities are identical in both locations.
Day 8: Tongariro
An hour south of Taupō is Tongariro, where most travellers come to tackle the Tongariro Crossing. This is one of the best day hikes in the world, and Lord of the Rings fans will recognise Mordor and Mount Doom (Mount Ngauruhoe in real life).
You need to plan your hike in advance; it takes about 7-8 hours and is a one-way trail, so you must book transportation back to your car. It’s best to avoid the winter months, as you will have to hike in crampons (and crossings can be cancelled if the weather is too bad).
If you aren’t interested in a day hike, or your hike is cancelled due to bad weather, you might want to check out the slopes of Mount Ruapehu instead. If you aren’t into skiing, you can take a gondola to the top, or there are various short walks to viewpoints of the mountains in the area. For an entertaining side trip, drive via the Carrot Park in Ohakune.
Days 9 and 10: Wellington
It’s time to head south to Wellington, the capital of New Zealand. Like Auckland, it’s a great city to live and work in, with plenty of cafes and restaurants. However, it’s not really a city full of tourist attractions. After your 4-hour drive, you will have about 1.5 days to spend in “Windy Welly”. You won’t have time for everything, but you can pick and choose a good number of the following highlights:
- Wētā Workshop (learn about filmmaking—The Lord of the Rings and more)
- Wellington Botanic Garden (look for glow worms after dark)
- Te Papa (New Zealand’s national museum)
- Wellington Zoo
- Mount Victoria lookout (panoramic city views)
- Wellington Cable Car
- Oriental Bay Beach
- Zealandia
- Red Rocks Reserve
Day 11: The Wairarapa
Swap the city for rolling hills, rugged coastline and quiet towns in the Wairarapa region. One of the most popular day trips is the 2-hour drive to Cape Palliser, the southernmost point of the North Island. Here, expect to see pinnacles, a seal colony and Cape Palliser Lighthouse. End your day with fish and chips in the fishing village of Ngawi.
If you prefer to see some more native wildlife, head north to Pukaha National Wildlife Centre in Mount Bruce (2-hour drive from Wellington). This not-for-profit reserve does important work in animal conservation and rehabilitation.
Otherwise, you may choose to go slightly further afield. To the east (2.5-hour drive from Wellington) is Castlepoint Scenic Reserve, where you can see Castlepoint Lighthouse, Castle Rock, dolphins and fur seals.
Day 12: Napier
Napier is a unique coastal city famous for its art deco buildings. It’s around a 2.5-hour drive to Napier from the Wairarapa, or a 4-hour drive if you are leaving from Wellington. Here’s how to spend a day in Napier:
- National Aquarium of New Zealand (home of the naughty and nice penguins of the month!)
- Stroll along Marine Parade
- Hawke’s Bay wine tour
- Art deco tour (either walking or in a vintage car)
- Bluff Hill Lookout
- Ōtātara Pā Historic Reserve (one of the largest pā complexes in New Zealand)
Day 13: Hamilton
It’s time to start making your way back to Auckland. Break up the long journey with a stop in Hamilton, a 4-hour drive from Napier. Hamilton has one of the best botanic gardens on the North Island. You might also want to check out the Waikato Museum or Hamilton Zoo.
Since Hamilton itself doesn’t have many tourist attractions, you should venture out into the surrounding Waikato area. Options include the Waitomo glow worm caves or the hippy surf village of Raglan. You can combine a few hours at the beaches in Raglan with a walk at the nearby Bridal Veil Falls.
Day 14: Return to Auckland
From Hamilton, it’s a short 1.5-hour drive back to Auckland, where your journey began. Hopefully, this itinerary gives you a good idea of how to cover the majority of the North Island in just two weeks.
0 comments
{{like.username}}
Loading...
Load more