As a landmass, New Zealand’s North Island catapults between topographical extremes. In one corner, it’s all gentle hills plaited with vineyards; in its middle, it’s punctured by vast shield volcanoes. Its northernmost corners are semi-tropical, with golden-sand beaches, while farther south, geysers and mud pools bubble and froth on the geothermal plateau. While many visitors tend to overlook the North Island for the more high-octane, alpine scenery of the South Island, our specialists are eager to show you just how many rewarding cultural and outdoorsy experiences North Island encompasses.
Some of the world’s best day hikes are found here, including routes which see you skirt the country’s mightiest volcanoes: the traditionalists stick to Tongariro National Park, but we’d also recommend you explore Taranaki and New Plymouth. You can go birdwatching in predator-free Kapiti Island, relax in the winelands of Napier or the sandy coves of the Coromandel Peninsula, and take a dolphin-watching boat tour in the Bay of Islands. And, New Zealand’s Maori community clusters on the North Island. We’ve picked a handful of private guided tours that aim to acquaint you with their culture in a respectful, intimate way, from twilight forest walks to a Maori perspective of Auckland.
Speak to someone
who's been there

Start planning your tailor-made trip to North Island by contacting one of our New Zealand specialists
- 617-223-4580
- Make an inquiry
Places to visit in North Island
Featuring heavily on our experiences of visiting North Island, these selected places are destinations that also prove consistently popular with our travelers. Our specialists can help you choose how to include them in your wider trip, based on your preferences.
Suggested itineraries featuring North Island
Our itineraries will give you suggestions for what is possible when you travel in North Island, and they showcase routes we know work particularly well. Treat them as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.
Places in and around North Island
- 90 Mile Beach & Cape Reinga North Island
- Auckland North Island
- Bay of Islands North Island
- Bay of Plenty North Island
- Coromandel Peninsula North Island
- Devonport North Island
- Eastland & Gisborne North Island
- Great Barrier Island North Island
- Hawke's Bay North Island
- The Kauri Coast North Island
- Lake Taupo North Island
- Rotorua North Island
- Taranaki & New Plymouth North Island
- Tongariro National Park North Island
- Waiheke Island North Island
- Waikato North Island
- Wairarapa & surrounds North Island
- Warkworth North Island
- Wellington North Island
- Whanganui National Park North Island
- Napier 95 kilometers away
- Hastings 103 kilometers away
- Waitomo 115 kilometers away
- Tauranga 135 kilometers away
- Thames & Kauaeranga Valley 202 kilometers away
- The Kapiti Coast 242 kilometers away
- Greytown 250 kilometers away
- Martinborough 266 kilometers away
- Marlborough Sounds 306 kilometers away
- Picton 324 kilometers away
- Blenheim 347 kilometers away
- Abel Tasman National Park 354 kilometers away
- Collingwood & Farewell Spit 357 kilometers away
- Nelson 360 kilometers away
- Kahurangi National Park 404 kilometers away
- Paihia 442 kilometers away
- Kaikoura 443 kilometers away
- Russell 443 kilometers away
- Kerikeri 453 kilometers away
- Matauri Bay 474 kilometers away
Photos of North Island
Accommodation choices for North Island
We’ve selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit North Island. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.
-
Peace and Plenty Inn
Devonport -
Matahui Lodge
Bay of Plenty -
Waipoua Lodge
Kauri Coast -
Nice Hotel
Taranaki & New Plymouth -
Te Arai Lodge
Warkworth -
Taranaki Country Lodge
Taranaki & New Plymouth -
Takatu Lodge & Vineyard
Warkworth -
The Boatshed
Waiheke Island -
The Martinborough Hotel
Martinborough -
Delamore Lodge
Waiheke Island -
Parehua Martinborough Country Estate
Martinborough -
Wharekauhau Country Estate
Wairarapa & surrounds -
Ruapehu Country Lodge
Tongariro National Park -
Chateau Tongariro Hotel
Tongariro National Park -
Allegra House
Paihia -
The Barn
Coromandel Peninsula -
970 Lonely Bay Lodge
Coromandel Peninsula -
Hahei B&B
Coromandel Peninsula -
River Birches Lodge
Lake Taupo -
Acacia Cliffs Lodge
Lake Taupo -
Arcadia Lodge
Russell -
Mussel B&B
Coromandel Peninsula -
Ocean's Resort
Coromandel Peninsula -
Eagles Nest
Russell -
Sanctuary at the Bay of Islands
Bay of Islands -
The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs
Matauri Bay -
Decks of Paihia
Paihia -
Huka Lodge
Lake Taupo -
Tauhara Sunrise
Lake Taupo -
Clifton Glamping
Napier -
Mangapapa Lodge
Hawke's Bay -
QT Museum Wellington
Wellington -
City Lights Boutique Lodge
Rotorua -
Regent of Rotorua
Rotorua -
Art Deco Masonic Hotel
Napier -
Cobden Garden Homestay
Napier -
Crown Hotel
Napier -
Hawthorne House
Hawke's Bay -
Breckenridge Lodge
Hawke's Bay -
The Farm at Cape Kidnappers
Hawke's Bay -
InterContinental Wellington
Wellington -
Solitaire Lodge
Rotorua -
Treetops Lodge
Rotorua -
Koura Lodge
Rotorua -
Black Swan Boutique Hotel
Rotorua -
The Springs
Rotorua -
Airedale Boutique Suites
Auckland -
Fable Auckland
Auckland -
The Hotel Britomart
Auckland -
Hotel DeBrett
Auckland -
Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour
Auckland -
Eden Park B&B
Auckland -
Sebel Suites
Auckland