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.
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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 travellers. 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 59 miles away
- Hastings 64 miles away
- Waitomo 72 miles away
- Tauranga 84 miles away
- Thames & Kauaeranga Valley 126 miles away
- The Kapiti Coast 151 miles away
- Greytown 156 miles away
- Martinborough 165 miles away
- Marlborough Sounds 191 miles away
- Picton 201 miles away
- Blenheim 216 miles away
- Abel Tasman National Park 220 miles away
- Collingwood & Farewell Spit 222 miles away
- Nelson 224 miles away
- Kahurangi National Park 251 miles away
- Paihia 275 miles away
- Kaikoura 275 miles away
- Russell 275 miles away
- Kerikeri 281 miles away
- Matauri Bay 295 miles 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.
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Peace and Plenty Inn
Devonport -
Matahui Lodge
Bay of Plenty -
Waipoua Lodge
Kauri Coast -
Te Arai Lodge
Warkworth -
Takatu Lodge & Vineyard
Warkworth -
Nice Hotel
Taranaki & New Plymouth -
Taranaki Country Lodge
Taranaki & New Plymouth -
Wharekauhau Country Estate
Wairarapa & surrounds -
The Martinborough Hotel
Martinborough -
Parehua Martinborough Country Estate
Martinborough -
Chateau Tongariro Hotel
Tongariro National Park -
Ruapehu Country Lodge
Tongariro National Park -
The Boastshed
Waiheke Island -
Delamore Lodge
Waiheke Island -
Allegra House
Paihia -
Donkey Bay Inn
Russell -
River Birches Lodge
Lake Taupo -
Acacia Cliffs Lodge
Lake Taupo -
Arcadia Lodge
Russell -
The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs
Matauri Bay -
Decks of Paihia
Paihia -
Sanctuary at the Bay of Islands
Bay of Islands -
Eagles Nest
Russell -
970 Lonely Bay Lodge
Coromandel Peninsula -
Hahei B&B
Coromandel Peninsula -
The Barn
Coromandel Peninsula -
Huka Lodge
Lake Taupo -
Tauhara Sunrise
Lake Taupo -
Mussel B&B
Coromandel Peninsula -
Brenton Lodge
Coromandel Peninsula -
Oceans Resort
Coromandel Peninsula -
Clifton Glamping
Napier -
Mangapapa Lodge
Hawke's Bay -
Regent of Rotorua
Rotorua -
City Lights Boutique Lodge
Rotorua -
QT Museum Wellington
Wellington -
Hawthorne House
Hawke's Bay -
Cobden Garden Homestay
Napier -
The Farm at Cape Kidnappers
Hawke's Bay -
Art Deco Masonic Hotel
Napier -
Crown Hotel
Napier -
Breckenridge Lodge
Hawke's Bay -
The Springs
Rotorua -
Koura Lodge
Rotorua -
Black Swan Boutique Hotel
Rotorua -
Treetops Lodge
Rotorua -
Solitaire Lodge
Rotorua -
InterContinental Wellington
Wellington -
Airedale Boutique Suites
Auckland -
Fable Auckland
Auckland -
The Hotel Britomart
Auckland -
Sebel Suites
Auckland -
Eden Park B&B
Auckland -
Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour
Auckland -
Hotel DeBrett
Auckland