
Visit North Island, New Zealand
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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 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
- Matauri Bay North Island
- Rotorua North Island
- Taranaki & New Plymouth North Island
- Tauranga 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
- 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 242 miles away
- Paihia 275 miles away
- Kaikoura 275 miles away
- Russell 275 miles away
- Kerikeri 281 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 & Plenty
The Peace & Plenty is a magnificently restored Victorian villa, situated in an unbeatable waterfront location in the heart of the historic maritime village of Devonport.
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Wharekauhau Country Estate
Wharekauhau Country Estate is set on a 5,000 acre working sheep station on New Zealand's dramatic south-eastern coast. It blends warm, convivial country hospitality with elegant and graceful luxury.
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Matahui Lodge
Situated in the Bay of Plenty, in the privacy of six acres of manicured gardens and vineyards, lies Matahui Lodge. This luxury lodge offers indulgence and pampering in a truly beautiful setting.
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Takatu Lodge & Vineyard
All four suites at Takatu Lodge offer fantastic views, either toward the ocean or over the vineyard, and are designed for maximum privacy, elegance and comfort.
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Sebel Trinity Wharf
The Sebel Trinity Wharf is beautifully located on the waterfront of the Tauranga Harbour and offers 120 stylishly furnished, en suite guest rooms.
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Kauri Cliffs
Set on 6,000 acres of land with spectacular views over Matauri Bay and the offshore Cavalli Islands, Kauri Cliffs is among the most exclusive and luxurious in all New Zealand.
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Waipoua Lodge
Nestled on a ridge overlooking the impressive Waipoua Forest, Waipoua Lodge is the perfect base from which to explore the beautiful Kauri Coast.
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Copthorne Hotel & Resort Bay of Islands
The Copthorne Waitangi has a beachside location, with stunning views of the Bay of Islands and within easy reach of Paihia and Waitangi.
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Cliff Edge by the Sea
Located on a secluded promontory, Cliff Edge By The Sea is a delightful property that commands spectacular views over the Bay of Islands.
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Sanctuary at the Bay of Islands
The Sanctuary at the Bay of Islands is a custom built lodge, carefully designed to provide luxurious, elegant suites that make the most of this truly stunning location.
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Breckenridge Lodge
Breckenridge Lodge is nestled in the valley of Omarunui. With only five guest rooms the lodge is personal and intimate, and each room is luxurious and private, facing out over the endless vines.
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Taranaki Country Lodge
Taranaki Country Lodge is a beautiful property located on the outskirts of New Plymouth and boasts stunning views over the North Coast and Mount Taranaki.
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Nice Hotel
Centrally located, the Nice Hotel is a welcoming boutique property within walking distance of New Plymouth's shops, galleries, parks and waterfront.
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Hawthorne House
Located in the heart of the Hawke's Bay wine region, Hawthorne House is an Edwardian Villa that offers a great base from which to explore the Art Deco attractions of Napier, coastline and the region's wineries.
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The Farm at Cape Kidnappers
The Farm at Cape Kidnappers offers luxury accommodation, plenty of activities and incredible views out across the mighty Hawke's Bay.
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QT Museum Wellington
A unique and privately owned hotel, the QT Museum Wellington is ideally located for the Te Papa Museum and Wellington's waterfront, and just a few minutes' walk from the city's shops and restaurants.
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City Lights Boutique Lodge
Set on the outskirts of Rotorua, City Lights Boutique Lodge is a small property with an intimate atmosphere and a large garden. The warm welcome from the convivial hosts makes a stay feel like a visit to a family friend.
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Regent of Rotorua
The Regent of Rotorua is a small, stylish hotel, ideally located close to the lakefront in the center of Rotorua and its restaurants.
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Chateau Tongariro Hotel
Situated in the heart of the Tongariro National Park, and with Mount Ruapehu as a stunning backdrop, the Tongariro Chateau undoubtedly boasts one of the finest locations in New Zealand.
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Ruapehu Country Lodge
Ideally situated just a few minutes from Ohakune Township and Tongariro National Park, Ruapehu Golf & Country Lodge offers the perfect escape for those who love the great outdoors.
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The Boatshed
The Boatshed on beautiful Waiheke Island is just 35 minutes by ferry from Auckland, and offers luxury accommodation and great food in a relaxed island setting.
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Delamore Lodge
Delamore Lodge is molded into the hillside at Owhanake Bay, overlooking the stunning Hauraki Gulf. Its beautifully appointed guest suites make the most of the ocean views, and offer plenty of luxury.
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Hotel Grand Windsor
Heritage styling meets contemporary design in this landmark Auckland hotel that harks back to the glory days of the roaring twenties. With sophisticated styling, a highly regarded restaurant and a new spa, it offers old world elegance in the heart of the city.
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SKYCITY Hotel
The SKYCITY Hotel is located right in the center of Auckland. Its bright, comfortable rooms all feature large windows with city or harbor views.
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Tauhara Sunrise
Tauhara Sunrise is a small lodge with just three guest suites, all with spectacular lake views, and all enjoying excellent en suite facilities.
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Huka Lodge
Just upstream from the famous Huka Falls near Taupo, Huka Lodge offers opulent accommodation in 20 secluded suites, all positioned for maximum privacy alongside the riverbank.
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Wharewaka Lodge
Wharewaka Lodge is an attractive bed & breakfast located on the shores of Lake Taupo. It offers three luxury suites each with en suite bathroom and private balcony.
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Acacia Cliffs Lodge
Excellent hosts and breathtaking views of Lake Taupo, Mount Tauhara and the Kaimanawa Ranges make Acacia Cliffs Lodge a great place to stay and explore the area.
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Hahei Horizon Bed and Breakfast
Hahei Horizon Bed and Breakfast is a lovely property with friendly hosts, tucked among native trees on the hill overlooking the beautiful beach at Hahei.
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Mussel B&B
Nestled amidst native bush, tranquil gardens and streams and yet only a five-minute walk to beautiful Cooks Beach, The Mussel B&B is the perfect base to explore Hot Water Beach and Cathedral Cove and the passenger ferry to Whitianga is just a ten-minute drive away.
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Manawa Ridge
Artists and sculptors, Willem and Carla van de Veen have adapted their crafts to build the incredible Manawa Ridge lodge, with its 360 degree views over stunning countryside to the Pacific Ocean beyond.
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Colleith Lodge
Colleith Lodge offers relaxation, privacy and comfort in a beautiful setting on the Coromandel Peninsula.
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Brenton Lodge
Set among an acre of lovely gardens, mature trees and a swimming pool, Brenton Lodge offers panoramic views of Whangamata and sea views encompassing the outlying islands.
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970 Lonely Bay Lodge
970 Lonely Bay Lodge offers luxury boutique accommodation in Cooks Beach, Whitianga
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Ocean's Resort
Oceans Resort offers one- and two-bedroom self-catering apartments, furnished in a contemporary style, and enjoying a beach-side location.
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The Springs
The Springs is a magical property in the heart of Rotorua. Its four spacious guest rooms are exquisitely decorated in a 1930s style and have access to a terrace and garden.
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Treetops Lodge
Only half an hour from Rotorua city, but located in 1000 hectares of native bush, Treetops Lodge is the ultimate in privacy and luxury.
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InterContinental Wellington
The InterContinental Wellington is the perfect base to explore the capital city. Its rooms are spacious and well appointed, and many enjoy great views over the city and the harbor.
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Koura Lodge
Koura Lodge sits on the edge of Lake Rotorua. Each of its rooms enjoy stunning views and it is ideally located within easy reach of all the local attractions.
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Black Swan Boutique Hotel
Located on the shores of Lake Rotorua, the Black Swan Boutique Hotel offers luxury bed and breakfast accommodation, excellent service and unbeatable lake views.
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Solitaire Lodge
Solitaire Lodge is situated on a privately owned peninsula on the shores of Lake Tarawera. It has ten beautifully appointed suites, all of which boast stunning lake or mountain views.
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Eden Park B&B
Eden Park B&B offers guest accommodation in just four rooms. Each enjoys comfortable, quality furnishings and en suite or private bathroom facilities.
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Sky City Grand
Sky City Grand is a luxury hotel that blends style and elegance with a central city location.
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Hotel DeBrett
Located in the heart of Auckland's center, Hotel DeBrett is a small boutique hotel. Each of its rooms has been individually designed and features an eclectic mix of furniture, fittings and artwork.
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Sebel Suites
The Sebel Suites is situated right in the heart of Viaduct Harbour. This all-suite property combines the services of a top hotel with the freedom of self-contained facilities.
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Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour
Located in the heart of central Auckland, the Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour is just a short stroll from the many restaurants and entertainments on offer in this vibrant part of the city.