My New Zealand North Island Highway Travel Itinerary

From cosmopolitan towns to shocking nature, pristine seashores to volcanic mountains, New Zealand’s North Island in point of fact packs a punch.

House to seventy-five % of New Zealand’s inhabitants, a large number of vacationers suppose you’ll simply see the points of interest in a question of days. The island isn’t large in spite of everything.

However there’s in fact a large number of floor to hide right here. Having been to New Zealand a couple of instances over time, I do know from revel in that there’s much more to peer and do right here than you suppose. You indubitably don’t need to rush.

In a great global, I believe maximum vacationers visiting the North Island will have to spend a minimum of a month right here exploring on a street day trip. That’s my excellent advice.

However since a month off isn’t life like for the general public, I counsel spending a minimum of two weeks as a substitute. That’s the minimal period of time had to do justice to the island on a street day trip.

So, what will have to you spot and do for those who handiest have two weeks? What direction do you are taking? The place do you move?

Underneath is my steered itinerary that assist you to plan your North Island street day trip for optimum potency. This itinerary will make certain that you spot the highlights and get off the crushed trail, taking advantage of your time on this peculiar nation.

New Zealand Highway Travel Highlights

Simply searching for a couple of tips to start out your making plans? Listed below are a couple of highlights from my time in New Zealand. Those are issues I believe each customer will have to revel in when visiting New Zealand:

Need extra information on those actions (and others)? I quilt all of them under!

Renting a Automotive in New Zealand

Ahead of you propose your direction, you want a technique to get round. In terms of road-tripping New Zealand, you necessarily have two choices: automotive or campervan.

Touring by means of campervan may be very standard right here, particularly some of the extra budget-conscious vacationers, as trucks function each lodging and transportation. There are 5 major condominium companies:

Costs range so much. Your day-to-day charge will alternate relying on the place you select up the car, if you’re shedding it off at a special vacation spot, how lengthy you might be renting it for, how some distance prematurely you e-book, and whilst you e-book (within the top season, costs appear to double!).

If dwelling out of a van for a couple of weeks doesn’t sound like your concept of a amusing time, merely hire an ordinary automotive and e-book lodging alongside the best way. I all the time use Uncover Automobiles when renting a car. They scour condominium companies giant and small to seek out the most productive offers.

You’ll use this widget to get a unfastened quote in your automotive condominium:

New Zealand’s North Island Highway Travel Itinerary: A Two-Week Course

Days 1–2: Auckland

Auckland is the biggest and maximum populous town in New Zealand however, opposite to standard trust, it’s now not the capital (that’s Wellington). Since maximum flights land right here, spend a few days recuperating out of your (most probably) lengthy adventure and overcoming your jet lag.

You should definitely talk over with the Auckland Area, move snorkeling on Goat Island, and for those who (like me) love wine, take a wine excursion on Waiheke Island.

If you wish to orientate your self higher, move to the highest of town’s Sky Tower for shocking perspectives of this town and its 1.6 million folks. The Auckland Battle Memorial Museum could also be price a talk over with. It’s one thing of a misnomer because it in point of fact tells the historical past of town. The museum is going the entire as far back as when the Maori arrived from Polynesia and in addition highlights the “discovery” of New Zealand by means of Europeans centuries later.

For an inventory of extra issues to do in Auckland, take a look at my information to town!

The place to Keep: The Attic Backpackers — Voted town’s most well liked hostel 4 years in a row, The Attic is a amusing and budget-friendly position to stick proper within the middle of Auckland. The hostel gives quite a lot of slumbering choices, together with single- and double-bed non-public rooms and dorms. There’s additionally a properly supplied kitchen and an energetic commonplace room for whilst you simply need to relax and meet different vacationers.

 
Days 3-4: Bay of Islands

Only a three-hour force from Auckland, the Bay of Islands are at the northern tip of the North Island and are a great spot to probe for a couple of days. There’s mile after mile of seaside and rocky sea coast surrounding the bay (which incorporates 144 islands). This space has one of the easiest dolphin and whale observing, kayaking, swimming, and boating at the island. A few of my favourite seashores within the nation are right here too.

When you’re right here, remember to talk over with the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, probably the most vital ancient websites within the nation. You’ll additionally discover Cape Reinga (the northernmost level of New Zealand) and take a dip within the geothermal swimming pools at Ngawha Springs. If you wish to have a extra energetic journey, head to Waitangi Mountain Motorcycle Park the place you’ll discover the world by the use of mountain motorcycle.

For an inventory of extra issues to do within the Bay of Islands, take a look at my entire information!

The place to Keep: Haka Hotel – Positioned in Paihia, Haka Hotel has a large number of commonplace areas, a big kitchen, and nice perspectives over the harbor. The whole lot is tremendous blank and the beds are at ease. It’s a just right position to satisfy folks too.
 
Day 5: Hobbiton

Visiting the Hobbiton film set featured in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films is well certainly one of New Zealand’s most famed actions. Although you’re now not a die-hard fan of the movies or books, it’s fascinating to peer the film magic and move in the back of the scenes on this distinctive environment.

To look Hobbiton, you’ll must take a excursion that begins with a force throughout the proprietor’s 505-hectare (1,250-acre) sheep farm, providing epic perspectives over the Kaimai Vary. From right here, you’ll discover Bag Finish, wander across the hobbit holes, and talk over with the Inexperienced Dragon Inn.

There are a number of other excursions to make a choice from. There’s the vintage excursion of the film set that incorporates lunch, a twilight strolling excursion that ends with a dinner party are compatible for a hobbit, a morning excursion that features a hearty breakfast, or even a excursion that comes to jogging. Excursions get started at 89 NZD.

The place to Keep: Snug Nation Keep B&B – This can be a lovable bed-and-breakfast positioned in Matamata only a few miles from Hobbiton. The hosts are incredible, there’s complimentary breakfast, and the valuables is quiet and tranquil. There are even roaming cats and goats that in point of fact upload to the comfortable setting.
 
Days 6–7: Rotorua

It’s only one hour from Hobbiton to Rotorua, probably the most standard vacationer locations at the North Island. The title comes from the unique Maori “Te Rotorua-nui-a-Kahumatamomoe,” which means “2d lake,” because it was once the second one lake that Maori leader Ihenga came upon within the space.

The Maori had been the unique population of New Zealand, having arrived from Polynesia between 1320 and 1350. That is the most productive space to find out about Maori historical past and tradition. Don’t omit seeing a Maori cultural display when you’re right here (the Te Pa Tu Maori Cultural Enjoy is the only I attended).

The area could also be identified for its geothermal process. The dynamic panorama makes for great nature walks, journeys to pungent sulfuric geysers, and stress-free soaks in luxurious spas with water from the new springs.

For adrenaline junkies who won’t make it to Queenstown at the South Island (the journey capital of New Zealand), there’s a legion of adventurous actions presented in Rotorua. Right here you’ll skydive, mountain motorcycle, zipline thru a woodland, and move Zorbing (the place you get into a big clear ball and are rolled down a hill).

The place to Keep: Rock Forged Backpackers – This can be a centrally positioned hostel with an expansive array of amenities, together with a cinema, a bar, a communal kitchen, or even a rock-climbing wall.
 
Day 8: Waitomo

Waitomo is understood for its worms — glowworms, to be particular. However spoiler alert: they’re in fact fly larvae that emit a bioluminescent glow. Indubitably some of the coolest puts I visited in New Zealand, the Waitomo glowworm cave could also be very touristy however it’s merely breathtaking and in contrast to the rest I’ve ever observed. I will be able to’t suggest it sufficient.

You’ll stroll, abseil, or drift down an underground river to peer them (I counsel floating, which was once tremendous amusing). A forty five-minute rafting day trip is the usual talk over with, however if you wish to move abseiling (sometimes called rappelling) there’s a five-hour choice too. Costs get started at 55 NZD for a ship excursion and 195 NZD for prolonged excursions with abseiling.

For a whole listing of items to do in Waitomo, take a look at my information in town.

The place to Keep: Juno Corridor – With regards to the glowworm caves, Juno Corridor has a swimming pool and tennis courtroom on-site. There’s a big kitchen in addition to an out of doors grill for barbecuing. It’s a fab, social spot.
 
Days 9-10: Taupo

Taupo sits at the shores of Lake Taupo, the biggest freshwater lake in New Zealand, and is a part of the Taupo Volcanic Zone, a space that has had top volcanic process for the previous two million years. Taupo has heaps of fantastic hikes, a variety of boating tours, fascinating native markets, and shocking nature. Bring to mind it like a quieter model of Queenstown (the South Island’s journey capital).

There wasn’t a lot in and round Taupo till 1868 when an armed constabulary submit was once established right here. A short while after that, “vacationers” started turning as much as benefit from the herbal springs which might be sprinkled across the space. Through 1880, accommodations started dotting the panorama to benefit from the budding vacationer trade right here. The Taupo Museum is going into element in regards to the space’s historical past, together with the pre-Eu Maori historical past.

It’s additionally some of the easiest puts to move skydiving in New Zealand due to the perspectives and transparent skies (regardless that I didn’t do that whilst I used to be there as I’m now not keen on heights).

I beloved the small-town really feel of Taupo, sitting by means of the lake, and with the ability to do such a lot of hikes. I can have stayed right here for weeks.

For an inventory of extra issues to do in Taupo, take a look at my information.

The place to Keep: Finlay Jack’s – This hostel has an enormous kitchen, a large commonplace room, a spacious patio with BBQs, amusing and inviting team of workers, motorcycle leases, and a really perfect pleasant hostel canine. The whole lot within the hostel is up to date, with new, trendy pod-style beds so you’ll get an excellent evening’s sleep.
 

Day 11: Tongariro Alpine Crossing

Trekking thru this otherworldly, red-colored surroundings of volcanoes and sulfur was once some of the highlights of my time in New Zealand. One of the most Nice Walks of New Zealand and incessantly thought to be some of the easiest day hikes on the earth, that is an epic 19-kilometer (12-mile) trek that takes a complete day to finish (the general public take 6-9 hours, relying to your health degree).

As you wind your approach thru Tongariro Nationwide Park, you’ll stroll thru volcanic terrain (together with the place Mordor in Lord of the Rings was once filmed), previous top peaks and sulfur lakes, and finish the day in a dense woodland. It’s simple in portions (the start and finish) and steep in others (particularly the portion after the ominous-sounding “Mount Doom”), so that you’ll get a just right mixture of problem ranges.

You should definitely deliver water, sunscreen, a hat, bathroom paper, and a sweater or jacket (the elements can alternate swiftly). Be expecting to pay round 50 NZD in line with individual for a round-trip travel to and from the path or 325 NZD for a full-day guided hike.

The place to Keep: Whilst you’ll keep within the park, I’d merely return to Taupo and keep there for the evening.

Days 12–14: Wellington

Wellington isn’t just my favourite town at the North Island, however my favourite town in all the nation. It’s an artsy, eclectic position, boasting heaps of cultural actions, an unbelievable nightlife, one of the easiest meals within the nation, heaps of work of art, world-class artwork shows, insightful museums, and a fantastic harbor (which is easiest observed from Mount Victoria, which overlooks all the town).

You should definitely talk over with Te Papa (New Zealand’s nationwide museum), journey the cable automotive to the Cable Automotive Museum, and excursion Weta Workshop (an Academy Award–profitable props and particular results studio).

After that, you’ll hop on some of the historical purple trolley automobiles so you’ll take within the shocking view of town from the highest of the hill. Tickets value 6 NZD in line with journey.

If you happen to love flora and fauna, take a look at Zealandia. This city flora and fauna sanctuary at the outer edge of town tries to seize what New Zealand was once like earlier than people lived right here. Be expecting to peer a legion of native birds and plant species. You’ll even take a guided excursion at evening. Access, which incorporates a guided excursion, prices 60 NZD.

For an inventory of extra issues to do in Wellington, take a look at my detailed information to town!

The place to Keep: The Marion – This boutique hostel is simply blocks clear of the whole lot you’ll need to see. It’s comfy, with at ease beds and massive toilets, and the team of workers in point of fact move out in their technique to make you’re feeling welcome. It’s a blank, social spot to loosen up and meet different vacationers.

NOTE: If you happen to’ve handiest were given two weeks and are finishing your 14-day New Zealand itinerary in Wellington, you’ll fly out of the airport right here to anyplace you want to move subsequent. When you have extra time, take the automobile ferry (round 3.5 hours) to Picton at the South Island to proceed your day trip!

Issues to Be mindful When Highway-Tripping New Zealand

That can assist you benefit from your street day trip, please take into accout the next regulations:

• Site visitors flows at the left right here (now not the best, like in the United States or Canada).
• You should all the time park your automotive within the path that visitors goes (or chance a wonderful).
• There are many pull-off issues for taking footage — use them as a substitute of preventing at a random spot alongside the facet of the street, which will also be moderately bad given how tight the roads are right here.
• Roads listed below are winding, so understand that it will take longer than you are expecting to hide a selected distance.
• So long as your present and legitimate motive force’s license is in English, you don’t want an World Motive force’s Allow.
• If you happen to’re touring by means of campervan, use the CamperMate app to seek out within sight campsites, fuel stations, and sell off stations.

New Zealand is an unforgettable nation, loaded with epic landscapes, pleasant Kiwis, and a wealthy tradition. I believe it’s probably the most shocking nations on the earth — and a great vacation spot for street journeys. Simply remember to practice my recommendation above. Do this, and also you’ll have an incredible talk over with to this pretty island!