Jump to:
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 Māori 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 Māori perspective of Auckland.
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.
-
Waipoua Lodge
Kauri Coast -
Taranaki Country Lodge
Taranaki & New Plymouth -
Nice Hotel
Taranaki & New Plymouth -
Delamore Lodge
Waiheke Island -
Takatu Lodge & Vineyard
Warkworth -
The Boatshed
Waiheke Island -
Te Arai Lodge
Warkworth -
Parehua Martinborough Resort
Martinborough -
Wharekauhau Country Estate
Wairarapa & surrounds -
The Martinborough Hotel
Martinborough -
Ruapehu Country Lodge
Tongariro National Park -
Huka Lodge
Lake Taupo -
Acacia Cliffs Lodge
Lake Taupo -
River Birches Lodge
Lake Taupo -
Arcadia Lodge
Russell -
Sanctuary at the Bay of Islands
Bay of Islands -
Decks of Paihia
Paihia -
Rosewood Kauri Cliffs
Matauri Bay -
Allegra House
Paihia -
Ocean's Resort
Coromandel Peninsula -
The Barn
Coromandel Peninsula -
970 Lonely Bay Lodge
Coromandel Peninsula -
Hahei B&B
Coromandel Peninsula -
Hawthorne House
Hawke's Bay -
Crown Hotel
Napier -
Rosewood Cape Kidnappers
Hawke's Bay -
Responsible ChoiceWe've hand-selected a range of tours and stays across the world that go above and beyond to be a force for good by supporting local businesses, educating staff, challenging local norms, or promoting conservation and biodiversity efforts. Your Responsible Choice helps increase the positive impact of your trip.
Cobden Garden Homestay
Napier -
Art Deco Masonic Hotel
Napier -
Breckenridge Lodge
Hawke's Bay -
Mangapapa Lodge
Hawke's Bay -
Clifton Glamping
Napier -
Koura Lodge
Rotorua -
Black Swan Boutique Hotel
Rotorua -
Treetops Lodge
Rotorua -
Solitaire Lodge
Rotorua -
City Lights Boutique Lodge
Rotorua -
Regent of Rotorua
Rotorua -
InterContinental Wellington
Wellington -
QT Museum Wellington
Wellington -
Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour
Auckland -
InterContinental Auckland
Auckland -
Hotel DeBrett
Auckland -
The Sebel Auckland Viaduct Harbour
Auckland -
Fable Auckland
Auckland -
Responsible ChoiceWe've hand-selected a range of tours and stays across the world that go above and beyond to be a force for good by supporting local businesses, educating staff, challenging local norms, or promoting conservation and biodiversity efforts. Your Responsible Choice helps increase the positive impact of your trip.
The Hotel Britomart
Auckland -
Airedale Boutique Suites
Auckland