A road trip around New Zealand's North Island
The North Island is often just a "drive-through" on the way to the more famous South Island. A big mistake. There's volcanic land, geothermal valleys, Māori culture, subtropical beaches, Hobbiton and a volcano that looks like a child's drawing. I spent most of my first six months here, and this is my North Island road trip itinerary for two to three weeks.
- Auckland – start 36.849° S, 174.763° E
- Coromandel – beaches and Cathedral Cove 36.830° S, 175.790° E
- Hobbiton – the film village 37.872° S, 175.683° E
- Rotorua – geysers and Māori culture 38.137° S, 176.250° E
- Taupo – the lake and Huka Falls 38.686° S, 176.070° E
- Tongariro – the Alpine Crossing 39.141° S, 175.581° E
- Mount Taranaki – a picture-book volcano 39.297° S, 174.063° E
- Wellington – the capital 41.286° S, 174.776° E
Auckland and Northland (3–5 days)
Start in Auckland: volcanoes, the harbour and black beaches to the west. If you have time, turn north for a Northland road trip all the way to the lighthouse at Cape Reinga.
Coromandel (2 days)
The peninsula with the North Island's most beautiful beaches. Cathedral Cove with its huge rock arch, Hot Water Beach, where at low tide you dig your own hot pool in the sand, and the Pinnacles trek in the Coromandel Range.
Hobbiton and Waitomo (1–2 days)
Heading south, stop at Hobbiton near Matamata. From there it's a short way to Waitomo, where you float through caves in a little boat under thousands of glowworms.
Rotorua and Taupo (3 days)
Rotorua smells of sulphur, but it's worth it: geysers, the coloured pools of Wai-O-Tapu and Māori culture. An hour further south is Taupo, with New Zealand's largest lake and the blue Huka Falls.
Tongariro (2 days)
Tongariro National Park is New Zealand's oldest, and its volcanoes played Mordor. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is probably the country's most beautiful day hike. On the way, don't miss the legendary Desert Road.
Taranaki (2 days)
A perfectly symmetrical volcano on the west coast. The hike to the Pouakai Tarns, with the volcano's reflection, is one of the most photogenic on the island. More in three days at Mount Taranaki.
Wellington (2 days)
The windy capital with the best coffee in the country, the Te Papa museum and the view from Mount Victoria. To the south-east lies Cape Palliser with its fur seal colony: more in Wellington and the sea lion colonies.
When to go
Summer (December–February) is the warmest but the busiest. Autumn (March–May) has settled weather and fewer people: my favourite season. In winter there's snow on Tongariro and the hikes become alpine.
Faq
How many days do I need for New Zealand's North Island?
Ideally two to three weeks. In one week you'll only fit in the main places between Auckland and Wellington.
Is the North Island worth it, or should I go straight south?
It's definitely worth it. The North Island offers volcanoes, geothermal areas, Māori culture and beaches you won't find in the south.
How do I get from the North Island to the South Island?
By the Interislander or Bluebridge ferry from Wellington to Picton. The crossing takes about three and a half hours.
