North Island of New Zealand is known for its amazing beaches, surfing, small islands, geothermal areas and beautiful nature. If you need inspirations and ideas for your next travel then read our post below with 15 reasons to visit New Zealand’s North Island.
Whether it’s your first trip to New Zealand or you are wondering what else to see in this beautiful country, you will surely find something new here to inspire your next visit to the North Island. It has a diverse landscape and you can find there snowy mountains as well as warm sunny beaches. Whether you’re looking for backpacking around the country or staying in hotels and taking guided tours – there is something for everybody.
Read also – 15 reasons to visit New Zealand’s South Island.
Auckland
Wynyard Quarter, AucklandI’m starting with my favourite city in New Zealand – Auckland!
Auckland is the largest city in the country. It lies between two harbours – Hauraki Gulf to the east and Manukau Harbour to the south-west. Auckland is also known as City of Sails. Its Westhaven Marina with all the yachts and boats is the biggest marina in the Southern Hemisphere.
Stroll on long western beaches of the Auckland region covered in black volcanic sand. Sail in Auckland harbor. Enjoy the view from one of the volcanic cones or get down to the crater of a dormant volcano. Have a picnic in one of the many green parks or east coast beaches of the city. Go on a wine tasting tour. Jump from Sky Tower (seriously, I did!) if you dare. There is so much to see and do in this big and vibrant city, that it alone is reason enough to visit New Zealand’s North Island.
Auckland view from Mount VictoriaRead some ideas on things to see and do in Auckland in one day and 15 Best One Day Trips from Auckland.
Waterfalls
Wairere Falls – tallest waterfall in North IslandThere are so many waterfalls in New Zealand and a lot of them are on the North Island. Here is a site I recommend (used it myself many times) when looking for info on New Zealand waterfalls – http://waterfalls.co.nz/
Mokoroa falls at Waitakere rangesRead more about home of the Owharoa Falls – Karangahake Gorge – gold mining and scenic walks or check out our pick of 5 Best Waterfalls near Auckland.
Beaches
Piha beach, west coast from AucklandWho doesn’t love spending time on a beach? Going for a swim, snorkeling or surfing in summer. Going for a picnic, walking along the water or birds watching in any other time of the year.
North Island has so many beautiful beaches – family friendly beaches, beaches with huge waves great for surfing, black sand beaches, white sand beaches, marine reserves great for snorkeling, crystal clear turquoise water beaches – anything you like! Whatever type of a beach you prefer – it’s there, on the North Island!
Omaha beach, New ZealandLove beautiful beaches and coastlines? Read also our post on Holidays in Fiji – Where to stay and What to do
Black Swans
Black swans at Rotorua lakeDid you know that until 17th century people didn’t know that black swans exist? They used “black swan” phrase to refer to something non-existent. Only after these birds were discovered by Europeans in 17th century the phrase “black swan” was changed to mean something rare and unusual.
But in New Zealand black swans are as common as their white relatives. You can find black swans inhabiting many lakes and ponds throughout North Island.
Wine
Wineries in Matakana regionNew Zealand is famous for its wines. The country’s natural environment is perfect for growing and making wines. There are many wineries and vineyards in New Zealand, and in North Island in particular. You can go wine tasting on your own or take one of the guided wine tours.
Matakana, Waiheke Island, Kumeu, Hawke’s Bay, Gisborne – just to name a few wine regions in the North Island.
Wellington
The Beehive, Wellington ParliamentWellington is the capital of New Zealand and its second biggest city (after Auckland). The city is surrounded by hills and there are many viewpoints to admire views over Wellington city. If you can’t or don’t want to climb the hills, take a cable car – easy!
Home to Te Papa national museum, famous parliament building ‘The Beehive’, Weta workshop and Weta Cave film studio, Wellington is high on our list of 15 reasons to visit New Zealand’s North Island.
15 reasons to visit New Zealand’s North Island – WellingtonGeothermal areas
15 reasons to visit New Zealand – Champagne pool, Waiotapu thermal parkThere are many geologically active areas on the North Island of New Zealand. Such attractions as geothermal parks and volcanic cones attracts many tourists every year. In New Zealand you can find geysers, hot springs, geothermal parks, dormant and active volcanoes.
Volcanoes
Crater at Mount Eden, AucklandSpeaking of dormant volcanoes – there are several of those in Auckland region. Take a boat trip and then climb on top of volcanic island Rangitoto, walk up to North Head or Mt. Victoria to enjoy view of Auckland and its harbor, or get down to the crater of Mt. Eden (picture above). Something you won’t find in many other countries around the world.
Read our dedicated post on 20+ Volcanoes to see in Auckland.
Middle Earth
Information center at Matamata, Middle EarthFan of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies? Welcome to the Middle Earth! Many filming locations of Peter Jackson’s movies are here, on the North Island. Among them are Matamata (photo above), Wellington region and Tongariro National Park (see below).
Read our article about Visiting The Hobbiton in Middle Earth.
Tongariro National Park
Road in Tongariro National ParkWe have been there so many times and every time we find something new and want to go there again and again. From skiing resorts, to numerous walking tracks and waterfalls, and to well known Tongariro Alpine Crossing with its dramatic landscapes. Tongariro National Park is a must visit when travelling in the North Island.
Tawhai Falls in Tongariro National ParkIslands
Aerial view of Browns and Rangitoto islands. Hauraki GulfBesides two major islands – North and South Islands – New Zealand consists of many more small islands. You can visit them for nature, birds watching, bush walking, fishing, kayaking and so on. Bay of Islands is known for its many small islands with beautiful beaches and marine life. Rangitoto island – an iconic dormant volcano island in Auckland. Mayor Island in Bay of Plenty, Goat Island with its marine reserve, Great Barrier Island – just to name a few.
Kauri Trees
Giant Kauri trees in Waipoua forestWaipoua Forest on North Island is the home of a giant 2000 years old kauri tree. Tane Mahuta (also called Lord of the Forest) is known not only for its age, but as the largest kauri tree known today.
Waipoua Forest has many well marked tracks, where you can have pleasant walks among New Zealand native forest and enjoy the nature.
Caves
15 reasons to visit New Zealand – Ruakuri cave at WaitomoNext in our ’15 reasons to visit New Zealand’s North Island’ are caves. There are many caves in the North Island, some of them are free and others are accessible with guided tours only.
One of the most popular caves on North Island are Waitomo caves. There you can see stalactites and stalagmites of bizarre shapes, famous glow worms (worms that literally glow in the dark) and even experience swimming in underground rivers with ‘black water rafting’ tours.
Breathtaking views and landscapes
Te Mata Peak, Hastings regionIt’s hard to stop listing the reasons to visit New Zealand. There are countless places to see and things to experience in the North Island alone. After living in New Zealand for more than 10 years, we have visited so many places and took so many pictures that it’s just impossible to list here all of them.
Limestone formations near port WaikatoWe think New Zealand is one the most beautiful countries in the world and we highly recommend visiting it. Surely, after being here once you will want to visit it again and again, as there are so many places to see and explore.
Scenic lookout at Omapere, North IslandContinue reading 15 reasons to visit New Zealand’s South Island or see our other posts about New Zealand to read more about places to visit and things to experience.
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Travel by Example – 15 reasons to visit New Zealand’s North Island
Travel by Example – 15 reasons to visit New Zealand’s North Island
Travel by Example – 15 reasons to visit New Zealand’s North Island
New Zealand looks so beautiful! Those pictures of snow-capped mountains are gorgeous (from afar) but kayaking around islands or wine tasting is more my speed. I’ve been reading a lot about the different wine regions on the north island.
New Zealand has activities and sights to satisfy different interests and travel styles. Why not wine tasting with a view over snow-capped mountains? 🙂
I spent so much time in the South island and never got to the North Island thanks for the 15 reasons why I should of. I can’t wait to get back to NZ
Next time then! 😉
I was on North Island in 1986. I just loved it. Can’t wait to return. My son moves to Auckland in 2023. Rotorua and the north islands were my favorite areas.
How exciting for your son! Hope Auckland will welcome him well and your son will like it here 🙂
New Zealand is high up on the list of places to go but it’s a hike from the US so it needs to be a planned long holiday. Will keep this for planning in the future.
I really enjoyed all your excellent photos. I’ve heard so much about New Zealand from acquaintances over the years who have traveled there and it’s long been on my bucket list. Clearly a great diversity in things to do
Caves, volcanoes, and geothermal areas? – Count me in!
Beautiful photos. The beaches and islands look beautiful. Like WK above, I want to visit but is so difficult coming from America!
I can’t wait for the day I get to visit! Gorgeous pictures and so much to see & do.
I love New Zealand’s North Island. So many people miss it out entirely and go straight to the South Island (which I also love), but the North Island has so much to offer. Love the Bay of Islands, Waiheke Island, Taupo and Tongariro in particular – and of course, Hobbiton!
Couldn’t agree with you more! 🙂