Things to do in North Island

Other than the attractions of the two main cities, Auckland and Wellington, there is plenty to and see on New Zealand's North Island. As the heartland of the Maori people, the North Island is rich in history and culture, with sites such as Rotorua and Wai-O-Tapu especially significant in local history. A mixture of unique culture and strange natural phenomenon make these places extremely interesting. Rotorua, for example, has the most thermal activity in New Zealand through its hot springs and thermal baths. It draws crowds from all over the world to enjoy this natural spa treatment. Similarly, Wai-O-Tapu is a natural spectacle of thermal activity that boasts spectacular colour schemes in its pools of warm water, which have been active for over 100,000 years.

On the very northern tip of the island, known as Northland, towards the warm waters of Polynesia, lies the ancestral home of New Zealand's first inhabitants. Here visitors can enjoy the beautiful beaches along the coast and join in the locals love for watersports of all kinds, including surfing, diving and skiing. For those who want to learn more about the native people of the North Island, it's worth visiting Mitai Maori village, which offers a genuine introduction to an indigenous cultural experience in a sacred and spiritual place.

A popular way to see a large part of the island is to embark on a driving tour around the North Island. One common suggestion is to start the self-driving New Zealand tour in Auckland and complete a loop including many key areas such as Rotorua, Napier, Wellington, Taupo, Whakatane, Waiheke, Kaitaia and Gisborne, so as to experience a good variety of what the island has to offer.

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Reserve photo

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Reserve

Wai-O-Tapu, meaning 'Sacred Waters', is a diverse and colourful geothermal sightseeing experience. The area has been active for more than 100,000 years and features thick pools of …

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Reserve

Wai-O-Tapu, meaning 'Sacred Waters', is a diverse and colourful geothermal sightseeing experience. The area has been active for more than 100,000 years and features thick pools of boiling mud that bubble and belch, geysers, sulphuric mineral terraces, and steaming pools that create a kaleidoscope of colour. Walkways around the area allow visitors to admire the display of some of the most incredible earth forces in the world. Some of the best features include the spectacular Champagne Pool, a large steaming and bubbling pool fringed by red and yellow ochre deposits, and the evil looking Devil's Bath, where the high concentration of arsenic creates the vivid green colour of the water.

Website www.waiotapu.co.nz

Taranaki photo

Taranaki

Located between Wellington and Auckland, Taranaki has for a long time been largely overlooked by tourists in New Zealand. It's only recently that visitors have discovered the charm…

Taranaki

Located between Wellington and Auckland, Taranaki has for a long time been largely overlooked by tourists in New Zealand. It's only recently that visitors have discovered the charms of the westernmost province in New Zealand, with its lush gardens, rolling hills of dairy farms, scenic parks, and world-class surf spots. The biggest city in Taranaki is New Plymouth, a busy port on the Tasman Sea rated by the United Nations as one of the best small cities in the world.

Website www.taranaki.co.nz

Rotorua photo

Rotorua

Rotorua lies on the Volcanic Plateau of Central North Island, and continuous volcanic activity has formed its landscape. The destination's main attractions are based around its nat…

Rotorua

Rotorua lies on the Volcanic Plateau of Central North Island, and continuous volcanic activity has formed its landscape. The destination's main attractions are based around its natural resources, with there being a number of hot springs and thermal baths that are the basis for its fast-growing fame as 'Nature's Spa of the South Pacific'. Crystal lakes offer holiday activities such as trout fishing and water sports, and nearby geothermal fields feature bubbling mud pools, spouting geysers, and steaming rivers. Rotorua is also the Maori cultural heartland and visitors can experience the spirit of their culture in many performances featuring stories relayed through song and dance, and a 'hangi' feast, the traditional Maori method of cooking in an earthen pit.

Website www.rotoruanz.com