My New Zealand North Island Street Journey Itinerary

From cosmopolitan cities to beautiful nature, pristine seashores to volcanic mountains, New Zealand’s North Island actually packs a punch.

House to seventy-five p.c of New Zealand’s inhabitants, lots of vacationers assume you possibly can simply see the sights in a matter of days. The island isn’t big in any case.

However there’s truly lots of floor to cowl right here. Having been to New Zealand just a few instances through the years, I do know from expertise that there’s much more to see and do right here than you assume. You undoubtedly don’t need to rush.

In an ideal world, I believe most vacationers visiting the North Island ought to spend at the very least a month right here exploring on a highway journey. That’s my perfect suggestion.

However since a month off shouldn’t be life like for most individuals, I counsel spending at the very least two weeks as a substitute. That’s the minimal period of time wanted to do justice to the island on a highway journey.

So, what do you have to see and do if you happen to solely have two weeks? What route do you are taking? The place do you go?

Under is my steered itinerary that may assist you plan your North Island highway journey for max effectivity. This itinerary will make sure that you see the highlights and get off the overwhelmed path, profiting from your time on this extraordinary nation.

New Zealand Street Journey Highlights

Simply in search of just a few pointers to start out your planning? Listed below are just a few highlights from my time in New Zealand. These are issues I believe each customer ought to expertise when visiting New Zealand:

Need extra information on these actions (and others)? I cowl all of them beneath!

Renting a Automobile in New Zealand

Earlier than you intend your route, you want a solution to get round. With regards to road-tripping New Zealand, you primarily have two choices: automobile or campervan.

Touring by campervan may be very common right here, particularly among the many extra budget-conscious vacationers, as vans function each lodging and transportation. There are 5 most important rental companies:

Costs differ so much. Your day by day charge will change relying on the place you choose up the car, in case you are dropping it off at a special vacation spot, how lengthy you’re renting it for, how far prematurely you e-book, and if you e-book (within the excessive season, costs appear to double!).

If residing out of a van for just a few weeks doesn’t sound like your thought of a enjoyable time, merely hire a standard automobile and e-book lodging alongside the way in which. I all the time use Uncover Automobiles when renting a car. They scour rental companies huge and small to seek out the most effective offers.

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New Zealand’s North Island Street Journey Itinerary: A Two-Week Route

Days 1–2: Auckland

Auckland is the most important and most populous metropolis in New Zealand however, opposite to common perception, it’s not the capital (that’s Wellington). Since most flights land right here, spend a few days recovering out of your (seemingly) lengthy journey and overcoming your jet lag.

Make sure to go to the Auckland Area, go snorkeling on Goat Island, and if you happen to (like me) love wine, take a wine tour on Waiheke Island.

If you wish to orientate your self higher, go to the highest of town’s Sky Tower for beautiful views of this metropolis and its 1.6 million individuals. The Auckland Struggle Memorial Museum can also be value a go to. It’s one thing of a misnomer because it actually tells the historical past of town. The museum goes all the way in which again to when the Maori arrived from Polynesia and likewise highlights the “discovery” of New Zealand by Europeans centuries later.

For a listing 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 hottest hostel 4 years in a row, The Attic is a enjoyable and budget-friendly place to remain proper within the coronary heart of Auckland. The hostel affords quite a lot of sleeping choices, together with single- and double-bed non-public rooms and dorms. There’s additionally a properly outfitted kitchen and an lively frequent room for if you simply need to sit back and meet different vacationers.

 
Days 3-4: Bay of Islands

Only a three-hour drive from Auckland, the Bay of Islands are on the northern tip of the North Island and are a fantastic place to probe for just a few days. There’s mile after mile of seashore and rocky shoreline surrounding the bay (which accommodates 144 islands). This space has a number of the finest dolphin and whale watching, kayaking, swimming, and boating on the island. A few of my favourite seashores within the nation are right here too.

Whilst you’re right here, you’ll want to go to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, probably the most necessary historic websites within the nation. It’s also possible to discover Cape Reinga (the northernmost level of New Zealand) and take a dip within the geothermal swimming pools at Ngawha Springs. If you’d like a extra lively journey, head to Waitangi Mountain Bike Park the place you possibly can discover the world by way of mountain bike.

For a listing of extra issues to do within the Bay of Islands, take a look at my full information!

The place to Keep: Haka Lodge – Situated in Paihia, Haka Lodge has lots of frequent areas, a big kitchen, and nice views over the harbor. Every little thing is tremendous clear and the beds are snug. It’s a great place to satisfy individuals too.
 
Day 5: Hobbiton

Visiting the Hobbiton film set featured in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films is well one in all New Zealand’s most well-known actions. Even if you happen to’re not a die-hard fan of the movies or books, it’s attention-grabbing to see the film magic and go behind the scenes on this distinctive setting.

To see Hobbiton, you’ll must take a tour that begins with a drive by the proprietor’s 505-hectare (1,250-acre) sheep farm, providing epic views over the Kaimai Vary. From right here, you possibly can discover Bag Finish, wander across the hobbit holes, and go to the Inexperienced Dragon Inn.

There are a number of completely different excursions to select from. There’s the basic tour of the film set that features lunch, a twilight strolling tour that ends with a feast match for a hobbit, a morning tour that features a hearty breakfast, and even a tour that entails jogging. Excursions begin at 89 NZD.

The place to Keep: Cosy Nation Keep B&B – It is a cute bed-and-breakfast positioned in Matamata only a few miles from Hobbiton. The hosts are incredible, there’s complimentary breakfast, and the property is quiet and tranquil. There are even roaming cats and goats that actually add to the comfortable ambiance.
 
Days 6–7: Rotorua

It’s only one hour from Hobbiton to Rotorua, probably the most common vacationer locations on the North Island. The title comes from the unique Maori “Te Rotorua-nui-a-Kahumatamomoe,” that means “second lake,” because it was the second lake that Maori chief Ihenga found within the space.

The Maori have been the unique inhabitants of New Zealand, having arrived from Polynesia between 1320 and 1350. That is the most effective space to find out about Maori historical past and tradition. Don’t miss seeing a Maori cultural present whilst you’re right here (the Te Pa Tu Maori Cultural Expertise is the one I attended).

The area can also be identified for its geothermal exercise. The dynamic panorama makes for good nature walks, journeys to smelly sulfuric geysers, and enjoyable soaks in luxurious spas with water from the recent springs.

For adrenaline junkies who might not make it to Queenstown on the South Island (the journey capital of New Zealand), there’s a legion of adventurous actions supplied in Rotorua. Right here you possibly can skydive, mountain bike, zipline by a forest, and go Zorbing (the place you get into a big clear ball and are rolled down a hill).

The place to Keep: Rock Stable Backpackers – It is a centrally positioned hostel with an expansive array of amenities, together with a cinema, a bar, a communal kitchen, and even a rock-climbing wall.
 
Day 8: Waitomo

Waitomo is thought for its worms — glowworms, to be particular. However spoiler alert: they’re truly fly larvae that emit a bioluminescent glow. Positively one of many coolest locations I visited in New Zealand, the Waitomo glowworm cave could also be very touristy nevertheless it’s merely breathtaking and in contrast to something I’ve ever seen. I can’t suggest it sufficient.

You possibly can stroll, abseil, or float down an underground river to see them (I counsel floating, which was tremendous enjoyable). A forty five-minute rafting journey is the usual go to, however if you wish to go abseiling (also called rappelling) there’s a five-hour possibility too. Costs begin at 55 NZD for a ship tour and 195 NZD for prolonged excursions with abseiling.

For an entire record of issues to do in Waitomo, take a look at my information in town.

The place to Keep: Juno Corridor – Near the glowworm caves, Juno Corridor has a swimming pool and tennis court docket on-site. There’s a big kitchen in addition to an outside grill for barbecuing. It’s a cool, social spot.
 
Days 9-10: Taupo

Taupo sits on the shores of Lake Taupo, the most important freshwater lake in New Zealand, and is a part of the Taupo Volcanic Zone, an space that has had excessive volcanic exercise for the previous two million years. Taupo has tons of unbelievable hikes, numerous boating excursions, charming native markets, and beautiful nature. Consider 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 publish was established right here. A short time after that, “vacationers” started turning as much as make the most of the pure springs which are sprinkled across the space. By 1880, inns started dotting the panorama to make the most of the budding vacationer trade right here. The Taupo Museum goes into element in regards to the space’s historical past, together with the pre-European Maori historical past.

It’s additionally one of many finest locations to go skydiving in New Zealand because of the views and clear skies (although I didn’t do that whereas I used to be there as I’m not a fan of heights).

I beloved the small-town really feel of Taupo, sitting by the lake, and having the ability to take action many hikes. I may have stayed right here for weeks.

For a listing 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 giant frequent room, a spacious patio with BBQs, enjoyable and welcoming employees, bike leases, and a brilliant pleasant hostel canine. Every little thing within the hostel is up to date, with new, fashionable pod-style beds so you will get a fantastic night time’s sleep.
 

Day 11: Tongariro Alpine Crossing

Trekking by this otherworldly, red-colored surroundings of volcanoes and sulfur was one of many highlights of my time in New Zealand. One of many Nice Walks of New Zealand and infrequently thought-about the most effective day hikes on the planet, that is an epic 19-kilometer (12-mile) trek that takes a full day to finish (most individuals take 6-9 hours, relying in your health degree).

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

Make sure to carry water, sunscreen, a hat, bathroom paper, and a sweater or jacket (the climate can change quickly). Anticipate to pay round 50 NZD per particular person for a round-trip shuttle to and from the path or 325 NZD for a full-day guided hike.

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

Days 12–14: Wellington

Wellington isn’t just my favourite metropolis on the North Island, however my favourite metropolis in your entire nation. It’s an artsy, eclectic place, boasting tons of cultural actions, an unbelievable nightlife, a number of the finest meals within the nation, tons of murals, world-class artwork reveals, insightful museums, and a phenomenal harbor (which is finest seen from Mount Victoria, which overlooks your entire metropolis).

Make sure to go to Te Papa (New Zealand’s nationwide museum), journey the cable automobile to the Cable Automobile Museum, and tour Weta Workshop (an Academy Award–profitable props and particular results studio).

After that, you possibly can hop on one of many historic pink trolley vehicles so you possibly can take within the beautiful view of town from the highest of the hill. Tickets price 6 NZD per journey.

In case you love wildlife, take a look at Zealandia. This city wildlife sanctuary on the periphery of town tries to seize what New Zealand was like earlier than people lived right here. Anticipate to see a legion of native birds and plant species. You possibly can even take a guided tour at night time. Entry, which features a guided tour, prices 60 NZD.

For a listing 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 away from all the things you’ll need to see. It’s cozy, with cozy beds and huge loos, and the employees actually exit of their solution to make you’re feeling welcome. It’s a clear, social spot to chill out and meet different vacationers.

NOTE: In case you’ve solely bought two weeks and are ending your 14-day New Zealand itinerary in Wellington, you possibly can fly out of the airport right here to wherever that you must go subsequent. You probably have extra time, take the automobile ferry (round 3.5 hours) to Picton on the South Island to proceed your journey!

Issues to Keep in mind When Street-Tripping New Zealand

That will help you take advantage of your highway journey, please bear in mind the next guidelines:

• Visitors flows on the left right here (not the precise, like within the US or Canada).
• You need to all the time park your automobile within the course that visitors goes (or danger a high quality).
• There are many pull-off factors for taking images — use them as a substitute of stopping at a random spot alongside the facet of the highway, which could be fairly harmful given how tight the roads are right here.
• Roads listed here are winding, so do not forget that it would take longer than you count on to cowl a selected distance.
• So long as your present and legitimate driver’s license is in English, you don’t want an Worldwide Driver’s Allow.
• In case you’re touring by campervan, use the CamperMate app to seek out close by campsites, gasoline stations, and dump stations.

New Zealand is an unforgettable nation, loaded with epic landscapes, pleasant Kiwis, and a wealthy tradition. I believe it’s probably the most beautiful nations on the planet — and an ideal vacation spot for highway journeys. Simply be sure that to comply with my recommendation above. Try this, and also you’ll have a tremendous go to to this lovely island!