My New Zealand North Island Road Trip Itinerary

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

Residence to seventy-five p.c of New Zealand’s inhabitants, loads of vacationers assume you may simply see the sights in a matter of days. The island isn’t enormous in any case.

However there’s truly loads of floor to cowl right here. Having been to New Zealand a couple of instances over time, 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 street journey. That’s my best suggestion.

However since a month off is just not reasonable 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 street journey.

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

Under is my prompt itinerary that may show you how to plan your North Island street journey for optimum effectivity. This itinerary will be sure that you see the highlights and get off the overwhelmed path, taking advantage of your time on this extraordinary nation.

New Zealand Street Journey Highlights

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

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

Renting a Automobile in New Zealand

Earlier than you propose your route, you want a approach to get round. In the case of road-tripping New Zealand, you basically have two choices: automobile or campervan.

Touring by campervan could be very in style right here, particularly among the many extra budget-conscious vacationers, as vans function each lodging and transportation. There are 5 major rental businesses:

Costs fluctuate lots. Your day by day price will change relying on the place you choose up the automobile, if you’re dropping it off at a distinct vacation spot, how lengthy you’re renting it for, how far prematurely you ebook, and once you ebook (within the excessive season, costs appear to double!).

If residing out of a van for a couple of weeks doesn’t sound like your thought of a enjoyable time, merely lease a standard automobile and ebook lodging alongside the best way. I at all times use Uncover Automobiles when renting a automobile. They scour rental businesses large and small to search out the perfect offers.

You should use this widget to get a free quote in your automobile rental:

 

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

Days 1–2: Auckland

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

Make sure you go to the Auckland Area, go snorkeling on Goat Island, and should you (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 gorgeous views of this metropolis and its 1.6 million folks. The Auckland Struggle Memorial Museum can be price a go to. It’s one thing of a misnomer because it actually tells the historical past of town. The museum goes all the best way again to when the Maori arrived from Polynesia and in addition highlights the “discovery” of New Zealand by Europeans centuries later.

For a listing of extra issues to do in Auckland, try 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 gives quite a lot of sleeping choices, together with single- and double-bed non-public rooms and dorms. There’s additionally a properly geared up kitchen and an lively widespread room for once 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 an amazing place to probe for a couple of days. There’s mile after mile of seaside and rocky shoreline surrounding the bay (which comprises 144 islands). This space has a number of the greatest 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, make sure you go to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, probably the most essential historic websites within the nation. You can too discover Cape Reinga (the northernmost level of New Zealand) and take a dip within the geothermal swimming pools at Ngawha Springs. If you need a extra lively journey, head to Waitangi Mountain Bike Park the place you may discover the realm through mountain bike.

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

The place to Keep: Haka Lodge – Situated in Paihia, Haka Lodge has loads of widespread areas, a big kitchen, and nice views over the harbor. Every little thing is tremendous clear and the beds are snug. It’s a very good place to fulfill folks too.
 
Day 5: Hobbiton

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

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

There are a number of totally 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 – This can be a cute bed-and-breakfast positioned in Matamata only a few miles from Hobbiton. The hosts are unbelievable, there’s complimentary breakfast, and the property is quiet and tranquil. There are even roaming cats and goats that basically add to the comfortable ambiance.
 
Days 6–7: Rotorua

It’s only one hour from Hobbiton to Rotorua, probably the most in style vacationer locations on the North Island. The identify 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 perfect space to find out about Maori historical past and tradition. Don’t miss seeing a Maori cultural present when you’re right here (the Te Pa Tu Maori Cultural Expertise is the one I attended).

The area can be identified for its geothermal exercise. The dynamic panorama makes for good nature walks, journeys to smelly sulfuric geysers, and stress-free soaks in luxurious spas with water from the new 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 provided in Rotorua. Right here you may skydive, mountain bike, zipline via 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 Strong Backpackers – This can be a centrally positioned hostel with an expansive array of services, together with a cinema, a bar, a communal kitchen, and even a rock-climbing wall.
 
Day 8: Waitomo

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

You’ll be able to 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 choice 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, try my information in town.

The place to Keep: Juno Corridor – Near the glowworm caves, Juno Corridor has a swimming pool and tennis courtroom 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 biggest 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, a number of boating excursions, charming native markets, and gorgeous 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 put up was established right here. A short while after that, “vacationers” started turning as much as make the most of the pure springs which are sprinkled across the space. By 1880, lodges started dotting the panorama to make the most of the budding vacationer business right here. The Taupo Museum goes into element concerning the space’s historical past, together with the pre-European Maori historical past.

It’s additionally probably the greatest locations to go skydiving in New Zealand due to 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 liked 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, try my information.

The place to Keep: Finlay Jack’s – This hostel has an enormous kitchen, a giant widespread room, a spacious patio with BBQs, enjoyable and welcoming workers, bike leases, and an excellent pleasant hostel canine. Every little thing within the hostel is up to date, with new, trendy pod-style beds so you will get an amazing night time’s sleep.
 

Day 11: Tongariro Alpine Crossing

Trekking via this otherworldly, red-colored atmosphere of volcanoes and sulfur was one of many highlights of my time in New Zealand. One of many Nice Walks of New Zealand and sometimes thought of probably the greatest 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 stage).

As you wind your means via Tongariro Nationwide Park, you’ll stroll via 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 elements (the start and finish) and steep in others (particularly the portion after the ominous-sounding “Mount Doom”), so that you’ll get a very good mixture of problem ranges.

Make sure you deliver water, sunscreen, a hat, rest room paper, and a sweater or jacket (the climate can change quickly). Anticipate to pay round 50 NZD per individual 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 is not only my favourite metropolis on the North Island, however my favourite metropolis in all the nation. It’s an artsy, eclectic place, boasting tons of cultural actions, an unbelievable nightlife, a number of the greatest meals within the nation, tons of murals, world-class artwork reveals, insightful museums, and an attractive harbor (which is greatest seen from Mount Victoria, which overlooks all the metropolis).

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

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

In the event you love wildlife, try 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’ll be able to 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, try my detailed information to town!

The place to Keep: The Marion – This boutique hostel is simply blocks away from the whole lot you’ll need to see. It’s cozy, with cozy beds and huge loos, and the workers actually exit of their approach to make you are feeling welcome. It’s a clear, social spot to loosen up and meet different vacationers.

NOTE: In the event you’ve solely acquired two weeks and are ending your 14-day New Zealand itinerary in Wellington, you may fly out of the airport right here to wherever it’s essential 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 street journey, please keep in mind the next guidelines:

• Site visitors flows on the left right here (not the proper, like within the US or Canada).
• It’s essential to at all times park your automobile within the route that visitors goes (or threat a advantageous).
• There are many pull-off factors for taking photographs — use them as a substitute of stopping at a random spot alongside the aspect of the street, 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 anticipate 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 the event you’re touring by campervan, use the CamperMate app to search out close by campsites, fuel 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 gorgeous nations on the planet — and an ideal vacation spot for street journeys. Simply make certain to comply with my recommendation above. Try this, and also you’ll have a tremendous go to to this lovely island!