North Island Roadie Must-Stops

 

Wellington – Te Papa

 

This is the place to go to understand and experience Maori culture; it is quite different than any other and gives New Zealand a major point of difference. Te Papa Museum in Wellington will leave you as a Maori expert. There is also a world-class Gallipoli exhibition on where you can learn about how kiwis experienced the war.

 

Auckland – Sky Tower

 

Surely you have heard of this already! But we had to include the iconic Auckland masterpiece! Not only does it hover over the CBD, it also holds a lot of experiences within… dine at the famous Sugar Club for a glamorous experience or for a more life-changing experience you can dive off the tower – attached to a bungy cord of course!

 

 

Taupo – Huka Falls

 

This is breath taking and free, win win! Lets bright blue water astound you as you stand on one of many platforms and watch the gallons of water wash past. It is only a few minutes out of Taupo so you have no reason not to visit! This 11-metre high waterfall is the most photographed natural attraction in NZ! The volume of water is enough to fill an Olympic sized swimming pool in 11 seconds! Do not fall in!

 

 

Hamilton – Hobbiton

 

Lord Of The Rings is what has made NZ known, along with the All Blacks of course! Here you can see where a very famous chunk of the film was made – you can even sleep and eat here if you are a hardcore fan!

 

Mount Maunganui – Summit track

 

This is an attraction that is very popular for ‘gramming. Want that perfect traveller Instagram account? Head up this summit right now. It’s a short, fast walk (if you don’t stop) but is extremely steep and challenging! There are absolutely no flat parts on this track so lets say we will do this instead of hitting the gym today. The views are awesome so hopefully we haven’t put you off!

 

 

Rotorua – Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland

 

Rotorua has a feature that makes New Zealand extremely unique and that is the geothermal activity. Surrounded in colourful, volcanic areas, mud pools, geysers and hot pools (not the type you swim in!). With a café and picnic area on site, make a day of it!

 

Waiheke – Wine Tour

 

Waiheke Island is a quick ferry ride from Auckland City – located in the Hauraki Gulf and being the second largest island in the gulf there is no shortage of entertainment – getting tipsy a vineyards is our personal favourite. With several vineyards and tours to pick from we will leave that up to you, we prefer the ones with electric bikes and a lot of cheese!

 

Coromandel – Cathedral Cove Walk

 

Located in the quiet, isolated town of Hahei, many visitors make there way out here just to spend a day at the cove. Only being accessible via foot or boat makes this spot special and unique, it is only a 1.5 hour round trip and is suitable for all fitness levels. Chill out here for the day like a true kiwi or visit the nearby Stingray Bay or Gemstone Bay (great snorkeling).

 

Cape Reinga – Ninety Mile Beach

 

This is literally as far north as you can go in the entire country, it is the absolute tip of the North Island, and boy is there some fun kiwi things to do here! Jump on a boogey board and ride the sand dunes! If you don’t intend on travelling the country carrying a boogey board you can book with one of several tour companies who provide the boards. Not so adventurous? Watch dolphins on a cruise – if you’re into marine biology this is the place for you.

 

 

Taranaki – Mt Taranaki

 

As Lonely Planet says, Taranaki is both overlooked and under-appreciated. But for an intrepid traveller this is just the place, it’s ‘the ‘Naki’ and is well worth the detour on your road trip. At first you will see rolling farms, and kiwi farmers milking their cows, the deeper you get into the Naki you will start stumbling across black-sand beaches. This tramp up Mt Taranaki is only recommended for experienced trampers with the appropriate equipment and is a 6.3km round trip. Reach the peak sitting at 2518m and stand on top of the dormant volcano.