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If you’re visiting New Zealand, it can be easy to assume that all the action is on the South Island.
After all, that’s what everyone says… Right?!
Wrong!
New Zealand’s North Island is filled with beautiful beaches, towns that smell like eggs and cool geothermal experiences that’ll bring out the science nerd in you.
So if you’re headed to New Zealand’s North Island, read on for my 10 day New Zealand North Island itinerary!
Who is this New Zealand north island itinerary for?
If you’re short on time, 10 days is just enough to see the highlights that New Zealand’s North Island has to offer.
This New Zealand North Island itinerary shares a combination of outdoor activity, movie magic (Hobbiton!) and can’t miss geothermal experiences.
Excited? Read on my friends 😉
Psst: if you have more or less than 10-days, this itinerary can be adapted! I include tips for things that you can skip or add on your road trip!
Getting around New Zealand’s North Island
The easiest way to get around while you’re here is via car.
There are various bus options, but unless you’re on a strict budget or you can’t drive, I would stick to renting a car as if offers more flexibility.
Alternatively, you can rent a camper van or motorhome, but the per night cost of these is usually higher.
I’ve traveled both solo and in a couple in New Zealand, and the cheapest option is always renting a small car and staying at budget-friendly accommodation (think motels, AirBnBs, and hostels)
Psst: For my budget travelers reading this, make sure you check out my guide to seeing New Zealand on a budget.
Overview of 10-day New Zealand North Island Itinerary
Day 1: Auckland
Days 2 – 4: Taupo / Tongariro National Park
Days 5 – 6: Rotorua
Day 7: Hamilton / Hobbiton / Waitomo Caves
Days 8 – 9: Coromandel Peninsula
Day 10: Auckland
Day 1: Auckland
This 10-day New Zealand north island itinerary starts in Auckland, but you can also start in Wellington and work your way up to the rest of the itinerary from there.
Auckland is New Zealand’s biggest city and chances are if you’re flying into New Zealand, you’ll be starting your journey here. For travelers flying into Auckland Airport, check out this super comprehensive guide for the best way to get to Auckland City from the airport.
On your first day in New Zealand, you’re probably adjusting to time zone differences and sorting out SIM cards, so I suggest your first day is spent going for a walk around the city and enjoying a coffee at one of Auckland’s many cafes.
Things to do in Auckland:
- Stroll down Queen St for high street shopping
- Visit the Auckland War Memorial Museum to learn more about both New Zealand and local Auckland history
- Go for a walk around Auckland Waterfront (the area around Wynyard Quarter, Viaduct and Queens Wharf)
Where to stay in Auckland:
For budget travelers: Verandahs Backpackers Lodge
For mid-range travelers: Hotel Grand Windsor MGallery by Sofitel
Treat yo’ self: Hotel DeBrett
Days 2 – 4: Taupo / Tongariro National Park
The next few days are all about visiting Tongariro National Park and the town of Taupo.
Tongariro National Park is home to active volcanoes and most famously for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.
Many scenes from the Lord of the Rings trilogy were filmed here. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is also the busiest day hike in the world.
Psst: For the fans out there reading this, this is were Mordor (Lord Sauron’s home) was shot! Mount Ngauruhoe was used to create the scary Mt Doom in the films.
To visit, I’d suggest basing yourself in the nearby town of Taupo which has plenty of accommodation and food options.
Taupo is also a great place to spend some time, as the town sits on the banks of the beautiful Lake Taupo.
Driving time:
3.5 hrs drive from Auckland to Taupo
1 hr drive from Taupo to Whakapapa Village (Tongariro National Park)
Things to do:
- Walk around Lake Taupo
- Tongariro Alpine Crossing (day walk)
- Tongariro Northern Circuit: this is a 3 to 4 day walk, so you will need to add extra days to your itinerary to do this.
Psst: if you’re planning on doing the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, you will need to organize bus transfers, as there is a maximum 4 hr parking limit at Whakapapa Village (Tongariro National Park). The hike is a full day, so if you park your car at the village it will get fined! I’ll be writing a post about The Tongariro Alpine Crossing soon, so stay tuned for this!
Where to stay in Taupo / Tongariro National Park:
I’d recommend staying in Taupo and driving or taking a transfer to Tongariro National Park.
Whakapapa Village (Tongariro National Park) has very few accommodation and food options.
For budget travelers: YHA Taupo
For mid-range travelers: Gables Lakefront Motel
Treat yo’ self: Sails on the Lake
Day 5 – 6: Rotorua
Rotorua is most famous for “being the place in New Zealand that smells like rotten eggs”.
Despite the off-putting smell, Rotorua is an incredibly cool place to visit, since it’s so close to many geothermal experiences.
From hot creeks you can swim in, to boiling hot lakes that are actually too hot to touch, you won’t run out of things to experience in Rotorua.
The highlight of our visit to Rotorua was seeing the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland (pictured above).
It was a lil’ touristy, but really cool to see the park, especially being from a country where we don’t see much geothermal activity.
Driving time:
1 hr drive from Taupo to Rotorua
Things to do:
- Go for a short walk through the Redwoods Forest, Whakarewarewa
- Visit the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland and see a geyser erupt!
- Walk at Rainbow Mountain Scenic Reserve
- Go for a dip at Kerosene Creek (this is a geothermally heated creek that you can swim in for free!)
Where to stay in Rotarua:
For budget travelers: Rotorua Downtown Backpackers
For mid-range travelers: Quest Rotorua Central Apartment Hotel
Treat yo’ self: Peppers on the Point Lake Rotorua
Day 7: Hamilton / Hobbiton / Waitomo Caves
This day in this New Zealand North Island itinerary is so you can visit all the amazing things around Hamilton.
Though I wouldn’t necessarily recommend spending that much time in the city Hamilton!
Around this area, you’ll find the Hobbiton Movie Set, Zealong Tea Estate (for all my tea lovers out there) and the Waitomo Caves.
The Hobbiton movie set is a must on any New Zealand North Island itinerary.
While the tour might seem a lil’ pricy, you get a chance to get up close and personal with the movie set that was used to film The Hobbit (all maintained in its glory!)
While you’re in the area, I’d also recommend for my tea-loving friends a visit to Zealong Tea Estate, which is a New Zealand Owned + Managed tea estate and is also one of the few organic tea farms in the world.
A short drive away is the Waitomo Caves, known for its underground cave systems and glow worms that light up the caves. Tours run pretty often, though it is recommended that you book in advance.
Driving time:
1 hr drive from Rotorua to Hobbiton + 1 hr drive Hobbiton to Hamilton
1 hr drive from Hamilton to Waitomo Caves
Things to do:
- Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
- Zealong Tea Estate Tour / High tea
- Waitomo Caves
Where to stay:
I’d recommend spending a night in the city of Hamilton. Hamilton is a short drive from the Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Caves. This is a great place to base yourself to visit both of these locations.
For budget travelers: Glenview Hometel
For mid-range travelers: Quantum Lodge Motor Inn
Day 8 – 9: Coromandel Peninsula
The Coromandel Peninsula is a great place to visit if you’re a fan of beaches and coastal road trips. The area is incredibly popular for New Zealanders visiting over the weekend for a short weekend getaway.
This was one part of our trip where we actually saw more locals than overseas travelers.
As Australians, we’re used to incredible beaches, but of course New Zealand being New Zealand they one-up us and have a hot sand beach.
Yep, you read that correctly – a HOT WATER SAND BEACH.
A beach with hot water.
This is 100% worth a visit for the novelty alone!
Driving time:
2 hr drive from Hamilton to Hahei
Things to do:
- Visit the giant L&P bottle + go vintage shopping in the town of Paeroa (stop here on the way to Hahei!)
- Cathedral Cove Walk
- Hot water beach (make sure you visit within 2 hrs either side of low-tide)
- Mount Paku (short summit walk) in the town of Tairua
Where to stay in Coromandel Penninsula:
I’d recommend staying either in Hahei, as it’s close to some really cool experiences. There are also a couple of accommodation options to suit all budgets.
For budget travelers: Tatahi Backpackers
For mid-range travelers: Tatahi Lodge Beach Resort
Treat yo’ self: Hahei Horizon Bed & Breakfast
Day 10: Auckland
On your visit back to Auckland, you’ll probably need to return your car rental.
The activities I suggest for your last day in Auckland are easier with a car, as they are further from the city and have parking available.
Bring yo’ walking shoes and get ready to see beautiful Auckland city views and even volcano craters!
Auckland is a city that was built on and near volcanoes. You can actually visit a (dormant) volcano quite easily from Auckland.
Driving time:
2.5 hr drive from Hahei to Auckland
Things to do:
- Walk up Mt Eden, home to volcanic peak Maungawhau
- Take the short walk up to One tree hill, which is home to volcanic peak Maungakiekie, you’ll get incredible views of Auckland city from here.(Psst: One tree hill is known to locals as “no tree hill” because there is actually no tree up here!)
Are you short on time?
If you have less than 10 days on New Zealand’s North Island, here are some recommendations…
Spend less time in Auckland: as amazing as Auckland is as a city, you’re not in New Zealand to experience city life!
The most exciting parts of our visit to the North Island were when we weren’t in Auckland (sorry my lovely Aucklanders!)
Don’t visit or spend less time on the Coromandel Peninsula: if you’re not big on beaches or come from a country that has incredible beaches, you could do this as a day trip (Hot water beach is still pretty cool!) or not visit at all.
Do you have extra time?
If you have more than 10-days to explore New Zealand’s North Island, here are some recommendations…
Spend more time at Tongariro National Park: if you’re a fan of the outdoors and hiking, consider hiking the Tongariro Northern Circuit, a 4-day 3-night hike.
We did this and loved it!
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing gives you only a glimpse of this incredible national park.
Doing the Northern Circuit allows you to spend your nights in the huts in the park and enjoy the best that New Zealand has to offer.
Consider visiting Wellington: we visited Wellington on a previous trip to New Zealand, and we loved this quiet city.
It felt a lot less hectic compared to Auckland and has some really incredible food choices too.
Include a visit to Napier: we were in Napier for a friend’s wedding, but we wish we had more time to explore this cute town.
Napier is home to many Art Deco buildings and is also home to many wineries (we were lucky enough that the wedding we went to was at a winery!)
However long you have to dedicate to your New Zealand North Island itinerary, this is an incredible part of New Zealand.
So often the north island is given a bad name and unfairly compared to the South Island.
My opinion of the north island? It’s just different and 100% worth a visit.
Are you planning on visiting New Zealand’s North Island? Let me know if you have any questions or comments below!
That time I was miserable kayaking Milford Sound (but I’d do it again)