New Zealand's North Island: Auckland, Bay of Islands, Rotorua & Coromandel
Auckland's harbour and Waiheke Island's vineyards, dolphins and history in the Bay of Islands, Cathedral Cove on the Coromandel, Rotorua's geysers and Māori culture, Hobbiton and the glowworm caves of Waitomo.
- Best time to go
- November to April for beaches, boat trips and hiking. Rotorua, Waitomo and Hobbiton are good all year.
- Flying from India
- One stop to Auckland via Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Sydney or the Gulf, about 16 to 20 hours.
- Visa for Indian passports
- Indian passport holders need a New Zealand Visitor Visa, applied for online with Immigration New Zealand. Allow several weeks, and apply before booking non-refundable arrangements.
- Currency
- New Zealand dollar (NZD).
North Island, New Zealand at a glance
Auckland, built across volcanic cones between two harbours, is the gateway. Take the ferry to Waiheke Island for vineyards and beaches, then drive north to the Bay of Islands, a subtropical bay of 144 islands. Cruise out to the Hole in the Rock, look for dolphins, and visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where New Zealand's founding treaty was signed in 1840.
South-east of Auckland, the Coromandel Peninsula has Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach, where you dig your own hot pool at low tide. Inland, Rotorua bubbles with geysers, mud pools and coloured terraces, and is the best place to learn about Māori culture. Nearby are the Hobbiton Movie Set at Matamata and the glowworm caves of Waitomo, and further south the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, one of the world's great day hikes.
Must-see
- Auckland's harbour and Waiheke Island
- The Bay of Islands and Waitangi
- Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach
- Rotorua's geothermal parks
- Hobbiton and Waitomo
Food to try
- A Māori hāngī feast
- Green-lipped mussels
- Waiheke Island wines
- Pāua (abalone) fritters
- Pavlova
Where to shop
- Ponsonby and Britomart, Auckland
- Māori carving and weaving in Rotorua
- Pounamu (greenstone)
- Manuka honey
- Kauri wood crafts in Northland
Where to Stay
Areas and styles of stay we book most often. We shortlist specific hotels once we know your dates and budget.
Auckland, the waterfront
Harbour hotels
Hotels on the Viaduct and Britomart waterfront, close to the ferries to Waiheke and the restaurants of the harbour.
Waiheke Island
Vineyard and beach retreats
Boutique lodges and villas among the vineyards and bays of Waiheke, 40 minutes from Auckland by ferry.
Bay of Islands, Russell and Paihia
Bayside lodges
Lodges on the water in historic Russell or Paihia, starting points for boat trips to the islands and visits to Waitangi.
Signature Experiences
Moments we build North Island, New Zealand journeys around
Waitomo glowworm caves
A silent boat ride beneath thousands of glowworms lighting the cave ceiling, or black-water rafting for the adventurous.
Wai-O-Tapu thermal wonderland
Walk past the orange-rimmed Champagne Pool, bubbling mud and coloured terraces; arrive early for the Lady Knox Geyser's morning eruption.
An evening of Māori culture
A welcome ceremony, haka and storytelling in a carved meeting house, followed by a hāngī meal cooked in the earth.
Hot Water Beach
Two hours either side of low tide, dig into the sand to release hot spring water and make your own spa pool.
Rotorua's Redwoods Treewalk
Suspension bridges between towering Californian redwoods, especially magical when lit with lanterns at night.
Napier's Art Deco
Rebuilt in Art Deco style after the 1931 earthquake, Napier is best seen on a vintage-car tour, with wine tasting in Hawke's Bay.
Planning Your Journey
Timing, routing and what our specialists tell every North Island, New Zealand traveller
When to visit
November to February
Summer: beaches, sailing and the warmest seas, with long evenings.
March to May
Autumn: settled weather, warm water and fewer crowds.
June to October
Winter and spring: cooler, but Rotorua's hot pools and Waitomo's caves are great all year.
Getting there and around
Into Auckland
One-stop flights to Auckland from Indian cities.
Driving times
Auckland to the Bay of Islands about 3½ hours, to the Coromandel about 2½ hours, and to Rotorua about 3 hours.
Insider notes
Plan around the tides
Hot Water Beach only works around low tide, and Cathedral Cove is best visited by boat or kayak from Hahei.
Tongariro needs good weather
The Alpine Crossing is a long alpine hike. Go with a guide or shuttle, and keep a spare day in case of wind or cloud.
Rotorua's smell
The sulphur smell is part of the geothermal experience. Most people stop noticing it after a few hours.
Book Hobbiton ahead
Tours sell out in summer and school holidays; the evening banquet tour is a special treat.
North Island, New Zealand: Common Questions
The North Island offers Māori culture, geothermal areas, beaches and Hobbiton; the South Island has the big mountains and fiords. With two weeks or more, do both.
Plan your North Island, New Zealand journey
Speak to a specialist.
Share a few details and one of our North Island, New Zealand specialists will get in touch, usually within a working day.
Journeys from here
Itineraries that include North Island, New Zealand
Ready to plan North Island, New Zealand?
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