tourist map of northland nz

Northland Region

Bay of Islands , Russell , Paihia, Cape Reinga, Ninety Mile Beach, Spirits Bay , and Waipoua Forest.

Northland is the only region in New Zealand with a sub-tropical climate. Summer is from November to early April with the hottest months being January and February. The top of Northland known simply as the 'Far North' is famous for beaches and in particular the longest beach in New Zealand, called the 'Ninety Mile Beach'. It covers the entire western coast of the Far North and has huge sand dunes which make parts of this coastline resemble the Sahara Desert. Over on the more sheltered east coast, the coastline is indented with many idyllic sandy beaches and bays, which include such gems as Karikari beach, Great Exhibition Bay which is claimed to have the purest deposit of silica sand in the world, and sacred Spirits Bay .

Further south of the Far North but still on the east coast, is one of New Zealand's most popular tourist attractions, The Bay of Islands. Boat trips available from the towns of Paihia and Russell and will take you out to see some of the 150 sub-tropical islands dotted in the bay.

The town of Waitangi is located here and has special importance to New Zealand because it is here that the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840. This treaty is the the founding document of the nation.

Another major attraction in the Northland are the ancient Kauri forests. These forests contain the mightiest trees in New Zealand which rate amongst some of the biggest and oldest trees in the world. These forests are located on the western side of Northland aptly named the Kauri Coast.

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Welcome to the top of Aotearoa New Zealand. This subtropical paradise might be lesser visited than elsewhere on the North Island but that’s all the more reason to sink your toes into its sandy beaches. The rich Maori culture, magnificent kauri forests and NZ’s top scuba diving sites are just some of the glorious bonuses to add to your itinerary up north. Start planning your trip to Northland on New Zealand’s largest travel guide where you’ll find activities, stays and tips that no other guide covers.

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Northland Travel Guide

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Thrusting 350km from Auckland into the subtropical north, Northland separates the Pacific Ocean from the Tasman Sea. The two oceans swirl together off Cape Reinga, New Zealand’s most northerly road-accessible point, which tourists often approach via the sands of Ninety Mile Beach. Kiwis regularly describe this staunchly Maori province as the “Winterless North”, a phrase that evokes the citrus trees, avocado plantations, vineyards, warm aquamarine waters and beaches of white silica or golden sand. These attractions have increasingly made the upper reaches of the region a magnet for discerning tourists and holidaying Kiwis, keen to escape the hullabaloo of Auckland traffic. Increased tourism has, in turn, slowly brought back some prosperity and a more positive and welcoming attitude to a region once noted for its ambivalence to visitors.

Around Whangarei

The bay of islands, trips from the bay of islands, the treaty at waitangi, the treaty after waitangi, hokianga harbour, kaitaia and around, the kauri forests and around, kauri loggers, gum diggers, the matakana coast to bream bay, matauri bay to the karikari peninsula, ninety mile beach and cape reinga, the northern kaipara harbour, north of whangarei to the bay of islands.

Scenically, Northland splits down the middle. The east coast is a labyrinth of coves hidden between plunging headlands. Beaches tend to be calm and safe, with the force of occasional Pacific storms broken by clusters of protective barrier islands. There could hardly be a greater contrast than the long, virtually straight, west coast pounded by powerful Tasman breakers and broken only by occasional harbours. Tidal rips and holes make swimming dangerous, and there are no lifeguard patrols. Some beaches are even designated as roads but are full of hazards for the unwary – and rental cars aren’t insured for beach driving. Exploration of the undulating interior involves long forays down twisting side roads.

Beyond Auckland’s extended suburbs, on the east shore, is the rural Matakana Coast , popular with yachties circumnavigating Kawau Island and snorkellers exploring the underwater world of the Goat Island Marine Reserve . The broad sweep of Bream Bay runs to the dramatic crags of Whangarei Heads at the entrance to Northland’s major port and town, Whangarei . Off the coast here lie the Poor Knights Islands , one of the world’s premier dive spots with a multitude of unique dives around the islands. Tourists in a hurry tend to make straight for the Bay of Islands , a jagged bite out of the coastline steeped in New Zealand history and dotted with islands suitable for cruising, diving and swimming (some of the time) with dolphins. Everything north of here is loosely referred to as The Far North, a region characterized by the quiet remoteness of the Whangaroa Harbour , Doubtless Bay, and the Aupori Peninsula, which backs Ninety Mile Beach and leads to Cape Reinga .

The west coast is clearly discernable from the east, marked by the struggle out of economic neglect caused by the cessation of kauri logging and establishment of farming and tourism in its stead, both of which are finally beginning to alter the landscape and create a more positive atmosphere. First stop on the way back south from Ninety Mile Beach is the fragmented but alluring Hokianga Harbour , one of New Zealand’s largest, with spectacular sand dunes gracing the north head. South of here you’re into the Waipoua Forest , which is all that remains after the depredations of the kauri loggers – a story best told at the excellent Kauri Museum at Matakohe.

Brief history

Northland was the site of most of the early contact between Maori and European settlers, and the birthplace of New Zealand’s most important document, the Treaty of Waitangi . Maori legend tells of how the great Polynesian explorer Kupe discovered the Hokianga Harbour and, finding the climate and abundance of food to his liking, encouraged his people to return and settle there. It was their descendants in the Bay of Islands who had the dubious honour of making the first contact with white men, as European whalers plundered the seas and missionaries sought converts. Eventually, the northern chiefs signed away their sovereignty in return for assurances on land and traditional rights, which were seldom respected. There is still a perception among some Maori in the rest of the country that the five northern iwi gave Aotearoa away to the Pakeha.

As more fertile farmlands were found in newly settled regions further south, rapacious kauri loggers and gum diggers cleared the bush, and later, as extractive industries died away, pioneers moved in, turning much of the land to dairy country . Local dairy factories closed as larger semi-industrial complexes centralized processing, leaving small towns all but destitute, though the planting of fast-growing exotic trees and sporadic horticulture keep local economies ticking over.

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It’s worth hanging around Whangarei to explore the surrounding area, particularly to the east and north of the town where craggy, weathered remains of ancient volcanoes abut the sea. Southeast of the town, Whangarei Heads is the district’s volcanic heartland where dramatic walks follow the coast to calm harbour beaches and windswept coastal strands; a kayak trip is a great way to get the best views of a landscape built from often-violent activity. To the northeast, Tutukaka acts as the base for dive trips to the undersea wonderland around the Poor Knights Islands .

Tutukaka and the Poor Knights Islands

Boats set out from tiny TUTUKAKA – set on a beautiful, deeply incised harbour 30km northeast of Whangarei – for one of the world’s premier dive locations, the Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve , 25km offshore.

Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve

The warm East Auckland current and the lack of run-off from the land combine to create visibility approaching 30m most of the year, though in spring (roughly Oct–Dec) plankton can reduce it to 10–15m. The clear waters are home to New Zealand’s most diverse and plentiful range of sea life, including a few subtropical species found nowhere else, as well as a striking underwater landscape of near-vertical rock faces and arches that drop almost 100m. One dive at the Poor Knights, the Blue Mao Mao Cave, was rated by Jacques Cousteau as one of the top ten dive sights in the world. The Poor Knights lie along the migratory routes of a number of whale species, so blue, humpback, Bryde’s, sei and minke whales, as well as dolphins, are not uncommon sights on the way to the islands. The waters north and south of Tutukaka are home to two navy wrecks . The survey ship HMNZS Tui was sunk in 1999 to form an artificial reef, and it was so popular with divers and marine life that the obsolete frigate Waikato followed two years later.

THE BAY OF ISLANDS , 240km north of Auckland, lures visitors to its beautiful coastal scenery, scattered islands and clear blue waters. There are other equally stunning spots along the Northland coast, such as the Whangaroa and Hokianga harbours, but what sets the bay apart is the ease with which you can get out among the islands, and its pivotal history. This was the cradle of European settlement in New Zealand, a fact abundantly testified to by the bay’s churches, mission stations and orchards. It’s also a focal point for Maori because of the Treaty of Waitangi , still New Zealand’s most important legal document.

Perhaps surprisingly, much of your time in the Bay of Islands will be spent on the mainland, as there are no settlements on the islands. Most visitors base themselves in beachside Paihia , which is set up to deal with the hordes who come here for the various cruises and excursions, as well as being the closest town to the Treaty House at Waitangi . The compact town of Russell , a couple of kilometres across the bay by passenger ferry, is prettier and almost equally convenient for cruises. To the northwest, away from the bay itself, Kerikeri is intimately entwined with the area’s early missionary history, while Waimate North , inland to the west, was another important mission site and Mission House.

In 1927 American Western writer Zane Grey came here to fish for striped and black marlin, making the area famous with his book The Angler’s El Dorado . Every summer since, the bay has seen game-fishing tournaments and glistening catches strung up on the jetties.

A warm climate, abundant seafood and deep, sheltered harbours contributed to dense pre-European Maori settlement in the Bay of Islands, with many a headland supporting a pa . The bay also appealed to Captain Cook , who anchored here in 1769. Cook landed on Motuarohia Island at what became known as Cook’s Cove, where he forged generally good relations with the inhabitants. Three years later the French sailor Marion du Fresne , en route from Mauritius to Tahiti, became the first European to have sustained contact with Maori, though he fared less well when a misunderstanding, probably over tapu , led to his death, along with 26 of his crew. The French retaliated, destroying a pa and killing hundreds of Maori.

Bay of Islands tours and activities

Unless you get out onto the water you’re missing the essence of the Bay of Islands. The majority of yachting, scuba diving, dolphin-watching, kayaking and fishing trips start in Paihia, but all the major cruises and bay excursions also pick up in Russell. From December to March everything should be booked a couple of days in advance. Hotels and motels can book for you; hostels can usually arrange a discount of around ten percent for backpackers.

The two main operators are Fullers Great Sights and Explore NZ/Dolphin Discoveries, both offering sightseeing, sailing and dolphin trips. There are also numerous yachts that usually take fewer than a dozen passengers and go out for around six hours: competition is tight and standards vary. Most operators give you a chance to snorkel , kayak and fish .

The Bay of Islands is excellent for dolphin watching ; there’s an eighty percent chance of seeing bottlenose and common dolphins in almost any season, as well as orca from May to October and minke and Bryde’s whales from August to January.

Your chances of swimming with dolphins are about 35–40 percent. Swimming is forbidden when there are juveniles in the pod, and only 18 people are allowed in the water with dolphins at any time. There’s usually a money-back offer if you miss out (check when you book); your best chance is on a cruise with companies licensed to search for and swim with dolphins.

As the main tourist centre in Northland, the Bay of Islands acts as a staging post for forays further north, in particular for day-long bus tours to Cape Reinga and Ninety Mile Beach – arduous affairs lasting eleven hours, most of them spent stuck inside the vehicle. You’re better off making your way up to Mangonui, Kaitaia or Ahipara and taking a trip from there, or saving your dollars and taking Salt Air’s fixed-wing Cape Reinga Flight, which takes in the beach, Bay of Islands and includes a field landing and short run to the cape itself.

Fullers Great Sights also runs Discover Hokianga, another epic tour visiting the Hokianga Harbour , taking a Footprints Waipoua tour to the giant kauri trees , and taking a look at the Wairere Boulders . Again you are better off getting closer and spending more time at the actual attractions.

The islands

The Bay is aptly named, with six large, and around 140 small, islands. Many are subject to the DOC-led Project Island Song , which aims to rid many islands of introduced predators and turn them into wildlife havens. Assorted birds have been reintroduced to many islands, notably Urupukapuka Island , which can be explored in a few hours using DOC’s Urupukapuka Island Archeological Walk leaflet highlighting Maori pa and terrace sites.

Of the other large islands, by far the most popular is Motuarohia ( Roberton Island ), where DOC manages the most dramatic central section, an isthmus almost severed by a pair of perfectly circular blue lagoons. Snorkellers can explore an undersea nature trail waymarked by inscribed stainless-steel plaques.

Other sights that often feature on cruise itineraries include the Black Rocks , bare islets formed from columnar-jointed basalt – these rise only 10m out of the water but plummet a sheer 30m beneath. At the outer limit of the bay is the craggy peninsula of Cape Brett , named by Cook in 1769 after the then Lord of the Admiralty, Lord Piercy Brett. Cruises also regularly pass through the Hole in the Rock , a natural tunnel through Piercy Island, which is even more exciting when there’s a swell running.

The Treaty of Waitangi

The Treaty of Waitangi is the founding document of modern New Zealand, a touchstone for both Pakeha and Maori, and its implications permeate New Zealand society. Signed in 1840 between what were ostensibly two sovereign states – the United Kingdom and the United Tribes of New Zealand, plus other Maori leaders – the treaty remains central to New Zealand’s race relations . The Maori rights guaranteed by it have seldom been upheld, however, and the constant struggle for recognition continues.

Motivated by a desire to staunch French expansion in the Pacific, and a moral obligation on the Crown to protect Maori from rapacious land-grabbing by settlers, the British instructed naval captain William Hobson to negotiate the transfer of sovereignty with “the free and intelligent consent of the natives”, and to deal fairly with the Maori. Hobson, with the help of James Busby and others, drew up both the English Treaty and a Maori “translation”. On the face of it, the treaty is a straightforward document, but the complications of having two versions (see The Treaty of Waitangi) and the implications of striking a deal between two peoples with widely differing views on land and resource ownership have reverberated down the years.

The treaty was unveiled on February 5, 1840, to a gathering of some 400 representatives of the five northern tribes in front of Busby’s residence in Waitangi. Presented as a contract between the chiefs and Queen Victoria – someone whose role was comprehensible in chiefly terms – the benefits were amplified and the costs downplayed. As most chiefs didn’t understand English, they signed the Maori version of the treaty, which still has mana (authority or status) among Maori today.

The pattern set at Waitangi was repeated up and down the country, as seven copies of the treaty were dispatched to garner signatures and extend Crown authority over parts of the North Island that had not yet been covered, and the South Island. On May 21, before signed treaty copies had been returned, Hobson claimed New Zealand for Britain: the North Island on the grounds of cession by Maori, and the South Island by right of Cook’s “discovery”, as it was considered to be without owners, despite a significant Maori population.

Maori fears were alerted from the start, and as the settler population grew and demand for land increased, successive governments passed laws that gradually stripped Maori of control over their affairs – actions which led to the New Zealand Wars of the 1860s. Over the decades, small concessions were made, but nothing significant changed until 1973, when Waitangi Day (February 6) became an official national holiday. Around the same time, Maori groups, supported by a small band of Pakeha, began a campaign of direct action, increasingly disrupting commemorations, thereby alienating many Pakeha and splitting Maori allegiances between angry young urban Maori and the kaumatua (elders), who saw the actions as disrespectful to the ancestors and an affront to tradition. Many strands of Maori society were unified by the hikoi (march) to Waitangi to protest against the celebrations in 1985, a watershed year in which Paul Reeves was appointed New Zealand’s first Maori Governor General and the Waitangi Tribunal for land reform was given some teeth.

Protests have continued since as successive governments have vacillated over whether to attend the commemorations at Waitangi.

South of Kaitaia, the narrow, mangrove-flanked fissures of the Hokianga Harbour snake deep inland past tiny and almost moribund communities. For a few days’ relaxation, the tranquillity and easy pace of this rural backwater are hard to beat. From the southern shores, the harbour’s incredible, deep-blue waters beautifully set off the mountainous sand dunes of North Head. The dunes are best seen from the rocky promontory of South Head, high above the treacherous Hokianga Bar, or can be reached by boat for sandboarding or the fantastic Sandtrails Hokianga tours. The high forest ranges immediately to the south make excellent hiking territory, and the giant kauri of the Waipoua Forest are within easy striking distance.

Note that there are no banks between Kaitaia and Dargaville, 170km away to the south. The ATMs in Rawene and Omapere accept a limited range of cards so bring cash.

According to legend, it was from here that the great Polynesian explorer Kupe left Aotearoa to go back to his homeland in Hawaiiki during the tenth century, and the harbour thus became known as Hokianganui-a-Kupe, “the place of Kupe’s great return”. Cook saw the Hokianga Heads from the Endeavour in 1770 but didn’t realize what lay beyond, and it wasn’t until a missionary crossed the hill from the Bay of Islands in 1819 that Europeans became aware of the harbour’s existence. Catholics, Anglicans and Wesleyans soon followed, converting the local Ngapuhi, gaining their trust, intermarrying with them and establishing the well-integrated Maori and European communities that exist today. The Hokianga area soon rivalled the Bay of Islands in importance and notched up several firsts: European boat building began here in 1826; the first signal station opened two years later; and the first Catholic Mass was celebrated in the same year.

With the demise of kauri felling and milling, Hokianga became an economic backwater, but over the last couple of decades, city dwellers, artists and craftspeople have started creeping in, settling in Kohukohu on the north shore, Rawene , a short ferry ride away to the south, and the two larger but still small-time settlements of Opononi and Omapere , opposite the dunes near the harbour entrance.

Opononi the dolphin

If you didn’t know about Opononi’s moment of fame in the summer of 1955–56 when a wild bottlenose dolphin, dubbed “Opo”, started playing with the kids in the shallows and performing tricks with beach balls, you will by the time you leave.

Christmas holidaymakers jammed the narrow dirt roads; film crews were dispatched; protective laws drafted; and Auckland musicians wrote and recorded the novelty song Opo The Crazy Dolphin in a day. Their tape arrived at the radio station for its first airing just as news came in that Opo had been shot under mysterious circumstances. The i-SITE shows a short video in classic 1950s-documentary style, which gives a sense of the frenzied enthusiasm for Opo.

KAITAIA , 40km west of Mangonui, is the Far North’s largest commercial centre, situated near the junction of the two main routes north. It makes a convenient base for some of the best trips to Cape Reinga and Ninety Mile Beach, far preferable to the longer trips from the Bay of Islands. As a farming service town you’d expect there’d be little to detain you, but these days Kaitaia boasts a rather fine museum, built in 2011. If you have your own transport, however, you might want to base yourself at the magnificent beach in nearby Ahipara , to sand-toboggan the giant dunes, surf or explore the old gumfields.

A Maori village already flourished at Kaitaia when the first missionary, Joseph Matthews, came looking for a site in 1832. The protection of the mission encouraged European pastoralists to establish themselves here, but by the 1880s they found themselves swamped by the gum diggers who had come to plunder the underground deposits around Lake Ohia and Ahipara. Many early arrivals were young Croats fleeing tough conditions in what was then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, though the only evidence of this is a Serbo-Croat welcome sign at the entrance to town, and a cultural society that holds a traditional dance each year.

Northland, Auckland and the Coromandel Peninsula were once covered in mixed forest dominated by the mighty kauri, the world’s second-largest tree. By the early twentieth century, rapacious Europeans had nearly felled the lot, the only extensive pockets remaining in the Waipoua and Trounson kauri forests south of the Hokianga Harbour. Though small stands of kauri can be found all over Northland, three-quarters of all the surviving mature trees grow in these two small forests, which between them cover barely 100 square kilometres. Walks provide access to the more celebrated examples, which dwarf the surrounding tataire, kohekohe and towai trees.

Just south of the Trounson forest are the Kai Iwi Lakes , a trio of popular dune lakes that get busy in the summer season.

This area is home to the Te Roroa people who traditionally used the kauri sparingly. Simple tools made felling and working these huge trees a difficult task, and one reserved for major projects such as large war canoes. Once the Europeans arrived with metal tools, bullock trains, wheels and winches, clear felling became easier, and most of the trees had gone by the end of the nineteenth century. The efforts of several campaigning organizations eventually bore fruit in 1952, when much of the remaining forest was designated the Waipoua Sanctuary. It’s now illegal to fell a kauri except in specified circumstances, such as culling a diseased or dying tree, or when constructing a new ceremonial canoe.

The kauri and its uses

The kauri ( agathis australis ) ranks alongside the sequoias of California as one of the largest trees in existence. Unlike the sequoias, which are useless as furniture timber, kauri produce beautiful wood, a fact that hastened its demise and spawned the industries that dominated New Zealand’s economy in the latter half of the nineteenth century.

The kauri is a type of pine that now grows only in New Zealand, though it once also grew in Australia and Southeast Asia, where it still has close relations. Identifiable remains of kauri forests are found all over New Zealand, but by the time humans arrived on the scene its range had contracted to Northland, Auckland, the Coromandel Peninsula and northern Waikato. Individual trees can live over 2000 years, reaching 50m in height and 20m in girth, finally toppling over as the rotting core becomes too weak to support its immense weight.

Maori have long used mature kauri for dugout canoes, but it was the “rickers” (young trees) that first drew the attention of European loggers since they formed perfect spars for sailing ships. The bigger trees soon earned an unmatched reputation for their durable, easy-to-work and blemish-free wood, with its straight, fine grain. Loggers’ ingenuity was taxed to the limit by the difficulty of getting such huge logs out of the bush. On easier terrain, bullock wagons with up to twelve teams were lashed together to haul the logs onto primitive roads or tramways. Horse-turned winches were used on steeper ground and, where water could be deployed to transport the timber, dams were constructed from hewn logs. In narrow valleys and gullies all over Northland and the Coromandel, loggers constructed kauri dams up to 20m high and 60m across, with trapdoors at the base. Trees along the sides of the valley were felled while the dam was filling, then the dam was opened to flush the floating trunks down the valley to inlets where the logs were rafted up and towed to the mills.

Once an area had been logged, the gum diggers typically moved in. Like most pines, kauri exudes a thick resin to cover any scars inflicted on it, and huge accretions form on the sides of trunks and in globules around the base. Maori chewed the gum, made torches from it to attract fish at night and burned the powdered resin to form a pigment used for moko (traditional tattoos). Once Pakeha got in on the act, it was exported as a raw material for furniture varnishes, linoleum, denture moulds and the “gilt” edging on books. When it could no longer be found on the ground, diggers – mostly Dalmatian, but also Maori, Chinese and Malaysian – thrust long poles into the earth and hooked out pieces with bent rods; elsewhere, the ground was dug up and sluiced to recover the gum. Almost all New Zealand gum was exported, but by the early twentieth century synthetic resins had captured the gum market. Kauri gum is still considered one of the finest varnishes for musical instruments, and occasional accidental finds supply such specialist needs.

In recent years the kauri have been further threatened by a new disease known as PTA or kauri dieback ( w kauridieback.co.nz ) with symptoms including yellowed leaves, dead branches and resinous lesions close to the ground, eventually leading to the tree’s death. The disease is transmitted through soil and water, so always keep to the tracks and boardwalks and clean your footwear after visiting a kauri forest.

Trounson Kauri Park

Trounson Kauri Park is a small but superb stand of kauri where the Trounson Kauri Walk (40min loop) weaves though lovely rainforest. In 1997, Trounson was turned into a “mainland island” in order to foster North Island brown kiwi survival. Numbers are up significantly, and you’ve a good chance of seeing them – along with weta and glowworms – if you stay over. A tour of the kauri stands is easy enough to do on your own, but Kauri Coast Top 10 Holiday Park offers a guided night walk (non-guests $25).

Waipoua Kauri Forest

Heading south from the Hokianga Harbour area, you pass through farmland and arrive at Waimamaku, home to the daytime-only Morrell’s Café . The highway then twists and turns through nearly 20km of mature kauri in the WAIPOUA KAURI FOREST . Eight kilometres south of Waimamaku you reach a small car park, from where it’s a three-minute walk to New Zealand’s mightiest tree, the 2000-year-old Tane Mahuta , “God of the Forest”. A vast wall of bark 6m wide rises nearly 18m to the lowest branches, covered in epiphytes. A kilometre or so further south on SH12, a ten-minute track leads to a clearing where three paths split off to notable trees: the shortest (5min return) runs to the Four Sisters , relatively slender kauri all growing close together; a second path (30min return) winds among numerous big trees to Te Matua Ngahere , the “Father of the Forest”, the second-largest tree in New Zealand – shorter than Tane Mahuta but fatter and in some ways more impressive. The third path, the Yakas Track (3km return; 1hr), leads to Cathedral Grove, a dense conglomeration of trees, the largest being the Yakas Kauri , named after veteran bushman Nicholas Yakas.

Around 50km north of central Auckland the city’s influence begins to wane, heralding the Matakana Coast ( w matakanacoast.com ), a 30km stretch of shallow harbours, beach-strung peninsulas and small islands. Its individual character becomes apparent once you pass pretty Warkworth and head out either to Kawau Island , or up the coast to the village of Matakana and the snorkelling and diving nirvana of Goat Island .

The journey from Auckland to Warkworth has been made quicker, though less scenic, by the introduction of a 7km stretch of toll road ($2.20/car). Sadly, confusing signage means people miss toll pay areas (see Northern Gateway Toll Road) on the way north and south, as well as the great views on the alternative route, via Orewa on the Hibiscus Coast Highway.

Other than the excellent wood carving on display at Te Hana , there’s little to detain you on SH1 between Warkworth and Waipu as it passes the road junction at Brynderwyn , where SH12 loops off to Dargaville, the Waipoua kauri forest and the Hokianga Harbour. If you’re heading north and want a scenic route, it’s better to stay on the coast and follow Bream Bay , named by Cook when he visited in 1770 and his crew hauled in tarakihi, which they mistook for bream. There are no sizeable towns here, only the small beach communities of Mangawhai Heads and Waipu Cove , looking out to the Hen and Chicken Islands , refuges for rare birds such as the wattled saddleback.

Leigh and Goat Island

The village of LEIGH , 13km northeast of Matakana, holds a picturesque harbour with bobbing wooden fishing boats. Heading a further 4km northeast brings you to the Cape Rodney–Okakari Marine Reserve , usually known simply as Goat Island for the bush-clad islet 300m offshore. In 1975, this became New Zealand’s first marine reserve, with no-take areas stretching 5km along the shoreline and 800m off the coast. Some 35 years on, the undersea life is thriving, with large rock lobster, huge snapper and rays. Feeding has been discouraged since blue maomaos developed a taste for frozen peas and began to mob swimmers and divers. Easy beach access (from the road-end parking area), clear water, rock pools on wave-cut platforms, a variety of undersea terrains and relatively benign currents combine to make this an enormously popular year-round diving spot, as well as a favourite summer destination for families: aim to come midweek if you value tranquillity.

Spread out along either side of SH1 is the small roadside settlement of TE HANA , 4km north of Wellsford. It’s your next chance to turn off towards the coast and a settlement that until recently most people have passed through without pause. This does Te Hana an injustice, as it is home to one of New Zealand’s most adventurous and spectacular wood carvers.

The Arts Factory

Te Hana is home to the The Arts Factory , where unique and iconic artist Kerry Strongman and his team carve breathtaking “jewellery for giants” – massive pieces of swamp kauri that are thousands of years old. The pieces are innovatively and experimentally carved (sometimes as interpretations of traditional Maori and/or other ancient peoples’ designs) and all are supersized to fill and enhance large spaces. Most of the pieces go to galleries and commissioners in New Zealand and abroad, but other, smaller pieces are on sale in the gallery shop. Best of all, you get to wander round the expansive studio, inside and out, and watch the works being created.

North of the Bay of Islands everything gets a lot quieter. There are few towns of any consequence along the coast and it is the peace and slow pace that attract visitors to an array of glorious beaches and the lovely Whangaroa Harbour. The first stop north of Kerikeri is tiny Matauri Bay , where a hilltop memorial commemorates the Greenpeace flagship, Rainbow Warrior , which now lies off the coast. A sealed but winding back road continues north, offering fabulous sea views and passing gorgeous headlands and beaches before delivering you to Whangaroa Harbour , one of the most beautiful in Northland, and an excellent place to go sailing or kayaking. Further north is the idyllic surfing and fishing hideaway of Taupo Bay .

Continuing north brings you to the huge bite out of the coast called Doubtless Bay , which had two celebrated discoverers: Kupe, said to have first set foot on Aotearoa in Taipa ; and Cook, who sailed past in 1769 and pronounced it “doubtless, a bay”. Bounded on the west and north by the sheltering Karikari Peninsula , the bay offers safe boating and is popular with Kiwi vacationers. In January you can barely move here and you’ll struggle to find accommodation, but the shoulder seasons can be surprisingly quiet, and outside December, January and February room prices drop considerably. Most of the bay’s facilities cluster along the southern shore of the peninsula in a string of beachside settlements – Coopers Beach , Cable Bay and Taipa Bay – running west from picturesque Mangonui .

French nuclear testing in the Pacific

Claiming that nuclear testing was completely safe, the French government for decades conducted tests on the tiny Pacific atolls of Mururoa and Fangataufa , a comfortable 15,000km from Paris, but only 4000km northeast of New Zealand.

In 1966 France turned its back on the 1963 Partial Test Ban Treaty, which outlawed atmospheric testing, and relocated Pacific islanders away from their ancestral villages to make way for a barrage of tests over the next eight years. The French authorities claimed that “Not a single particle of radioactive fallout will ever reach an inhabited island” – and yet radiation was routinely detected as far away as Samoa, Fiji and even New Zealand. Increasingly antagonistic public opinion forced the French to conduct their tests underground in deep shafts, where another 200 detonations took place, threatening the geological stability of these fragile coral atolls.

In 1985, Greenpeace coordinated a New Zealand-based protest flotilla, headed by its flagship, the Rainbow Warrior , but before the fleet could set sail from Auckland, the French secret service sabotaged the Rainbow Warrior , detonating two bombs below the waterline. As rescuers recovered the body of Greenpeace photographer Fernando Pereira, two French secret service agents posing as tourists were arrested. Flatly denying all knowledge at first, the French government was finally forced to admit to what then Prime Minister David Lange described as “a sordid act of international state-backed terrorism”. The two captured agents were sentenced to ten years in jail, but France used all its international muscle to have them serve their sentences on a French Pacific island; they both served less than two years before being honoured and returning to France.

In 1995, to worldwide opprobrium, France announced a further series of tests. Greenpeace duly dispatched Rainbow Warrior II , which was impounded by the French navy on the tenth anniversary of the sinking of the original Rainbow Warrior . In early 1996 the French finally agreed to stop nuclear testing in the Pacific.

Whangaroa Harbour

West of Matauri Bay, the virtually landlocked and sheltered Whangaroa Harbour is the perfect antidote to Bay of Islands’ commercialism. The scenery, albeit on a smaller scale, is easily a match for its southern cousin and, despite the limited facilities, you can still get out on a cruise or to join the big-game fishers. Narrow inlets forge between cliffs and steep hills, most notably the two bald volcanic plugs, St Paul and St Peter , which rise behind the harbour’s two settlements, WHANGAROA on the south side, and TOTARA NORTH opposite.

Whangaroa Harbour was among the first areas in New Zealand to be visited by European pioneers, most famously those aboard the Boyd , which called here in 1809 to load kauri spars for shipping to Britain. A couple of days after its arrival, all 66 crew were killed and the ship burned by local Maori in retribution for the crew’s mistreatment of Tara, a high-born Maori sailor who had apparently transgressed the ship’s rules. A British whaler avenged the incident by burning the entire Maori village, sparking off a series of skirmishes that spread over the north for five years. Later the vast stands of kauri were hacked down and milled, some at Totara North. Even if you’re just passing through, it’s worth driving the 4km along the northern shore of the harbour to Totara North, passing the remains of this historic community’s last sawmills, which ceased operation a few years back.

Beautiful coast of Cape Reinga New Zealand © Arcanion/Shutterstock

Northland’s exclamation mark is the Aupori Peninsula , a narrow, 100km-long finger of consolidated and grassed-over dunes ending in a lumpy knot of 60-million-year-old marine volcanoes. To Maori it’s known as Te Hika o te Ika (“The tail of the fish”), recalling the legend of Maui hauling up the North Island (“the fish”) from the sea while in his canoe (the South Island).

The most northerly accessible point is Cape Reinga , where the spirits of Maori dead depart this world. Beginning their journey by sliding down the roots of an 800-year-old pohutukawa into the ocean, they climb out again on Ohaua, the highest of the Three Kings Islands, to bid a final farewell before returning to their ancestors in Hawaiiki. The spirits reach Cape Reinga along Ninety Mile Beach (actually 64 miles long), which runs straight along the western side of the peninsula. Most visitors follow the spirits, though they do so in modern buses specifically designed for belting along the hard-packed sand at the edge of the surf – officially part of the state highway system – then negotiating the quicksands of Te Paki Stream to return to the road; for many, the highlight is sandboarding on a boogie board (or in a safer but less speedy toboggan) down the huge dunes that flank the stream. The main road runs more or less down the centre of the peninsula, while the western ocean is kept tantalizingly out of sight by the thin pine ribbon of the Aupori Forest . The forests, and the cattle farms that cover most of the rest of the peninsula, were once the preserve of gum diggers, who worked the area intensively early last century.

Cape Reinga

The last leg to Cape Reinga (Te Rerenga Wairua: the “leaping place of the spirits”) runs high through the hills before revealing magnificent views of the Tasman Sea and the huge dunes that foreshadow it. At road-end there’s just a car park with toilets and a 800m-long interpretive trail to the Cape Reinga lighthouse , dramatically perched on a headland 165m above Colombia Bank, where the waves of the Tasman Sea meet the swirling currents of the Pacific Ocean in a boiling cauldron of surf. On clear days the view from here is stunning: east to the Surville Cliffs of North Cape, west to Cape Maria van Diemen, and north to the rocky Three Kings Islands , 57km offshore, which were named by Abel Tasman, who first came upon them on the eve of Epiphany 1643.

Cape Reinga Walks

A couple of worthwhile short walks radiate from the Cape Reinga car park: both form part of the much longer Cape Reinga Coastal Walkway. All are described in the DOC leaflet Cape Reinga and Te Paki Walks , containing a useful map of the area, and are available at Kaitaia and elsewhere. Beware of rip tides on all the beaches hereabouts and bear in mind the wild and unpredictable nature of the region’s weather. Arrange with one of the more local bus tours for pick-up.

Cape Reinga Coastal Walkway

(38km one-way; 2 days; constantly undulating). This spectacular and increasingly popular coastal hike starts at Kapowairua (Spirits Bay), heads west to Cape Reinga, continues to Cape Maria van Diemen, swings southeast to the northernmost stretch of Ninety Mile Beach, and then finally past the impressive dunes of Te Paki Stream. You need to be fit and self-sufficient: the only facilities are a couple of DOC campsites, and some ad hoc camping spots with no guaranteed water. Fresh water from streams is limited and you’ll need mosquito repellent.

(3km return; 200m ascent on the way back; 50–90min). Eastbound walk through scrub and young cabbage trees to a pretty cove. You can continue to the lovely Tapotupotu Bay (a further 3km one-way; 1–2hr).

Te Werahi Beach

(2.5km return; 200m ascent on the way back; 40min–1hr). A gradually descending westbound walk that keeps Cape Maria van Diemen in your sights as you go.

Going it alone on Ninety Mile Beach

Rental cars and private vehicles are not insured to drive on Ninety Mile Beach and for good reason. Vehicles frequently get bogged in the sand and abandoned by their occupants. As there are no rescue facilities near enough to get you out before the tide comes in, and mobile phone coverage is almost nil, you could end up with a long walk. Even in your own vehicle, two-wheel-drives aren’t recommended, regardless of weather conditions, which can change rapidly.

If you are determined to take your own vehicle for the 70km spin along the beach, seek local advice and prepare your car by spraying some form of water repellent on the ignition system – CRC is a common brand. Schedule your trip to coincide with a receding tide, starting two hours after high water and preferably going in the same direction as the bus traffic that day; drive on dry but firm sand, avoiding any soft patches, and slow down to cross streams running over the beach – they often have deceptively steep banks. If you do get stuck in soft sand, lowering the tyre pressure will improve traction. There are several access points along the beach, but the only ones realistically available to ordinary vehicles are the two used by the tour buses: the southern access point at Waipapakauri Ramp , 6km north of Awanui, and the more dangerous northern one along Te Paki Stream , which involves negotiating the quicksands of a river – start in low gear and don’t stop, no matter how tempting it might be to ponder the dunes.

South of the kauri forests are the muddy, mangrove-choked shores of the Kaipara Harbour , New Zealand’s largest. The harbour once unified this quarter of Northland, with sailboats plying its waters and linking the dairy farming and logging towns on its shores. Kauri was shipped out from the largest northern town, Dargaville , though the fragile boats all too often foundered on the unpredictable Kaipara Bar. Many eventually washed up on Ripiro Beach , which just pips Ninety Mile Beach to the title of New Zealand’s longest, running for 108km.

The roads that access the coast around Tutukaka and Matapouri rejoin SH1 at Hikurangi 16km north of Whangarei. About 6km further north you have a choice of routes: both go to the Bay of Islands but approach from different directions: carry straight on and you go direct to Paihia with opportunities for side trips to the Maori redoubt of Ruapekapeka Pa, and the Hundertwasser toilets at Kawakawa; turn right along Old Russell Road and you twist towards the coast on the tar-sealed but narrow and winding back road to Russell. The latter route is the most scenic way to approach the Bay of Islands, along a 70km narrow, winding road that takes about two hours. You can spin the drive out by admiring the wonderful coastline around the Whangaruru Harbour , stopping for swims in numerous gorgeous bays, and perhaps a short walk in the mixed kauri forest of the Ngaiotonga Scenic Reserve .

The Cape Brett Track

Northland’s best overnight tramp is the challenging but rewarding Cape Brett Track (20km each way; 6–8hr) which follows the hilly ridge along the centre of the peninsula with sea occasionally visible on both sides: a route outlined in DOC’s Cape Brett leaflet. The former lighthouse keeper’s house at the tip of the peninsula is now a DOC hut (23 beds; $12.20; backcountry hut pass not valid) and the only place to stay on the track itself, in a fabulous location surrounded by sea and views out to the Hole in the Rock. There are gas cooking stoves but no utensils, and camping is not allowed.

The track starts in Rawhiti and crosses private land, so all walkers must pay a track fee ($30; day walkers $10). The Russell Booking & Information Centre is the place to pay your track fee, book the DOC hut and ask about secure parking in Rawhiti. You might also enquire about a water taxi from Russell to Rawhiti (around $170 for up to six people), Deep Water Cove, three-quarters of the way along the track ($190), or Cape Brett ($230; conditions permitting). Secure parking is available at Hartwells in Kaimarama Bay, at the end of Rawhiti Road, for a small fee.

Despite its prime gateway location to Whangarei Heads’ sweeping beaches and world-class diving around the Poor Knights Islands, Northland’s capital, WHANGAREI (pronounced Fahn-ga-ray), has never had the wherewithal to slow down tourists on their mad dash to the Bay of Islands. But things are changing. The newly developed Town Basin, a shopping and restaurant complex, provides a focal point for visitors and overlooks sleek yachts dotted along the river. Now home to an art museum in the new i-SITE visitor centre, which itself is a welcome extension of the i-SITE on the way into town, the complex is to be enhanced further, over the next two years, by the addition of a Hundertwasser Arts Centre, based on designs Hundertwasser offered the local council before his untimely demise. Married with the area’s rewarding arts trail, the scenic track to Whangarei Falls and a handful of new tours and activities, Whangarei should finally be able to persuade tourists to stick around, for a day or so at least.

Whangarei’s most appealing features currently are its state-of-the-art Kiwi House, the peaceful parks, and the easy walks within a few minutes of the town, the best of which are outlined in the free Whangarei Walks leaflet.

Top image: Beautiful coast of Cape Reinga New Zealand © Arcanion/Shutterstock

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Northland Itinerary: Exploring the Far North of New Zealand

By Author Jon Algie

Posted on Last updated: April 19, 2021

Categories New Zealand , Oceania

Northland, roughly the area north of Auckland all the way to the top of the North Island, is full of pristine beaches and sweeping coastal views, but with so many potential places to visit it can be a hard place to plan a trip to. Luckily you stumbled on this post! I’ll show you an awesome five-day Northland itinerary (which we used on our most recent trip) and also some ideas for shorter or longer trips. Enjoy!

Northland Itinerary: Leaving Auckland

Most Northland itineraries start and end in Auckland. Auckland is OK (definitely not my favourite city) but I’d recommend getting out as soon as possible, and Northland is a great option. Take the motorway north of Auckland, through Warkworth (you could take a detour out to Anchor Bay ) and up to Whangarei.

It should take around two hours to travel between Auckland and Whangarei. If you want to do an awesome-looking hike I’d stop off at Mangawhai Heads on the way (we skipped it, I’ll get there eventually though). Whangarei is a decent place and there is an impressive waterfall right in town. Whangarei is a good place to stock up on food etc for the next few days, especially if you’re going to be camping.

Tutukaka Peninsula

The Tutukaka Peninsula is a short drive from Whangarei and is home to two of New Zealand’s best beaches. Matapouri Bay and Whale Bay are beautiful, and there’s an interesting hiking trail linking them. The beaches themselves feature clear blue water and bright white sand, and Whale Bay is backed by native bush. It’s a pretty exotic place and I’d rate both of these beaches in the top five beaches in New Zealand. A good start to this Northland itinerary! You can camp at Matapouri Bay or spend a few hours there and then continue to the Bay of Islands.

Bay of Islands

The Bay of Islands is one of the most famous tourist spots in New Zealand and is one place you don’t want to miss on your Northland itinerary. There are two small towns (Paihia and Russel) which are well set-up for tourists (lots of places to sleep, eat, drink and buy) but the real highlights are out on the water. You can do dolphin spotting tours, tours to the Hole in the Rock and Urupukapuka Island or kayak in the pristine water. If you’re short on funds you could do the short trip between Paihia and Russel and still have a great time looking around both towns.

This small town is a short drive from Paihia and features a nice waterfall as well as some historic buildings and a pleasant river area. You only need an hour or two to see the highlights but if you’re looking for somewhere to spend the night you could do a lot worse.

Karikari Peninsula

From Kerikeri you’ll want to keep heading north. There are a few options for places to visit. You could go to Whangaroa and places like Taupo Bay and Tauranga Bay, or head further north to Mangonui and Coopers Beach. We settled on Matai Bay on the Karikari Peninsula, as I’d heard it was one of the best beaches in New Zealand. We drove past Coopers Beach first, which was nice (stay near here if you’re taking it slowly and don’t want to camp) but Matai Beach is on another level. We only spent a few hours there and drove to Kaitaia that night, but if you have camping gear (or you’re sleeping in your vehicle) I reckon staying at Matai Bay would be a good option.

We only spent one night in Kaitaia and didn’t get to look around at all (except for a trip to the local Pak n Save supermarket), but if you’re looking for somewhere to spend the night in this region it’s a good option. There are heaps of places to stay (we stayed in an interesting Airbnb) and some good places to eat.

Cape Reinga

We stayed in Kaitaia the night before venturing up to Cape Reinga , which allowed us to get an early start. We arrived at Cape Reinga just before the tourist buses, meaning we pretty much had it to ourselves for a start. Cape Reinga is the most northern point on New Zealand’s North Island and is one of the more iconic places in the far north. The views are amazing too – it’s not just famous for its position! I’d recommend getting there early, spending an hour or two there in the morning (also visit Te Paki Sand Dunes before or after) and then heading back down with a detour to 90 Mile Beach.

90 Mile Beach

This beach apparently isn’t even 90 miles long (it’s close though), but it is definitely one of the longer stretches of beach I’ve seen. You obviously won’t see the whole thing, and it’d be pretty boring if you tried. It’s an OK beach but nothing you can’t see pretty much anywhere else in New Zealand. Do look out for wild horses on the forestry roads leading to the beach – we were excited when we saw some!

Hokianga / The Kauri Coast

You’ll have to travel back through Kaitaia on the way back towards Auckland, but you have some options once there. You could go back the way you came, which is quicker, or you could head down the West Coast to places like the Hokianga and Kai Iwi Lakes. We travelled quickly through this area but did stop in Opononi and really liked it. We’d love to return to this area sometime! We were short on time though, so after a quick stop at Tane Mahuta (one of the oldest Kauri trees in New Zealand) on the Kauri Coast we drove to Kai Iwi Lakes, the last stop on our Northland itinerary.

Kai Iwi Lakes

We couldn’t have planned the last night of our Northland trip any better. We arrived there in the early evening after a long day of driving (we were at Cape Reinga that morning) and were lucky enough to still have some sunlight. The Kai Iwi Lakes are beautiful (especially the main one) and are perfect for a relaxing swim. We camped there that night and explored some more in the morning before heading back to Auckland.

Northland Itinerary: The Details

We spent four nights / five days on this Northland itinerary, and we were happy with how it turned out. There as a fair bit of driving involved but we knew exactly how long we had and we tried to see as much as we could. If you can stretch this out to a week or more it’ll be more relaxing, but it’s definitely doable in a shorter time too (we spend two nights in the Bay of Islands due to heavy rain, which could be cut down to one if you’re short on time). We saw some of the best beaches in New Zealand, some impressive waterfalls and lovely coastal views throughout – if you’re on the fence about planning a road trip around Northland I hope my post helped to convince you it’s a good idea!

Are you planning a road-trip around New Zealand? Check out my one-month itinerary !

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Saturday 18th of September 2021

Don't see any mention of the historic town Mangonui

• Native animals /

The ultimate ten-day Northland, New Zealand itinerary

Planning on visiting Northland? This ten-day road trip itinerary will help you make the most of your visit to the beautiful north, and includes some of the best walks and hikes New Zealand has to offer.

This itinerary is just a guide featuring some of our favourite spots in Northland. There are plenty of other places and activities to include in your own itinerary.

Day 1: Mangawhai

Drive from Auckland  to Mangawhai 🚗 1hr 27 minutes

Start your day in our largest city, Auckland. Head north until you reach the charming beach town of Mangawhai.

Once there you can cool off in the waves or enjoy a peaceful swim in the harbour. If you love fishing, the beach is a great place to surf cast. Mangawhai is also home to some our most endangered shore birds, such as fairy terns and dotterels , so keep an eye out for them.

Fairy tern/tara-iti

Experience the rugged beauty of New Zealand’s coast along the nearby Mangawhai Cliffs Walkway . This walk provides breathtaking coastal views and is fringed with pōhutukawa and nikau palms that are often visited by kererū and kākā from the offshore islands.

Day 2: Whangarei Heads

Drive from Mangawhai  to Whangarei Heads  🚗 1hr 26 minutes

Enjoy beautiful beaches, ancient volcanic peaks and enchanting native forest at Whangarei Heads. Your first stop is Ocean Beach, it’s a winding road out there, but the views overlooking the Pacific Ocean make up for it.

If you’re feeling energetic or adventurous one of New Zealand’s best day hikes is nearby. Te Whara Track is a 5-6 hour walk through coastal forest to a spectacular 360 ° panorama. If you prefer a shorter walk try the Mount Manaia Track . While it’s a bit of a climb, the views are epic and the walk should only take between 2-3 hours.

The Whangarei Heads community have been working hard to protect their local kiwi population, so keep an ear out at dusk and you may be able to hear the call of our national icon!

Day 3: Tutukaka/Poor Knights Islands

Drive from  Whangarei Heads  to Tutukaka  🚗 52 minutes

It’s only a short drive to Tutakaka, which is great because it means more time out on the water. Head out on a boat to the stunning Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve . Jacques Cousteau rated the area as one of the top ten dives in the world!

Underwater caves, arches, tunnels and sheer cliffs provide the perfect habitat for a variety of marine species. The clear deep waters allow you to see plenty of fish and coral species while common and bottlenose dolphins also visit the area.

Day 4: Waitangi

Drive from  Tutukaka  to Waitangi  🚗 1 hr 23 minutes

Visit New Zealand’s most important historic site, The Waitangi Treaty Grounds. This is where New Zealand’s founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi, was signed in 1840.

Enjoy soaking in the history while strolling through one of Northland’s prettiest spots and enjoying the panoramic views out to the Bay of Islands.

Day 5: Kerikeri

Drive from  Waitangi  to Kerikeri  🚗 23 minutes

In Kerikeri you can learn more about our history, browse art galleries and enjoy fresh local produce. This town is full of character, charm and flavour.

You can explore both Māori and European history at Kororipo Heritage Park . Here you can visit New Zealand’s oldest stone building, the Stone Store, and walk in the footsteps of chief Hongi Hika and early missionaries to Kororipo Pā . This is where Māori and early Europeans came to trade, talk and learn.

If you time it for the weekend make sure you check out Kerikeri’s famous weekend garden markets.

Day 6: Matauri Bay

Drive from  Kerikeri  to Matauri Bay  🚗 30 minutes

Matauri Bay is a picturesque beach settlement north of the Bay of Islands. Home to beautiful blue waters, soft golden sand, sunshine, excellent diving and superb surfing. It’s our very own tropical getaway!

Matauri Bay is also home to the remains of the Rainbow Warrior , the Greenpeace vessel sunk in 1985 in the wake of anti-nuclear protests. Enjoy the short walk to the memorial on the cliffs above Matauri Bay which looks towards the final resting spot of the ship.

Day 7: Cape Reinga

Drive from  Matauri Bay  to Cape Reinga  🚗 2 hrs 30 minutes

See the Tasman Sea collide with the Pacific Ocean at Cape Reinga and discover the place where Maori spirits begin their final journey to their ancestral homeland, Hawaiki.

Cape Reinga. 📷: Peter Rein-Hodurek ©

Cape Reinga’s lighthouse and international signpost are iconic – make sure you take your camera. There is also plenty of other sites to visit including the famous 90 Mile Beach and the massive sand dunes at Te Paki Reserve .

Spend the night at Tapotupotu Campsite , New Zealand’s most northern campsite surrounded by lush forest and a lagoon that’s perfect for swimming and kayaking.

Day 8: Ngawha Springs

Drive from  Cape Reinga to Ngawha Springs  🚗 2 hrs 40 minutes

Head down and just out of Kaikohe and book yourself in for a relaxing spa treatment at one of the Ngawha hot springs. Right in the heart of Northland’s geothermal region, here you can bathe in the hot mud thermal pools and rejuvenate your skin. Once you’re feeling refreshed a visit to Monument Hill offers excellent views and is the top spot for a picnic.

Day 9: Waipoua Forest

Drive from  Kaikohe  to Waipoua Forest  🚗 1 hr 41 minutes

Of all New Zealand’s kauri forests, none is more famous than Waipoua Forest . As the largest remaining tract of native forest in Northland, Waipoua is an ancient green world of towering trees and rare birds.

Tāne Mahuta. 📷: itravelNZ

This forest is the home to Tāne Mahuta , the country’s largest kauri tree, which is approximately 2,000 years old and still growing. A five minute walk from the roadside will bring you to the foot of Tāne Mahuta, probably the largest tree you’ll ever lay eyes upon. Nearly 18 metres to the first branch and 4.4 metres in diameter, Tāne Mahuta is rightly called ‘The Lord of the Forest’.

Keep Kauri Standing

Kauri dieback disease is killing our native kauri. It spreads by soil movement, but you can help prevent it: • Stay away from kauri tree roots. • Clean your gear before and after visiting kauri forest.

Day 10: Kai Iwi Lakes

Drive from  Waipoua Forest  to Kai Iwi Lakes  🚗 53 minutes

Kai Iwi Lakes are a place of sheer beauty. These lakes were created more than 1.8 million years ago and now are family favourite for Kiwi campers. You’ll fall in love with the crystal-clear waters and pure white sandy beaches. These freshwater lakes rival the tropical beaches of the Pacific. They are great for swimming, fishing and kayaking.

Enjoy lunch at Kaiwaka before heading back to Auckland 🚗  1 hr 43 minutes

We hope you enjoy your visit to Northland. Before you head off please check out these  top tips to protect our taonga  to help us keep Northland’s amazing places and unique wildlife safe.

Short Walks and Day Hikes

Many of these walks are part of our new set of Short Walks and Day Hikes that are being promoted to encourage more New Zealanders to get out and explore some of our natural wonders.

From native bush, to glaciers, urban volcanoes, lakes and coastlines, no matter where you are, or how long you’ve got, there’s a walk for everyone: www.doc.govt.nz/walks

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8 responses to The ultimate ten-day Northland, New Zealand itinerary

Great information for visiting in the next winter holidays when the South will be icey and the Northland will be pleasantly cool.

Congratulations on putting this 10-day itinerary together. A great idea and I look forward to reading new ones that cover other regions in the future.

Thank you for ‘our itinery’ looking forward to arranging time to enjoy this.

Day 8 Kaikohe. I assume you are referring to the Ngawha hot springs, which are NOT in Kaikohe. This description is misleading and confusing.

Thanks Derek. We’ve updated the description to avoid any confusion.

Looks like a pretty solid suggestion. But don’t forget the wonderful Twin Coast Cycleway – one of New Zealand’s 22 Great Rides and a fantastic way to get to know Northland better.

Great suggestion Sarah. Definitely worth checking out: http://www.nzcycletrail.com/trails/twin-coast-trail

That looks awesome – I’m packing the car now lol

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New Zealand Northland Road Trip Itinerary

Northland New Zealand is an area of green rolling hills, farmlands and great forests. Surrounded almost entirely by water and snaked by rivers and inlets, you’ll find beautiful beaches perfect for swimming and strolling, islands with crystal clear water that could rival the Pacific Islands and rivers and inlets perfect for boating and fishing.

Because of its close proximity just north of Auckland, Northland is very accessible and should be included in your North Island New Zealand road trip.

This Northland road trip takes you on a round trip from Auckland and covers all the things to do in Northland including all those incredible beaches, forests and islands I mentioned above.

While I do map out five days for this Northland road trip itinerary below, you could adapt my suggestions for less days by skipping a stop or spending less time at a stop, or add more days by adding extra time in some of the places mentioned or heading further north to Cape Reinga.

Where is Northland Located

Looking at a map of New Zealand’s North Island, Northland is the long narrow peninsula that juts out northwest of Auckland.

It is an often forgotten region with most people arriving in Auckland to explore New Zealand head south to the more recognised regions of the North and South Islands. But I’m here to tell you that you simply must head north and discover New Zealand’s Northland, an area that blew me away visually.

Best Time to Visit Northland New Zealand

Known as ‘The Winterless North’, it’s sub-tropical climate means warm humid summers and mild wet winters. It has the country’s highest average annual temperature ranging from 22ºc to 30ºc in summer with minimums averaging 14ºc in winter.

Northland is certainly much warmer than the rest of the country and it’s for this reason that it is a very popular summer holiday destination for New Zealanders.

Summer in Northland can be quiet busy so if you would like to visit without the crowds, try outside of the December/January holidays and you will find it a little quieter.

And because of the relatively milder winters, you could really visit Northland at any time of the year and find plenty to see and do. Hikes through the forest are especially nice on a cooler day.

Car Hire in Auckland

Due to the fact that New Zealand is an island, most people visiting Auckland will need to hire a car when they arrive to help with getting around.

For all my car hire bookings I use and recommend  Hertz . I’ve found they offer the most comparable prices, let you search and compare multiple vehicle types and they have a great customer service team who can help if you come into any unexpected troubles.

Northland Road Trip Itinerary

Day 1 – Auckland to Bay of Islands

Start out early to give yourself plenty of time to get to the beautiful Bay of Islands. While the drive itself only takes around three hours, there are some beautiful beaches and towns along the way that are worth your time to stop, take a walk and enjoy the scenery.

Once you get over Auckland’s Harbour Bridge you are in the city’s North Shore area. While this technically isn’t part of Northland, you can’t drive through without making a few stops.

If you haven’t already visited Devonport during your stay in Auckland then its just a quick 20 minutes detour off route to do so. While you are there make sure you head up to North Head Historical Reserve for views back to Auckland, wander through the local artisan shops and take a stroll along the fig tree lined waterfront.

Jump back on the highway north until you reach the sleepy little coastal town of Orewa about 30 minutes from Auckland CBD. The highlight here is the long sandy beach. Get out, take a stroll and maybe stop by one of the bakeries on the main street for a morning tea treat and a coffee.

Don’t get back on the highway just yet. Take the coast road that leads north from the beach at Orewa until you get to the teeny tiny spa town of Waiwera.

Waiwere in Maori means “hot water” and that’s exactly what you will find in this picturesque little place. At Waiwera Thermal Resort you can take a dip in about a dozen different thermal pools ranging from a comfortable 30ºc to a very steamy 40ºc.

Also make sure you check out the beach right at the end of the town while you are there.

Head back to the highway feeling relaxed after your spa, take the road as it leads you away from the coast to the centre of the peninsula towards the town of Wellsford. Once you pass Wellsford you’re officially in Northland!

The scenery really starts to get pretty amazing from here as you continue north with a few lookout points to stop at along the way for great photo opportunities.

It’s back towards the coast and Bream Bay before reaching Northland’s biggest town Whangarei. While it really is just a big town, it is situated on the Whangarei Harbour so there are parts worth exploring around the harbour’s edge.

This is also the perfect place to stop for lunch. Head to The Town Basin at the marina on the river where you will find a bunch of alfresco cafes and restaurants, local artisan stores and a nice small marina and parklands.

Once you’ve refueled, make your way north through the town to Whangarei Falls. Located in a pretty little reserve where you can take a walk on one of the trails or just park the car near the falls and enjoy the view.

Back on the highway you will make your final drive on this leg of the journey to the Bay of Islands. The scenery continues to get better and better.

Then just as you think it can’t get any better, you take the turn off to Paihia and wind your way through lush rainforest with glimpses of the famous bay on your right from time to time.

Where to Stay in the Bay of Islands

The best place to base yourself in the Bay of Islands is Paihia. This lively little town located directly on the bay is the perfect jumping off point for exploring the region.

Here are three accommodation options to suit all budgets that I recommend you check out. All are centrally located, highly rated and come with excellent facilities.

Budget – Haka Lodge Bay of Islands

Mid-Range – Sea Spray Suites

Luxury – Blue Pacific Apartments

Day 2 & 3 – Bay of Islands

There is lots to see and do in the Bay of Islands. I’ve written all about it recently in my Things to Do in The Bay of Islands   post. But here is a quick overview of what you must see and do during your two days.

Take a cruise – There are a few different cruise companies that all offer similar tours out into the bay. Most of them include viewing, and sometimes going through, The Hole in the Rock, a stop at Ukupukapuka Island and the chance to see dolphins. It’s the perfect way to experience the bays beauty. Lots of tours options are below.

• Hole in the Rock Dolphin Cruise
• Discovery Cruise with Island Stop-Over
• Small Group Afternoon Cruise & Island Tour
• 30 Minute Jet Boat Ride
• Island Hopper Sailing Day Cruise
• 1.5 Hour Fast Boat to Hole in the Rock
• Late Afternoon Tall Ship Sailing Cruise
• 2 Hour Sundowner Sailing Cruise (small boat)

Visit Russell – This very pretty small town is located across the bay from Paihia and is home to a lovely little pebble beach, cute little shops, and great restaurants and cafes. I highly recommend getting a table on the front deck of Duke of Marlborough and enjoying the afternoon sunshine with a drink.

The Waitangi Treaty Grounds – One of the most important cultural sights in New Zealand, it is here that in 1840, the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi occurred between Moari people and the Europeans. Today you can take a very interesting tour guided by descendants of those who were a part of the signing and hear all about the stories that have been passed from generation to generation. Finish your visit by checking out the Meeting House and watching the very captivating cultural performance. Book your Waitangi Treaty Grounds tour here .

Haruru Falls – Visit these impressing thundering falls by car or hire a kayak from the Waitangi bridge and kayak there or take the walk from the Treat Grounds carpark through the boardwalked mangroves.

Suggested Detour

From the Bay of Islands you can also continue north to Cape Reinga, the most northerly point of New Zealand. While I haven’t been there, I have been told it is spectacular and I would love to do this myself one day. If you decide to add this to your trip, I suggest allowing yourself another 1-2 days to really see it properly.

Day 4 – Bay of Islands to Waipoua Forest

Another early start today. This time it’s to get to Waipoua Forest with plenty of time to take it all in. Take State Highway 1 out of Paihia until you get to the turn off for State Highway 12 at the tiny town of Ohaewai.

The drive from Paihia to Opononi on the Hokianga Harbour will take you a little over an hour and is mostly country roads, switching between farmlands and mountains from time to time.

The scenery along the fringe of the harbour is nothing short of spectacular while the towns themselves are the total opposite.

Take a walk out on the Opononi pier where you will find locals fishing and then drive up to the Arai-Te-Uru Recreation Reserve.

The 20 minute return walk takes you through the low scrub out to the point overlooking Hokianga Harbour, out in the ocean and over to the spectacular sand dunes on the other side of the harbour.

From here it’s just 10 minutes drive to the start of Waipoua Forest , home to some of the biggest and oldest Kauri trees still in existence.

Waipoua Forest combined with Mataraua and Waima Forests, make up the largest remaining native forest in Northland with much of the other forested areas of the region being lost to forest clearing for the precious kauri timber. Luckily these three forests are now protected under the Department of Conservation so they are able to be enjoyed by visitors.

The highway winds through the forest making for a very impressive drive.

Make sure you check out some of the biggest and oldest kauri’s in Tane Mahuta and Te Matua Ngahere. You can’t miss the signposts and carparks along the way, directing you to the best viewing spots and walking trails.

Each carpark has detailed maps of the walking trails through the forest, some boardwalked while others on dirt, sometimes muddy tracks. Make sure you’re wearing comfy walking shoes.

Spend the rest of the day enjoying the walks and kauri trees in the park before heading to your accommodation for the evening.

Where to Stay in Waipoua Forest

There isn’t a huge amount of choice on places to stay in the Waipoua Forest. You may find private properties for rent or you can stay at the Waipoua Forest Campground & Accommodation . They offer both camping facilites and cabins located on the south side of the forest on the river and completely surrounded by wilderness.

Other accommodation options are available in Hokianga Harbour and Dargaville 30 minutes north and south of the forest.

Day 5 – Waipoua Forest to Auckland

If you haven’t had enough of the forest yet then spend the morning in the forest before heading south back to Auckland. The drive takes about three hours if you don’t make any stops along the way.

But, there are a few nice things to see along the way. The drive south to Dargaville is winding through the mountains with the occasional glimpse of the ocean on your right.

There isn’t much to see in Dargaville itself but the river is pretty impressive so make sure you check that out as you drive through.

Just south of Dargaville is the Kaipara Harbour with inlets running off it into the centre of the peninsula. The road skirts around the inlets offering some spectacular views from the lookouts along the way.

Once you get back to Wellsford the road forks left and right. Left will take you back on the original road you drove on day one and right takes you on a more scenic route along more inlets and down to Helensville.

I recommend you go right and make the most of this beautiful region.

Helensville is a nice little town that is perfect for a lunch or afternoon tea stop before making your final journey back to Auckland.

On your way back into Auckland you can take the turn off for the Waitakere Ranges. This would make a great addition to this itinerary with a night or two spent in the area enjoying the hiking trails and beautiful scenery.

Where to Stay in Auckland

Before and/or after your Northland road trip you may need somewhere to stay in Auckland.

Budget – Haka Lodge Auckland

Mid-Range – Mercure Auckland Queen Street

Luxury – Hotel DeBrett

Over to you!

Have you visited New Zealand’s Northland region or would you like to someday? Have I missed anything that people travelling this route shouldn’t miss?

Let me know using the comments section below or join me on social media to start a conversation.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this post.

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39 thoughts on “New Zealand Northland Road Trip Itinerary”

This is the on bit of the North Island I missed out on visiting and boy I regret it! I am going to have to make it out there sometime for sure, it is such a beautiful area.

It is really beautiful and although I haven’t seen much more of the north island, I imagine it compares well. I hope you get to visit soon.

Great itinerary. I would also recommend visiting the Tutukaka Coast and Whangarei Heads – absolutely gorgeous beaches and great diving at the Poor Knights Islands. I went to Cape Reinga for the first time this past summer and it blew me away – so rugged and beautiful.

Great tips, thanks Katie. I’d love to get up to Cape Reinga one day.

What a great little road trip! I love all your shots of the beaches – those definitely look like my kind of place. I’ve never been to NZ but have heard that it’s absolutely incredible.

Thanks Jessica. I never expected beautiful beaches in NZ. I hope you get over there soon, it really is incredible!

Looks like a good tip for a road trip. Hope to make it there in the future. I would feel in love in NZ nature in no time, I think.

It’s really not hard to fall for NZ and its scenery Zof. I have no doubt you will love it. Hope you get over there soon!

New Zealand is way up there on my travel priority list, but I always thought I’d want to focus my time on the south island. Your post has me thinking I’d need to do both! Such a beautiful country!

Well I haven’t done the south yet (later this year) but I have heard it is even more spectacular than the north. I think its a country that you need to explore ever corner because it is so awesome.

Have not visited this part of New Zealand yet -looks really beautiful!

It really is Matilda!

Wow! This both looks and sounds like a gorgeous and amazing trip. It is so beautiful, like an outdoor paradise. It is nice to see/hear about this side of New Zealand, as you typically hear most about the cities and/or LOTR set areas. Not that those places wouldn’t be great also! 😉 -Alexandra

Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things

Thanks Alexandra. It is absolutely an outdoor paradise. I’m really looking forward to doing the South Island this year. I hope you get to visiting NZ soon!

Wow! A very detailed post! I love how you included to google maps. New Zealand is abolutely stunning! It has the most amazing scenery.

Thanks Constance. Informative is what I was going for so I’m glad you noticed. It really is an amazing place.

great photos thanks for sharing the maps sometimes its hard to know where all the places mentioned are and your maps made it easy to locate

Thanks Lorrie! I agree, it’s not always easy when certain map sites are not always accurate.

Wow — New Zealand has always been on my bucket list. I definitely want to do a road trip like this and take my time to see things. I mean, the Whangarei Falls took my breath away. That picture is beautiful! I never really see people explore the northern part of New Zealand so this was a nice treat.

Thank you Muriel. It’s such an amazing part of the world. While I haven’t seen much else of the country yet, I imaging it will be just as goo if not better.

You had me at 14 degrees in Winter! The rest is just a great bonus! Haha just kidding (although the warm winter might be nice compared to my Canadian ones! The Bay of islands looks stunning- the water is so blue!

Hahaha. The pics don’t even do the water colour justice. Bluest water I have seen to date but I suspect my trip to Canada next year might change that.

Fabulous photos!! I want to do this exact road trip through New Zealand, it all looks SO gorgeous! Especially that waterfall.

Thanks Samantha. It was the perfect road trip. I hope you get there soon to experience it for yourself.

I am awfully jealous:) of this experience of yours. We spent a month in New Zealand, but we had to skip this part due to the bad weather. When we arrived in Auckland it was raining all day and the forecast was not better either, so we headed directly to the south! I hope we can visit this part one day and your post will be precious for us then!

The weather can be very uncooperative at times in NZ. It’s unfortunate the weather was bad for you but it gives you an excuse to go back!

Great tips on how to plan the road trip. I love your maps, they really give an idea of distances, normally I just kind of guess. The pics are stunning, I visited the North island very briefly but now I want to go back!

Thanks Margherita! I’m a bit of a map nerd and would still much prefer to use an old fashioned map over the electronic navigation. I hope you get back to the north island soon!

I’d love to go to New Zealand one day and do a road trip! It’s such a beautiful place!!

Hope you get over there soon!

Whangarei Falls is pretty stunning. I loved the bay of islands when I visited. The weather was not really the best for sailing but we did it anyway. This whole article makes me want to grab a flight, hire a car and get away somewherebeautiful

I’m glad to hear that this post makes you want to get out there and see something beautiful Rebecca.

Normally I do not read post on blogs, however I would like to say that this write-up very forced me to take a look at and do so! Your writing style has been surprised me. Thank you, quite nice post.

Thanks so much!

Hey Jen your photos are gorgeous! You have great tips on how to plan a cool road trip 🙂

best wishes, Wayne

Thanks Wayne

Never enough time … but you stopped too early . Northland , just gets better the further North you go above Bay of Islands . And water gets warmer ( warmest Feb/ March) . Check out the Coast Kerikeri headlands , Taupo Bay just voted one top beaches in NZ , Mangonui , ninety mile beach . Would be like saying California stops at San Francisco and ignoring North Coast .

Another trip in order ! Cheers !

There is never enough time to fit everything into every trip unfortunately. Sometimes you have to be realistic.

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Top Destinations

Northland, New Zealand is a subtropical haven of beaches, islands and bays. This is one of New Zealand’s top tourist locations filled with a wide variety of things to do including many excellent boating and water based activities along with stunning land based attractions. Northland is also historically and culturally significant, being New Zealand’s first area of settlement. A top thing to do is to visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and there are many historical sites. The Northland Region stretches from Auckland to the very top of New Zealand making this area excellent for road trips with many attractions and activities along the way. It is a story of two coastlines with the iconic Bay of Islands as well as the Hokianga and the Kauri Coast, the Far North , and Whangarei . For cycling and mountain bike enthusiasts a fun thing to do is the Twin Coast Cycle Trail stretching from one coast to another and also a world class mountain bike park in Paihia. Northland has unique native rainforest and offer many walking and hiking activities. A main attraction is to encounter the magnificent Tane Mahuta , the biggest kauri tree in existence near the stunning Hokianga Harbour. Take a Cape Reinga and 90 Mile Beach Tour and journey past the huge sand dunes and pristine beaches of the Far North to experience the northernmost tip of the country, where you can watch the seas of the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea collide. Visit the stunning Doubtless Bay and then the beautiful Bay of Islands with its 144 islands and bays. Swim with dolphins, dive, fish, sail or play golf, go on wine tours and visit New Zealand’s most significant historic sites while visiting Russell and Kerikeri , New Zealand's oldest settlements and buildings. Northland's only city, Whangarei is close to the beautiful Bream Bay and Mangawhai beaches further south, and Tutukaka with a world-class marine reserve for diving excellent surf beaches and fantastic outlying marlin fishing areas.

Best Attractions and things to do in Northland

1. visit the bay of islands.

The Bay of Islands with its 144 islands and many beautiful bays and beaches is one of New Zealand’s most beautiful tourist attractions filled with activities and things to do. Take one of the many boat trips with water sports and activities on offer here and swim, snorkel kayak and or paddle-board, dive, fish, sail as your heart desires. Out to sea, you can enjoy fantastic outlying marlin fishing areas. Most trips leave from the main tourist town of Paihia or the quiet seaside town of Russell which is located opposite and a short ferry ride across the bay from Paihia. Filled with tourism activities there are plenty of things to do in the calm waters of the Bay of Islands. There are some fantastic day and half day trips on a variety of boats all offering different things to do. You can Discover the Bay on a larger tour boat with a stop at Otehei Bay to explore the island, swim at the sandy bay or enjoy a drink or lunch in the sun from a fully licensed café. Xtreme Jet Bay of Islands is the Bay of Islands newest and fastest thrill ride with speeds of up to 80km/h! A main attraction is the traditional Cream Trip which is great for history lovers or take an actual historical tall ship sailing adventure on the heritage ship R Tucker Thompson . There are also many wonderful yacht charters for an unforgettable adventure such as the Island Hopper Sailing Cruise and more to be found on these area pages.

2. The Waitangi Treaty Grounds, New Zealand’s Most Important Historic Site

See where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in the historic Treaty House at Waitangi. In 1840 the Treaty of Waitangi was signed between the Maori and Europeans which marked the beginning of New Zealand as a nation. Purchase an Experience Enjoy a full programme of tours and cultural performances. Explore the two new contemporary museums, Te Rau Aroha, Te Kōngahu Museum of Waitangi, the carving studio, the Treaty House, Te Whare Rūnanga (Carved Meeting House), traditional Māori waka taua (war canoes). Visitors to Waitangi Treaty Grounds includes a guided tour (50 minutes), a Māori cultural performance (30 minutes), entry to the two museums, the Treaty House, the carved Meeting House, and grounds with the ceremonial war canoe. Waitangi by Night is available from December to March. Experience Waitangi like never before with after-hours museum access, a gourmet barbecue and games on the Treaty Grounds.

3. Bike the Twin Coast Cycle Trail

Stretching from the Bay of Islands on the east coast to the Hokianga Harbour in the west coast. The Twin Coast Cycle Trail (Pou Herenga Tai) is an amazing attraction in the stunning Far North that covers 87 kms from Opua to Horeke. You will see old historic settlements, coastal views, lush forests and fascinating cultural sights. You can hire a mountain bike or an e-bike and ride along a disused railway line that takes you along the longest curved wooden bridge in New Zealand, along broad walks through mangrove forests, stunning native bush and a working vintage steam railway in Kawakawa. Through tunnels and across bridges and beautiful New Zealand farmland. For extra things to do along the way visit the Pioneer Village where you can bike through an historic NZ village in Kaikohe . The scenery is amazing but this trail is also steeped in Maori and early European history. Following a smooth rail trail, cycle paths, wetland boardwalk, suspension bridges and country roads, it can be broken into smaller day trip activities with things to do and attractions right across the country while enjoying the sub-tropical climate for which the ‘winterless’ north is famous.

4. Experience Skydiving over the Bay of Islands

Northland is one of the best places to go skydiving! Jump out over the Bay of Islands in the Far North, the warmest part of New Zealand with a beautiful sub-tropical climate. The Bay of Islands Airport is located centrally in Kerikeri and the view from the air over the Bay of Islands is spectacular! Tandem Sky Diving is an awesome activity where you can safely skydive with an experienced instructor for a pure adrenaline rush, reaching speeds of up to 200 km per hour! Experiencing the thrill of free fall is something you’ll never forget and skydiving over the stunning Bay of Islands with its 144 Islands and viewing Northlands spectacular coastline from the air is an amazing thing to do in this area. Click here to book your Skydiving in the Bay of Islands experience and choose from 9,000 feet right up to 20,000 feet! This is a great activity for anyone looking for an adventure and incredible experience!

5. Take a Wine Tasting or Scenic tour with a local tour guide

Go for an adventure with one of the local wine tours or scenic tours and be looked after and shown around by one of the local Northland tour guides. There are several tour activities on offer visiting the many attractions Northland has on offer most leaving from Paihia . Visit Kerikeri which is known for its wine, horticulture and history or visit a Glow Worm Cave with incredible rock formations and lush green rain-forest or take a custom tour to the Hokianga or the Far North of New Zealand. There is a Craft Beer & Wine Tour visiting two top local vineyards, a local brewery and a chocolate factory! A Wine Tasting & Scenic Adventure tour which can include Wine Tasting, Lunch at a Vineyard, Historic Buildings, Haruru Falls, Art & Crafts, Chocolate Factory and Honey tastings., and There is also Wine and Beer Tasting & Lunch Adventures visiting three different local Kerikeri vineyards. Tastings can include wines, ports, liqueur, or ask about the Craft Beer Brewery or the local Cheese Factory.

6. Cruise to the Hole in the Rock, Bay of islands

The Hole in the Rock is one of the Bay of Islands most famous attractions! There are many different types of activities developed around viewing this stunning natural feature in the Bay of islands. The Hole in the Rock is located right out at the entrance to the Bay of Islands and you will usually see dolphins and marine wildlife attractions along the way and enjoy the stunning scenery. Take a boat cruise with the Cream Trip Day in the Bay where you can also view dolphins or boom net alongside the vessel and is also known as the most extensive historical cruise in the Bay of Islands. Discover the Bay comes with a nature guide on-board, or take a fast boat for a trilling Ocean Adventure and have the option of stopping at Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka island on your way back for refreshments and a swim. If conditions permit, your skipper will expertly guide the ship through the narrow space in the ‘Hole in the Rock’. You can also visit the Hole in the Rock by helicopter which is a spectacular way to see the Bay of Islands from the air!

7. Day trip to Cape Reinga and 90 Mile Beach

Visit the Cape Reinga by bus tour for a fun stress-free activity with an experienced guide to tell you about the special history of this area. Cape Reinga is the very top of New Zealand and a great thing to do with the whole family often visiting the stunning 90 mile beach during low tide with its enormous sand dunes. The ultimate northern New Zealand experience where the two oceans collide! Right at the top of New Zealand walk the path to the Cape Reinga lighthouse located at the very top edge of NZ. This is an incredible attraction where you will hear the crashing of the two oceans the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean in a spectacular swirl of currents, take time to absorb the atmosphere of this place you can almost feel the power! The views are spellbinding, and if conditions are right, try out the unique and fun activity of sandboarding!

8. Dive Trips in the Bay of Islands and the Poor Knights Islands

Northland has beautiful clear and warmer waters compared to the rest of New Zealand so scuba diving and free diving are excellent things to do here even in mid-winter. The Bay of Islands, the Poor Knights and also the stunning Cavalli Islands are top dive locations for New Zealand filled with stunning reefs with prolific fish and plant life. There are two famous wreck diving attractions to do in the Northland region: the Rainbow Warrior Wreck Dive and the Canterbury Wreck Dive . Add the stunning reef dives at the Cavalli Islands and many beautiful dive sites in the Bay of Islands and this is a fantastic activity in the Far North of New Zealand! Off the Tutukaka coast is New Zealand’s stunning world-class marine reserve with some of the best subtropical diving in the world. The 11 million-year-old Islands’ volcanic origins provide myriad spectacular drop-offs, walls, caves, arches and tunnels all abundantly populated with the unique and incredibly varied plant, animal and fish life. If you don’t dive yet and have 4 days and want to try a whole new adventure activity, learn to dive with a PADI Open Water Course in one of New Zealand’s best diving locations.

9. Go Fishing!

Take one of the excellent and experienced fishing charter boats to catch Snapper or Kingfish in one of the best fishing locations in the world! Fish with calm seas in the bay of Islands, or further out you may encounter a huge array of sea and bird life which in itself is a major attraction and in turn attracts the game fish that we are so privileged to be able to catch in New Zealand. Big Game Fishing is a great activity in New Zealand with plentiful sport fish. An amazing thing to do in Northland where you just never know what can jump on your lure or bait including striped, black or blue marlin and other huge game fish. With a large amount of deep water reefs, Hapuka is another fish that is an excellent fishing activity to try in New Zealand. Local fishing charters offer local knowledge and the best opportunity to have an amazing day out catching fish. Days Out Fishing Charters and Wildblue Bay of Islands Fishing are both highly professional fishing guides – with all the local knowledge on where to catch fish!

10. Ride the Waitangi Mountain Bike Park

Take a day (or more) and come and enjoy the World-Class Waitangi Mountain Bike Park. Hire a bike and catch the shuttle for downhill thrills at the huge Waitangi bike park with trails for all abilities. The shuttle service runs on weekends and school holidays is a fun thing to do taking you back up to the top of the park leaving you with mostly downhill runs. The Waitangi Mountain Bike Park provides the perfect introduction to mountain biking with lots of easy, scenic trails that you can take at your own pace. It currently offers over 20 trails (50km) of varying difficulty with great flow and features, from introductory downhill riding, jump trails, cross country, beginner trails and loads of tracks for the experts too.

11. Parasailing in the Bay of Islands

Bay of Islands Parasail has New Zealand's highest parasailing activity at 1300ft over the stunning Bay of Islands. With specially designed boats for this amazing activity to make it safe and easy to catch the wind, a fun thing to do and incredible way to see the Bay of Islands from the air. Bay of Islands Parasail has 20 years of experience and a perfect safety record, take-off and landing is easy, fun and safe. Suitable for all ages as no physical restrictions. For extra fun in summer we can dip your toes into the water during your parasail, but there is no getting wet unless you want to! There are tandem and triple flights available all with insane views over the Bay of Islands.

12. Take a Night Tour to the stunning Waipoua Forest

Visit the oldest and largest Kauri trees in the world – at night! With a local Māori guide for an unforgettable encounter with another world. Experience the affinity that Māori have with the forest and the deep spiritual respect they have for these sentinels who have stood silently witnessing the passing of time. Your Footprints Waipoua guide will share thought-provoking information, humorous banter, stories and legends before respectfully greeting the oldest and largest known kauri trees in the world with spine-tingling chants and song. Witness the day transition to night and by default feel your senses become hauntingly enhanced. Just like these giant kauri trees the memories you seize are timeless treasures. You will be introduced to the oldest and largest known kauri trees in the world. As you enjoy the easy walking tracks that wind through an evergreen maze of unique flora you will enjoy intermittent stops to connect with thought provoking information, stories, song and much more. Located just out of Hokianga in the beautiful native Waipoua Forest.

13. Go Horse Trekking through beaches and farmland

Kates Riding Centre is a top tourist attraction in Kerikeri with lots of things to do including short horse riding treks, Beach treks, farm treks, trekking weekends, lessons and summer pony camps for the kids in the beautiful Bay of Islands of New Zealand. Kates Horse riding centre caters to all abilities so previous experience is not necessary as horses and ponies have been chosen for their lovely nature, taking adults and children for both group and private trek activities or horse riding lessons. The activities take place on a large specialty farm with facilities that include a 100 x 60 metre sand all weather arena, a 20 x 32 metre square covered arena, a 20 metre round pen and a 2 km exercise track set on 466 acres of rolling farmland all in a beautiful setting for horse riding in the Bay of Islands.

14. Take a Relaxing Sunset Cruise in the Bay of Islands

This is an excellent thing to do at the end of the day running out of Paihia in the Bay of Islands and before you adventure out again for dinner! The Sundowner Evening Sailing Cruise is an awesome activity you can squeeze into your day, an early evening cruise leaving from Paihia at 5.00pm and returning 7.00pm. The boat pulls right up to the beach where you can step aboard from the shore line. Sail the inner area of the Bay of Islands, making the most of the beautiful sea breeze on route to a fun swim destination and enjoy the beauty of our sheltered anchorage while sipping on a complimentary drink before sailing home on the sea breeze. A great start to a night out with friends and family, a romantic getaway, or just the perfect way to end the day! Watch the wind fill the sails, kick back and enjoy the tranquillity.

Top attractions in Northland

Hole in the rock.

Embark on an unforgettable adventure with a cruise to the iconic 'Hole in the Rock' in the Bay of Islands. Join a thrilling boat tour to witness nature's wonder up close as you cruise through the stunning scenery of the Bay of Islands. Marvel at the impressive rock formation with its distinctive hole, a natural archway carved by centuries of wind and waves on Motukokako Island. Feel the thrill as your vessel navigates through the opening, providing a heart-pounding experience and breathtaking views. Keep your camera ready to capture the beauty of this natural marvel and the surrounding marine life. Don't miss the chance to discover the magic of the 'Hole in the Rock' on your Bay of Islands journey.

Waitangi Treaty Grounds

Immerse yourself in New Zealand's rich history at Waitangi Treaty Grounds in the Bay of Islands. Explore the nation's most significant historic site, boasting heritage buildings, traditional waka, and lush native forest against a backdrop of stunning Bay of Islands views. Engage in informative guided tours, delve into contemporary museums showcasing precious taonga, and witness captivating Māori cultural performances in an authentic Meeting House. Don't miss the chance to experience the birthplace of a nation through films and exhibitions, culminating in a mesmerizing cultural performance featuring traditional dances and harmonies. Make memories and connect with the past at Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

Thunder Trike Tour

Experience the ultimate thrill ride with Thunder Trike Tours in Paihia, Bay of Islands. Feel the power of a V8 350 Chev Trike as you embark on a 30 or 60-minute adventure through stunning landscapes. With no helmets required (full seatbelts provided), revel in the sense of freedom while soaking up the scenic beauty of the Bay of Islands. Explore charming locales like Opua, Haruru Falls, and Waitangi Lookout, capturing unforgettable moments and breathtaking views along the way. Whether it's summer or winter, prepare for an exhilarating journey – don a light sweater and sunglasses in summer, or bundle up with a jacket and perhaps a beanie in winter. Don't forget your camera for this bucket list-worthy experience!

Parasailing

Experience the thrill of New Zealand's highest parasailing adventure, soaring 1300 feet above the breathtaking Bay of Islands in Paihia. Our exhilarating rides cater to everyone, offering Single, Tandem, and Triple flights suitable for all family members. With no physical restrictions, anyone can join in on the fun! Enjoy the freedom of flying high above the stunning coastline, with panoramic views guaranteed to take your breath away. Plus, there's no need to worry about getting wet – unless you're up for the splash! Whether you're seeking adrenaline-pumping excitement or a leisurely glide, parasailing in Paihia promises an unforgettable experience for all ages.

Cape Reinga

Embark on a journey to the northern tip of New Zealand with a visit to Cape Reinga, an iconic destination steeped in cultural significance and natural beauty. Witness the breathtaking meeting of the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean, where the swirling currents create a mesmerizing spectacle. Marvel at the iconic lighthouse standing proudly atop the windswept cliffs, offering panoramic views of the rugged coastline and endless ocean horizon. Immerse yourself in Māori mythology as you learn about the spiritual significance of this sacred place, where the souls of the departed begin their final journey. Experience the raw power of nature and the rich cultural heritage of Aotearoa at Cape Reinga.

Soar to new heights with a thrilling skydiving adventure in the Bay of Islands, Northland. Experience the ultimate adrenaline rush as you freefall from thousands of feet above, taking in breathtaking views of the stunning coastline, pristine beaches, and picturesque islands below. Feel the wind rush past you as you descend towards the earth, guided by experienced instructors ensuring your safety every step of the way. Whether you're a first-time skydiver or a seasoned adrenaline junkie, this unforgettable experience promises an exhilarating rush like no other. Make your Bay of Islands journey unforgettable with a skydiving adventure you'll remember for a lifetime.

Go Snorkelling!

Discover the wonders of underwater paradise with some of New Zealand's finest snorkeling located in Northland. Dive into the marine reserve of Deep Water Cove in the Bay of Islands, where pristine reef sites teem with vibrant marine life and stunning scenery awaits. Thanks to the reserve's unique regulations, you can even interact with the fish by feeding them, creating unforgettable snorkeling experiences. With our water temperatures ranging from 18°C to 23°C in summer, you'll stay comfortable all day in our provided 5mm wetsuits. Feel free to bring your own equipment and explore the underwater wonders at your leisure. Dive in and immerse yourself in the beauty of the Bay of Islands' snorkeling paradise..

Top fun activities in Northland

Embark on a Dolphin Eco Cruise in the stunning Bay of Islands for an unforgettable journey through natural splendor. Witness marine mammals in their element, from playful dolphins to majestic whales and serene seals. Delve into the ecological restoration efforts of Project Island Song, reviving the islands' ecosystems and filling the air with birdsong. Explore the lush bush and diverse birdlife on Urupukapuka Island, soaking in the breathtaking scenery and rich cultural heritage with insightful commentary from our local skipper. Glide past dramatic cliffs at Cape Brett and venture through the iconic Hole in the Rock for a thrilling adventure. Plus, enjoy leisure time at Otehei Bay, where you can swim, dine, and explore to your heart's content.

Embark on an unforgettable aerial adventure with the Hole in the Rock Helicopter Scenic Flight. Soar high above the stunning Bay of Islands and marvel at the breathtaking beauty of this iconic natural wonder. Experience the thrill of flying as you glide effortlessly through the sky, taking in panoramic views of pristine coastlines, secluded beaches, and picturesque islands. Get up close to the dramatic cliffs of Cape Brett and witness the awe-inspiring sight of the famous Hole in the Rock formation from a unique perspective. With expert pilots guiding you every step of the way, this scenic flight promises an exhilarating and unforgettable experience that will leave you in awe of New Zealand's natural wonders.

Daily Surf Lessons at Mangawhai

Dive into the thrill of surfing with our year-round lessons, catering to surfers of every level. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Te Arai, Auckland's top-rated beach on the East Coast, according to NZ Herald 2018, our surf school offers the perfect environment to hone your skills. With its pristine white sands, crystal-clear blue waters, and gentle, predictable waves, Te Arai provides an ideal playground for beginners and intermediates alike. Whether you're mastering the basics or refining your technique, our experienced instructors will guide you through every wave, ensuring a safe and exhilarating surfing experience. Join us and ride the waves at Te Arai today!

Go Sailing in the Bay of Islands

Embark on a sailing adventure through the captivating Bay of Islands, where each island holds a unique charm waiting to be explored. As we glide through azure waters, enjoy the stunning scenery en route to our secluded island destination. Step ashore to savor a delicious packed lunch at picturesque picnic spots, then wander along scenic walking tracks or dive into snorkeling and paddleboarding adventures. Keep watch for fascinating wildlife sightings—from soaring seabirds to playful seals and, if luck permits, the joyful dance of dolphins. Join us aboard Kopiko for an unforgettable journey filled with relaxation, exploration, and the wonders of nature.

Rainbow Warrior and Reef Dive

Delve into history beneath the waves at the Rainbow Warrior dive site, once Greenpeace's iconic flagship. Sunk by French saboteurs in Auckland Harbour in 1985 while en route to protest nuclear testing, the Rainbow Warrior now rests as an artificial reef in the Cavalli Islands. At a maximum depth of 26 meters, this underwater sanctuary teems with vibrant marine life, offering divers a unique and unforgettable experience. Encounter a diverse array of aquatic creatures while exploring the wreckage of a vessel that fought to protect marine habitats. Join us for a dive to discover the Rainbow Warrior's legacy beneath the waves.

Jet Boat Ride!  

Experience the ultimate thrill ride with Xtreme Jet Bay of Islands, the newest and fastest adventure in the bay. Zoom through the pristine waters at speeds of up to 80km/h, ensuring an adrenaline-fueled journey like no other. Prepare for the trip of a lifetime as you soak in breathtaking views of the Bay of Islands' most iconic sights. Whether you're seeking heart-pounding excitement or simply craving an unforgettable adventure, Xtreme Jet promises an exhilarating experience that will leave you breathless and wanting more. Don't miss your chance to discover the best of the Bay of Islands in the most thrilling way possible!

Best things to do with kids and children’s activities in Northland

Waitangi mountain bike park.

Ride the Trails at Waitangi Mountain Bike Park. Experience exhilarating mountain biking adventures in Paihia, Northland, at the renowned Waitangi Mountain Bike Park. Nestled amidst stunning natural landscapes, this park offers an array of thrilling trails suitable for riders of all skill levels. Whether you're a beginner seeking gentle terrain or a seasoned rider craving adrenaline-pumping challenges, Waitangi Mountain Bike Park has something for everyone. Explore scenic trails winding through native forests, enjoy panoramic views of the Bay of Islands, and immerse yourself in the beauty of New Zealand's outdoor playground. Join us for an unforgettable mountain biking experience at Waitangi Mountain Bike Park in Paihia, Northland.

Embark on a mesmerizing journey through the crystal-clear waters out from Paihia in the Bay of Islands on an exciting tour to the famous Hole in the Rock on Motukokako Island aboard a Glass Bottom Boat. Delve into the vibrant marine ecosystem as you peer through the glass floor to witness an underwater world teeming with life. Glide over colorful coral reefs, observe majestic marine creatures, and marvel at the beauty of the ocean floor without getting wet. With expert commentary from knowledgeable guides, learn about the fascinating marine life and rich biodiversity of the Bay of Islands. Join us for an unforgettable adventure and experience the wonders of the underwater realm with Glass Bottom Boat Tours in Paihia Bay of Islands.

Whangarei Museum, Kiwi House & Heritage Parkphin Eco Cruise

Explore the wonders of Northland's only Kiwi House at Kiwi North, nestled on 25 hectares of picturesque farmland, forest, and bush. With sweeping views of Whangarei city and the majestic Whangarei Heads, this attraction boasts a diverse array of experiences. Immerse yourself in the region's rich heritage at the museum, home to captivating exhibits and unique Victorian buildings. Get up close to New Zealand's iconic kiwi bird in the nocturnal kiwi house and don't forget to browse the gift store for souvenirs to treasure. With something for everyone, Kiwi North promises an unforgettable day of discovery and delight.

Embark on a scenic journey through native bush and farmland to reach the enchanting Waitomo Glow Worm Caves. Marvel at the breathtaking rock formations and verdant rainforests that welcome you upon arrival. Step into the depths of the cave to discover a mesmerizing world illuminated by thousands of glow worms, creating a spectacle like no other. Be awed by the magnificent stalactites and stalagmites that surround you, as you delve deeper into one of New Zealand's natural wonders. Learn about the fascinating life cycle of the glow worm and uncover the rich family history behind this extraordinary cave system. Prepare to be spellbound by the magic of the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves..

Step into the rich tapestry of Maori culture with Manea Footprints of Kupe, a captivating 75-minute experience that engages all your senses. Guided storytelling comes to life through art, cultural treasures, film, performance, and digital interaction, immersing you in the legacy of Kupe and the splendor of Hokianga's natural surroundings. Explore the depths of Maori heritage as you journey through this multisensory encounter, gaining insight into the traditions, history, and spirit of Aotearoa. From the stunning landscapes to the vibrant storytelling, Manea Footprints of Kupe offers an unforgettable experience that will leave a lasting impression on your heart and soul.

Embark on an exhilarating 1.5-hour journey aboard Ocean Adventure, the ultimate thrill ride to the iconic Hole in the Rock. Feel the rush as you zip across the waters on the fastest boat in the bay, soaking in the stunning scenery along the way. With expert guides at the helm, prepare for an unforgettable adventure as you navigate to one of New Zealand's most renowned natural wonders. Hold on tight as Ocean Adventure delivers an adrenaline-pumping experience, promising memories that will last a lifetime. Don't miss your chance to explore the Bay of Islands in style on this thrilling ocean adventure.

Rainy day activities in Northland

Discover Northland's exquisite wine scene on our intimate wine tour, where each group has a maximum of 11 passengers (up to 20 for group tours). Starting at the Paihia I-site at 12:30 pm, with a pickup option in Kerikeri at 1:00 pm, our journey begins at the charming Fat Pig Vineyard. Here, indulge in delightful tastings of Fat Pig Bubbles 2022, White Diamond 2023, Rosé 2023, and Sauvignon Blanc 2022, all crafted from grapes grown on their 3-acre property. Next, we visit Sovrano Estate, a family-run vineyard offering organically grown wines and exquisite Limoncello liqueurs, perfect for cocktails and desserts. Finally, unwind at Marsden Estate, where you'll enjoy tastings of their premium wines and a platter lunch amidst breathtaking vineyard views. For larger groups, contact us directly to arrange special group rates and accommodations. Join us for a memorable wine tour experience in Northland!

ROASTED - A coffee lover's experience

Embark on a unique coffee adventure with ROASTED, where you'll craft your own signature blend. Discover the secrets of aroma recognition, witnessing beans change color during a roasting demo, and mastering brewing methods. Then, unleash your creativity as you design your personalized blend, guided by our experts. Taste and analyze your creations, discussing and comparing with fellow enthusiasts. Take home a bag of your bespoke beans, a brewing guide, and newfound coffee wisdom. No experience necessary—perfect for beginners and aficionados alike. Elevate your coffee game and leave with a buzz of excitement from this hands-on, beginner-friendly experience at ROASTED

Indulge in the ultimate chocolate experience at Makana Confections Boutique chocolate factory in Kerikeri, Bay of Islands, and Northland. Watch as delicious chocolates are handcrafted before your eyes and treat yourself to a few delectable samples. Browse through our selection of gifts and indulgences, perfect for any occasion or as a special self-indulgent treat. Whether you're looking for a unique attraction or a mouthwatering activity for all ages, Makana Confections promises a truly delightful experience. Discover some of New Zealand's finest confections and satisfy your sweet cravings at Makana.

Visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds

Experience the richness of Waitangi's cultural heritage with a visit to its contemporary museums, captivating Māori cultural performances in an authentic Meeting House, and informative guided tours. Explore the beauty of native forests and marvel at the world's largest ceremonial war canoe. Afterwards, relax and enjoy refreshments at our quality café, all while soaking in stunning views over the Bay of Islands. With a diverse range of attractions and activities, Waitangi offers a unique and immersive journey into New Zealand's history and culture. Come and discover the treasures of Waitangi against the breathtaking backdrop of the Bay of Islands.

Indulge in pure relaxation at La Spa Naturale, where our expertly trained Beauty and Massage Therapists provide you with the pinnacle of luxurious relaxation and beauty therapy. Experience the finest treatments tailored to your individual needs, ensuring a truly personalized experience. We exclusively use premium products like PURE FIJI, renowned for their exceptional quality and performance, to enhance your spa journey. From soothing massages to rejuvenating facials, we delight in exceeding your expectations with unparalleled service and attention to detail. Step into a world of tranquility and let us pamper you to perfection at La Spa Naturale.

Best day trips from Northland

Embark on a full-day journey through Northland's cultural and natural wonders. Traverse the sweeping shores of Ninety Mile Beach aboard our purpose-built coach. Conquer the towering sand dunes of Te Paki Stream for an exhilarating sand-boarding adventure. Delve into Māori tradition at Cape Reinga, where spirits embark on their ancestral voyage. Stand at the northernmost tip of New Zealand, gazing upon panoramic vistas. Feel the awe-inspiring power of this sacred site as you witness the majestic collision of the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean from the iconic lighthouse. Experience the magic of Northland's heritage and landscapes on this unforgettable day trip.

Embark on the Bay's most iconic cruise for a full-day adventure packed with excitement. Follow in the footsteps of history on the legendary Cream Trip, tracing the original route established in 1927 by Albert Fuller. Cruise through pristine islands and along the Cape Brett Peninsula, marveling at historic landmarks like the Cape Brett lighthouse and Motukōkako, the famed Hole in the Rock. Keep your eyes peeled for playful dolphins and other marine wildlife throughout the journey. Enjoy a leisurely island stop at Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island, where you can relax, swim, explore, and savor the stunning scenery. With its rich history and breathtaking sights, the Cream Trip cruise offers an unforgettable experience for all. Lunch is not included, but you can indulge in delicious food and drinks at Otehei Bay Café during the island stop.

Discover the thrill of scuba diving with our beginner-friendly day trip in the Bay of Islands. Departing from Paihia at 8:30 am, cruise through the stunning Bay of Islands before anchoring at the dive site. While certified divers explore the wreck, our instructors guide you through dive procedures with a DSD flip chart briefing. Then, gear up and dive into a shallow reef, where we'll teach basic skills and lead a guided tour of marine life at depths up to 12 meters. Afterward, enjoy lunch and snorkeling before opting for another dive experience. Dive into adventure and explore the underwater world with us!

Island & Wildlife day Cruise

Experience the breathtaking beauty and abundant wildlife of the Bay of Islands on a 50ft catamaran. Sail through turquoise waters and past lush green islands, surrounded by diverse marine life. Watch in awe as wild dolphins and seabirds frolic in their natural habitat—we're the only yacht licensed for wild dolphin viewing in the Bay. Enjoy an island stop to explore a historic scenic island and snorkel along its pristine beach. Indulge in a Kiwi-style BBQ lunch served aboard. Join us for an unforgettable sailing adventure, where you'll discover the wonders of the Bay of Islands in style and comfort.

Most Popular Places to Visit in Northland

1. cape reinga.

Visitors are drawn to this iconic destination to witness the meeting of the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean, explore the historic lighthouse, and enjoy panoramic views of the coastline.

2. Bay of Islands

Known for its stunning scenery, pristine beaches, and abundant marine life, the Bay of Islands offers a plethora of activities such as sailing, dolphin watching, kayaking, and exploring historic sites.

3. Waitangi Treaty Grounds

As New Zealand's most significant historic site, Waitangi Treaty Grounds attracts visitors keen to learn about the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, explore cultural performances, and enjoy scenic walks.

4. Whangarei Falls

These picturesque waterfalls, located just outside of Whangarei, are a popular spot for nature lovers, offering walking trails and picnic areas.

5. Ninety Mile Beach

Stretching along the western coast of Northland, Ninety Mile Beach is renowned for its expansive sands, stunning sunsets, and opportunities for activities like surfing, fishing, and sandboarding.

This charming coastal town in the Bay of Islands is known for its rich history, beautiful beaches, and vibrant dining scene.

7. Poor Knights Islands

A marine reserve located off the coast of Tutukaka, the Poor Knights Islands are a haven for divers and snorkelers, boasting diverse marine life and underwater caves.

8. Kauri Forests

Northland is home to ancient kauri forests, including the Waipoua Forest and the Trounson Kauri Park, where visitors can marvel at towering kauri trees and learn about their significance.

9. Hokianga Harbour

10. kerikeri.

Known for its vibrant arts scene, boutique shops, and historic sites like the Stone Store and Kemp House, Kerikeri is a charming town nestled in the Bay of Islands

The Best Hikes and Walking Tracks in Northland

Te paki coastal track.

Distance: 48km. Duration: 4-5 days. Difficulty: Advanced. Immerse yourself in the raw beauty of the Te Paki Coastal Track as you explore the northernmost tip of New Zealand, showcasing the untamed shores of Northland. This coastal walk takes you through dunes, along pristine beaches, and offers an opportunity to experience the unique flora and fauna of the region.  This iconic track offers breathtaking views where the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean collide. Witness the famous Cape Reinga lighthouse and enjoy the rugged beauty of the coastal landscapes.

Whangarei Falls Loop

Discover the enchanting Whangarei Falls Loop, a short but picturesque walk that leads you to the iconic Whangarei Falls. Surrounded by lush native bush, this track provides a serene environment, making it a perfect escape for nature lovers.

Tane Mahuta Track

Wairere boulders loop track, mangawhai cliffs walk.

Distance: 9km. Duration: 2-3 hours. Difficulty: Intermediate. Revel in the coastal beauty of Mangawhai with the Mangawhai Cliffs Walk. This track offers stunning views of the coastline and the Tasman Sea, making it a perfect choice for those seeking a coastal hike with panoramic vistas.

Bream Head Coast Te Whara Track 

Hatea river loop walk, puketi nature trail, mangakahia forest walk, kerikeri river track, frequently asked questions about northland, 1. what are the top attractions in northland.

Visit the Treaty of Waitangi

Whangarei Museum, Kiwi House & Heritage Park

Underwater wonderland Snorkeling Trip

See all top attractions in Northland on SeeAndDo.co.nz

2. What are the top fun activities in Northland?

Wildlife Cruise

See all activities in Northland on SeeAndDo.co.nz

3. What are the best things to do in Northland with kids?

Hole in the Rock Cruise & Island Tour

See all things to do in Northland on SeeAndDo.co.nz

4. What to do in Northland on a rainy day?

Kiwi House & Heritage Park

5. What are the best day trips from Northland?

Discover Scuba

The Cream Trip including Hole in the Rock

Electric boat hire

See all day trips from Northland on SeeAndDo.co.nz

6. What are the most popular things to do in Northland?

See all the most popular things to do in Northland on SeeAndDo.co.nz

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Experience Taitokerau Northland

Explore things to do in northland.

Discover the wide range of activities, attractions, and experiences in Taitokerau Northland.

Immerse yourself in Māori culture, the stories of Aotearoa New Zealand, and the vibrant art scene. Explore the aquatic playgrounds and water activities along our beaches, oceans, islands, and waterways, or get your adrenalin fix through adventure activities. Marvel at the spectacular natural beauty and native wildlife, go sightseeing with a tour guide, or roam the great outdoors on foot or bike. Savour the flavours of the region through food and beverage experiences or simply kick back and relax, Northland style.

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10 Best Things To Do In Northland, New Zealand: Starting From The Top…

• By Sarah Steiner
• Updated On April 15, 2024

So you’re planning a trip to New Zealand’s North Island and wondering about the best things to do in Northland?

Welcome to beautiful Northland!

The north of New Zealand is one of the most diverse and naturally stunning regions of the country.

There are endless things to do in Northland and many beautiful sights of northern Aotearoa that you don’t want to miss on any New Zealand itinerary. Northland is a region with beaches and coastlines, beautiful bush walks and boat trips and a rich history of New Zealand.

Last summer we spent eight weeks back at ‘home’ in the Far North, so we may be slightly swayed in our sharing…

But we reckon Northland is the best part to explore!

10 Things to do in Northland, New Zealand

Here are our top ten favourites from the North; and the very best things to do in Northland, New Zealand.

• Cape Reinga and the far far North

Tane Mahuta and the Hokianga

• A day trip to Urapukapuka and the islands
• Visiting Waitangi and the Treaty Grounds
• Paihia and Haruru Falls
• Opua’s best bush walks
• Russell – its not actually an island!
• Te Rawhiti and the back roads
• Kerikeri and Rainbow Falls
• Ngawha Hot Springs

Things to do in Northland – Far North

We spent two full days road tripping in the Far North exploring all the way from Paihia to Cape Reinga.

Cape Reinga and the far, Far North

Cape Reinga is geographically the most northern point of the north island of New Zealand; 100km north of the nearest town of Kaitaia. There aren’t any shops nearby making it the perfect outing for a day trip with a picnic.

We started the journey to Cape Reinga with a morning stop at the small fishing town of Mangonui to stock up for our trip…

Our shopping list was fairly typical of a New Zealand summer picnic and day out. We bought:

• Sandwich bread
• Crisps (for sandwiches)

And yes of course we are wearing our ‘jandals’ for this road trip in Northland!

From there we drove the rest of the way north to Cape Reinga; the most northern point of New Zealand.

At Cape Reinga you can see the spectacular swirl of ocean currents where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean.

For Maori, Cape Reinga is the most spiritually significant place in New Zealand.

According to mythology, the spirits of the dead travel to Cape Reinga on their journey to the afterlife and leap off the headland through the roots of the 800-year-old pohutukawa tree. From their they descend to the underworld to return to their traditional homeland of Hawaii using Te Ara Wairua; the ‘Spirits’ pathway’.

• Tip: Look closely on the coastline of the Cape Reinga and you will see the sacred pohutukawa tree.

Getting to Cape Reinga

There are two ways to get right up to the Cape:

• by bus with a tour company, or
• with a rental car,

If you have time to explore the different things to do in Northland, we would recommend hiring a car. There are a lot of spots that are worth more than a short stop as you make your way north.

It is a bit of a drive to get to Cape Reinga (from wherever you are in Northland). But we rate Cape Reinga as top of the list of best things to do in Northland.

• Paihia to Cape Reinga: 2 hr 38 min  (197.3 km) via State Hwy 10 and SH 1
• Kaitaia to Cape Reinga: 1 hr 22 min  (94.4 km) via SH 1
• Kerikeri to Cape Reinga: 2 hr 22 min  (176.9 km) via State Hwy 10 and SH 1

Finding new things to do in Northland(!)

We drove ALL over both coasts of Northland. And even as New Zealand’s we found new places to explore!

We both agree that Henderson Bay on the East Coast of Northland topped it off as the most beautiful spot we had never been before!

The boys (all three) headed straight for the water, following the locals out onto the rocky rises just past the shore line, where the waves were breaking gently and the water was so incredibly clear!

And if the timing on the way back works out for fish and chips at the famous Mangonui Fish Shop, then you are in luck. The famous fish and chips in Mangonui is a great childhood memory and one of the best things to do in Northland!

Things to do in Northland – the Hokianga

We still can’t decide which day of exploring Northland was our favourite.

The next on our list of things to do in Northland was a day trip to the nearby Hokianga region.

Heading west towards the Hokianga and beyond meant paying a visit to New Zealand’s largest living kauri tree, Tane Mahuta; Lord of the Forest.

This majestic tree towers over 50m tall, creating an impressive rooftop canopy in the Waipoua Forest, about 30 minutes drive south of Opononi.

In myth, Tane the forest God, broke apart the embrace of Ranginui, the “sky father” and Papatuanuku, the “Earth mother,” allowing the space and light for life to flourish…

Opononi and Omapere

Opononi and Omapere are dual beach settlements overlooking the Hokianga Harbour and impressive sand dunes. Opononi is renowned for the famous ‘friendly dolphin’, Opo, who made the harbour his home in the 1950’s.

We liked the story of Opo, but I have to say that an ice cream on the wharf may have been a more dominant highlight of our Northland road trip for some!

Getting to Opononi and Omapere

• Kerikeri to Opononi: 1 hr 8 min  (78.3 km) via State Hwy 12
• Kerikeri to Omapere: 1 hr 17 min  (88.4 km) via State Hwy 12
• Paihia to Opononi: 1 hr 13 min  (83.0 km) via State Hwy 12

Rawene is New Zealand’s third oldest town and an interesting stop for your Northland roadtrip. Historically Rawene was a timber centre of the region, before a mill and shipyards were established in the 1800’s.

Now it is a sunny little town on the south side of the Hokianga Harbour.

Rawene can be reached by road as you head north in a little over an hour from the Bay of Islands.

And how cool is the Hokianga Vehicle Ferry as a foot passenger when you’re a kid?! ? [And, as adults for providing such an adventure for $4 NZD return!].

We enjoyed taking a ride over the harbour on foot. It’s easy to park your car at Rawene. And we timed it perfectly for a beachfront picnic.

• Paihia to Rawene: 1 hr 7 min  (75.6 km) via State Hwy 12
• 1 hr 2 min  (70.9 km) via State Hwy 12

Things to do in Northland – Bay of Islands

We are (admittedly) biased, because this is home for us(!).

But, if you come to the Bay of Islands then definitely grab the opportunity to get out on the water and visit some of the beautiful islands.

• Did you know? The Bay of Islands is made up of 144 islands!

This region of Northland is a popular holiday destination for international and domestic visitors. It really is the perfect destination for swimming, boating, fishing, diving, kayaking, picnicking, hiking, exploring – you name it!

There are all kinds of day trips and organised tours you can take to visit different islands in the bay. You can even take a boat trip to see the Hole in the Rock.

But, our favourite island to explore in the Bay of Islands is Urupukapuka.

A day trip to Urupukapuka island is one of the best things to do in Northland. You can take a ferry transfer from Paihia to Otehei Bay with Explore NZ and spend the day on the island.

There are varying levels of walking tracks around the island suitable for the whole family. The bays themselves are marine reserves so even if you don’t get any further out on the water you will see an abundance of fish just off the jetty!

• Tip: Pack a picnic for a great day out in the Bay of Islands!

Things to do in Northland – Waitangi Treaty Grounds

The Bay of Islands is regarded as the ‘birthplace of New Zealand’.

• Tip: A visit to Waitangi offers visitors the opportunity to learn about the the history of early European settlement and Maori culture.

The historic Treaty of Waitangi was signed here in 1840. It is generally considered the founding document of New Zealand as a nation, and a symbol of the coming together of two diverse cultures – Maori and Pakeha.

At the Treaty Grounds you can visit the beautifully carved Maori meeting house, Te Whare Runanga, and see the largest of Maori war canoes, Ngatokimatawhaorua.

If you are visiting the Bay of Islands then definitely make time for visiting Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Waitangi is a must-do on any New Zealand itinerary and always top of the list of things to do in Northland.

• Tip: Don’t forget to check the daily schedule for the Maori cultural performance,

Grab a coffee afterwards at Whare Waka Cafe. The boys loved counting the incredible long-fin eels you can see from your table and keep asking to go back!

Things to do in Northland – Paihia and Haruru Falls

Paihia is a beautiful base to explore the entire of the Bay of Islands and right up to the Far North.

And, it’s one place we LOVE to call home!

If you have a few days in Paihia on your Northland road trip, then definitely make the most of the beautiful beaches, playgrounds, restaurants, cafes and ice-cream that are on offer.

It’s easy to hire a kayak for the morning from Dan (the kayak man’) at Bay Beach Hire and explore the nearby bays and beaches. And after that I definitely recommend a coffee at the busy little local favourite, Third Wheel Vending.

Paihia is also beautiful from the water and there are all kinds of water transport options to experience.

You can kayak up the Waitangi River. And there is also a beautiful bush walk from Waitangi to Haruru Falls.

From Paihia, the track is 6km each way and starts at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

• Tip: You can also drive to Haruru and park right by the waterfall. Either way, it’s worth admiring!

Getting to Paihia, Northland

It is possible to get a bus from Auckland to Paihia. Or if you have a rental car, it is convenient to get around Northland and explore Paihia and the surrounding areas.

• Auckland to Paihia: 3 hr 14 min  (232.0 km) via SH 1
• Kerikeri to Paihia: 24 min  (23.7 km) via State Hwy 11 and State Hwy 10

Things to do in Northland – Opua

Opua is often known as ‘the gateway to the Bay of Islands’.

It is notable as the first port for overseas yachts arriving into the country. And it is famous for the vehicle car ferry that departs from Opua to Okiato for the short drive to Russell.

Hiking in Opua

This area of Northland is surrounded by pristine bush and stunning coastal walkways.

There are walking trails of all levels and lengths to suit, but two of our favourites are in Opua.

• Coastal Walkway from Paihia to Opua (I have been walking this trail since I was a child!)
• Oramahoe Forest Track .

Paihia to Opua Coastal Walkway

This can either be done as a one-way track from Paihia to Opua and back. Or as part of a longer loop track starting and ending in Paihia, crossing over to Russell and returning by ferry to the start point.

We found the Paihia to Opua track perfect with the boys as there is so much to look at and explore. The track winds up and down through the native bush and right down into small beaches, coves, and bays.

That is, if you can get them past the first bit of the track in Opua and all the boats and boardwalks!

• Coastal Walkway: Paihia to Opua
• START POINT: Paihia
• LENGTH: 5.5km
• TIME: 2 hours one way

Gavin and I also enjoyed the Coastal Walkway Loop as a day walk, sans kids.

We started in Opua and took the car ferry to Okiato as foot passengers walking the bush tracks to Russell, before getting the ferry back across the channel to Paihia.

• Coastal Walkway Loop: Paihia to Opua to Russell to Paihia
• START POINT: Paihia, Opua or any point in between
• LENGTH: Approximately 14km total
• TIME: 5.5 to 6 hours total

It’s a big day, but a beautiful walk through acres of native bush. It felt well deserving of a boysenberry gelato on arrival in Russell!

Oramahoe Forest Track

This is a lesser known track and a secret favourite of ours. The walk itself is only 1.5km return but boasts native trees and birds that are spectacular.

• Tip: Definitely make time to stop for a moment and just listen to the birdlife and song in the forest.

• Oramahoe Forest Track, Opua
• START POINT: 5km along Oramahoe Road
• LENGTH: 1.5km return
• TIME: 30 minutes one way

Things to do in Northland – Russell

If you haven’t got time for an organised boat trip out into the Bay of Islands then definitely don’t miss out on visiting Russell!

The peninsula of Russell is confusing, as the most accessible way to visit is by boat but contrary to thought it is in fact part of the mainland.

The best thing about it is that it will make you feel like you are getting out in the Bay of Islands when you take the ferry to get there!

Russell was home to the first of New Zealand’s 19th century whaling ports. The smaller port of Okiato only a few kilometres away, was the site of the country’s first capital.

Today it is the perfect small town to wander on foot.

Check out the whaling museum, stroll the waterfront promenade, get fish and chips to eat on the beach or have a beer at the Duke of Marlborough – New Zealand’s first tavern.

And check out Christ Church, built in 1835. This was the first church in the country, originally holding services in both English and Maori.

• Tip: Even now, if you walk around the the outside and look closely you can still see the musket holes from the Battle of Kororareka in 1845!

Te Rawhiti and the back roads to Russell

The Old Russell Road was the only way in via land access before the car ferry was put in at Opua.

The road itself hasn’t changed much since those days, and winds all the way out to the Rawhiti Peninsula about an hours drive from Russell township.

We’d done the passenger and car ferry to Russell before, so made an adventure out of it and spent the day roadtripping.

We completed an entire loop from Opua to Russell and Rawhiti, and right down the coast to Oakura and Whangarei. If you have a car this is another of the unique things to do in Northland.

The old roads are gravel and windy, but make up for it with secluded beach spots and stunning scenic tastes of Northland.

Things to do in Northland – Kerikeri

It’s only a 30 minute drive from Paihia, but Kerikeri is another historic town of Northland and setting of the first Mission Station in the country.

Kerikeri, Kororipo Pa and Rainbow Falls

In Kerikeri you can see the Old Stone Store. Literally the oldest stone building in New Zealand, and Kerikeri Mission House (Kemp House) – the first European style building.

Kororipo Pa is only a short walk from the Stone Store, perfect for kids. It is a great opportunity to see a historic Maori settlement with such significance and history for New Zealand.

Nearby is the Rainbow Falls track which is another great option for walking with children.

The full track takes about 1.5 hours to complete the 3.5km path one way. Otherwise, you can opt for a shorter version at only 20 minutes from the Stone Store basin.

You won’t be disappointed to reach the waterfall and see exactly how it go its name!

Things to do in Northland – Ngawha Hot Springs

Have you ever heard of Ngawha Hot Springs? Don’t worry if you haven’t…

This is one of the best-kept secrets and a favourite for locals of things to do in Northland.

Ngawha is a small geothermal area just east of Kaikohe with natural hot springs.

The hot springs bubble from the ground into different mud pools. They are known in Northland for their healing properties (*and recognisable aroma!).

It’s an awesome experience! Each pool has its own individual spring and so has a different colour, temperature, and name to the next one… 

We keep going back to ‘Kotahitanga’ and ‘Favourite’ which sit at about 40-41 °C. Only Gavin has made it into the ‘Doctor’ at 45 °C!.

We travel the world to see sights like these!

How many of these things to do in Northland did you get to see?

Let us know how your trip to New Zealand went and if you got a chance to visit some of these special things to do in Northland, New Zealand.

Read more about travel in New Zealand

• 5 Awesome Things To Do In Russell, Bay Of Islands.
• Visiting Milford Sound in Winter.
• 25 South Island Campsites We Recommend.
• Hiking Roys Peak in Wanaka, New Zealand.
• Best One Week South Island Itinerary.

More about travel planning for New Zealand and beyond…

These are the companies we use while traveling fulltime as a family and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel. 

• Booking.com  – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation and it’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally. 
• Hostelworld – The largest inventory of hostel accommodation in the world. 
• Skyscanner   – This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.  
• GetYourGuide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world including everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
• SafetyWing  – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country. 
• World Nomads   – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home). 

Wondering about itineraries?  Questions about schooling?  See our Family Travel Guides and FAQ here . 

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3 thoughts on “10 Best Things To Do In Northland, New Zealand: Starting From The Top…”

Thanks very much for the wonderful places which you’ve mentioned. You have indeed when our appetite. We have decided to do a Northland road trip starting next week. Do you have a suggested order in which we should travel to see these sights? We’re happy to spend 8 days exploring Northland, starting from Auckland, but don’t know of there is a recommended “circular” route in which to sequence these attractions. We are Top 10 Holiday Park members, so will be looking for the most economical accommodation for our family of three.

Thank you, I am planning a trip to the far north and we’re driving up from Wellington…. it feels overwhelming, so many sights. We are spending a night in Hamilton, then 6 nights in Paihia….then I am looking to extend the itinerary threading up til we reach Cape Reinga, then down and back…..

Hi Carol! Have an amazing time. I am originally from Paihia (I grew up there!) so the Bay of Islands is particularly special to me! Highly recommend taking the passenger ferry across to Russell for an afternoon; have a wander on the beach, see the oldest church, visit the small museum and get fish and chips (a must do!). Have a great time!

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Visit Urupukapuka Island in the Bay of Islands. © Michele Westmorland

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10 great things to do in Northland

TAP FOR MORE INFO:

Whether you're looking for things to do on a day trip or hitting the road to discover more of the region, we've rounded up 10 ideas to inspire your Northland travels. 

1. Urupukapuka Island 

If the weather is kind, take a ferry from Paihia or Russell to Urupukapuka Island, a pest-free paradise for our feathered friends. A five-hour walk takes in the whole island and there are kayaks for hire if you fancy a paddle. The café at Ōtehei Bay is open all year (though just weekends in winter) for a well-deserved refuel.

View this post on Instagram Do you know where the real paradise island of New Zealand is? It’s definitely Urupukapuka in the Bay of Islands 🌴 The largest one out of around 140, it boasts picture-perfect beaches and scenic walks. To top up your experience, there’s also a tropical-type cafe with good food (those nachos! 😋) and three campgrounds in case you decide to hang out here a bit longer ⛺️ Its so weird to see such a calm water with literally zero waves! And it’s also so clear and warm... Mmm! 💙💦 A post shared by Kseniia Spodyneiko💐New Zealand (@thestylejungle) on Mar 12, 2019 at 2:14am PDT

2. Abbey Caves

This trio of deep, dark caves close to Whangārei centre is unmanned with no entry fee. Avoid any exploration after heavy rain. Make sure someone knows where you are and come well prepared with waterproofs, a head torch, walking shoes and an adventurous spirit. Turn your torch off to catch the magical constellations of glowworms.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alessia Festi ☀️🍺⛰🇮🇹 (@alessiafesti) on Nov 21, 2018 at 2:16am PST

3. Mangōnui Heritage Trail

Pick up a brochure from the Information Centre and take your own walking tour to discover the rich history of old Mangōnui. Far-reaching views are the reward for tackling the steeper lanes. Back in the centre, head to the Little Kitchen for a refuel, and drive up to Rangikapiti Pā for a breathtaking panorama of Mangōnui and Doubtless Bay.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Karen Cuadrado 🇵🇪 | Blog (@peruvian.gettingfit) on Mar 23, 2019 at 9:07pm PDT

4. Coastal Kayakers 

If you’re like me and always want to get a little bit closer to that thundering waterfall, the Waterfall Discovery Tour to Haruru Falls is perfect. Made for novice kayakers (they offer more challenging trips too), this year-round, two-hour tour comes with wildlife, mangroves, tales from the entertaining guides and a close-up encounter with the waterfall.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Long Exposure New Zealand (@longexposure_new_zealand) on Aug 7, 2017 at 3:00am PDT

5. Kāeo cafés

Kāeo is a tiny town blessed with not one, but two quirky cafes. Madhatters Café is a tribute to Alice in Wonderland. A painted Cheshire Cat smile by the counter declares ‘We’re all mad here!’ Sit in the giant chair outside to feel like a child again. Nearby, The Old Saddlery Café seems to encapsulate the unique vibe of Kāeo in its historic two-storey frame, with a row of hen sculptures perching on the balcony rail. See if you can spot the Jandal Fence on your way through Kāeo.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rogue Pony Private Tours (@rogueponynz) on Aug 2, 2018 at 1:41pm PDT

6. Flying Kiwi Parasail

Fly like a bird! The best way to truly appreciate the vast beauty of the Bay of Islands is from a seagull’s perspective. And with Flying Kiwi Parasail you get a boat ride too. Soar to 1300 feet with a friend or two, or on your own to glide in peaceful solitude.

View this post on Instagram A Parasail eclipse in the bay of islands is a reaccuring event😍 #parasailbayofislands A post shared by bayofislandsparasail (@boiparasail) on Feb 2, 2019 at 12:12pm PST

7. Whangārei Art Museum: Te Manawa Toi

Not only does Whangārei Art Museum house works from local artists in its modern, purpose-built gallery, but the museum also hosts touring exhibitions from New Zealand and beyond. For a small koha donation you can lose yourself in quiet contemplation.

View this post on Instagram Detail of "Haka Powhiri" - acrylic on canvas #maoriart #newzealandart #aboutlondon #ngatiranana #retrospective #comingsoon #whangareiartmuseum A post shared by Andrea Eve Hopkins (@andreaevehopkins) on Nov 19, 2018 at 9:00pm PST

8. The Gallery and Café, Helena Bay

The secret is out! This place is in the sticks, nestled high in the hills between Whangārei and the Bay of Islands, but the remote location hasn’t hampered its popularity. With art everywhere, delicious food and wine, a sculpture garden and vast, dreamy views, you can easily while away a couple of hours over a lazy lunch.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chloe W (@uglyfootedcinderella) on Nov 29, 2016 at 11:04pm PST

9. Waiariki Pools (Ngāwhā Springs)

Don’t take your best swimwear to Waiariki – the general idea is to make like a hippo and wallow. This is thermal bathing at its most natural, with a multitude of pools of different temperatures, consistencies and aromas and locals swear by the therapeutic properties of the mineral mud. You’ll come away a bit smelly but ultimately warm and relaxed from this all-weather experience. 

View this post on Instagram The Bulldog pool water : totally black and soooo hot, this day was not so bad just 42°. Normally it is more around 45° to 50°. 😱 . #ngawhasprings #hotpools #naturalspring #spa #water #hotwater #blackwater #amazing #pool #maori #backpacker #frenchgirl #visitnewzealand #newzealand #nz #nouvellezelande #kiwi A post shared by Léna B. | Rennes (@bonjour.voyages) on Jul 28, 2018 at 1:14am PDT

10. Koutu Boulders

Did you know that Northland has its own version of the Moeraki Boulders, but without the crowds? These vast, spherical, sandstone concretions, five million years in the making, are best approached around low tide to avoid slippery scrambling. Allow a couple of hours for a gentle stroll and some boulder-climbing. The further you go, the larger and more numerous the boulders are.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Juliana Franchi (@juliefranchi)

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New Zealand, an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean , has no bordering countries. It lies over 1,500 km east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, with the Pacific Ocean stretching indefinitely to the north, east, and south. The total land area of the country encompasses approximately 268,021 km 2 (103,483 mi 2 ).

The geography of New Zealand is primarily divided into two main islands, the North Island and the South Island, separated by the Cook Strait . A third, much smaller, Stewart Island lies to the south of the South Island.

The North Island , known in Maori as Te Ika-a-Māui, features a significant central plateau, home to several active and dormant volcanoes, as part of the Pacific Ring of Fire . Notably, Mount Ruapehu, an active stratovolcano, stands as the highest point in the North Island at 2,797 meters (9,177 feet). The central plateau also includes Lake Taupo, the largest lake by surface area in New Zealand, formed through a volcanic eruption approximately 26,500 years ago. Surrounding the central plateau are lush, rolling hills, primarily used for farming and pasture. Moving further north in the North Island, there is a narrow peninsula called Northland. This region presents subtropical forests and a significant coastline dotted with both sandy beaches and rocky shores. At the tip of the peninsula lies Cape Reinga, an important site in Maori mythology.

The South Island , or Te Waipounamu in Maori, showcases a more mountainous terrain, with the Southern Alps extending almost its entire length. Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest peak at 3,724 meters (12,218 feet), dominates the Southern Alps, along with a series of other towering mountains. The west of the South Island features deep fjords, the most famous of which is Milford Sound. The area, part of the Fiordland National Park, presents one of the wettest climates in the country, resulting in dense rainforest. On the eastern side of the Southern Alps, there are wide plains and rolling downs. The Canterbury Plains, for example, extend from just inland of the east coast to the foothills of the Southern Alps. Further to the southeast, the Otago region presents more arid and hilly terrain, with a series of inland mountain ranges and river valleys.

Stewart Island , or Rakiura, is New Zealand's third-largest island. About 85% of the island falls within the boundaries of Rakiura National Park, preserving its largely untouched, densely forested terrain.

Bodies of Water : Among the major rivers in New Zealand, the Waikato River, running for approximately 425 kilometers (264 miles), holds the title for the longest. It flows through the North Island, from Lake Taupo to the Tasman Sea. On the South Island, the Clutha River, derived from Lake Wanaka, stands as the highest-volume river in the country.  

Besides Lake Taupo, the caldera in the North Island, the South Island is home to several significant lakes which lie in the region known as the Southern Lakes. These include Lake Wakatipu, Lake Wanaka, and Lake Te Anau. All possess characteristics of deep, clear waters and scenic mountain backdrops. Lake Te Anau, the second-largest lake by surface area in New Zealand, provides an essential habitat for a variety of bird species and opens up into the Fiordland National Park.

New Zealand also hosts numerous smaller islands. To the north of the North Island, the Bay of Islands is an area consisting of about 144 islands, known for its undeveloped beaches and fishing grounds. In addition, the Chatham Islands, lying about 800 kilometers east of the South Island, consist of about ten islands within a 40-kilometer radius.

Political Map of New Zealand

New Zealand is primarily divided into 16 regions and 1 special territorial authority. In alphabetical order, the regions are: Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Canterbury, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Manawatu-Wanganui, Marlborough, Nelson, Northland, Otago, Southland, Taranaki, Tasman, Waikato, Wellington, West Coast. Chatham Islands is a special territorial authority. New Zealand is secondarily divided into 15 cities and 58 districts collectively referred as the ‘territorial authorities.

Covering a total area of 268,021 sq.km, New Zealand consists of two main islands (North Island and South Island) and about 600 small islands. Located at the extreme southwestern point of North Island is, Wellington – the capital and the 2 nd largest city of New Zealand. It is the world’s southernmost capital city and an important cultural, economic and commercial center of the country. Wellington harbor is an important port and functions as the country’s trading, transportation and communications hub. Auckland is the largest and the most populous city of New Zealand, located in the northern part of North Island. It is also the country’s commercial hub and the chief sea port.

Where is New Zealand?

New Zealand is an island country and one of the many islands that make up Oceania. It is located in the South Pacific Ocean to the southeast of Australia, south of New Caledonia, Fiji and Tonga Islands. New Zealand is geographically positioned both in the Southern and Eastern hemispheres of the Earth. The island country is completely surrounded by the Pacific Ocean. New Zealand shares maritime borders with Australia, Tonga, Fiji and the other island countries in Oceania.

Regional Maps : Map of Oceania

Outline Map of New Zealand

The above blank map represents New Zealand – an island country in the Southwestern Pacific Ocean. The above map can be downloaded, printed and used for geography education purposes like map-pointing and coloring activities.

The above outline map represents New Zealand – an island country in the Southwestern Pacific Ocean.

This page was last updated on January 8, 2024

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Helpful tips

Here's a few useful links to help with planning your trip to Aotearoa New Zealand.

• Best things to do in the North Island
• Best things to do in the South Island
• Other Islands
• Best ways to travel around
• Calculate travel times and distances

Destinations

Explore Aotearoa New Zealand's off-the-beaten-track destinations or hop between the North and South Islands to visit all the regions. You'll never run out of breathtaking places to see.

Top places to visit

From mountains to sand dunes, turquoise seas to glacial lakes, New Zealand's stunning landscapes and natural geography is amazing whichever corner you decide to explore.

Things to see and do in New Zealand

Diverse scenery and unique culture mean there is a wide range of things to see and do while travelling around New Zealand. Here are some ideas to help plan your trip.

Find things to do

Find places to stay, find transport, find a multi-day tour, you may also be interested in....

New Zealand map long-arrow-right

Travel time and distance calculator long-arrow-right

New Zealand itineraries long-arrow-right

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