My Final Highway Journey Itinerary for New Zealand’s North Island

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

House to seventy-five % of New Zealand’s inhabitants, loads of vacationers assume you’ll be able to simply see the sights in a matter of days. The island isn’t large in spite of everything.

However there’s really loads of floor to cowl right here. Having been to New Zealand a number of instances over time, I do know from expertise that there’s much more to see and do right here than you assume. You undoubtedly don’t wish to rush.

In an ideal world, I feel most vacationers visiting the North Island ought to spend a minimum of a month right here exploring on a street journey. That’s my perfect suggestion.

However since a month off shouldn’t be lifelike for most individuals, I recommend spending a minimum of two weeks as an alternative. That’s the minimal period of time wanted to do justice to the island on a street journey.

So, what do you have to see and do in case you solely have two weeks? What route do you’re taking? The place do you go?

Under is my prompt itinerary that may assist you to plan your North Island street journey for optimum effectivity. This itinerary will make sure that you see the highlights and get off the crushed path, benefiting from your time on this extraordinary nation.

New Zealand Highway Journey Highlights

Simply searching for a number of pointers to start out your planning? Listed here are a number of highlights from my time in New Zealand. These are issues I feel each customer ought to expertise when visiting New Zealand:

• See the Waitomo Glowworm Caves
• Go to Hobbiton
• Expertise a Maori Cultural Present
• Hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing
• Go skydiving (or bungy leaping)

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

Renting a Automotive in New Zealand

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

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

• Jucy
• Travellers Autobarn
• Spaceships
• Britz
• Depraved Campers

Costs range rather a lot. Your day by day price will change relying on the place you choose up the automobile, in case you are dropping it off at a special vacation spot, how lengthy you might be renting it for, how far prematurely you ebook, and while you ebook (within the excessive season, costs appear to double!).

If residing out of a van for a number of weeks doesn’t sound like your concept of a enjoyable time, merely lease a traditional automobile and ebook lodging alongside the best way. I all the time use Uncover Automobiles when renting a automobile. They scour rental businesses large and small to seek out the very best offers.

You need to use this widget to get a free quote on your automobile rental:

 

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

Days 1–2: Auckland

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

Be sure you go to the Auckland Area, go snorkeling on Goat Island, and in case you (like me) love wine, take a wine tour on Waiheke Island.

If you wish to orientate your self higher, go to the highest of town’s Sky Tower for gorgeous views of this metropolis and its 1.6 million folks. The Auckland Battle Memorial Museum can be price a go to. It’s one thing of a misnomer because it actually tells the historical past of town. The museum goes all the best way again to when the Maori arrived from Polynesia and likewise highlights the “discovery” of New Zealand by Europeans centuries later.

For a listing of extra issues to do in Auckland, try my information to town!

The place to Keep: The Attic Backpackers — Voted town’s hottest hostel 4 years in a row, The Attic is a enjoyable and budget-friendly place to remain proper within the coronary heart of Auckland. The hostel gives a wide range of sleeping choices, together with single- and double-bed personal rooms and dorms. There’s additionally a properly geared up kitchen and an energetic frequent room for while you simply wish to relax and meet different vacationers.

 
Days 3-4: Bay of Islands

Only a three-hour drive from Auckland, the Bay of Islands are on the northern tip of the North Island and are an ideal place to probe for a number of days. There’s mile after mile of seashore and rocky shoreline surrounding the bay (which incorporates 144 islands). This space has a few of the finest dolphin and whale watching, kayaking, swimming, and boating on the island. A few of my favourite seashores within the nation are right here too.

Whilst you’re right here, make sure you go to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, some of the necessary historic websites within the nation. You can even discover Cape Reinga (the northernmost level of New Zealand) and take a dip within the geothermal swimming pools at Ngawha Springs. In order for you a extra energetic journey, head to Waitangi Mountain Bike Park the place you’ll be able to discover the realm through mountain bike.

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

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

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

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

There are a number of completely different excursions to select from. There’s the traditional tour of the film set that features lunch, a twilight strolling tour that ends with a feast match for a hobbit, a morning tour that features a hearty breakfast, and even a tour that includes jogging. Excursions begin at 89 NZD.

The place to Keep: Cosy Nation Keep B&B – It is a cute bed-and-breakfast positioned in Matamata just some miles from Hobbiton. The hosts are implausible, there’s complimentary breakfast, and the property is quiet and tranquil. There are even roaming cats and goats that actually add to the comfortable ambiance.
 
Days 6–7: Rotorua

It’s only one hour from Hobbiton to Rotorua, some of the fashionable vacationer locations on the North Island. The identify comes from the unique Maori “Te Rotorua-nui-a-Kahumatamomoe,” that means “second lake,” because it was the second lake that Maori chief Ihenga found within the space.

The Maori had been the unique inhabitants of New Zealand, having arrived from Polynesia between 1320 and 1350. That is the very best space to find out about Maori historical past and tradition. Don’t miss seeing a Maori cultural present when you’re right here (the Te Pa Tu Maori Cultural Expertise is the one I attended).

The area can be recognized for its geothermal exercise. The dynamic panorama makes for good nature walks, journeys to smelly sulfuric geysers, and enjoyable soaks in luxurious spas with water from the new springs.

For adrenaline junkies who might not make it to Queenstown on the South Island (the journey capital of New Zealand), there’s a legion of adventurous actions provided in Rotorua. Right here you’ll be able to skydive, mountain bike, zipline by a forest, and go Zorbing (the place you get into a big clear ball and are rolled down a hill).

The place to Keep: Rock Stable Backpackers – It is a centrally positioned hostel with an expansive array of services, together with a cinema, a bar, a communal kitchen, and even a rock-climbing wall.
 
Day 8: Waitomo

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

You possibly can stroll, abseil, or float down an underground river to see them (I recommend floating, which was tremendous enjoyable). A forty five-minute rafting journey is the usual go to, however if you wish to go abseiling (often known as rappelling) there’s a five-hour choice too. Costs begin at 55 NZD for a ship tour and 195 NZD for prolonged excursions with abseiling.

For an entire listing of issues to do in Waitomo, try my information in town.

The place to Keep: Juno Corridor – Near the glowworm caves, Juno Corridor has a swimming pool and tennis courtroom on-site. There’s a big kitchen in addition to an outside grill for barbecuing. It’s a cool, social spot.
 
Days 9-10: Taupo

Taupo sits on the shores of Lake Taupo, the biggest freshwater lake in New Zealand, and is a part of the Taupo Volcanic Zone, an space that has had excessive volcanic exercise for the previous two million years. Taupo has tons of unimaginable hikes, plenty of boating excursions, charming native markets, and gorgeous nature. Consider it like a quieter model of Queenstown (the South Island’s journey capital).

There wasn’t a lot in and round Taupo till 1868 when an armed constabulary put up was established right here. A short time after that, “vacationers” started turning as much as reap the benefits of the pure springs which can be sprinkled across the space. By 1880, lodges started dotting the panorama to reap the benefits of the budding vacationer business right here. The Taupo Museum goes into element in regards to the space’s historical past, together with the pre-European Maori historical past.

It’s additionally one of many finest locations to go skydiving in New Zealand due to the views and clear skies (although I didn’t do that whereas I used to be there as I’m not a fan of heights).

I liked the small-town really feel of Taupo, sitting by the lake, and having the ability to take action many hikes. I may have stayed right here for weeks.

For a listing of extra issues to do in Taupo, try my information.

The place to Keep: Finlay Jack’s – This hostel has an enormous kitchen, an enormous frequent room, a spacious patio with BBQs, enjoyable and welcoming employees, bike leases, and an excellent pleasant hostel canine. Every part within the hostel is up to date, with new, fashionable pod-style beds so you may get an ideal night time’s sleep.
 

Day 11: Tongariro Alpine Crossing

Trekking by this otherworldly, red-colored atmosphere of volcanoes and sulfur was one of many highlights of my time in New Zealand. One of many Nice Walks of New Zealand and infrequently thought-about probably the greatest day hikes on this planet, that is an epic 19-kilometer (12-mile) trek that takes a full day to finish (most individuals take 6-9 hours, relying in your health degree).

As you wind your method by Tongariro Nationwide Park, you’ll stroll by volcanic terrain (together with the place Mordor in Lord of the Rings was filmed), previous excessive peaks and sulfur lakes, and finish the day in a dense forest. It’s simple in elements (the start and finish) and steep in others (particularly the portion after the ominous-sounding “Mount Doom”), so that you’ll get a very good mixture of problem ranges.

Be sure you carry water, sunscreen, a hat, bathroom paper, and a sweater or jacket (the climate can change quickly). Anticipate to pay round 50 NZD per particular person for a round-trip shuttle to and from the path or 325 NZD for a full-day guided hike.

The place to Keep: Whilst you can keep within the park, I might merely return to Taupo and keep there for the night time.

Days 12–14: Wellington

Wellington isn’t just my favourite metropolis on the North Island, however my favourite metropolis in your entire nation. It’s an artsy, eclectic place, boasting tons of cultural actions, an unimaginable nightlife, a few of the finest meals within the nation, tons of murals, world-class artwork reveals, insightful museums, and an exquisite harbor (which is finest seen from Mount Victoria, which overlooks your entire metropolis).

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

After that, you’ll be able to hop on one of many historic purple trolley automobiles so you’ll be able to take within the gorgeous view of town from the highest of the hill. Tickets value 6 NZD per trip.

In case you love wildlife, try Zealandia. This city wildlife sanctuary on the periphery of town tries to seize what New Zealand was like earlier than people lived right here. Anticipate to see a legion of native birds and plant species. You possibly can even take a guided tour at night time. Entry, which features a guided tour, prices 60 NZD.

For a listing of extra issues to do in Wellington, try my detailed information to town!

The place to Keep: The Marion – This boutique hostel is simply blocks away from every little thing you’ll wish to see. It’s cozy, with cozy beds and enormous bogs, and the employees actually exit of their technique to make you are feeling welcome. It’s a clear, social spot to chill out and meet different vacationers.

NOTE: In case you’ve solely acquired two weeks and are ending your 14-day New Zealand itinerary in Wellington, you’ll be able to fly out of the airport right here to wherever you have to go subsequent. You probably have extra time, take the automobile ferry (round 3.5 hours) to Picton on the South Island to proceed your journey!

Issues to Bear in mind When Highway-Tripping New Zealand

That can assist you profit from your street journey, please keep in mind the next guidelines:

• Site visitors flows on the left right here (not the fitting, like within the US or Canada).
• You need to all the time park your automobile within the route that site visitors goes (or danger a effective).
• There are many pull-off factors for taking pictures — use them as an alternative of stopping at a random spot alongside the facet of the street, which might be fairly harmful given how tight the roads are right here.
• Roads listed below are winding, so do not forget that it would take longer than you count on to cowl a specific distance.
• So long as your present and legitimate driver’s license is in English, you don’t want an Worldwide Driver’s Allow.
• In case you’re touring by campervan, use the CamperMate app to seek out close by campsites, gasoline stations, and dump stations.

***

New Zealand is an unforgettable nation, loaded with epic landscapes, pleasant Kiwis, and a wealthy tradition. I feel it’s some of the gorgeous international locations on this planet — and an ideal vacation spot for street journeys. Simply make sure that to observe my recommendation above. Do this, and also you’ll have an incredible go to to this stunning island!

The put up My Final Highway Journey Itinerary for New Zealand’s North Island appeared first on Nomadic Matt’s Journey Website.