The North Island of New Zealand often gets overlooked by travellers who only have a few weeks and want to see Milford Sound, Mt. Cook, and Lake Tekapo on the South Island. And those places are amazing! But no matter how much time you have in Aotearoa, it’s worth dedicating some to the North Island. I’ve created this North Island map to help you discover all the best stuff to do, from must-visit destinations to hidden gems.
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Highlights on my New Zealand North Island map
The contents of my North Island map are ever changing and growing, but just to make sure you don’t miss anything, I’ve covered my absolute favourites under every category below.
Aotearoa New Zealand has so many incredible sights it’ll be hard to narrow down the list of things you want to do! I’ve also linked to some epic activities in the map so they’re easier to keep track of in case you lose this post. Yes, I’ve thought of everything.
Best waterfalls on the North Island of New Zealand
New Zealand has a lot of waterfalls, and many of the best ones are up here on the North Island! There are tons within driving distance from Auckland, which make them a quick and easy day trip activity. But if you go a bit further afield, you’ll be rewarded with more off-the-beaten-track finds. For falls like Marokopa, Taranaki, and Wentworth, you might even be the only ones there.
Top North Island New Zealand waterfalls include:
- Marokopa Falls, Waikato
- Bridal Veil Falls, Waikato
- Wentworth Falls, Waikato (Still a hidden gem!)
- Taranaki Falls, Central North Island
- Maraetotara Falls, Hawkes Bay
- Kitekite Falls, Auckland
- Vivian Falls, Auckland (5 minutes from the parking lot)
Taranaki Falls
Marokopa Falls
Hikes & caves across the North Island map
Hiking and caving are some of the top things to do in New Zealand! The outdoor scene here is unparalleled.
Some of the best hikes on New Zealand's North Island:
You’ll find some of the most beautiful hikes in the world here! From multi-day tracks that cross mountains to short one-hour loop trails, there’s no end of hikes for you in New Zealand.
I’ll be so honest, many of the most epic long hikes — known as the Great Walks — are on the South Island. That includes ones you may have heard of, like the Milford Track, Kepler Track, and Routeburn. However, you won’t be starved for trails up here, either. Little nature stops on your North Island NZ road trip are essential!
- The Tongariro Crossing, Central North Island (Full day, but a must-do for avid hikers.)
- The Mercer Bay Loop, Auckland (Tack on Coman’s Track for a longer hike.)
- Rangitoto Island Summit, Auckland (Helps to book the ferry in advance.)
- Homunga Bay Track, Waikato
- Patuna Chasm, Martinborough (You need to book well in advance!)
- Pinnacles, Coromandel
My favourite caves on the New Zealand North Island map:
Getting dirty in search of the perfect pitch-black corner of a glowworm cave is one of my favourite activities. They only exist here and a few places in Australia. So no North Island NZ road trip is complete without seeing one of their tiny little blue glowing butts.
- Waipu Caves, Northland
- Abbey Caves, Northland (Currently closed.)
- Whatipu Caves, Auckland (Free caves and a beach!)
- Waitomo Caves, Waikato (If you’re brave, you have to try the black water rafting experience.)
Read more: All The Best Glow Worm Caves in New Zealand
Waipu Caves
Mercer Bay Loop
Animal-related activities for your North Island travel itinerary
In a country where nearly none of the wildlife can kill you, there are lots of epic opportunities to see animals up close. Always try to ensure your activities are ethical. But New Zealand is very committed to animal welfare and environmental protection, so you’re usually in the clear.
Here are some of my fave North Island animal activities:
- Goat Island, Auckland/Northland (Amazing snorkelling and diving.)
- National Kiwi Hatchery, Waikato (See native kiwis and other birds.)
- Bay of Islands, Northland (Kayaking to spot dolphins and seals — maybe a whale if you’re lucky!)
- Wingspan, Waikato (See native falcons and owls up close.)
- Zealandia, Wellington (An experienced guide is really valuable here because they can help you spot elusive tuataras — New Zealand’s living dinosaurs!)
Goat Island Marine Reserve
Wingspan Bird Sanctuary
Other outdoor activities on this map of the New Zealand north island
It’s hard to categorize so many things! This is everything that isn’t a waterfall, hike, cave, or animal tourism activity. The list is seemingly endless. Here are some of my other fave things to do outdoors that I’ve included on the North Island map:
- Bethell’s Beach, Auckland (Go at low tide so you can explore the cave! No squeezing through tight spaces or getting muddy required.)
- Hell’s Gate, Waikato (Mud baths and geothermal attractions.)
- White Water Rafting, Waikato
- Hobbiton Movie Set, Waikato
- Mine Bay Māori Rock Carving, Waikato
Wow I didn’t realize how much I love Waikato but all the best stuff on the North Island of New Zealand seems to be there.
Hell’s Gate Mud Baths, White Water Rafting the Kaituna River
Read more: Things to Do in Rotorua on Any Budget
Indoor activities (Save this for a rainy day!)
Most of New Zealand’s beauty is definitely found outdoors, but after seven years of living here, I’ve found some pretty good indoor activities, too. Here are all the best ones, but there are tons more on the North Island map I put together for y’all:
- Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq Arcade, Auckland and Wellington
- Escapade NZ, Auckland (Or any other escape room.)
- Wētā Workshop, Wellington (Wētā Workshop Unleashed is also in Auckland temporarily.)
- Dome Cinema, Gisborne (TBH I haven’t been, but it’s supposed to be really cute.)
- Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, New Plymouth
Read more: Auckland Date Ideas from A to Z
Wineries, breweries, and cafes on the North Island of New Zealand
For the true New Zealand experience, have a glass of Sauvignon Blanc or pinot noir, try a craft beer flight that includes a hoppy IPA, and order the perfect flat white at a cool coffee shop. Here are my fave spots on the North Island Map of New Zealand:
- 8 Wired Barrel Works Brewery, Matakana/Auckland (I’ll admit I’m biased because my partner is a sales manager, but it’s legit a great brewery!)
- Man O’ War Winery, Waiheke/Auckland
- Craggy Range, Hawkes Bay (Fun fact: This is where former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern got married.)
- HeyDay Brewery, Wellington
- Remedy Coffee, Auckland
- The Hangar, Wellington
Cappuccino Flight at The Hangar
North Island New Zealand accommodation
Need some accom inspo for your North Island New Zealand trip? Here are some great hotels in a few hotspots:
Auckland
- Hotel Britomart (Luxury, great location)
- Voco Auckland (Mid-range, great location)
Rotorua & Taupo
- Rydges Rotorua (Mid-range, near Redwoods Treewalk)
- Haka House Rotorua (Upscale backpacker’s — My old flatmate is the manager, so if you go, tell him Naomi sent you!)
- Debrett’s Resort & Spa Taupo
- Ashbrook Motel (Good budget option)
Waitomo
- Top 10 Holiday Park Waitomo (Great budget option with camping, cabins, spa, great location)
- Waitomo Orchard Estate (Cute and charming)
Wellington
- Mövenpick Hotel Wellington (Luxury)
- Naumi Studios Wellington (Cute but not overly expensive)
FAQs: New Zealand North Island map
Here are some quick answers to questions about planning your trip to the North Island of New Zealand.
How many days do I need on the North Island?
If you only have two weeks in New Zealand, you should choose either the North Island or South Island. You will be too stretched to enjoy both.
You could see a couple of highlights on the North Island in 5-7 days (Auckland, Waitomo, Rotorua, Taupo).
And if you have 1 entire month, even better! You could fit in more hikes, waterfalls, and off-the-beaten-track adventures. You could even have some relaxing days where you visit one of the smaller islands or a nice beach. I promise you will not get bored on the North Island.
When is the best time to visit the North Island of New Zealand?
If you ask me, summer (November to March) is the best time to visit New Zealand.
You’ll get perfect beach weather and long days. The only downside is the several weeks of school holidays, which means everything is busy and activities book out fast.
While winter (June to August) is cold and wet, it’s perfect around Rotorua’s steamy geothermal spots. You can also hit the slopes of Mt. Ruapehu, but snow lovers will find better options in the South Island around Queenstown. Be warned the sun goes down at like, 4:30 pm.
It’s still worth visiting in the off-season if that you’re only option, though. You’ll find fewer tourists, better prices, and comfortable hiking weather.
Do I need to book North Island map activities in advance?
I absolutely would! Some things, like Hobbiton, the Waitomo glow worm caves, and the Tongariro Crossing shuttle are essential to book early. You can get away with leaving less popular stuff until the last minute. And fortunately, entry to all of our national parks is free. No reservation or fee required.
You also need to book your accommodation in advance. Over the summer it’s not even negotiable — things book out so quickly. But it miiiight be ok in the off season.