Last updated on February 9, 2024
I’ve already posted a storybook version of our itinerary for New Zealand’s South Island, so here’s one for the North Island. For more details, have a look at the huge post I wrote with every last detail of our whole one-month New Zealand road trip, including what we did, where we stayed and how much it all cost…
We arrived from the South Island to Wellington, the itty bitty capital with views across the bay.
Due north is Tongariro, home of hiking…
…and Mount Doom!
When you leave the mountains behind…
…you come to Lake Taupo and its deep blue calm.
Huka Falls roars a mighty growl….
…and at Wairakei Terraces, you can visit the thermals…
….then lay back in the natural spa pools.
Rotorua is the thermal wonderland. Go to Wai-o-Tapu where you can…
…see Lady Knox do her thing.
Then marvel at the coloured lakes…
…from yellow…
…to green…
…to orange.
Matamata is the home of Hobbiton.
Be charmed by the houses…
…pose like Hobbits…
…and feel just like a giant.
Up the coast is Coromandel…
…home to the magnificent Cathedral Cove…
…and the crazy hot spring beach.
Stay in a house amid the trees…
…do yoga…
….bbq…
…and gaze upon the sunsets.
There’s magic in the light.
The Bay of Islands is a paradisiacal treat.
Ride upon a tall ship…
…pretend you’re in Titanic…
…then climb the rigging…
…all the way to the top.
Other boats have boom netting to pull you in the swells.
Sail through the hole in the rock…
…and spot a school of thousands of fish.
If you’ll lucky you’ll spot dolphins…
…playing in the streams…
…and making rainbows with their breath.
For more magnificence, there’s Waipoua…
…home to Tāne Mahuta, the king of the forest.
…and Te Matua Ngahere, the father of the forest.
If you go in March, you might drive down the coast, through tree-lined roads to New Plymouth…
…where you’ll find WOMAD, world of music, arts and dance.
Watch music from across the globe…
…see traditional Maori dance…
…bask in the magical vibes…
…be impressed by the toilets…
…then seek out all the food stalls..
…and gorge on sweet delights.
Next be brave and face the underworld…
…traversing caves at Waitomo…
…for a muddy day out.
Raglan is the spot for surfing…
…a place to drink in nature…
…and eat some excellent food.
New Zealand is a place that brings you joy.
For more info on all of these places, read our full one-month New Zealand road trip itinerary, which has all the details of what we did, where we stayed and how much it all cost. I’ve also done a similar storybook itinerary for the South Island. And here’s a quide to what to pack for New Zealand.
Our road trip itineraries
See all our road trip itineraries here. And don’t miss our guide to how to plan a road trip.
UK: Best UK road trips | Best Scotland road trips
Europe road trips: Amalfi Coast, Rome and Tuscany road trip | Best Europe road trips | Best France road trips | Best Greece road trips | Best Italy road trips | Iceland road trip |Best Portugal road trips |Slovenia road trip | Best Spain road trips | The most colourful road trip in Europe (France, Italy and Switzerland)
USA: Boston to Maine road trip | Ultimate California road trip | New England road trip | Oregon road trip | Pacific Coast Highway | San Francisco to Seattle | Southern USA road trip | The best USA road trips
Africa road trips: Cape Peninsula road trip
Australasia road trips: New Zealand North Island road trip | New Zealand South Island road trip
Absolutely gorgeous shots of this trip, you’re making me even more excited for my trip next year!! 🙂
Love the Hobbiton pic you guys look hilarious x
Amazing photos! Despite my bad luck streak in New Zealand you’re making me miss it and all the incredible views! I was just going through my photos and videos of my swim with the dolphins last night. You never told me how it went with the Hector’s dolphins??
Hey Victoria,
Amazing photographs, indeed. Looking these images of wonderful places was awesome moment for me. Really New Zealand North Island is a worth to visit for every person. I’m so excited to see these places to my open eyes and it was because of reading your this post on itinerary. Seems like you guys were very relaxed visiting there.
Now I have a desire to go for North Island to be familiar these places which is included in the form of picture above. I got amazed to be familiar with Wairakei Terraces and caves at Waitomo. Don’t mind, you are looking so funny with muddy dress.
Looks wonderful the traditional Maori dance. Thanks for sharing all about this with us.
Have a nice weekend.
– Ravi.
Thanks Ravi. I hope you get to go there someday. It’s a gorgeous place!
a wonderful land with spectacular natural , friendly people . i love new zealand
I love the concept behind this post! What a great way to give your readers a short visual tour through a country. I was absolutely hooked and sad to find myself at the end of the post. 🙂
For us, New Zealand was love at first sight, wanting to stop at every turn to take photos of its beautiful landscapes. After a year of wandering the world, we tell people New Zealand is the most beautiful country we’ve been so far!
Aw, thank you! That’s very lovely to hear. And yes, I agree, New Zealand is amazing!
Hello! First of all, let me say how much I adore your blog. Last year I pretty much stole your honeymoon, and went to Mauritius for 5 days, followed by a stint in Capetown, and then a few days at Makanyi Lodge. We had the time of our lives! I have time for only a week in NZ, would you recommend the north or south island? Thanks!!
Sarah
Hi! That’s wonderful that you had a similar honeymoon to us – really glad the blog was useful! I think I’ve just responded to your question about NZ on another post. Essentially, it’s very difficult to choose as it depends on your priorities. I loved both, but I guess if pushed, I’d say go for the South Island as it has some of the most spectacular scenery (in my opinion)
I have time for only a week in NZ, would you recommend the north or south island? Thanks!!
Sarah
That’s very hard to answer. It depends on your priorities! I’d recommend looking through both my itineraries and seeing which things appeal to you most. Either one is a good choice.