North Island Travel Information

A cultural, cosmopolitan and natural blend

The smaller of the two islands, the North Island is a land of volcanic landscapes, vast forests, picturesque lakes and boutique vineyards. It is also home to New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland, and the capital city, Wellington, ensuring a wealth of urban attractions for its visitor. All of this, coupled with a warm sub-tropical climate, ensures the North Island will delight its visitors.

History & culture

Around 400 years after New Zealand was first discovered by the Maori, they returned in seven great wakas (canoes) and set about populating the North Island. Rich in Maori culture, the North Island offers several excellent opportunities for culturally enriching your holiday. Not to be missed is the Te Puia cultural exhibition at Whakarewarewa in the Rotorua region, the bastion of Maori tradition and skills of old.

Natural wonders

The North has some of New Zealand’s most unique natural wonders, including the geothermal wonder of Rotorua, the longest stretch of beach in the country (Ninety Mile Beach), the enormous volcanic Lake Taupo, as well as the gorgeous Bay of Islands and the volcanic island of Rangitoto near Auckland. The beauty of the region is well regarded; testament to this is the fact that much of the land was used as the setting for the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Tongariro National Park, the oldest national park in the country, and its active volcanoes are an example.

Some of the world’s tallest trees, the giant kauri, also call the North Island home. Numbers are down now unfortunately, with the kauri restricted to relatively small pockets of forest in the Northland and on the Coromandel Peninsula.

Outdoor adventures

All this exquisite nature calls for some serious outdoor adventures. Enjoy all the thrills of canyoning and blackwater rafting in Waitomo, or go horseback riding and zorbing near Rotorua, hike through national parks, go quad biking or jet boating and race down the immense sand dunes of Ninety Mile Beach.

Sea kayak along the beaches of the Coromandel Peninsula, swim with dolphins or sail a yacht in the Bay of Islands and then be thrilled by the Skyjump at the Auckland Bridge. In winter, ski New Zealand’s largest ski area at 1800 hectares – Whakapapa and Turoa on Mount Ruapehu, New Zealand’s largest active volcano.

Dining

A host of dining options are available in Auckland, from the lively and popular eateries of High Street in the CBD, tables with a view at fine- dining restaurants at Prince’s Wharf, fashionable restaurants at Ponsonby and the stylish cafes of Parnell and Mission Bay.

Wellington is especially noted for dining out: with around 400 cafes and restaurants, the city has more places to eat and drink per head than New York! Be sure to visit the pubs, clubs and restaurants of Courtenay Place and the streets and alleys that come off it. Cuba Street is also worth exploring, offering the alternative and eccentric side to the city.

The North Island also enjoys a burgeoning winemaking industry. Venture to Martinborough during November’s food and wine festival or head to Hawke’s Bay to sample some of the region’s renowned wines.

Shopping

Wellington offers some of New Zealand’s best and most affordable shopping, boasting an eclectic mix of fashion stores, shopping centres and alternative boutiques. Visit the Parnell Street and Village or Wellington High Street. Or stop by the interconnected maze of malls along Lambton Quay, but be warned – it could be dangerous to your credit card.

In Auckland, visit High Street, the Chancery and Vulcan Lane in the heart of the city for top fashion design labels. Or head to Ponsonby, Parnell and Newmarket for more fashion. Appreciators of art and antiques should take the ferry across the harbour to Devonport, an historic maritime village known for its heritage charm.

A trip to the local markets is highly recommended. Visit the renowned Otara markets in south Auckland, as well as the Friday and Saturday large open space between the Aotea Centre and the Town Hall and Saturday’s Karangahape Road Street Market, which sells mostly clothes, second hand and new. In Wellington, stop in at the Waikanae Market Gardens, the Otara markets and the Victoria Park Market.

Shop at the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute in Rotorua for the best in handmade traditional Maori carvings and weavings. You can even watch the artisans at work.

Get in the know...

When enjoying the beauty of the Bay of Islands, be sure to stop by for a drink or a hearty meal at the historic Duke of Marlborough Hotel. ‘The Duke’ is

the holder of the first-ever hotel liquor licence issued in the country – Liquor Licence No. 1 – and has been a haven of hospitality for more than 150 years!