• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
Albom Adventures

Albom Adventures

Capturing the essence of travel through photography

  • New Zealand
    • Auckland
    • North Island
    • South Island
    • New Zealand Life
  • All Travel
    • Oceania
      • Australia
      • Pacific Islands
    • Americas
      • Central America and Caribbean
      • North America
      • South America
    • Europe
      • Eastern Europe
      • Northern Europe
      • Southern Europe
      • Western Europe
    • Asia and Africa
      • Asia (China and South East Asia)
      • Middle East
      • Africa
    • Worldwide
    • Travel Planning and Tips
    • Travel Anecdotes
  • Cruising
    • Cruising Tips and Cruise Ships
    • Cruise Ports
  • About
    • Media – Work With Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure Policy for Albom Adventures
    • Contact Albom Adventures
You are here: Home / North Island

North Island

We love exploring our island and sharing our favourite North Island travel tips, discoveries, and adventures.

New Zealand’s North Island is known for varied landscapes, including a geothermal wonderland, a backdrop for movies, and cultural diversity. With many regional parks now open as bird sanctuaries, there is an abundance of wildlife on the island.

Start here for North Island travel and tips
If you are new to our country, don’t miss: New Zealand Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors

A dirt road leading to the mountain as part of several New Zealand road trips

New Zealand Road Trips: Our Itineraries for North or South Island Adventures

Classic image of vivid red and green colors and steam rising from the Champagne Pool at Wai-O-Tapu Rotorua , one of many unique things to do in New Zealand

Unique Things to Do in New Zealand: 23 Fascinating Options

North Island Brown Kiwi - Where to see kiwi in New Zealand

Where to See Kiwi in New Zealand: Insider Guide to 27 Spots

Cathedral Cove is one of the must see things to do in North Island New Zealand. This sunrise shot brings out more colours.

20 Unmissable Things to Do in North Island New Zealand

Traveller with beautiful scenic of milford sound in fiordland national park ond of the New Zealand cruise ports.

9 Impressive New Zealand Cruise Ports: Shore Excursion Ideas

Little penguins are one of the three species of penguins in New Zealand

18 Places to See Penguins in New Zealand

Waikite Thermal Pools, one of many amazing New Zealand hot springs

15 Best New Zealand Hot Springs: Where We Soak and Relax

Whangarai Falls

18 Amazing Waterfalls in New Zealand: Embrace Nature’s Beauty

Manicured hedges in a pattern outside Larnach Castle one of many impressive New Zealand gardens.

9 Best New Zealand Gardens – Relax in Botanic Bliss

Waipu Caves are one of many free places to find glow worms in New Zealand.

Where We See Glow Worms in New Zealand: 18 Glittering Habitats

We’ve categorised our articles in a few different ways to help you plan:

  • North Island road trips
  • Where to stay and eat (especially gluten-free)
  • North Island of New Zealand by area (from north to south)
    • Northland, including anywhere north of Auckland
    • Auckland
    • Waikato including Hamilton
    • Coromandel and the eastern Bay of Plenty
    • Geothermal region, including Rotorua and Taupo
    • Taranaki
    • Central North Island including Manawatū-Whanganui, Hawke’s Bay and East Cape
    • Wellington

North Island road trips

Start your North Island road trip with one of our itineraries listed here. For tips on transportation, check out these pages on renting a car in New Zealand, getting a motorhome in NZ, or other ways to get around the country.

One of many stunning views on our Auckland to Napier drive, this one is just before we reach Napier.

Auckland to Napier Drive: Our 11 Best Stops on the Way

Views from Paekakariki Hill lookout in the Kapiti coast, Wellington New Zealand

Wellington to New Plymouth Road Trip with 7 Epic Stops

Marokopa Falls is one of our favourite stops on our Auckland to New Plymouth road trip.

Auckland to New Plymouth Coastal Road Trip: 10 Must-see Stops

Tirau is one of many fascinating stops along our drive from Auckland to Rotorua.

Auckland to Rotorua Drive: 9 Stops on an Epic Journey

Lush green rolling hills dominate much of our drive from Napier to Wellington

Napier to Wellington Road Trip: Our Favourite Stops Along the Way

View from about half way to the top of Mt. Maunganui.

Auckland to Tauranga Itinerary Loop: 16 Unique Stops

Coromandel Road Trip in New Zealand

27 Things to Do in Coromandel – Road Trip Highlights

Auckland to Wellington drive itinerary-the ultimate New Zealand road trip

Auckland to Wellington Drive Options: Our 16 Favourite Stops

Old wharf in Tokomaru Bay, New Zealand

East Cape NZ Road Trip: Our Gisborne to Opotiki Itinerary

The beach near Cape Reinga is a great place to learn a few kiwi sayings

Auckland to Cape Reinga: New Zealand Road Trip Tips

Where to stay and eat (especially gluten-free)

Some of the units at SiloStay on the Banks Peninsula. This eco resort is one of the unusual places to stay in New Zealand.

Unusual Places to Stay in New Zealand: Unique Luxury

Gluten-free New Zealand Restaurants We Eat at as Coeliacs

Harmony suite at Rua Resort, in Hamilton. Rua Resort is Hamilton is one of the many answers to where to stay in New Zealand

Where to Stay in New Zealand: Our Favourite Upscale Hotels in NZ

Deluxe Diner is one of many great places to eat gluten-free in New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand

Eat gluten-free in New Plymouth – 18 Tempting Places We Love

Enjoying huge views of Auckland from the window of our room at Cordis, one the best luxury boutique hotels in Auckland New Zealand.

Boutique Hotels in Auckland: Our Top 4 Luxury Recommendations

Eating at Cheek and Chong on the best gluten free Hibiscus Coast Restaurants

Gluten-Free Hibiscus Coast Restaurants: Orewa to Gulf Harbour

Lunch at Mekong Baby in Ponsonby, one of the best gluten free restaurants in Auckland

28 Gluten-Free Restaurants in Auckland: Dining Out with Coeliac Disease

Beachfront villa at Papamoa beach New Zealand

Papamoa Beach Resort: Beachfront Stay in Bay of Plenty, NZ

Gluten-free pasta dinner at 1154 Pastaria, one of the best gluten-free Wellington restaurants.

Our 24 Go-To Gluten-free Wellington Restaurants in NZ

Mangonui Fish Shop is one of New Zealand's must-try Far North restaurants

Three Must-Try Far North Restaurants in New Zealand

North Island of New Zealand by area (from north to south)

Northland, including anywhere north of Auckland

Queen Elizabeth cruise ship at a mooring as there is no actual Bay of Islands Cruise Port in New Zealand

Bay of Islands Cruise Port: 11 Exciting historic Fun Options

Endless and impressive views from Mangawhai Cliffs Walkway, one of the best things to do in Mangawhai Heads, New Zealand

11 Fun Things to Do in Mangawhai: Beaches, Hikes, Dining, and More

Looking down on Waipu Cove Beach from the walkway is one of the best things to do in Waipu

15 Fun Things to Do in Waipu & Bream Bay for Everyone

Colourful Hundertwasser art centre overlooking the marina basin is one of many cool things to do in Whangārei

15 Cool Things to Do in Whangarei and the Surrounding Area

Hundertwasser Centre for the Arts is one of three NZ Hundertwasser structures by the artist. The others are the Hundertwasser toilets and the Pavilion for Nature.

3 NZ Hundertwasser Wonders: Art Centre, Toilets, Pavilion

Watching the sun set over the water is one of the many things to do in Russell, Bay of Islands, New Zealand

Things to Do in Russell: Dark History of NZ’s First Capital

White silica sand at Rarawa Beach on the Aupouri Peninsula New Zealand

Rarawa Beach – Weird Squeaky White Silica Sand

Intricately carved waka house, where the Maori war canoes are stored at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

Waitangi Treaty Grounds: Visit the Birthplace of New Zealand

Looking down at the dock in Paihia New Zealand in the Bay of Islands

22 Things to Do in Bay of Islands That Keep Us Coming Back

Stone Store in Kerikeri. New Zealand's oldest surviving stone building

Kerikeri Mission Station: Discover 2 of NZ’s Oldest Buildings

Inside Milky Way Glow Worm Cave at Waipu Caves Farm Park

Exploring 2 Waipu Caves: Glow Worm Tour Vs Free Cave

Whangarei Falls during the Winter in Whangarei New Zealand

4 Must-See NZ Waterfalls Between Auckland and Bay of Islands

The beach near Cape Reinga is a great place to learn a few kiwi sayings

Auckland to Cape Reinga: New Zealand Road Trip Tips

Walking path to the Cape Reinga lighthouse at the top of the North Island in New Zealand

Cape Reinga – Two Oceans Meet at the Spiritual Top of New Zealand

Mangonui Fish Shop is one of New Zealand's must-try Far North restaurants

Three Must-Try Far North Restaurants in New Zealand

Gum washing machine in Gummdigges Village, Awanui New Zealand

Gumdiggers Park: See Ancient Kauri in New Zealand

A girl sandboarding New Zealand style - full speed down the Giant Te Paki Sand Dunes in Northland, New Zealand

Sandboarding at Te Paki Sand Dunes, New Zealand

Auckland

We live in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city and have written so many articles on it, we gave Auckland its own page here.

Waikato including Hamilton

Sunset from our deck at Baycrest Thermal Lodge in Taupo

9 Fascinating Things to Do in Taupo From Exciting to Serene

St Andrews Anglican Church in Cambridge, New Zealand

Things to Do in Cambridge NZ: Rural Charm and Sporty Fun

Vivid blue water of Blue Spring Putaruru

Blue Spring Putaruru: Crystal Clear Water at Te Waihou Walkway

Hiking is one of the many things to do in Raglan New Zealand

17 Things to Do in Raglan: Even if You’re Too Old to Surf

Huka Falls, one of the free things to do in Taupo

Free Things to Do in Taupo New Zealand

Overlooking the Waikato River is one of many things to do in Hamilton

10 Surprising Things to Do in Hamilton NZ – Our Guide to Fun

Tudor Garden, Hamilton Gardens, Hamilton New Zealand

Hamilton Gardens – 18 Incredible Themed Gardens in Waikato NZ

Karangahake Gorge mine shafts in the Bay of Plenty New Zealand

Karangahake Gorge Walks: Windows out of Old Gold Mines

Bridge, pond, lily pads, fish and crocodile heads at Ngatea Water Gardens in New Zealand

Ngatea Water Gardens: Nature with a Sense of Humour in New Zealand

Coromandel and the eastern Bay of Plenty

View from about half way to the top of Mt. Maunganui.

Auckland to Tauranga Itinerary Loop: 16 Unique Stops

Waterfall at The Lost Spring in Whitianga on the Coromandel in New Zealand

Whitianga Hot Pools: Relax in Lost Spring Mineral Rich Water

Driving Creek Railways in Coromandel Town

Driving Creek Railway: Blending Art, Nature, and Adventure in New Zealand

Coromandel Road Trip in New Zealand

27 Things to Do in Coromandel – Road Trip Highlights

glow worm kayak tours-Waimarino Tauranga GlowWorm Kayak Tour 1

Tauranga Glow Worm Tour Review: Night Kayaking in NZ

Things to do in mt Maunganui New Zealand

25 Fun Things to Do in Tauranga and Mount Maunganui

Fruit on a mature green kiwifruit vine in New Zealand

Kiwifruit Country: Behind the Scenes at a New Zealand Kiwi Fruit Farm

Beachfront villa at Papamoa beach New Zealand

Papamoa Beach Resort: Beachfront Stay in Bay of Plenty, NZ

Geothermal region, including Rotorua and Taupo

Mount Maunganui is one of three great options from the Tauranga Cruise Port

Tauranga Cruise Port 3 Great Choices: Rotorua, Hobbiton, Beach

Sunset from our deck at Baycrest Thermal Lodge in Taupo

9 Fascinating Things to Do in Taupo From Exciting to Serene

Tirau is one of many fascinating stops along our drive from Auckland to Rotorua.

Auckland to Rotorua Drive: 9 Stops on an Epic Journey

Huka Falls, one of the free things to do in Taupo

Free Things to Do in Taupo New Zealand

Hot & Cold Pools near Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland in Rotorua, New Zealand

15 Free Things to Do in Rotorua: Budget-Friendly Fun

photo credit-Hobbiton Movie Set

Day Tours from Auckland: 5 Top Destination Options Made Easy

From boat at Waimangu Volcanic Valley, Rotorua New Zealand

Waimangu Volcanic Valley: World’s Youngest Geothermal System

Redwood Treewalk is one of many things to do in Rotorua, New Zealand

20 Fun Things to Do in Rotorua: A First Timer’s Guide

Artist Palette in Champagne Pool Wai-O-Tapu, in geothermal Rotorua region in New Zealand

Wai-O-Tapu: Nature’s Masterpiece in Geothermal Rotorua NZ

Taranaki

Views from Paekakariki Hill lookout in the Kapiti coast, Wellington New Zealand

Wellington to New Plymouth Road Trip with 7 Epic Stops

Deluxe Diner is one of many great places to eat gluten-free in New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand

Eat gluten-free in New Plymouth – 18 Tempting Places We Love

Marokopa Falls is one of our favourite stops on our Auckland to New Plymouth road trip.

Auckland to New Plymouth Coastal Road Trip: 10 Must-see Stops

Visiting Mt Taranaki is one of the top things to do in the Taranaki region.

37 Fantastic Things to Do in Taranaki Region, New Zealand

Dawson Falls Waterfall is a must-see when visiting Stratford New Zealand

Stratford NZ: Discover Shakespeare and Majestic Mt Taranaki

Standing on the north end of Te Rewa Rewa Bridge we had lovely views of Mt Taranaki in background. It was high on our list of things to do in New Plymouth.

16 Things to Do in New Plymouth: Exploring this Coastal Gem

Central North Island including Manawatū-Whanganui, Hawke’s Bay and East Cape

View of Napier from Bluff Hill, the commercial port which serves as the Napier cruise port is behind me

Napier Cruise Port is Art Deco, Impressive Views, Wine, & More

View of Whanganui from top of Durie Hill elevator

20 Things to Do in Whanganui: Reasons to Stop and Explore

View from Te Mata Peak in Hawkes Bay including the hang gliding launch ramp.

Things to Do in Hawkes Bay NZ from Wine Trails to Art Deco

Dive Tatapouri Reef Ecology Tour in Gisborne New Zealand

Dive Tatapouri: Wild Stingray Feeding, Gisborne New Zealand

Auckland to Wellington drive itinerary-the ultimate New Zealand road trip

Auckland to Wellington Drive Options: Our 16 Favourite Stops

Napier art deco buildings, New Zealand

Enjoy Napier Art Deco Buildings with a Walking Tour

An example of classical revival built in 1921 and repaired after the Napier earthquake in New Zealand

16 Unique Things to Do in Napier, New Zealand’s Art Deco Capital

Old wharf in Tokomaru Bay, New Zealand

East Cape NZ Road Trip: Our Gisborne to Opotiki Itinerary

Sunrise in Gisborne New Zealand

20 Things to Do in Gisborne NZ – First Place to See Each New Day

Tui Brewery on the Mangatainoka River, North Island, New Zealand

Tui Brewery Tour – Is It Really Run by the ‘Gorgeous Women’ in their Ads?

Wellington

The best things to do at the Wellington Cruise Port. Explore top attractions like this view of the Carter Fountain in Oriental Bay

Wellington Cruise Port: 10 Must-Dos for Amazing DIY or Tours

Views from Paekakariki Hill lookout in the Kapiti coast, Wellington New Zealand

Wellington to New Plymouth Road Trip with 7 Epic Stops

Visiting Castlepoint lighthouse is one of our favourite things to do in Wairarapa

25 Things to Do in Wairarapa: Fall in Love with the Region

Lush green rolling hills dominate much of our drive from Napier to Wellington

Napier to Wellington Road Trip: Our Favourite Stops Along the Way

A section of the art gallery on the upper floor of Te Papa, the National Museum of New Zealand is one of the best Wellington indoor activities

Wellington Indoor Activities – Fun on a Rainy Day in Wellington, NZ

Due to it's shape, this New Zealand Parliament building is named the Beehive

Heaps of Free Things to Do in Wellington New Zealand

Auckland to Wellington drive itinerary-the ultimate New Zealand road trip

Auckland to Wellington Drive Options: Our 16 Favourite Stops

Riding the Cable Car is a Wellington must do in New Zealand

Wellington Activities: 37 Fun Things to Do in Wellington NZ

Stonehenge Aotearoa, a stone circle in New Zealand

Stonehenge Aotearoa: Our Visit to New Zealand’s Powerful Stone Circle

Little Spotted Kiwi seen on the Zealandia Night Tour, Wellington New Zealand

Zealandia Night Tour vs Day Visit: Our Wildlife Sanctuary Review

Gallipoli The Scale of our War at TePapa the National Museum of New Zealand. It is one of two war exhibits in Wellington

Quinn’s Post Joins 2 Powerful Wellington War Exhibits

A rainbow of colorful hydrangeas in Wellington Botanic Garden New Zealand

Wellington Botanic Garden: Colourful Must-see in New Zealand

Gluten-free pasta dinner at 1154 Pastaria, one of the best gluten-free Wellington restaurants.

Our 24 Go-To Gluten-free Wellington Restaurants in NZ

View while hiking Mount Victoria in Wellington New Zealand

Mount Victoria Lookout: Wellington New Zealand’s Best Views

Sun Bear at the Wellington Zoo, New Zealand

Interesting Animals at Wellington Zoo, with NZ’s Only Bear

If you want to discuss NZ with other travellers or residents, join our Facebook group: Explore New Zealand and share travel tips, stories, photos, or just ask questions.

As an Amazon Associate, Albom Adventures earns from qualifying purchases as well as from other collaborative and affiliate partners.

Copyright © 2026 · Albom Adventures · All Rights Reserved.

Exclusive Member of Mediavine Travel

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT