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Home » Travel » New Zealand » North Island (excluding Auckland)

North Island (excluding Auckland)

New Zealand’s North Island is a paradise as well as being a population centre. It is known for varied landscapes including a geothermal wonderland, backdrop for movies, and cultural diversity. This section includes the North Island (excluding Auckland).

With plenty of regional parks that are now open bird sanctuaries, there is an abundance of wildlife on the island.

The main cities on the North Island include Auckland, Wellington, Rotorua, Napier, and Tauranga. They each offer something unique and different to visitors. Auckland articles are featured here.

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.

Enjoy our other North Island (excluding Auckland) New Zealand-based articles:

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

Read moreWellington Indoor Activities – Fun on a Rainy Day in Wellington, NZ
View from about half way to the top of Mt. Maunganui.

Auckland to Tauranga Itinerary Loop: 16 Unique Stops

Read moreAuckland to Tauranga Itinerary Loop: 16 Unique Stops
A stroll along the town basin past the new Hundertwasser Art Centre is one of the relaxing things to do in Whangarei

Things to Do in Whangarei and the Surrounding Area – New Zealand

Read moreThings to Do in Whangarei and the Surrounding Area – New Zealand
Waterfall at The Lost Spring in Whitianga on the Coromandel in New Zealand

Whitianga Hot Pools – Why We Love the Mineral Rich Water at Lost Spring

Read moreWhitianga Hot Pools – Why We Love the Mineral Rich Water at Lost Spring
Kauri trees along the path in Parry Kauri Park, Warkworth, New Zealand

Things to Do in Warkworth: Parry Kauri Park, Sheepworld and More

Read moreThings to Do in Warkworth: Parry Kauri Park, Sheepworld and More
St Andrews Anglican Church in Cambridge, New Zealand

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

Read moreThings to Do in Cambridge NZ: Rural Charm, Sporty Fun, and Romance
Vivid blue water of Blue Spring Putaruru

Blue Spring Putaruru: Enjoy Crystal Clear Water Along Te Waihou Walkway

Read moreBlue Spring Putaruru: Enjoy Crystal Clear Water Along Te Waihou Walkway
Driving Creek Railways in Coromandel Town

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

Read moreDriving 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

Read more27 Things to Do in Coromandel – Road Trip Highlights
Hiking is one of the many things to do in Raglan New Zealand

Things to Do in Raglan if You Think You Are Too Old to Surf

Read moreThings to Do in Raglan if You Think You Are Too Old to Surf
Hundertwasser Toilets seen from the street in Kawakawa New Zealndd

Hundertwasser Toilets: One of Three New Zealand Hundertwasser Designs

Read moreHundertwasser Toilets: One of Three New Zealand Hundertwasser Designs
A dirt road leading to the mountain as part of several New Zealand road trips

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

Read moreNew Zealand Road Trips: Itineraries for North or South Island Adventures
Huka Falls, one of the free things to do in Taupo

Free Things to Do in Taupo New Zealand

Read moreFree Things to Do in Taupo New Zealand
Due to it's shape, this New Zealand Parliament building is named the Beehive

Heaps of Free Things to Do in Wellington New Zealand

Read moreHeaps of Free Things to Do in Wellington New Zealand
Overlooking the Waikato River is one of many things to do in Hamilton

10 Surprising Things to Do in Hamilton New Zealand

Read more10 Surprising Things to Do in Hamilton New Zealand
Hot & Cold Pools near Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland in Rotorua, New Zealand

Free Things to Do in Rotorua New Zealand

Read moreFree Things to Do in Rotorua New Zealand
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

Read moreThings 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: Walk on White Silica Sand in Northland, New Zealand

Read moreRarawa Beach: Walk on White Silica Sand in Northland, New Zealand
View from Te Mata Peak in Hawkes Bay New Zealand

Things to Do in Hawkes Bay NZ: Wine Trails, Culture, Art Deco, and More

Read moreThings to Do in Hawkes Bay NZ: Wine Trails, Culture, Art Deco, and More
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

Read moreWaitangi Treaty Grounds: Visit the Birthplace of New Zealand
Looking down at the dock in Paihia New Zealand in the Bay of Islands

Things to Do in Bay of Islands New Zealand: Adventure, Discover, Relax

Read moreThings to Do in Bay of Islands New Zealand: Adventure, Discover, Relax
Stone Store in Kerikeri. New Zealand's oldest surviving stone building

Kerikeri Mission Station: Home of New Zealand’s Oldest Buildings

Read moreKerikeri Mission Station: Home of New Zealand’s Oldest Buildings
Dive Tatapouri Reef Ecology Tour in Gisborne New Zealand

Dive Tatapouri: Wild Stingray Feeding, Gisborne New Zealand

Read moreDive Tatapouri: Wild Stingray Feeding, Gisborne New Zealand
From boat at Waimangu Volcanic Valley, Rotorua New Zealand

Waimangu Volcanic Valley: World’s Youngest Geothermal System

Read moreWaimangu Volcanic Valley: World’s Youngest Geothermal System
Auckland to Wellington drive itinerary-the ultimate New Zealand road trip

Enjoy an Auckland to Wellington Drive with These Stops

Read moreEnjoy an Auckland to Wellington Drive with These Stops
Tudor Garden, Hamilton Gardens, Hamilton New Zealand

Hamilton Gardens – 18 Incredible Themed Gardens in Waikato NZ

Read moreHamilton Gardens – 18 Incredible Themed Gardens in Waikato NZ
Champagne Pool Wai-O-Tapu Rotorua New Zealand

What to Do in Rotorua New Zealand: A First Timer’s Guide

Read moreWhat to Do in Rotorua New Zealand: 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

Read moreWai-O-Tapu: Nature’s Masterpiece in Geothermal Rotorua NZ
Riding the Cable Car is a Wellington must do in New Zealand

Wellington Activities: 37 Things to Do in Wellington, the Capital of NZ

Read moreWellington Activities: 37 Things to Do in Wellington, the Capital of NZ
Stonehenge Aotearoa, a stone circle in New Zealand

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

Read moreStonehenge Aotearoa: Our visit to New Zealand’s Powerful Stone Circle
Napier art deco buildings, New Zealand

Enjoy Napier Art Deco Buildings with a Walking Tour

Read moreEnjoy 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

Read more16 Unique Things to Do in Napier, New Zealand’s Art Deco Capital
Karangahake Gorge mine shafts in the Bay of Plenty New Zealand

Karangahake Gorge Walks: Windows out of Old Gold Mines

Read moreKarangahake Gorge Walks: Windows out of Old Gold Mines
glow worm kayak tours-Waimarino Tauranga GlowWorm Kayak Tour 1

Tauranga Glow Worm Tour Review: Night Kayaking in New Zealand

Read moreTauranga Glow Worm Tour Review: Night Kayaking in New Zealand
Things to do in mt Maunganui New Zealand

25 Fun Things to Do in Tauranga and Mount Maunganui in New Zealand

Read more25 Fun Things to Do in Tauranga and Mount Maunganui in New Zealand
Fruit on a mature green kiwifruit vine in New Zealand

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

Read moreKiwifruit 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

Read morePapamoa Beach Resort: Beachfront Stay in Bay of Plenty, NZ
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

Read moreNgatea Water Gardens: Nature with a Sense of Humour in New Zealand
Old wharf in Tokomaru Bay, New Zealand

East Cape NZ Driving Itinerary: Gisborne to Opotiki Road Trip

Read moreEast Cape NZ Driving Itinerary: Gisborne to Opotiki Road Trip
Sunrise in Gisborne New Zealand

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

Read more20 Things to Do in Gisborne NZ – First Place to See Each New Day
Little Spotted Kiwi seen on the Zealandia Night Tour, Wellington New Zealand

Zealandia Day vs Night Tour Review: NZ Wildlife in a Natural Habitat

Read moreZealandia Day vs Night Tour Review: NZ Wildlife in a Natural Habitat
Stalactites hang tightly inside Waipu Caves in New Zealand

Waipu Caves, Glow Worms and Other Things to Do in Waipu New Zealand

Read moreWaipu Caves, Glow Worms and Other Things to Do in Waipu New Zealand
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

Read moreQuinn’s Post Joins 2 Powerful Wellington War Exhibits
Whangarei Falls during the Winter in Whangarei New Zealand

4 Must-See New Zealand Waterfalls if Driving Auckland to Bay of Islands

Read more4 Must-See New Zealand Waterfalls if Driving Auckland to 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

Read moreAuckland to Cape Reinga: New Zealand Road Trip Tips
Coffee roasting at Mojo Roastery in Wellington New Zealand

Coffee Roasting in Wellington: Going Behind the Scenes at Mojo

Read moreCoffee Roasting in Wellington: Going Behind the Scenes at Mojo
A rainbow of colorful hydrangeas in Wellington Botanic Garden New Zealand

Wellington Botanic Garden a Colourful Must See in New Zealand

Read moreWellington Botanic Garden a Colourful Must See in New Zealand
Salad at Karaka cafe in Wellington New Zealand

Our 12 Favourite Wellington Restaurants, Epic Dining in NZ

Read moreOur 12 Favourite Wellington Restaurants, Epic Dining in NZ
View while hiking Mount Victoria in Wellington New Zealand

Mount Victoria Lookout: Wellington New Zealand’s Best Views

Read moreMount Victoria Lookout: Wellington New Zealand’s Best Views
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

Read moreCape 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

Read moreThree 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

Read moreGumdiggers 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

Read moreSandboarding at Te Paki Sand Dunes, New Zealand
the Beehive is one of the buildings of New Zealand's parliament

Wellington Photos: 20 Reasons It’s My Favorite NZ Getaway

Read moreWellington Photos: 20 Reasons It’s My Favorite NZ Getaway
Sun Bear at the Wellington Zoo, New Zealand

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

Read moreInteresting Animals at Wellington Zoo, with NZ’s Only Bear
Tui Brewery on the Mangatainoka River, North Island, New Zealand

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

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

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