North Island

North Island Regions

North Island is an easy destination to explore, offering a warm climate, stunning scenery, and rich cultural experiences. The island stretches from the subtropical far north to the volcanic landscapes at its center, giving travelers a wide variety of sights and activities to enjoy.

The Bay of Islands is a great starting point, renowned for its calm beaches, island cruises, and historic sites, including the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. In Auckland, you’ll find a lively mix of restaurants, harbors, and museums, along with nearby beaches and vineyards.

Further south, Rotorua is one of the most popular stops on the North Island. It’s famous for bubbling mud pools, geysers, hot springs, and strong Māori cultural traditions. Nearby, the Hobbiton Movie Set in Matamata offers a fun, scenic experience for film fans.

The Waitomo Glowworm Caves provide a peaceful, magical underground adventure, where thousands of glowworms light up the dark caverns. For outdoor lovers, Tongariro National Park features dramatic volcanic peaks, alpine lakes, and the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing.

Travelers can easily add optional North Island day tours, activities, and attractions to their itinerary. These are perfect for filling free days and can be worked into both pre-planned and tailor-made trips. Whether you enjoy nature, culture, adventure, or relaxed sightseeing, the North Island has something for every type of traveler.

Things to Do in North Island

Auckland ○ Bay of Plenty ○ Coromandel ○ Gisborne & Eastland ○ Hamilton – Waikato ○ Hawke’s Bay ○ Manawatu – Wanganui ○ Napier ○ New Plymouth ○ Northland & Bay of Islands ○ Rotorua ○ Ruapehu ○ Taranaki ○ Taupo ○ Tauranga & Mount Maunganui ○ Wellington & Wairarapa

BEST 15 North Island Day Tours & Tourist Attractions

Mount Hikurangi, North Island, Photo: Eric Hanson

North Island Attractions Map & Trip Planner

Explore the best tourist attractions of the North Island with the help of our Google Maps. Get directions to your desired destination and enjoy your North Island self-drive tour.

North Island Map & Regions

North Island New Zealand Map - Day Tours

Featured North Island Tour Packages

All North Island New Zealand Tours >

Every day a different journey: North Island 100% Pure New Zealand

Find Your Perfect Activity

Taupo Bungy Jump

202 Spa Road, Taupō 3330, New Zealand Active & Adventure

Flexible

Price:Included in your tour package

Take the Plunge: The Ultimate Guide to Taupo New Zealand Bungy Jumping If you seek a massive adrenaline rush, Taupo New Zealand bungy jumping offers a thrill unlike any other. This site features the country’s highest cliff-top bungy jump. It sits 47 meters (154 feet) above the stunning Waikato River. Consequently, the combination of height

NZ Riverjet – The Squeeze

Reporoa, Lake Taupo Active & Adventure Boat Cruises & Water Activities

Flexible

Price:Included In Your Tour Package

Adventure Awaits with NZ Riverjet Through Tutukau Gorge Looking for an adventure that combines speed, scenery, and exploration? NZ Riverjet takes you on an unforgettable journey through Tutukau Gorge, blending an exhilarating jet boat ride with a unique hands-on hike through hidden thermal terrain. Begin with a Scenic Jet Boat Ride Your NZ Riverjet adventure

NZ Riverjet – Thermal Safari

Reporoa, Lake Taupo Boat Cruises & Water Activities Active & Adventure

Flexible

Price:Included In Your Tour Package

Experience the NZ Riverjet – Thermal Safari: Thrills Meet Nature The NZ Riverjet – Thermal Safari truly stands in a league of its own. This is because it perfectly blends a geothermal wonderland with a thrilling jet boat journey. Consequently, this 2.5 to 3-hour trip has become a “must-see” highlight for anyone visiting the Waikato

Hukafalls Jetboat Ride Taupo

Taupo Boat Cruises & Water Activities

30 minutes

Price:Included In Your Tour Package

Paddle Through Paradise: Okarito Lagoon Kayaking Moreover, you can now glide through New Zealand’s largest unmodified wetland. In this stunning spot, mirror-like waters reflect snow-capped peaks. At the same time, ancient kahikatea forests meet the sea here. Okarito Lagoon sits on the wild West Coast of the South Island. Consequently, it offers an unforgettable kayaking

Chris Jolly Scenic Cruise

Taupo Boat Cruises & Water Activities

Flexible

Price:Included In Your Tour Package

Experience the Best of Lake Taupō on a Chris Jolly Cruise If you are looking for the ultimate water adventure in New Zealand, a Chris Jolly Cruise is the perfect choice. Because we operate the most spacious cruise catamaran on the water, nobody cruises further or more comfortably than we do. Once you are aboard

Rotorua Canopy Tour

Rotorua Ziplining Family & Kids Nature Active & Adventure

Flexible

Price:Included In Your Tour Package

Experience the Rotorua Canopy Tour: New Zealand’s Only Native Forest Zipline Looking for an adventure unlike anything else in New Zealand? The Rotorua Canopy Tour is the country’s only native forest zipline canopy tour, and it’s truly incredible. It’s high, it’s fun, it’s beautiful, and it’s peaceful, all rolled into one unforgettable experience. An Adventure

White Island Tours

White Island, departing from Rotorua Active & Adventure Nature Walking & Hiking

80 minutes

Price:Included In Your Tour Package

White Island Tours in New Zealand – A Scenic Encounter with Nature’s Power Whakaari / White Island, located 48 kilometers off the coast of Whakatāne in New Zealand’s North Island, is one of the country’s most iconic and active marine volcanoes. Rising dramatically from the sea, this otherworldly landscape has long captivated travelers with its

ZORB Sidewinder

Rotorua Active & Adventure Nature

Flexible

Price:Included in your tour package

Take on the Thrill of ZORB Sidewinder in Rotorua Looking for a truly one-of-a-kind adventure? The ZORB Sidewinder has been an iconic Rotorua experience ever since Andrew and David Akers developed the original ZORB operation back in 1997. Roll Down the Hill in Style As you Superman-dive into the ball, spectacular views of Lake Rotorua

Volcanic Air Safaris White Island

Helicopter flight from Rotorua Active & Adventure Volcanic & Geothermal Nature Scenic Flights

3 hours

Price:Included in your tour package

Experience White Island Like Never Before with Volcanic Air Safaris Looking for the ultimate volcanic adventure? Volcanic Air Safari White Island flight takes you on a scenic helicopter journey from Rotorua straight to New Zealand’s most active volcano, delivering an experience you’ll never forget. A Journey Over Stunning Landscapes Your Air Safaris White Island flight

Volcanic Air Safaris Crater Lakes

Rotorua Scenic Flights

Flexible

Price:Included In Your Tour Package

Soar Above Rotorua with Volcanic Air Safaris Looking for a breathtaking way to see Rotorua from above? Volcanic Air Safaris offers exactly that, combining thrilling helicopter flights with stunning panoramic views of the city and its surrounding volcanic landscape. Convenient Lakefront Location Volcanic Air Safari is conveniently located right on the Rotorua City Lakefront, along