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

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

Find Your Perfect Activity

Orakei Korako Cave & Thermal Park, Taupo

494 Orākei Kōrako Road, Taupo 3083, New Zealand Volcanic & Geothermal

1 hour

Price:Included In Your Tour Package

Hidden Valley of 23 Natural Geysers  The Hidden Valley of Orakei Korako Cave and Thermal Park is located between Rotorua and Taupo, somewhat away from the usual tourist hotspots. It boasts the most active geysers in New Zealand, with up to 23 natural geysers playing freely through the area, which is constantly changing. To get

Tandem Skydive Lake Taupo

Lake Taupo Active & Adventure Nature

2-3 hours

Price:Included In Your Tour Package

Tandem Skydive 12,000ft: Begin with a 15-20 minute scenic plane ride and take in the sheer size and beauty of Lake Taupo. As you plunge from the plane with your tandem master into the fresh air, you’ll experience the best adrenaline rush of your life. Reaching speeds of up to 200km per hour, the thrill

Taupo Bungy Swing

Taupo, above the Waikato River Active & Adventure

Flexible

Price:Included In Your Tour Package

Taupo Bungy Swing: Experience the fun and thrills of the Taupo Swing, an exhilarating giant swing over the Waikato River. With speeds of up to 70kph, this full-on ride will have you soaring through the air before swooping out across the river. Swing solo or with a friend, either way it’s something you’ll want to

Taupo Bungy Jump

Taupo, above the Waikato River Active & Adventure

Flexible

Price:Included In Your Tour Package

Conquer the Drop: Taupo New Zealand Bungy Jumping If you crave a serious adrenaline rush, put Taupo New Zealand bungy jumping at the top of your travel list. This iconic spot features the highest cliff-top bungy in the country. It sits a staggering 154 feet (47 meters) above the emerald Waikato River, offering a view

Taste of Taupo Floatplane

Taupo Food & Wine Scenic Flights

10 minutes

Price:Included in your tour package

Taupo Floatplane: Get on board a high-wing Cessna 206 seaplane for a scenic flight you won’t forget – taking off and landing from the water. A short but sweet ten minute flight gives you a taste of the experience with a bird’s eye view of Taupo’s local geothermal area and Huka Falls. Or, upgrade to

Lake Taupo Scenic Cruise

Taupo Nature Boat Cruises & Water Activities Family & Kids

90 minutes

Price:Included in your tour package

Embark on a relaxing and picturesque journey with the Lake Taupo Scenic Cruise, a must-do experience for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. Explore the stunning beauty of New Zealand’s largest freshwater lake while enjoying breathtaking views, fascinating cultural landmarks, and serene tranquility. Tour Overview Location: Lake Taupo, Central North Island Duration: 1.5 to 2

Huka Prawn Park

Taupo Walking & Hiking

2 hours

Price:Included in your tour package

Huka Prawn Park TAUPO, RUAPEHU & TONGARIRO Just ten minutes from central Taupo and set among stunning park-like grounds, you’ll find the world’s only geothermally-heated prawn breeding park, an ultimate prawn-themed adventure, and Taupo’s only riverside restaurant. Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the hatchery and hand-feed the baby prawns. Venture through the activities park and

Huka Honey Hive

65 Karetoto Road, Waikato 3351, New Zealand Family & Kids

Flexible

Price:Included in your tour package

Huka Honey Hive TAUPO, RUAPEHU & TONGARIRO Honey experience that offers free honey, mead and liqueur tastings, live beehive viewings and fascinating interactive displays.

Huka Falls River Cruise

Aratiatia Dam Boat Cruises & Water Activities

1 hour 20 minutes

Price:Included In Your Tour Package

Huka Falls River Cruise TAUPO, RUAPEHU & TONGARIRO Operating beside the exciting Aratiatia Dam and Rapids 12 minutes from Taupo’s town centre. Experience awesome views of the mighty Huka Falls on a riverboat cruise with comfortable inside seating, large rear deck and front viewing platform. A real New Zealand experience with crystal-clear water, birdlife and

ZORB Ball Sidewinder Rotorua

Lake Rotorua Active & Adventure

Flexible

Price:Included In Your Tour Package

If you are searching for the ultimate adrenaline rush in the heart of the North Island, look no further than the ZORB Ball Sidewinder. As the largest ball-rolling park in the entire world, this facility offers a truly authentic experience because the original inventors of this iconic New Zealand pastime actually operate the site. What