20 Things to Do in North Island, New Zealand

Activities to Do in North Island

Visit Mount Doom in Tongariro National Park, Explore Waitomo Caves, Visit Cape Reinga, Explore the Hokianga Harbour, Visit Hobbiton, Snorkel at Poor Knights Islands, Indulge on Waiheke Island, Chase Waterfalls in Taup, Bathe in Rotorua's Healing Geothermal Waters and many more.

You're never going to be bored or run out of options of the best things to do in New Zealand North Island since there is a lot vying for your attention. You can take up water sports such as scuba diving and snorkeling at Poor Knights Islands, where marine life is bound to leave you mesmerized. Bargain your way through trinkets and knick-knacks at Rotorua Night Market that has tons of stalls situated on both sides of the street.

If you're looking for the best things to do in North Island you can brace yourself for wading through water, crawling from cavity to cavity, and squeezing through tight spots at Waitomo Caves. You can also have a hypnotic experience by seeing Huka Falls, where the water emerges from a cliff and falls into Lake Taupō. Spend your mornings dipping your toes in clear waters and your midnights dancing in trendy nightclubs on your New Zealand trip.

Here is the list of some activities to do in North Island:

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Explore All (43)

01

Visit Mount Doom in Tongariro National Park

Image Credit : Daniel Chen

For the ones who find solace in natural wonders, visiting Mount Doom in Tongariro National Park should be an ideal option. In Peter Jackson's film trilogy Lord of the Rings, the volcano Mount Ngauruhoe was used as Mount Doom in some scenes. This fictional volcano is approximately 4,500 feet high, and it is the site where the One Ring was forged by the Dark Lord Sauron.

You can take a hike through Mt Doom and feel like bringing the scenes of The Lord of the Rings movies to reality.

Location: Tongariro National Park, Turangi New Zealand

02

Explore Waitomo Caves

Get ready for a unique caving adventure by visiting Waitomo Caves, where millions of glow worms live and radiate an extremely vibrant light from their body. These caves were formed over thirty million years ago as limestone formations at the bottom of the ocean. The caves have two levels, the lower level that includes a beautiful river running through the cave chamber, and the dry upper level that includes the cave entrance.

As you enter this galaxy of living lights, you'll see stunning stalagmites and stalactite formations. You can enjoy here zip-lining, abseiling, and black water rafting adventures.

Location: 39 Waitomo Village Road, Waitomo Caves 3943 New Zealand

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03

Walk the Pouakai Crossing

Get ready for an epic day walk on Mt. Taranaki that starts at North Egmont and finishes at Egmont National Park boundary. While winding across the lower slopes of Mt Taranaki, you'll discover a mighty waterfall, towering cliffs, and a sphagnum moss swamp.

The track is rough, wet, and muddy at places, and there are deep muds in sections across Ahukawakawa Swamp. The track is 18.5 km long, and you'll be greeted with breathtaking views throughout the journey.

Location: Egmont Road, Egmont National Park 4391 New Zealand

04

Visit Cape Reinga

Image Credit : Ashish Ansurkar

One of the best things to do in New Zealand North Island, is visiting Cape Reinga, which is a quiet fishing town that holds cultural significance to the Maori tribes. The rugged tip of Cape Reinga is filled with untouched beaches, endless hikes, and many more awesome natural wonders. It is home to a picturesque lighthouse, Taputaputa Bay, Te Paki Coast Track, and Te Paki Sand Dunes.

Being a sacred site, you're not permitted to eat at Cape Reinga

Location: 0484 New Zealand

05

Explore the Hokianga Harbour

One of the best things to do in New Zealand North Island, is exploring the Hokianga Harbour that is renowned for its coastal landscape. It houses a large number of indigenous species and is the oldest site of human settlement in New Zealand. Many artisans and artists live in Hokianga, showcasing their splendid work in the local galleries.

You can explore Hokianga by sandboarding, fishing, cycling, kayaking, swimming, walking, and horse riding

Location: 251 Hokianga Harbour Drive, Omapere

06

Marvel at Cathedral Cove in the Coromandel

End your search for the best things to do in North Island by marveling at Cathedral Cove that is a famous rock formation on the Coromandel Peninsula. Cathedral Cove was a film location in the movie Narnia, and since then, several films have been shot here.

Walking to Cathedral Cove is considered to be one of the best things to do in New Zealand North Island as this beautiful trail follows rocky coastlines and passes through stunning lookouts and beautiful bays.

Location: 65 Grange Rd S, Hahei 3591 New Zealand

07

Visit Hobbiton

Image Credit : hobbitontours.com

One of the most exciting things to do in New Zealand, North Island, is visiting Hobbiton, a significant location for filming The Hobbit film trilogy and The Lord of the Rings film trilogy. It is a Tolkienian tourism destination located on a family-run farm about eight kilometers west of Hinuera and ten kilometers southwest of Matamata. Indulge in a Weta Workshop to know about the first-hand work that goes on backstage to make the epic, The Lord of the Rings.

You can also spot thirty-seven Hobbit holes, the Green Dragon Pub, Mill, the famous Party Tree, and a double-arched bridge.

Location: 501 Buckland Road Matamata, Hinuera 3472 New Zealand

Price: INR 6456 per adult

Timings: 10 am- 5 pm

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2H
Rotorua

Starting from ₹ 3,977 ₹ 3,499

08

Snorkel at Poor Knights Islands

If you're mulling over heading out for an adventurous and thrilling experience, you must try snorkeling at Poor Knights Islands. An abundance of breathtaking scenery, marine animals, and the world's largest sea cave make Poor Knights Islands one of the best sites for snorkeling in the world.

Explore the volcanic islands, tunnels, and wall arches as you snorkel through its crystal clear water.

Location: Whangarei, North Island

Price: INR 1450 per adult

09

Indulge on Waiheke Island

If you're looking for one of the best things to do in North Island, you can explore the Waiheke island's trails and cool enclaves of native forest. Waiheke Island is a haven of breathtaking beaches, olive groves, and beautiful vineyards. You can lounge on the warm sand, stay in awe by its shimmering turquoise waters and towering limestone formations or grab a bite at a beach-front restaurant.

Location: Hauraki Gulf, Auckland Central, Auckland 1081 New Zealand

10

Chase Waterfalls in Taup

Image Credit : Aachal

Get away from the trappings of daily life and enliven your senses by chasing the beautiful waterfalls in Taup?. Huka Falls is one such thunderous waterfall where nearly a million liters of water bursts through the natural gorge. Another spectacular waterfall in Taup? is O'Tupoto Falls, where the water emerges from a cliff and falls into Lake Taup?.

The giant torrent of water in these waterfalls is a testament to the immense power of nature.

Location: North Island, New Zealand

11

Bathe in Rotorua's Healing Geothermal Waters

If you wish to get rid of physical ailments and stress, bathing in Rotorua's healing geothermal waters should be one of the best things to do in New Zealand, North Island. Rotorua is a hotbed of spots that offer the most authentic and best of geothermal experiences. Hells Gate Rotorua is one of the most renowned landmarks in Rotorua, filled with natural hot springs, mud pools, sulphur rocks, and the most active thermal parks in New Zealand.

You can also enjoy a serene bathing experience in the Polynesian Spa that is a geothermal bathing retreat consisting of twenty-eight mineral pools fed by two natural springs.

Location: southern shores of Lake Rotorua, New Zealand

12

Experience Natural Spas at Polynesian Spa

Relaxing and unwinding on Lake Rotorua's shores at Polynesian Spa is considered one of the best things to do in North Island. Polynesian Spa is New Zealand's iconic geothermal bathing retreat where you can enjoy Aix spa therapies, body wraps, facials, and massage.

Combining modern techniques with ancient healing practices, Polynesian Spa is recognized as one of the world's top ten spas.

Location: Hinemoa Street, 3010, North Island

Price: INR 1051

Timings: 9 am-10:30 pm

13

See Huka Falls

Feel the power of nature as you see Huka Falls giant torrent of water flowing through the rocks. Huka Falls is the largest and the most visited waterfalls on the Waikato River on New Zealand's North Island.

You can witness here the phenomenon of hydropower with more than two lakh twenty thousand liters of water per second barreling over an eleven-meter high waterfall.

Location: Taupo, New Zealand

14

Walk the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, Tongariro

One of the most adventurous things to do in North Island is walking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing that is a tramping track and the most popular day hike in New Zealand. It is a 19.4kilometer-long trek with steep climbs, awe-inspiring scenery, and unpredictable weather.

You'll be greeted with the dramatic contrast of steaming vents, vivid crater lakes, and ancient lava flows while trekking through the Alpine Crossing.

Location: Tongariro National Park, North Island, New Zealand

15

Experience Maori Culture

One of the best things to do in New Zealand North Island is experiencing Maori culture that is the cornerstone of the national identity influencing everything from customs to cuisines, and language of the people of New Zealand. Meeting M?ori people, joining in their cultural activities, and learning about their history can be the most rewarding part of a trip to New Zealand. You can visit The Bay of Islands that is home to Maori history and culture.

You can see here Maori culture shows, and get information about New Zealand history.

Location: Bay of Islands Airport, 182 Wiroa Road, Kerikeri

16

Cycle or Walkthrough Redwoods Forest, Rotorua

Cycling through the world-renowned Redwood Route in Rotorua is considered to be one of the best things to do in New Zealand, North Island. It has eco-suspended platforms and bridges and is dotted with Redwood trees. Regarded by many as the best treetop walk in New Zealand, cycling through Redwoods Forest gives you a chance to discover about the forest floor and surround yourself with sweeping silver ferns and native fauna.

Location: Cement Creek Road, Warburton, Victoria 3799 Australia

Price: INR 2176

Timings: 10 am- 7 pm

17

Try White Water Rafting

Travel through jungle-enshrouded gorges, waterfalls, and remote canyons as you enjoy white water rafting in New Zealand at Tongariro River. Starting in Tongariro National Park and flowing into Lake Taupo, the lower part of Tongariro River offers exciting Grade 3 rapids.

In two hours, you'll navigate over sixty roller coaster rapids with a professional Kiwi raft guide.

Location: State Highway 1, North Island

Price: INR 7791

18

Go Sailing Around the Bay of Islands

Sailing in the blue waters around the Bay of Islands is considered to be one of the best things to do in North Island. Sit on the bow of a ship with the turbulent wind blowing through your hair and the magical sound of the surf crashing against the hull.

Visitors also get the chance to see fur seals and other marine animals while sailing around the Bay of Islands.

Location: Paihia, New Zealand

Price: INR 3658

19

Walk Under a Natural Bridge

If you're looking for the best outdoor experience, you should walk under the Mangapohue natural bridge. It is a 17m high bridge formed by 2 ancient limestone arches created over thousands of years.

When you're at Mangapohue Natural Bridge, you can also find the twenty million-year-old fossilized oysters exposed in the limestone outcrops.

Location: Te Anga Road, Waitomo Caves New Zealand

Price: INR 2941

20

Visit Wineries at Hawke's Bay

One of the best things to do in New Zealand North Island is visiting wineries at Hawke's Bay that is an ultimate paradise for wine lovers. Hawke's Bay is home to excellent wine tourism culture, and regular wine and food festivals are organized here. With more than two hundred vineyards, more than seventy wineries, and thirty cellar doors, you can have guided and detailed wine tasting experiences here.

Location: East Coast of New Zealand's North Island

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Bay Of Islands

Tucked neatly on the northeastern coast of New Zealand’s North Islands, Bay Of Islands is an iconic destination known for its lush green landscape and sparkling turquoise waters. With more than 140 subtropical islands spread across the Bay, here you may get unmatched opportunities for adventure and exploration.Travellers visiting the Bay Of Islands may cruise through the iconic Hole in the Rock or unwind on the golden sands of Paihia Beach. Explore the stunning Bay of Islands with New Zealand packages, offering beautiful beaches, marine adventures, and rich Maori culture.You will be introduced to the Māori culture at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds on your trip. If you are an adventure seeker seeking a major adrenaline rush, head to the Bay Of Islands and indulge in all adventure activities such as snorkelling, hiking, diving, wildlife exploration and more. From outdoor adventures to cultural experiences, the Bay Of Islands is known to captivate every traveller with its rich heritage and natural beauty. The place promises a major adrenaline rush if you are an adventure seeker.

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