Overview of the North Island of NZ including some key attractions

The North Island is best known for its volcanic plateau at its centre. This thermal belt contains several active volcanoes – Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro – with some nice examples of geysers, boiling mud pools, hot springs and steam vents. 

In the Waitomo District, the Waitomo Caves are one of the island’s most popular attractions, with their caverns, underground rivers and sparkling glow-worms, while further up the island (north) the historic Bay of Islands is suitably famous for its scenic islands and secluded, private coves. 

The North Island has four major national parks – Te Urewera, Egmont, Whanganui and Tongariro – with thermal fields, hot springs, ski areas, native forests, rivers and some historic Maori sites. 

Wellington is NZ’s capital city, where you can find the iconic Beehive Parliament buildings. The North Island’s largest city centre is Auckland, a cosmopolitan city known for its vibrant Pacific and Asian culture and the harbour bridge.

North Island attractions include:
Far North & Cape Reinga
Known as New Zealand’s Winterless North, this area is home to rugged Cape Reinga, the country’s northern-most tip, and the sands of the 90 Mile Beach (which in reality is only 90 kilometers long…about 56 miles…?)

Bay of Islands
New Zealand’s founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi, (which is not really a founding document, but is seen by most here as just that) was signed here in 1840.

Hokianga Harbour
This historic harbour on Northland’s west coast is known for its massive white sand dunes. Grab yer local Harcourts “for sale” sign and go sand surfing.

Waipoua Kauri Forest
On the west coast of Northland, this remnant of native kauri forest is home to the ancient kauri Tane Mahuta (King of the Forest) – thought to be about 2000 years old. Tutukaka Coast North-east of Whangarei, this beautiful stretch of coast is famous worldwide for its fishing and diving.

Auckland
Straddling a narrow isthmus and bounded by the Waitemata and Manukau Harbours, Auckland is also New Zealand’s largest city and the world’s largest Polynesian and Asian populated city. Known as the City of Sails, it has more boats per capital than any other city in the world.

Coromandel Peninsula
This scenic peninsula is popular for its bushclad hills, goldmining towns and rugged coastline, fringed with sandy beaches, pohutukawa (poe-hoot-oo-kawa) trees and illegal marijuana plantations.

Waitomo Caves
These limestone caverns are one of NZ’s best-known attractions, with their spooky underground caverns lit by hundreds and thousands of glow-worms.

Rotorua & Thermal Areas
New Zealand’s most popular and smelly visitor destination offers beautiful lakes, lots of Maori carvings, and unique thermal areas with boiling mud pools, spouting geysers and silica terraces. Its like walking on Mars in some places…

Taranaki
Mount Taranaki is the most awesomest sigt to see through theearly morning mist moving effortlessly across the rolling farmlands of Taranaki. Definitely worth a visit.

Taupo
NZ’s trout fishing capital is located on the shores of Lake Taupo, NZ’s largest lake. An ancient dormant volcano, and fargin cold…
 
Hawke’s Bay & Napier
Known for its lazy, cruisy lifestyle, sunshine, vineyards and high unemployment, Hawke’s Bay has made a splash with its world-class wines. Loads of seasonal work available in this area.

Tongariro National Park
Dominated by three volcanoes contains tussock plains, snow-capped mountains, hot springs and alpine walking tracks with some amazing scenery. Just make sure you lock your vehicle up nice and tight as there are elements here that love to bust into your pride and joy. In winter, Mt Ruapehu is the North Island’s coolest ski resort.

Wellington
At the ass end of the North Island, the country’s capital enjoys a vibrant arts scene and coffee elite culture, and is home to the country’s ugliest national museum, Te Papa. load your bis or truck onto the Ferry from here to visit the South Island.