A comprehensive 14-day itinerary guide to New Zealand's North Island

Explore this idyllic part of the world across two weeks.

From sophisticated cities to quaint villages, thundering waterfalls to desert-like landscapes, rolling wine country and stunning coastlines, New Zealand’s North Island/Te Ika-a-Māui is a place of diverse landscapes and rich culture.

Take two weeks on your North Island road trip to explore the best of this incredible island. Soak in thermal pools, walk in ancient forests, shop ‘til you drop, dine on seasonal produce in world-class restaurants.

This New Zealand North Island itinerary gives you the best that’s on offer, with a few surprises along the way.

Days one and two: Taitokerau/Northland

Tāne Mahuta is the largest kauri tree in New Zealand. (Credit: Miles Holden / Tourism NZ)

After flying into Auckland, head north to New Zealand’s most historic region, Taitokerau/Northland. The Twin Coast Discovery Highway is an 800-kilometre loop that covers all the highlights, from the harbour city of Whangārei, around two hours’ drive from Auckland, to the northernmost tip of the island at Cape Reinga. From Whangarei it’s another hour to the Bay of Islands. Stop off at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds before heading to the resort town of Paihia and taking a 10-minute car ferry trip from Opua to the charming village of Kororāreka/Russell, briefly New Zealand’s first capital. On the west coast, venture into the lush Waipoua Forest to see Tāne Mahuta, the largest kauri tree in New Zealand.

Must-see

Hundertwasser Art Centre and Wairau Maori Art Gallery

Discover original Hundertwasser paintings alongside contemporary Māori art. (Credit: Miles Holden / Tourism NZ)

With its golden dome and colourful mosaic walls, the Hundertwasser Art Centre is the focal point of Whangārei’s Town Basin. Spend about an hour there, before exploring the neighbouring craft shops or taking The Loop walk along the Hātea River.

Waitangi Treaty Grounds

Visit Waitangi Treaty Grounds to understand New Zealand’s local heritage. (Credit: Camilla Rutherford / Tourism NZ)

Explore the Treaty House, the fascinating contemporary Te Kongahu Museum of Waitangi, the Te Rau Aroha Museum of the Price of Citizenship (dedicated to Māori who served in the New Zealand armed forces), an elaborately carved Māori meeting house and marvel at the world’s largest ceremonial waka (canoe).

Ninety Mile Beach

Venture to 4WD-only Ninety Mile Beach for its stunning sunsets, enormous sand dunes and epic surf breaks.  The best way to see it all is to take a bus tour from Kaitaia.

Accommodation tip: The Duke of Marlborough, Bay of Islands

Days three and four: Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau

Linger in New Zealand’s largest city, where urban life sits side-by-side with nature’s beauty. With many distinctive neighbourhoods, it’s easy to find one to suit your interests. Ponsonby is known for its eclectic restaurants and village charm; Britomart is a transformed industrial area, now home to innovative art and architecture, designer fashion and events; Commercial Bay offers shopping and dining on WaitematāHarbour; and at Viaduct Harbour waterfront dining comes with multi-million-dollar views.

Must-see

Sky Tower

The Sky Tower is a spectacular sight at night. (Credit: Tourism NZ)

For those braver than me, the walk around the edge of Sky Tower’s 192-metre-high platform gives a new perspective on the city. Even more of a thrill-seeker? Sign up for SkyJump, to plunge 53 floors towards the streets below.

Waiheke Island

Discover vast, windswept pastures where sheep graze. (Credit: Getty/Theo Gabriel)

Take a 40-minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland to the unspoilt beaches and walking tracks of Waiheke Island. Buy a hop-on/hop-off bus ticket to get around, or just prop yourself up at one of the many wineries for lunch.

Waitakere Ranges

Waitakere Ranges is home to scenic hiking trails. (Credit: Miles Holden / Tourism NZ)

Adventure seekers should head to the Waitakere Ranges, home to more than 250 kilometres of hiking trails, waterfalls, caves and rugged black-sand surf beaches.  

Accommodation tip: SO/ Auckland

Days five and six: Hamilton-Waikato

Located on the banks of the Waikato River, Hamilton/Kirikiriroa is known for its gardens and walking tracks, and is also home to the country’s only commercial tea plantation, Zealong Tea Estate. Less than an hour’s drive south is the Waitomo Caves, home to an extraordinary underground river and cave system, which you can explore by boat.

Must-see

Hamilton Gardens

The Surrealist Garden features oversized, topiary-covered structures. (Credit: Camilla Rutherford / Tourism NZ)

Don’t leave without seeing Hamilton Gardens, a 58-hectare botanical masterpiece featuring 18 garden designs from across the world. The newest addition, the Medieval Garden, will open in mid-2026.

Hobbiton

Visit the Hobbiton Movie Set on a picturesque sheep farm. (Credit: Miles Holden / Tourism NZ)

Movie buffs will love a slice of the ‘real Middle-earth’ at Hobbiton Movie Set, a 45-minute drive from Hamilton, near Matamata. Duck into Bilbo Baggins’ hobbit hole or have lunch at the Green Dragon Inn. By guided tour only.

Accommodation tip: Novotel Hamilton Tainui Hotel

Days seven and eight: Rotorua

Rotorua is known for its colourful geothermal landscape of hot pools, bubbling mud and gushing geysers and its rich Māori culture. With 18 lakes, three rivers, towering forests and mountains, it’s also an adventure playground, popular for jet boating, kayaking, biking and hiking.

Must-see

Redwoods Treewalk

A 700-metre-long suspended walkway surrounded by ancient redwood trees. (Credit: Redwoods Treewalk / Tourism NZ)

Walk through towering 117-year-old redwoods at the Redwoods Treewalk, traversing 28 suspension bridges at 20 metres above the forest floor. At night, lanterns make this experience magical.

Whakarewarewa – The Living Māori Village

Rotorua is the centre of Māori culture. (Credit: Miles Holden / Tourism NZ)

Learn how generations of Māori people have used Rotorua’s natural geothermal wonders in their everyday life for cooking and bathing.

Wai-O-Tapu

Steaming craters were sculpted by thousands of years of geothermal activity. (Credit: Matt Crawford / Tourism NZ)

Explore Wai-O-Tapu, a geothermal park sculpted over thousands of years from volcanic activity, made up of geysers and mud pools.  

Accommodation tip: Pullman Rotorua Hotel

Days nine and ten: Taupō

Nature lovers will relish Taupō’s diverse landscape of ski fields and alpine deserts, ancient forests and gushing waterfalls and hot springs. Lake Taupo is great for sailing, water skiing and kayaking and this region provides the best trout fishing in New Zealand. Wander the town’s laneways to discover cool street art.

Must-see

Huka Falls

Huka Falls is renowned for its surreal, turquoise waters. (Credit: Getty/wallix)

Board a river cruise to experience the thundering Huka Falls up close, followed by a visit to the lookout and a stroll along the banks of the Waikato River.

Craters of the Moon

Craters of the Moon was created during the development of Wairakei Geothermal Power Station in the 1950s. (Credit: Getty/agcreations)

Stroll in safety along the boardwalks that open up the otherworldly geothermal landscape called Craters of the Moon in the Taupō Volcanic Zone.

Mine Bay rock carvings

Go kayaking past Māori rock carvings at Mine Bay. (Credit: Tourism NZ)

Kayak to the amazing 10-metre high Māori rock carvings at Mine Bay, on the western side of Lake Taupo. Boat trips also operate, but the best up-close viewing is from a kayak.

Accommodation tip: Whakaipo Lodge, Taupo

Day 10 and 11: Napier/Ahuriri and Hawke’s Bay

The Art Deco capital of New Zealand, Napier is an excellent base to explore the Hawke’s Bay wine region, best known for merlot cabernet blends, syrah and chardonnay. Take a self-guided walk through the town’s palm-lined streets, known for classic 1930s architecture, pop into boutique galleries and breathe in the sea air.

Must-see

Te Mata Park

Te Mata Peak is perched above the Heretaunga Plains. (Credit: Getty/Boyloso)

Visit Te Mata Park, home to The Sleeping Giant/Te Mata Peak. Walking and biking tracks lead to the mountain’s summit (399 metres) with views overlooking the bay from Mahia to Cape Kidnappers.

Food and wine trail

There are more than 200 vineyards in the region, as well as craft breweries and artisan producers.

Accommodation tip: Art Deco Masonic Hotel, Napier

Day 12: Whanganui

The city of Whanganui is nestled between its namesake river and the Tasman Sea. With a beautifully preserved streetscape of historic buildings dating back to Victorian times, the city’s architecture has gained it status as a UNESCO City of Design. Don’t miss the chance to get out on the Whanganui River, which now has – by law – personhood status, so important is it to the country.

Must-see

Bridge To Nowhere

Cycle your way through the Bridge To Nowhere. (Credit: Visit Ruapehu/Tourism NZ)

Take a jetboat or canoe to the iconic Bridge To Nowhere, which spans the Mangapurua Stream in Whanganui National Park. It is otherwise accessible only by mountain bike or hiking, but it is well worth the effort.

Cruise Waimarie

Take a cruise on the Waimarie, built in 1899 and still New Zealand’s only coal-fired paddle steamer, and enjoy the scenery of the Whanganui River.

Royal Whanganui Opera House

Catch a show at the historic Royal Whanganui Opera House, New Zealand’s last Victorian theatre.

Accommodation tip: Browns Boutique B&B, Whanganui

Days 13 and 14: Wellington/Te Whanganui-a-Tara and Martinborough

Walk everywhere in New Zealand’s cosmopolitan capital – it’s small enough to do so!  Wellington has an eclectic cultural scene, from quirky Cuba Street, known for its vintage stores, night markets, and vibrant LGBTQI+ community, to its many historic landmarks and museums, including the national museum, Te Papa Tongarewa.

Must-see

Wellington Cable Car

Ride a cable car for panoramic views of Wellington. (Credit: Graeme Murray / Tourism NZ)

Travellers of all ages have been enjoying New Zealand’s only funicular railway since 1902. At the top, Wellington Botanic Garden is 25 hectares of colourful floral displays with sweeping views of the city and harbour.

Harbourside Market

Visit Wellington’s oldest food market, Harbourside Market, every Sunday at the waterfront. Sample and buy everything from locally made manuka honey and ice cream to fairtrade coffee or vegan donuts, andgrab a bite at one of many food trucks.

Hire a bike or rickshaw

Enjoy uninterrupted vistas across the rolling hills and vineyards. (Credit: Getty/Stewart Watson)

Hire a bike to cycle the quiet country roads of Martinborough, just over an hour’s drive from the city. The quaint village of Martinborough is surrounded by more than 20 boutique vineyards and cellar doors.

Accommodation tip: Intercontinental Wellington