Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    From $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Lonely Planet New Zealand's North Island 6
    Lonely Planet New Zealand's North Island 6
    Lonely Planet New Zealand's North Island 6
    Ebook1,276 pages14 hours

    Lonely Planet New Zealand's North Island 6

    By Brett Atkinson

    3.5/5

    ()

    Read preview

    • Travel

    • New Zealand

    • Tourism

    • History

    • Culture

    • Road Trip

    • Cultural Exploration

    • Fish Out of Water

    • Self-Discovery

    • Discovery

    • Artistic Expression

    • Survival

    • Culture Clash

    • Lost World

    • Great Outdoors

    • Accommodation

    • Adventure

    • Food

    • Nature

    • Māori Culture

    About this ebook

    Lonely Planet’s New Zealand’s North Island is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Experience Pacific Island culture, black-water raft or explore trendy Wellington; all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of the North Island and begin your journey now!

     

    Inside Lonely Planet’s New Zealand’s North Island Travel Guide:

    Up-to-date information - all businesses were rechecked before publication to ensure they are still open after 2020’s COVID-19 outbreak

    NEW pull-out, passport-size 'Just Landed' card with wi-fi, ATM and transport info - all you need for a smooth journey from airport to hotel

    Improved planning tools for family travellers - where to go, how to save money, plus fun stuff just for kids

    What's New feature taps into cultural trends and helps you find fresh ideas and cool new areas our writers have uncovered

    NEW Accommodation feature gathers all the information you need to plan your accommodation

    Colour maps and images throughout

    Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests

    Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots

    Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices

    Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sightseeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss

    Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - history, people, music, landscapes, wildlife, cuisine, politics

    Over 75 maps 

    Covers Auckland, Bay of Islands & Northland, Coromandel Peninsula & the Waikato, Taranaki & Whanganui, Taupo & the Ruapehu Region, Rotorua & the Bay of Plenty, the East Coast, Wellington

     

    The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet’s New Zealand’s North Island, our most comprehensive guide to New Zealand’s North Island, is perfect for both exploring top sights and taking roads less travelled. 

     

    Looking for more extensive coverage? Check out Lonely Planet’s New Zealand for a comprehensive look at all the country has to offer.

     

    About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and phrasebooks for 120 languages, and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travellers. You'll also find our content online, and in mobile apps, videos, 14 languages, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more, enabling you to explore every day. 

     

    'Lonely Planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' – New York Times

     

    'Lonely Planet. It's on everyone's bookshelves; it's in every traveller's hands. It's on mobile phones. It's on the Internet. It's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' – Fairfax Media (Australia)

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherLonely Planet
    Release dateDec 1, 2021
    ISBN9781838692575
    Lonely Planet New Zealand's North Island 6
    Author

    Brett Atkinson

    Brett Atkinson vive en Auckland, Nueva Zelanda, pero vuelve frectuentemente a la carretera para Lonely Planet. Es un viajero a tiempo completo y escritor grastronómico, especializado en viajes de aventura, países desconocidos, y aspectos sorprendentes de destinos más famosos. La cerveza artesana y la comida callejera son las razones favoritas de Brett para explorar nuevos lugares, también aparece regularmente en la web de Lonely Planet y en periódicos, revistas y blogs de Nueva Zelanda y Australia. Desde que se convirtió en un autor de Lonely Planet en 2005 Brett ha cubierto áreas tan diversas como Vietnam, Sri Lanka, la República Checa, Nueva Zelanda, Marruecos, California y el Pacífico Sur, contribuyendo a guías Lonely Planet de Europa, África, Asia, EE UU y el Pacífico; como autor de gastronomía y viajes, ha escrito sobre más de 60 países. Para conocer sus últimas aventuras, véase www.brett-atkinson.net.

    Read more from Brett Atkinson

    Related to Lonely Planet New Zealand's North Island 6

    Related ebooks

    Australia & Oceania Travel For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • UNLIMITED

      6 Phuket, Thailand

      Dec 16, 2020

      6 Phuket, Thailand
      2 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      Top 10 regions

      Dec 3, 2019

      Top 10 regions
      8 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      Croatia Calling

      Mar 3, 2022

      Croatia Calling
      8 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      North To South

      Feb 1, 2022

      North To South
      25 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      Port Perfection

      Feb 5, 2024

      Port Perfection
      3 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      Southern Charms

      Aug 8, 2021

      NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE ON the Kiwi ‘mainland’ (aka the South Island), you’ll never be far from something breathtaking. Here we explore five must-visit destinations that show off Te Waipounamu at its striking best. With its Edwardian and Victorian ar

      3 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      North Island

      May 4, 2020

      SEVERAL New Zealand farmers have moved into the tourism industry by providing accommodation in private glamping sites. Richie Clark of Manutuke, near Gisborne, is one of those hospitable landowners, a member of the Canopy Camping Estates portfolio. C

      6 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      10 Seaside Sanctuaries for Water Babies

      Mar 9, 2020

      10 Seaside Sanctuaries for Water Babies
      4 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      Aotearoa New Zealand 101

      Mar 28, 2021

      Aotearoa New Zealand 101
      2 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      Rail Tales

      Sep 19, 2024

      Rail Tales
      2 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      East Coast Ramble

      Jul 3, 2024

      East Coast Ramble
      7 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      The Travel Edit

      Apr 30, 2020

      The Travel Edit
      2 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      Beaches And Islands

      Sep 12, 2018

      Beaches And Islands
      4 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      Life In The Outer Banks

      Jul 30, 2024

      Life In The Outer Banks
      5 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      Home Grown

      Jun 7, 2020

      Home Grown
      26 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      Happy Families

      Feb 1, 2022

      Happy Families
      8 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      MILES & SMILES

      Jul 13, 2023

      MILES & SMILES
      5 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      Delve Into Yorke Peninsula

      Nov 2, 2022

      Delve Into Yorke Peninsula
      2 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      Escape the cold TAKE A TRIP TO THE TROPICS

      Jul 9, 2023

      If you’re seeking fun for the whole family, this palm-fringed archipelago nestled in the South Pacific should be near the top of your list. Thrill-seekers will love Nadi’s exhilarating ziplines, while the magnificent waterfalls, caves and jade tropic

      2 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      Journey To The North

      Aug 26, 2024

      Journey To The North
      2 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      Papua New Guinea

      Oct 4, 2020

      Papua New Guinea
      6 min read

    • UNLIMITED

      Hidden Gems

      Jun 2, 2021

      Hidden Gems
      5 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for Lonely Planet New Zealand's North Island 6

    3.5/5

    2 ratings0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      Lonely Planet New Zealand's North Island 6 - Brett Atkinson

      Front CoverLonely Planet Logo

      New Zealand’s North Island (Te Ika-a-Māui)

      MapHow To Use This eBookFull Page SamplerbuttonCountry Map

      Contents

      Plan Your Trip

      Welcome to the North Island

      North Island’s Top 15

      Need to Know

      First Time

      What’s New

      Accommodation

      Getting Around

      If You Like

      Month by Month

      Itineraries

      Hiking

      Outdoor Activities

      Eat & Drink Like a Local

      Family Travel

      Regions at a Glance

      On The Road

      AUCKLAND REGION

      Auckland

      Sights

      Activities

      Tours

      Festivals & Events

      Sleeping

      Eating

      Drinking & Nightlife

      Entertainment

      Shopping

      Hauraki Gulf Islands

      Rangitoto & Motutapu Islands

      Waiheke Island

      Rotoroa Island

      Tiritiri Matangi Island

      Kawau Island

      Great Barrier Island

      West Auckland

      Titirangi

      Karekare

      Piha

      Te Henga (Bethells Beach)

      Kumeū Region

      Muriwai Beach

      Helensville

      North Auckland

      Shakespear Regional Park

      Orewa

      Puhoi

      Mahurangi & Scandrett Regional Parks

      Warkworth

      Matakana

      Leigh

      BAY OF ISLANDS & NORTHLAND

      Whangārei District

      Mangawhai

      Waipu, Langs Beach & Uretiti

      Whangārei

      Whangārei Heads

      Tutukaka Coast & the Poor Knights Islands

      Bay of Islands

      Russell

      Kawakawa

      Paihia

      Kerikeri

      The Far North

      Matauri & Tauranga Bays

      Whangaroa Harbour

      Mangonui & Doubtless Bay

      Karikari Peninsula

      Cape Reinga & Ninety Mile Beach

      Kaitāia

      Ahipara

      Hokianga

      Kohukohu

      Rawene

      Opononi & Omapere

      Kauri Coast

      Waipoua Forest

      Trounson Kauri Park

      Baylys Beach

      Dargaville

      Matakohe

      WAIKATO & THE COROMANDEL PENINSULA

      Waikato

      Hamilton

      Raglan

      South of Raglan

      Te Awamutu

      Cambridge

      Matamata

      Te Aroha

      King Country

      Kāwhia

      Ōtorohanga

      Waitomo Caves

      South from Waitomo to Taranaki

      Te Kuiti

      Pio Pio, Awakino & Mōkau

      Taumarunui

      Owhango

      Coromandel Peninsula

      Miranda

      Thames

      Coastal Route from Thames to Coromandel Town

      Coromandel Town

      Far North Coromandel

      Coromandel Town to Whitianga

      Whitianga

      Coroglen & Whenuakite

      Hahei

      Hot Water Beach

      Tairua & Pauanui

      Whangamatā

      Waihi & Waihi Beach

      Paeroa

      TARANAKI & WHANGANUI

      New Plymouth

      Around New Plymouth

      Mt Taranaki (Egmont National Park) & Around

      Surf Highway 45

      Whanganui

      Whanganui National Park

      Palmerston North

      Around Palmerston North

      TAUPō & THE RUAPEHU REGION

      Lake Taupō Region

      Taupō

      Tūrangi

      Ruapehu Region

      Tongariro National Park

      Whakapapa Village

      National Park Village

      Ōhakune

      Waiouru

      ROTORUA & THE BAY OF PLENTY

      Rotorua

      Sights

      Activities

      Tours

      Sleeping

      Eating

      Drinking & Nightlife

      Entertainment

      Shopping

      Rotorua Lakes

      Bay of Plenty

      Tauranga

      Mt Maunganui

      Papamoa

      Katikati

      Whakatāne

      Ōhope

      Ōpōtiki

      THE EAST COAST

      East Cape

      Pacific Coast Highway

      Gisborne

      South of Gisborne

      Te Urewera

      Hawke’s Bay

      Wairoa & Around

      Napier

      Hastings & Havelock North

      Cape Kidnappers

      Central Hawke’s Bay

      Kaweka & Ruahine Ranges

      WELLINGTON REGION

      Wellington

      Sights

      Activities

      Festivals & Events

      Sleeping

      Eating

      Drinking & Nightlife

      Entertainment

      Shopping

      Kāpiti Coast

      Paekākāriki

      Paraparaumu

      Waikanae

      The Wairarapa

      Martinborough

      Greytown

      Masterton & Around

      Understand

      Understand New Zealand

      History

      Environment

      Māori Culture

      The Arts

      SURVIVAL GUIDE

      Directory A–Z

      Accessible Travel

      Accommodation

      Climate

      Customs Regulations

      Discount Cards

      Electricity

      Food

      Health

      Insurance

      Internet Access

      Legal Matters

      LGBTQI+ Travellers

      Maps

      Money

      Opening Hours

      Public Holidays

      Safe Travel

      Telephone

      Time

      Toilets

      Tourist Information

      Visas

      Volunteering

      Women Travellers

      Work

      Transport

      GETTING THERE & AWAY

      Entering the Country

      Air

      Sea

      GETTING AROUND

      Air

      Bicycle

      Boat

      Bus

      Car & Motorcycle

      Hitching

      Local Transport

      Train

      Language

      Glossary

      Behind the Scenes

      Our Writers

      COVID-19

      The economic and social impacts of COVID-19 (coronavirus) will continue to be felt long after the virus has been contained. Many businesses, services and events referenced in this guide will have experienced restrictions leading to loss of customers, income and employees; some will unfortunately have closed their doors permanently. For updates and travel advice, see articles at lonelyplanet.com, in addition to government travel advisories.

      Welcome to the North Island

      With multicultural cities and immersion in Māori culture, plus islands, beaches, kauri forests and glowworm caves, you’re going to want to migrate once you’ve spent some time on the North Island.

      Geological Thrills

      Welcome to one of the planet’s youngest countries in geological terms. Ascend the volcanic cones surrounding Auckland for superb city views, before heading south to Rotorua for hot mud spa treatments and helicopter journeys to the jagged mountain summit of Mt Tarawera. Journey due south to Lake Taupo, the legacy of one of the planet’s biggest-ever volcanic eruptions, and now gateway to Tongariro National Park. Ski or snowboard on Mt Ruapehu’s precipitous slopes, or negotiate a steady path past Mt Ngauruhoe’s brooding cone on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.

      Māori Culture

      The influence of New Zealand’s indigenous culture is more keenly felt in Te Ika-a-Māui (the North Island), where Māori make up a much higher percentage of the population than in the south. Across the North Island you’re more likely to hear the Māori language being spoken, see main street marae (meeting houses), join in a hāngi (Māori earth-cooked feast), or catch a performance with traditional Māori songs, dancing and a blood-curdling haka (war dance). The North Island’s East Cape, Northland and Rotorua are all cultural hotspots.

      Outdoor Experiences

      The South Island usually steals the attention, but the North Island also features a sublime combination of forests, mountains and beaches – where the North has a clear lead, particularly in subtropical Northland and the Bay of Islands, the Coromandel Peninsula, plus the west coast, with its surf beaches. Tackle one of the Great Walks – one even offers a river journey by canoe – or spend a few hours wandering through the accessible wilderness of the Coromandel. Day trips from Auckland include kayaking to dormant volcanoes or canyoning and abseiling down forested waterfalls.

      Food, Wine & Beer

      The country’s food was once a bland echo of a British Sunday lunch, but these days NZ chefs dip into New World culinary oceans for inspiration, especially the Pacific with its abundant seafood and diverse cuisines. Don’t go home without trying Māori faves: paua (abalone), kina (sea urchin) and kumara (sweet potato). Thirsty? NZ’s cool-climate wineries have been collecting trophies for decades, and its vineyard restaurants are seriously good. A booming craft-beer scene also deserves scrutiny, and with a firmly entrenched coffee culture, you’re never far from a perfect brew.

      shutterstock_793552309-jpg

      Tongariro National Park | MARIDAV / SHUTTERSTOCK ©

      Why I Love the North Island

      By Brett Atkinson, Writer

      Born in Rotorua and now a proud resident of Auckland, I’ve been exploring the North Island with friends and family for most of my life. Favourite places include the bush, beaches and hidden coves of the Coromandel Peninsula, the wine and food scenes of Hawke’s Bay, and the rugged and remote volcanic landscapes of Tongariro National Park. For craft beer, coffee and culture, the national capital of Wellington is always appealing, and Auckland’s growing ethnic diversity and cosmopolitan vibe make me proud to live in NZ’s most exciting city.

      For more, see our writers

      brett-atkinson-2012-coljpg

      The North Island’s Top 15

      Coromandel Peninsula

      A beautiful finger of land that combines sweeping beaches, quirky coastal landscapes and rugged bush-clad mountains, the Coromandel Peninsula is the perfect escape from the energy of Auckland. The area’s hippie and alternative-lifestyle roots linger, with organic farms and various spiritual retreats. Well-marked and sometimes challenging trails criss-cross the peninsula’s mountainous spine. Other options for adventure include sea kayaking around Cathedral Cove (pictured), followed by a natural spa pool at nearby Hot Water Beach.

      shutterstockRF_163094303-jpg

      SHAUN JEFFERS / SHUTTERSTOCK ©

      Top Experiences

      Tongariro National Park

      At the centre of the North Island, Tongariro National Park presents an awe-inspiring landscape of alpine desert punctuated by three smouldering volcanoes. Often rated as one of the world’s best single-day wilderness walks, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing skirts the base of two mountains and provides views of craters, coloured lakes and the vast Central Plateau. The DOC has limited visitor numbers per day, so book early. And, there are numerous other options to explore this alien scene.

      GettyImages-486007313-jpg

      Mt Ngauruhoe and Red Crater | ANNA GORIN / GETTY IMAGES ©

      Top Experiences

      Hawke’s Bay Wine Country

      Wine has been crafted in the Hawke’s Bay region since 1851, with dozens of vineyards now joining famous longstanding local wineries such as Mission Estate and Church Road. The emphasis is on excellent Bordeaux-style reds and chardonnay, and many wineries also include excellent vineyard restaurants as well as estate tours. Farmers markets, craft breweries and other gourmet and artisan producers make this region a magnet for foodie travellers, and smart lodge and B&B accommodation caters to them while taking advantage of gorgeous rural and coastal locations.

      shutterstockRF_351986951-jpg

      JSVIDEOS / SHUTTERSTOCK ©

      Top Experiences

      Wellington

      One of the coolest little capitals in the world, windy Wellington is also synonymous with cinema, thanks to local boy Peter Jackson. Residents are also proud of its vibrant arts-and-music scene and special-events schedule (from Fringe to WOW); plus dining choices that range from innovative food trucks to high-end gastronomy. But for visitors to the capital, the proximity to mountain biking and walking trails, not to mention a glistening harbour front, scores just as highly. Don’t miss it.

      shutterstockRF_574922692-jpg

      ELENA YAKUSHEVA / SHUTTERSTOCK ©

      Top Experiences

      Hauraki Gulf

      A yachtie’s paradise, the island-studded Hauraki Gulf is Auckland’s aquatic playground, sheltering its harbour and east-coast bays, and providing ample excuse for the City of Sails’ pleasure fleet to breeze into action. Despite the busy maritime traffic, the gulf has its own resident pods of whales and dolphins. Rangitoto Island is an icon of the city: its near-perfect volcanic cone provides the backdrop for many a tourist snapshot. With beautiful beaches, acclaimed wineries and upmarket eateries, Waiheke is Auckland’s most popular island escape.

      GettyImages-606044262-jpg

      MARK MEREDITH / GETTY IMAGES ©

      Top Experiences

      Urban Auckland

      Held in the embrace of two harbours and built on the remnants of long-extinct volcanoes, Auckland isn’t your average metropolis. It’s regularly rated one of the world’s most liveable cities, and with some recent regeneration projects, its star is in the ascendant. Auckland is also blessed with good beaches, flanked by wine regions, and it has a large enough population to support a thriving dining, drinking and live-music scene. Cultural festivals are celebrated with gusto in this ethnically diverse city, which has the world’s largest Pacific Islander population.

      GettyImages-949572600-jpg

      Sky Tower. Architect: Craig Craig Moller Ltd | PHIL HABER PHOTOGRAPHY / GETTY IMAGES ©

      Top Experiences

      Waitomo Caves

      Waitomo is a must-see – an astonishing maze of subterranean caves, canyons and rivers perforating the northern King Country limestone. Black-water rafting is the big lure here (similar to white-water rafting, but through a dark cave), plus glowworm grottoes, underground abseiling, and more stalactites and stalagmites than you’ll ever see in one place again. Above ground, Waitomo township is a quaint village, but don’t linger in the sunlight – it’s party time downstairs.

      GettyImages-148601498-jpg

      OLIVER STREWE / GETTY IMAGES ©

      Top Experiences

      Geothermal Rotorua

      The first thing you’ll notice about Rotorua is the sulphuric smell – but volcanic by-products have been one of the main draws since tourism began here in the 1880s: gushing geysers, bubbling mud, boiling pools of mineral-rich water… The other key draw: the many cultural experiences, curated and run by local Māori where you can learn about Aotearoa from its First Nations. Expect everything here from hāngi and hot springs to mountain biking and luging in this tourism playground.

      shutterstockRF_117805183-jpg

      Champagne Pool, Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland | IAN WOOLCOCK / SHUTTERSTOCK ©

      Top Experiences

      Bay of Islands

      Turquoise waters lapping in pretty bays, dolphins frolicking at the bows of boats, pods of orcas gliding gracefully by – the chances are these are the kinds of images that drew you to New Zealand in the first place, and these are exactly the kinds of experiences that the Bay of Islands delivers in spades. There are myriad options to tempt you out on the water to explore the 150-odd islands that dot this beautiful bay. Landlubbers will relish the rich maritime history as successions of visitors arrived on these shores.

      GettyImages-956378758-jpg

      BY WILDESTANIMAL / GETTY IMAGES ©

      Top Experiences

      Māori Culture

      New Zealand’s Māori culture is both accessible and engaging: join in a haka (war dance); chow down at a traditional hāngi (Māori feast cooked in the ground); carve a pendant from bone or pounamu (jade); learn some te reo Māori; or check out an authentic cultural performance with song, dance, legends, arts and crafts. Big-city and regional museums around NZ are crammed with Māori artefacts and historical items, but this is truly a living culture: vibrant, potent and contemporary.

      GettyImages-82773708-jpg

      FRANS LEMMENS / GETTY IMAGES ©

      Top Experiences

      East Cape

      Get right off the beaten track in NZ’s easternmost region, a twisting and turning coastal procession of isolated bays and coves, many punctuated during summer with the crimson blooms of the pōhutukawa tree. Nowhere else in NZ is everyday Māori culture and society quite so evident, with quiet villages and marae (Māori meeting places) tucked into sleepy bays. Several East Cape tour operations are run by members of the local Ngāti Porou iwi, providing the opportunity for educational interaction with travellers.

      GettyImages-185426771-jpg

      PHOTOGRAPH BY MICHAEL SCHWAB / GETTY IMAGES ©

      Top Experiences

      Art Deco Napier

      Art Deco lovers add Napier to your NZ must-do list. Courtesy of a 1931 earthquake that pretty much levelled the place, the town was rebuilt from scratch in one style. Its handsome streets are dotted with splendidly preserved examples of the style with unique Kiwi motifs, now housing cool new restaurants, hotels, shops and galleries. Even better, book your trip for their February festival, featuring music, food, wine, vintage cars and costumes.

      Staff-ER_Art_Deco-jpg

      ELLEN RYAN / LONELY PLANET ©

      Top Experiences

      Whanganui National Park

      After frantic jetboating or river rafting in other parts of the North Island, slow right down with a canoe or kayak trip down the history-making Whanganui River in the gloriously isolated Whanganui National Park. Snaking 329km from its source on Mt Tongariro to the Tasman Sea, it’s the country’s longest navigable river, tracking carefully through brooding native bush scattered with the remains of historical villages and trading stops. If you’re more keen on a driving holiday, the spidery Whanganui River Rd is equally spectacular.

      GettyImages-148517285-jpg

      OLIVER STREWE / GETTY IMAGES ©

      Top Experiences

      Pacific Island Culture

      Welcome to ‘The Big Taro’, where around 195,000 residents of Polynesian descent make Auckland the capital of the South Pacific. The influence of Pacific Islanders from Samoa, the Cook Islands, Tonga, Niue, Fiji, Tokelau and Tuvalu is evident throughout the Auckland region. On the sports field, the city’s professional teams showcase the best of Polynesian power, especially the NZ Warriors rugby league team. Immerse yourself in Pacific Island culture at the weekly Otara Market, or time your visit for March’s annual Pasifika Festival.

      shutterstock_1313497544-jpg

      MICHAL TESAR / SHUTTERSTOCK ©

      Top Experiences

      Rugby

      Rugby union is NZ’s national game and governing preoccupation. If your timing’s good, you might catch the revered national team (and three-time world champions, most recently in 2015), the All Blacks, in action. The ‘ABs’ are resident gods: drop any of their names into a conversation and you’ll win friends for life. Visit the New Zealand Rugby Museum in Palmerston North, watch some kids running around a suburban field on a Saturday morning, or yell along with the locals in a small-town pub as the big men collide on the big screen.

      GettyImages-1156956282-jpg

      JUAN MABROMATA / GETTY IMAGES ©

      Need to Know

      For more information, see Survival Guide

      Currency

      New Zealand dollar ($)

      Languages

      English, Māori, NZ Sign Language

      Visas

      Visitors need an NZeTA (NZ$12 online). Also, tourists are expected to pay an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL; $35).

      Money

      Bank cards are used for most purchases, and are accepted in most hotels and restaurants. ATMs are widely available in cities and larger towns.

      Mobile Phones

      It’s simple to buy a local SIM card and prepaid account at outlets in airports and large towns (provided your mobile is unlocked).

      Time

      New Zealand time (GMT/UTC plus 12 hours)

      When to Go

      03-climate-nzn6

      High Season (Dec–Feb)

      A Summer: busy beaches, outdoor explorations, festivals and sporting events. December can be wet.

      A Auckland empties between Christmas and New Year.

      A High season in the ski towns is winter (June to August).

      Shoulder (Mar–Apr)

      A Prime travelling time: fine weather, short queues, kids in school and warm(ish) ocean.

      A Long evenings sipping Kiwi wines and craft beers.

      A Spring (September to November) is shoulder season too.

      Low Season (May–Aug)

      A Head for the slopes of Mt Ruapehu for some brilliant southern-hemisphere skiing.

      A No crowds, good accommodation deals and a seat in any restaurant.

      A Be warned: beach towns can be in hibernation

      Useful Websites

      The Spinoff (www.thespinoff.co.nz) Latest culture, arts and politics.

      100% Pure New Zealand (www.newzealand.com) Comprehensive government tourism site.

      Department of Conservation (www.doc.govt.nz) DOC parks, trail and camping info.

      Lonely Planet (www.lonelyplanet.com/new-zealand) Destination information, hotel bookings, traveller forum and more.

      Te Ara (www.teara.govt.nz) Online encyclopedia of NZ.

      Important Numbers

      Regular numbers have a two-digit area code followed by a seven-digit number. When dialling within a region, the area code is required.

      Exchange Rates

      For current exchange rates, see www.xe.com.

      Daily Costs

      Budget: Less than $150

      A Dorm beds or campsites: $25−45 per night

      A Main course in a budget eatery: less than $20

      A InterCity: 15 hours or five trips from $132

      Midrange: $150–250

      A Double room in a midrange hotel/motel: $130–200

      A Main course in a midrange restaurant: $20-35

      A Car rental: from $45 per day

      Top end: More than $250

      A Double room in an upmarket hotel: from $200-300

      A Three-course meal in a classy restaurant: $80+

      A Domestic flights from $100

      Opening Hours

      Opening hours vary seasonally depending on where you are. Most places close on Christmas Day and Good Friday.

      Banks 9am–4.30pm Monday to Friday, some also 9am–noon Saturday

      Cafes 7am or 8am–3pm or 4pm

      Post offices 8.30am–5pm Monday to Friday; larger branches also 9.30am–1pm Saturday

      Pubs and bars Noon–late (‘late’ varies by region, and by day)

      Restaurants Noon–2.30pm and 6pm–9pm

      Shops and businesses 9am–5.30pm Monday to Friday and 9am–noon or 5pm Saturday

      Supermarkets 7am–9pm

      Arriving in New Zealand’s North Island

      Auckland Airport Airbus Express buses run into the city every 10 to 30 minutes, 24 hours. Door-to-door shuttle buses run 24 hours (from $35). A taxi into the city costs $80 to $90 (45 minutes).

      Wellington Airport Airport Flyer buses ($9) run into the city every 10 to 20 minutes from around 7am to 9pm. Door-to-door shuttle buses run 24 hours. A taxi into the city costs around $30 (20 minutes).

      Safe Travel

      New Zealand is no more dangerous than other developed countries, but take normal safety precautions, especially after dark on city streets and in remote areas.

      A Kiwi roads are often made hazardous by map-distracted tourists, wide-cornering campervans and traffic-ignorant sheep.

      A Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles: theft is a problem, even in remote areas.

      A New Zealand’s climate is unpredictable: hypothermia is a risk in high-altitude areas.

      A At the beach, beware of rips and undertows, which can drag swimmers out to sea.

      For more practical information, see Directory

      First Time North Island

      For more information, see Survival Guide

      Checklist

      A Ensure your passport is valid for at least three months past your intended return date from New Zealand

      A Book rental cars, campervans and train tickets well in advance, particularly for travel during summer

      A Got travel insurance? Does it cover activities like bungy jumping?

      A Read up on NZ’s Māori culture; learn some phrases

      What to Pack

      A Sturdy walking shoes – visiting NZ without doing at least some hiking (tramping) is a crime!

      A Small day pack

      A NZ electrical adaptor

      A Sunglasses for bright southern days

      A Woolly hat for unexpectedly chilly evenings

      A Reusable water bottle

      A Earplugs for hostel dorms

      Top Tips for Your Trip

      A Allow more driving time than you think you need. Outside cities, roads are narrow, winding and slow with mountains and campervans to navigate. Don’t try to see the whole country in two weeks.

      A Booked activities/tours can be cancelled at the last minute due to weather. Build extra time into your itinerary in case your tour is bumped to the following day.

      A Don’t expect wi-fi to be free (or fast) outside cities. Where they do provide wi-fi, hotels and cafes may sometimes offer vouchers for a limited amount of data.

      What to Wear

      Given the locals’ propensity for the outdoorsy life, dress norms in NZ are generally fairly practical and versatile. Dress up for a night out on the town in major cities (don’t expect to get into a classy bar wearing shorts and flip-flops – or ‘jandals’ as the locals call them), but elsewhere the key to comfort is to layer up.

      The weather here can change in a blink, particularly around Fiordland and the West Coast of the South Island: you’ll be best equipped to adapt if you can quickly add or remove clothes to keep pace with the temperature.

      Sleeping

      The North Island is blessed with great accommodation at every budget level, including excellent holiday parks (fancy campsites with tent pitches, self-contained cabins, games rooms and often a swimming pool) and some exceptional hostels. As you’d expect, things are pricier in the big cities of Auckland and Wellington. Motels are the top sleeping choice for most Kiwi families, so you’ll find them liberally scattered around all of the main holiday destinations. Hotel accommodation is mainly limited to the bigger cities, with the best range in Auckland and Wellington.

      What to Take

      Add the following to your usual travel packing list: soft carry bags for grocery shopping (plastic bags are shunned in NZ already); a small day pack; a refillable water bottle; a bottle opener if you’re buying wines to picnic with; a small umbrella for sudden downpours in the tropical north; plus walking boots for spontaneous day walks. Even if you’re not planning an epic hike you’re likely to do day walks to break up the driving, sightseeing and fine dining.

      Bargaining

      Haggling and bargaining aren’t traditionally part of commercial culture in NZ. The only circumstances where you might have some luck are farmers markets at the end of the day or large private purchases (buying a local’s car for a knock-down price). Otherwise, the price is the price.

      Tipping

      Tipping is completely optional in NZ.

      Guides Your kayaking guide or tour-group leader would happily accept tips, and $10 is kind.

      Restaurants The total on your bill is all you need to pay. If you like, reward good service with 5% to 10%.

      Taxis If you round up your fare, don’t be surprised if the driver hands back your change.

      GettyImages-1132474864-jpg

      Tongariro Alpine Crossing | NAZAR_AB / GETTY IMAGES ©

      Etiquette

      New Zealanders are a laid-back, modest bunch as a whole – exercising the usual good manners will help endear you to the locals.

      Greetings Shake hands when meeting someone for the first time, and look people in the eye. Always say hello and shout a ‘thanks’ when getting on and off a bus.

      Māori customs Adhere to strict Māori protocols if visiting marae (meeting-house complexes). Otherwise, respectful behaviour goes a long way, as always.

      Invitations If you’re invited to dinner or a barbecue at someone’s house, bring some wine, beer, food or a bunch of flowers.

      Language

      English, te reo Māori and New Zealand Sign Language are NZ’s official languages. These days Māori words cross over into daily parlance: you’ll hear kia ora (hello) everywhere. Māori place names are now spelled correctly with macrons on most town signs. Online, www.maoridictionary.co.nz has a handy translator. The app Kupu (kupu.co.nz) teaches Māori nouns for everyday objects, and popular language app Duolingo plans to include a te reo Māori course for beginners in 2020. See Language for more information.

      What’s New

      Jacindamania continues to sweep the world, as the PM’s compassionate response to the Christchurch mosque attacks and White Island eruption in 2019 has fuelled her global popularity. From its green consciousness to the decolonising of statues in Gisborne, NZ is as progressive today as it was when it first gave women the vote over a century ago.

      Adventure Activities

      The sheer range of adventure activities in NZ keeps expanding, with a slew of exciting options. Stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) is trending all over the North Island, including cave SUPing in Rotorua. At Lake Taupō, the bungy jumping is from a clifftop platform; near Whangārei, Paihia and Rotorua, you can get in the saddle at MTB (mountain-bike) parks; and the Great Walks of New Zealand are now prebookable online.

      Hundertwasser Park

      The Austrian-born artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser moved to the Bay of Islands in 1975 and designed the world-famous Hundertwasser Toilets in Kawakawa, which officially opened in 1999, two months before his passing. Twenty years later, construction began on Hundertwasser Park: a community arts, culture and environment centre, and homage to the artist.

      Zip-Lining at Driving Creek Railway

      An 18-minute journey on this narrow-gauge mountain railway on the Coromandel takes you to a forest-covered hill and on to an exciting series of eight zip lines stretching for 705m amid the forest canopy. Short walks between the zip-line sections include commentary on Driving Creek’s native forest conservation (including kauri regeneration) programmes.

      LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

      WHAT’S HAPPENING IN NEW ZEALAND’S NORTH ISLAND

      Tasmin Waby, Lonely Planet writer

      New Zealand is going green with gusto. Everyone brings their own bags to the store (that’s a given in the North Island); solar panels are commonplace and sunshine is aplenty here; e-campervans can be rented, and electric recharge stations are popping up everywhere.

      Buzz concept ‘overtourism’ is nothing new in NZ, where tourists sometimes outnumber locals and visitor hotspots (made all the more famous by cinema screens and social media) can suffer from their popular appeal.

      To ensure the environment is kept clean, locals are kept on board with tourism, and wildlife is properly protected. The NZ government has been on the front foot with tourism dispersal to less busy (and therefore more Kiwi) spots strongly encouraged.

      Dispersal is the hot topic on a local front too, with the JAFAs (just another f-ing Aucklander) moving to regional centres where fibre broadband and better road connections are making commuting or remote working more manageable. The result? House prices are rising but wages are not (and we all know where that conversation leads…). Watch this space.

      Stargazing on Great Barrier Island

      Following its 2017 recognition as a Dark Sky Sanctuary, Great Barrier Island, 88km northeast of Auckland, now offers the opportunity for after-dark stargazing tours. Walking experiences combine local history (exploring a former whaling station), as well as dramatic scenery and dark-sky viewing.

      Cook’s Statue

      In Gisborne, to mark the 250th anniversary of Cook’s landing (1769–2019), the statue of ‘The Crook Cook’ by the port was given a facelift to incorporate the Māori perspective on his epochal arrival, upon which nine local men were murdered. The $5.3-million upgrade saw the addition of 112 huge steel tukutuku (weaving) panels symbolising the meeting of – and differences between – two cultures.

      Kiwi Camp

      New sites for ‘freedom campers’ are being developed by a group called Kiwi Camp (www.kiwicamp.nz), which provides basic pay-as-you-use facilities via an app and digital key fob. The company drops in a stand-alone container with showers, toilets and cooking hobs. Other benefits are proper rubbish and recycling facilities and parking. And with little staff or overheads, costs are low so travellers on a budget can afford to stay while ensuring their visit to New Zealand doesn’t negatively impact the natural environment, which has been one of the key concerns with freedom campers in NZ to date.

      He Ara Kotahi

      Meaning ‘a pathway that brings people together’, this 7.1km track in Palmerston North links farmland, forests, Māori pā (fortified hilltop villages) and the city itself. Open to pedestrians, dogs and cyclists, its centrepiece is the bridge over the Manawatu River.

      Tours

      New Zealand’s already ample suite of tours just keeps expanding with new operators and new ideas. Of particular note if you’re exploring the North Island: Waka Tours in Whitianga, integrating the history and culture of the local Ngāti Hei people; and the new zip-line tours at the Driving Creek Conservation Park and Waitomo Caves.

      LISTEN, WATCH & FOLLOW

      For inspiration and up-to-date news, visit www.lonelyplanet.com/new-zealand/articles.

      Undertheradar (www.undertheradar.co.nz) Music news, gigs and ticket sales.

      The Spinoff (www.thespinoff.co.nz) Culture and news.

      All Blacks (www.allblacks.com) Follow the nation’s unifying obsession.

      Noted (www.noted.co.nz) The Listener, Metro and North & South magazines, plus Radio NZ.

      FAST FACTS

      Food trend Plant-based eating

      Language Apps and emotikis in te reo Māori

      Number of venomous snakes Zero

      Population 4.69 million

      New-Zealand-North-Island-infographic-redjpg

      Off-Grid Brewery

      Aotea Brewing on Great Barrier Island is NZ’s first solar-powered off-grid craft brewery. Beers, including their Solar American Pale Ale, are brewed entirely off the grid in the compact on-site microbrewery. Takeaways are available in sustainable and recyclable bottles at Aotea’s rustic taproom, at The Rocks bottle shop in Claris and several other ‘refill stations’ around NZ.

      For more recommendations and reviews, see lonelyplanet.com/new-zealand

      Accommodation

      Find more accommodation reviews throughout the On the Road chapters

      Accommodation Types

      Motels and pubs Most towns have low-rise, midrange motels. Even small towns usually have a pub with rooms.

      B&Bs Bed and breakfast accommodation in New Zealand pops up in the middle of cities, in rural hamlets and on stretches of isolated coastline, with rooms offered in everything from suburban bungalows to stately manors.

      Holiday parks Ideal if you’re camping or touring in a campervan. Choose from unpowered tent sites, simple cabins and en-suite units.

      Hostels Backpacker hostels include beery, party-prone joints and family-friendly ‘flashpackers’.

      Pods Small private spaces from airport hotels to glass pods in the forest.

      Hotels From small-town pubs to slick global-chain operations – with commensurate prices.

      Lodges Luxurious in every sense, from the architecture to the locations, NZ has a stunning array of splash-out-worthy retreats.

      PRICE RANGES

      The following price ranges refer to a double room with bathroom during high season. Price ranges generally increase by 20% to 25% in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Here you can still find budget accommodation at up to $120 per double, but midrange stretches from $120 to $200, with top-end rooms more than $200.

      $ less than $120

      $$ $120–$200

      $$$ more than $200

      Best Places to Stay

      Best for Families

      Families are well catered for across NZ’s North Island mainly at motels and holiday parks, where kids are welcomed with open arms and there’s plenty of space, playgrounds and usually other children to befriend. The rare upmarket accommodation will be unsuitable for little ones, but will make it clear on their website or when attempting to book.

      A Hot Water Beach Top 10 Holiday Park , Hot Water Beach

      A Aroha Island , Kerikeri

      A Fossil Bay Lodge , Waiheke Island

      A Russell Top 10 , Russell

      Best on a Budget

      Beyond holiday parks and DOC campsites, which are your best bet for budget accommodation, there is a handful of hostels across the North Island that deliver the best budget experiences, so even if you’re not watching your bank account they’re worth a stay if you don’t mind a night or two without all the luxe trappings.

      A Ducks & Drakes , New Plymouth

      A Piha Beachstay – Jandal Palace , Piha

      A Tree House , Kohukohu

      A Wainui , Russell

      Best for Solo Travellers

      New Zealand is a great place to travel solo: no one will bat an eyelid if you check in on your own, and staff are usually friendly and up for a chat if you need it. The only problem is the cost of accommodation on your own, which is why these excellent hostels are a must visit on your travel itinerary.

      A Stranded in Paradise , Pacific Coast Hwy

      A Haka Lodge , Auckland

      A Karikari Lodge , Karikari Peninsula

      A Endless Summer , Ahipara

      Best Luxury Options

      New Zealand does uberluxury well with exclusive lodges and private resorts for travellers who catch helicopters like the rest of us get taxis. For more accessible luxury options, check out these excellent boutique hotel options across the North Island.

      A Ohtel , Wellington

      A King & Queen Hotel Suites , New Plymouth

      A XSPOT , Great Barrier Island

      Booking

      Local visitor information centres are generally excellent for accommodation in the area; many can also make bookings on your behalf.

      Lonely Planet (lonelyplanet.com/hotels) Find independent reviews, as well as recommendations on the best places to stay – and then book them online.

      Bach Care (www.bachcare.co.nz) Rental listings for apartments of all sizes, including many beachfront options.

      Book a Bach (www.bookabach.co.nz) Apartment and holiday-house bookings.

      Holiday Houses (www.holidayhouses.co.nz) Holiday-house rentals NZ-wide.

      New Zealand Bed & Breakfast (www.bnb.co.nz) Great for all sorts of B&Bs.

      Stay Native (https://explore.staynative.co.nz) Lists indigenous-run sustainable activities and hosts.

      GettyImages-641428408-jpg

      A bach | SIMONBRADFIELD / GETTY IMAGES ©

      The Kiwi Bach

      The basic Kiwi holiday home is called a ‘bach’ (short for ‘bachelor’, as they were historically used by single men as hunting and fishing hideouts); in Otago and Southland they’re known as ‘cribs’. These are simple self-contained cottages that can be rented in rural and coastal areas, often in isolated locations, and sometimes include surf, fishing or other outdoor gear hire in the cost. Prices are typically $150 to $250 per night, which isn’t bad for a whole house or self-contained bungalow. For more upmarket holiday houses, expect to pay anything from $250 to $500 per double.

      Getting Around

      For more information, see Transport

      Travelling by Car

      Nothing beats the freedom that travelling around the North Island by car provides. You’ll be able to access beautifully remote beaches and forest tracks that are impractical to reach otherwise. The roads are mostly excellent and the going is easy. That said, a surprising number of tourists come unstuck while driving in New Zealand.

      The major problems seem to be: drivers temporarily forgetting which side of the road they should be driving on (the left); fatigued drivers hiring cars after long flights and embarking on lengthy road journeys; and inexperienced drivers on winding country roads, particularly in mountainous terrain (more of a problem on the South Island than on the North). If you’re spotted driving erratically it’s not unknown for locals to confiscate your keys and call the police; generally the police will contact the hire company who will cancel your contract, potentially leaving you stranded. So, while driving in NZ isn’t especially difficult, if you’re inexperienced or your experience is limited to cities only, consider alternatives.

      New Zealanders may come across as friendly and polite, but many seem to save their rage for the roads. Driving in the bigger cities, in particular, can be stressful as Kiwi motorists are notoriously unaccommodating if you find you need to change lanes. Parking in the city centres is also expensive, and the roads get seriously jammed around rush hours in places like Auckland, Tauranga and Wellington.

      If you’re flying into Auckland or Wellington, especially on a long flight, we’d highly recommend that you give yourself a day or two to recover, and to see the sights (by public transport, taxi or Uber), before hiring a car.

      RESOURCES

      Automobile Association (www.aa.co.nz/travel) Emergency breakdown services, distance calculators, maps and accommodation guides. Has reciprocal arrangements with similar overseas organisations.

      NZ Transport Agency (www.nzta.govt.nz) Real-time traffic reports, journey planner, and information on walking, cycling and public transport. It also handles online payment for the toll roads heading north of Auckland and around Tauranga.

      Ngā Haerenga: The New Zealand Cycle Trail (www.nzcycletrail.com) Cycling information including suggested itineraries, track details, outlines of 22 ‘Great Rides’, and cycling events.

      Car Hire

      It’s easy to rent a car from any of the main centres, with the major international agencies having offices both at the airports and in the city centres. In most cases it’s cheaper to hire from a local agency, where the cars may be a little older or slightly battered.

      Driving Conditions

      All major routes are sealed and well maintained, but in more remote, off-the-beaten-track areas you may strike some unsealed roads.

      Famously, Northland has some beaches that are gazetted as roads, notably Ninety Mile Beach and Ripiro Ocean Beach. However, driving on the sands isn’t as easy as it looks, and vehicles regularly get stuck. Most rental insurance agreements won’t cover you if you do, so these routes are best avoided unless you’re travelling in a heavy-duty 4WD (a sedan equipped with a 4WD function won’t cut it).

      No Car?

      Bus

      Buses connect major towns; beyond that you’ll be relying on tours. Various tour companies offer guided coach trips to the main destinations. The larger cities have extensive local bus networks, but sometimes no service on Sundays.

      Air

      Aside from Auckland, the main air-travel hub, there are airports in the Bay of Islands (Kerikeri), Gisborne, Great Barrier Island, Hamilton, Kāpiti Coast, Napier, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Rotorua, Taupō, Tauranga, Wellington, Whakatāne, Whanganui and Whangārei. It’s often possible to pick up a cheap domestic fare with some advance planning.

      Train

      The North Island’s main trunk line from Auckland to Wellington is more of a scenic journey than an effective transport mode. Trains also connect Wellington to Palmerston North, the Kāpiti Coast and the Wairarapa.

      Bicycle

      While plenty of people do it, New Zealand isn’t the easiest country for cycling. Even on the North Island, the terrain is hilly and motor vehicles can be unforgiving and unaccommodating.

      DRIVING FAST FACTS

      A Drive on the left.

      A All vehicle occupants must wear a seat belt.

      A Minimum age for a full licence is 18 years.

      A Carry your licence at all times.

      A Maximum speed 100km/h on motorways, 50km/h in built-up areas.

      A Blood alcohol limit 50mg per 100ml (0.05%).

      distance-chart-new-zealand-north-island-4cjpg

      If You Like...

      Māori Culture

      Auckland A handful of excellent Māori tour operators showcase Auckland’s indigenous culture and history.

      Rotorua Engaging opportunities to learn first-hand with many operators, watch a performance and enjoy a hāngi (Māori earth-cooked feast).

      Footprints Waipoua Explore the staggeringly beautiful Waipoua Kauri Forest on Northland’s west coast with a Māori guide.

      Taiamai Tours Heritage Journeys Help paddle a waka (canoe) along the sleepy Waitangi River to Haruru Falls.

      East Cape Beautifully carved meeting houses can be spotted all the way along the coastal highway.

      Te Papa The national museum in Wellington has wonderful Māori displays and its own marae (meeting house).

      Foodie Experiences

      Auckland Top-notch restaurants and ethnic culinary enclaves make Auckland a global eating capital.

      Sky Waka Several dining options, all with first-class ingredients and stunning views from Mt Ruapehu.

      Wellington Fine-dining options plus coffee-serious cafes line this compact capital’s city streets.

      Hawke’s Bay Combine dining in outstanding vineyard restaurants with exploring farmers markets and roadside stalls.

      Māori Rotorua Tuck into a feast cooked in a hāngi on a Māori cultural tour.

      Tūrangi trout Feast on your own catch in the trout-fishing capital of the world.

      Wine Regions

      Martinborough A small-but-sweet wine region a day trip from Wellington; easy cycling and easy-drinking pinot noir.

      Hawke’s Bay One of New Zealand’s oldest and most established wine areas is still one of its best.

      Waiheke Island Auckland’s favourite weekend playground has a hot, dry microclimate: perfect for Bordeaux-style reds and rosés.

      Matakana Matakana combines an expanding boutique vineyard scene, brilliant beaches and a great weekly farmers market.

      Gisborne Chardonnay reigns supreme in the sunny farmland surrounding NZ’s most easterly city.

      West Auckland Sample the produce of the trailblazing Croatian families who kick-started NZ’s wine industry.

      GettyRF_476688387-jpg

      Waiheke Island | ROBIN BUSH / GETTY IMAGES ©

      Beaches

      Karekare A classic black-sand West Auckland beach with wild surf.

      Hahei The archetypal Coromandel beach, with fascinating Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach on its doorstep.

      Gisborne The East Coast city is spoiled for choice with Waikanae, Midway and surfy Wainui.

      Manu Bay New Zealand’s most famous surf break (seen Endless Summer?) peels ashore south of Raglan.

      Mangawhai Choose your mood: a terrific surf beach or the quiet waters of the estuary.

      Ōhope A long stretch of lovely sand and some hidden bays by the headland.

      Whakaipo Bay A pretty spot to test your mettle in the frigid waters of Lake Taupō.

      shutterstockRF_363275321-jpg

      Bungy jumping, Taupō | CHAMELEONSEYE / SHUTTERSTOCK ©

      Cities

      Auckland The City of Sails is infused with vibrant Pacific Islander culture and a world-class foodie scene.

      Wellington Cultural and creative capital, snugly surrounded by hillsides dotted with Victorian architecture.

      Hamilton New Zealand’s fourth-biggest city’s bar scene, restaurants, museum and Waikato River all deserve a look.

      New Plymouth Beyond New Plymouth’s laid-back provincial charm is a winning selection of cosmopolitan museums and cafes.

      Napier Art-deco and Spanish Mission architecture, complemented by new restaurants and a modern museum on the waterfront.

      Whangārei This subtropical city surrounded by epic walking tracks is an enclave for artists, sun lovers and escapees from Auckland.

      Extreme Activities

      SkyWalk, Sky Tower The adrenaline-pumping extreme scene permeates downtown Auckland.

      Waitomo black-water rafting Rampage along an underground river in a wetsuit and a helmet with a torch attached.

      Stand-up paddle boarding Glide Rotorua’s Lake Okareka and into some glowworm caves.

      Sandboarding Blast your way down the massive dunes of Ninety Mile Beach.

      Taupo Bungy Plummet towards the crystalline waters of the Waikato at one of NZ’s prettiest bungy sites.

      Festivals

      Pasifika Festival Every March, Auckland’s Western Springs is transformed into a slice of the tropical South Pacific.

      WOMAD World music permeates New Plymouth’s Bowl of Brooklands, one of NZ’s best outdoor concert venues.

      Whangamata Beach Hop This Coromandel surf town comes alive with music and classic car culture in March/April.

      New Zealand Festival Biennial festival of the arts, held in Wellington in February/March in even-numbered years.

      Highland Games Waipu’s Scottish community attacks any New Year’s Day hangovers with bagpipes and caber tossing.

      Auckland Folk Festival Family-friendly affair with traditional, Celtic, Americana and folk music, and camping.

      Galleries

      Auckland Art Gallery European works and a strong New Zealand collection, housed in an attractively renovated building.

      Govett-Brewster Art Gallery New Plymouth’s contemporary gallery has a striking metallic extension showcasing the work of Len Lye.

      City Gallery A wonderful Wellington showcase for contemporary art, often hosting major international exhibitions.

      Whangārei Art Museum An interesting permanent collection, serving the surprisingly artsy community of Northland’s main centre.

      Tauranga Art Gallery Historic and contemporary art housed in a converted bank building.

      Wallace Arts Centre There’s free entry to this gorgeous mansion containing a cutting-edge private art collection.

      History

      Waitangi Treaty Grounds Site of the first signing of the treaty between Māori chiefs and the British Crown.

      Te Papa Wellington’s vibrant treasure-trove museum, where history speaks, sparkles and shakes.

      Whanganui River Road Drive alongside the slow-curling river past Māori towns and the remnants of failed farms.

      Russell New Zealand’s rambunctious first capital is now a pretty harbourside village with historic sites aplenty.

      One Tree Hill The terraces of historic Māori fortifications are clearly visible on Auckland’s volcanic cones.

      Buried Village Explore the remains of Te Wairoa, a village destroyed by the 1886 Mt Tarawera eruption.

      Markets

      Otara Flea Market Multicultural Auckland’s best Saturday-morning market brims with buskers, crafts, fashion and food.

      Harbourside Market Wellington’s obligatory produce pit stop with lots of artisan gourmet treats and a superb location.

      La Cigale This French-influenced Auckland farmers market features an international array of stallholders.

      Gisborne Farmers Market Local producers sell everything from macadamia nuts to fresh fish.

      Museums

      Auckland Museum A neoclassical Greek temple-style building houses a superb collection of Māori and Pacific Islander artefacts.

      Te Papa The country’s biggest museum showcases the history, culture and geography of NZ.

      Kauri Museum Find out what the region looked like before logging came to town.

      Puke Ariki New Plymouth’s snazzy waterfront museum is sprinkled with Māori, colonial and wildlife exhibits.

      Te Kōngahu Museum of Waitangi Inside the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, this modern museum tells the story of the nation of NZ’s founding document.

      Waipu Museum Interactive displays and holograms are all about this small town’s Scottish heritage.

      Waikato Museum An excellent regional museum that’s especially strong on Māori history.

      Month by Month

      TOP EVENTS

      WOMAD, March

      World of WearableArt, September/October

      Pasifika Festival, March

      New Zealand Festival, February/March

      NZ Tattoo & Art Festival, November

      January

      New Zealand peels its eyes open after New Year’s Eve, gathers its wits and gets set for another year. Great weather, cricket season in full swing and happy holidays for the locals.

      3 Auckland Folk Festival

      Kumeū Showgrounds in West Auckland hosts this annual long-weekend festival of traditional, Celtic, Americana and folk music.

      z Festival of Lights

      New Plymouth’s Pukekura Park is regularly plastered with adjectives like ‘jewel’ and ‘gem’, but the gardens really sparkle during the seven-week Festival of Lights. Pathways glow and trees shine with thousands of lights, and there’s live music and family-friendly performances.

      February

      The sun is shining, kids are back at school and the ‘sauv blanc’ is chillin’ in the fridge: this is prime summer party time across NZ. Book your festival tickets (and beds) in advance.

      z Waitangi Day

      On 6 February 1840, the Treaty of Waitangi was signed between Māori and the British Crown. The day remains a public holiday across NZ, and in Waitangi itself (in the Bay of Islands) there are guided tours, concerts, market stalls and family entertainment.

      shutterstock_571226908-jpg

      Waitangi Day celebrations | URBAN NAPFLIN / SHUTTERSTOCK ©

      z New Zealand Festival

      This month-long spectacular happens in Wellington in February to March every even-numbered year, and is sure to spark your imagination. NZ’s cultural capital exudes artistic enthusiasm with theatre, dance, music and visual arts, and there are international acts aplenty.

      3 Fringe

      New Zealand Fringe is where the unusual, emerging and controversial acts come to play. We’re talking cabaret, comedy, spoken word...and pavement chalking.

      3 New Zealand International Sevens

      It’s not rugby season, but late January sees the world’s seven-a-side rugby teams crack heads in Hamilton as part of the NZ Rugby Sevens World Series: everyone from stalwarts Australia, NZ and South Africa to newcomers like Kenya and Canada.

      z Art-Deco Weekend

      In the third week of February, Napier, levelled by an earthquake in 1931 and rebuilt in high art-deco style, celebrates its architectural heritage with this high-steppin’ fiesta, featuring music, food, wine, vintage cars and costumes over a long weekend in February.

      March

      March brings a hint of autumn, with harvest time in the vineyards and orchards, and long, dusky evenings with plenty of festivals plumping out the calendar. Locals unwind following peak visitor season.

      z Te Matatini National Kapa Haka Festival

      This spine-tingling haka competition (www.tematatini.co.nz) happens in early March/late February in odd-numbered years: with much gesticulation, eye-bulging and tongue extension. But it’s not just the haka: expect traditional Māori song, dance, storytelling and other performing arts. Host cities vary.

      z WOMAD

      Local and international music, arts and dance performances fill New Plymouth’s Bowl of Brooklands to overflowing at WOMAD. An evolution of the original world-music festival dreamed up by rock and art aficionados including Peter Gabriel, who launched the inaugural UK concert in 1982. Perfect for families.

      z Pasifika Festival

      With around 140,000 Māori and notable communities of Tongans, Samoans, Cook Islanders, Niueans and Fijians, Auckland has the largest Pacific Islander community in the world. These vibrant island cultures come together at this annual fiesta in Western Springs Park.

      April

      April is when canny travellers hit NZ: the ocean is still swimmable and the weather still mild, with nary a queue in sight (except Easter, when locals holiday everywhere).

      z National Jazz Festival

      Every Easter, Tauranga hosts the longest-running jazz fest (www.jazz.org.nz) in the southern hemisphere. There’s a New Orleans–style village, big band, and Māori jazz plus plenty of fine NZ food and wine to accompany the finger-snappin’ za-bah-de-dah sonics.

      May

      The nostalgia of autumn runs deep: party nights are long gone and another chilly Kiwi winter beckons. Thank goodness for the Comedy Festival! Farmers markets overflow with good-value organic produce.

      3 New Zealand International Comedy Festival

      Three-week laugh-fest in May, with venues across Auckland, Wellington and various regional centres. International gag-merchants line up next to home-grown talent.

      June

      It’s the beginning of the ski season, so time to head to Mt Ruapehu. For everyone else, head north: the Bay of Plenty is always sunny, and is it just us or is Northland underrated?

      z Matariki

      Māori New Year is heralded by the rise of Matariki (aka the Pleiades star cluster) in May and the sighting of the new moon in June. Remembrance, education, music, film, community days and tree planting take place, mainly around Auckland, Wellington and Northland.

      July

      Wellington’s good citizens clutch collars, shiver and hang out in bookshops and cafes. The All Blacks kick off the international rugby season, so find a pub and get cheering. Yes, even you Aussies.

      3 NZ International Film Festival

      A touring film festival (www.nzff.co.nz) of local and international gems that hits Wellington, Auckland, Dunedin and Christchurch, and then a host of regional towns brimming with film buffs. Check the website for places and dates.

      2 Russell Birdman

      Birdman rallies are so ’80s, but that’s part of the attraction, no? This one in Russell (www.russellbirdman.co.nz) features a cast of costumed contenders propelling themselves off a jetty in pursuit of weightlessness. Discos, cake-decoration and spaghetti-eating contests for kids round out a satisfying, family-friendly community event.

      August

      Land a good deal on accommodation pretty much anywhere except around Mt Ruapehu’s ski scene. Winter is almost spent, but there’s still not much happening outside. Music, great pubs and art are your saviours.

      z Jazz & Blues Festival

      You might think that the Bay of Islands is all about sunning yourself on a yacht while dolphins splash you with saltwater. But in winter, this jazzy three-day festival (www.jazz-blues.co.nz) provides a toe-tapping alternative, showcasing over 45 acts from around NZ.

      6 Beervana

      Attain beery nirvana at this annual craft-beef guzzle fest in Wellington (it’s freezing outside – what else is there to do?). But seriously, the NZ craft-beer scene is booming – here’s your chance to sample the best of it. Not loving beer is heresy, but yes, it also has cider and wine.

      September

      Spring has sprung! The amazing and surprising World of WearableArt Award Show is always a hit. And when is Canterbury going to claw back its reputation at the annual ITM rugby cup final?

      z World of WearableArt

      A bizarre (in the best possible way) two-week Wellington event featuring amazing hand-crafted garments. Entries from the show are displayed at the World of WearableArt & Classic Cars Museum in Nelson after the event (Cadillacs and corset-ry?). Sometimes spills over into October.

      October

      This postrugby and precricket season leaves sports fans twiddling their thumbs. Time to head east to Gisborne? October is shoulder season, with reasonable accommodation rates, minimal crowds and no competition for the best campsites.

      6 First Light Wine & Food Festival

      Around Labour Weekend – in the second half of the month – Gisborne’s proud winemakers pair with local foodies and artisan producers to showcase the region’s tasty goodies. There’s lots of great music too.

      November

      Across Northland, the Coromandel Peninsula, the Bay of Plenty and the East Coast, NZ’s iconic pohutukawa trees start to bloom, the weather picks up and the tourists arrive. Lock in your trail bookings early, hikers.

      z NZ Tattoo & Art Festival

      Australasia’s biggest tattoo culture festival (www.nztattooart.com) attracts artists and fans to New Plymouth every November. Enquire ahead if you’re hoping to get inked by one of the many internationally regarded tattooists in attendance.

      6 Toast Martinborough

      Bound for a day of boozy indulgence, wine-swilling Wellingtonians head over Rimutaka Hill and roll into upmarket Martinborough. The Wairarapa region produces some seriously good pinot noir, and it’s perhaps every wine lover’s duty to sample some.

      2 Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge

      Feeling fit? Try cycling 160km around Lake Taupō in NZ’s largest cycling event. Held on the last Saturday in November for more than 40 years, the Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge (www.cyclechallenge.com) is fun to watch too.

      December

      Summertime! The crack of leather on willow resounds across the nation’s cricket pitches, and office workers surge towards the finish line. Everyone gears up for Christmas, and shopping centres and city bars are packed out.

      z Rhythm & Vines

      Wine, music and song (all the good things) in sunny Gisborne over New Year’s Eve. DJs, hip-hop acts, bands and singer-songwriters compete for your attention at Rhythm & Vines (www.rhythmandvines.co.nz). Or maybe you’d rather see the year out under the stars on the beach.

      Itineraries

      A Grand Circuit

      10-grand-circuit-itin-nzn6jpg

      2 WEEKS

      Tracing a broad circuit around most of the North Island, this is an ideal route for travellers with time on their hands. Kick off by exploring bustling Auckland before heading to the Coromandel Peninsula, via Thames and Coromandel Town, to the legendary Hahei. Spend a day kayaking, visiting Cathedral Cove and digging a natural spa pool at nearby Hot Water Beach.

      Continue south to Rotorua, the most dramatic of NZ’s geothermal hotspots. Stop for the night at laid-back Whakatāne before taking the winding coastal road right around isolated East Cape to beachy Gisborne. At Napier, pause to admire the art-deco architecture and acclaimed Hawke’s Bay wineries. More wine awaits in Martinborough, which is a short hop from the nation’s vibrant capital, Wellington.

      After two nights, head north and then branch out west towards Whanganui and New Plymouth, a charming regional city with a brilliant art gallery, in the shadow of majestic Mt Taranaki. As you near the end of your North Island odyssey returning to Auckland, take comfort that you’ve saved some highlights till last: the glowworm-lit magnificence of the Waitomo Caves and the chilled-out little surf town of Raglan.

      Itineraries

      Auckland & the North

      10-auckland-north-itin-nzn6jpg

      10 DAYS

      If you’re travelling in summer and fancy an unhurried seaside holiday, this itinerary is for you.

      First spend three days in Auckland, exploring its volcanoes, beaches, bars and eate-ries, and taking day trips to Waiheke Island, Great Barrier Island and the west-coast beaches near Piha. Next hit the highway and head north to Mangawhai or sleepy Tutukaka for surf beaches and underwater exploration around the Poor Knights Islands, where you can dive the wreck of the Greenpeace-owned Rainbow Warrior.

      Now continue on to the postcard-perfect Bay of Islands for a dose of Māori and colonial history at Waitangi Treaty Grounds and the Kerikeri Mission Station, plus the timeless charm of pretty coves, tiny towns and coastal scenery. Stay for at least two nights in the region and spend at least one day cruising between the islands on the myriad boat tours available.

      Heading further north drop by Doubtless Bay for another lazy beach day and to feast on fish and chips on the wharf at historic Mangonui, along with the tour buses that stop here on a day trip to the tip of the North Island. The following morning, take a long, leisurely drive up to Cape Reinga at the very tip of the country – the most sacred site in traditional Māori spirituality. If time allows, detour to the giant sand dunes at Te Paki and then stick around to watch the sun set over the ocean before returning to your accommodation at night. This is remote country, so make sure you stock up on food and fuel before departing for the tip.

      Venture south, skirting the windswept expanses of Ninety Mile Beach, before hitting the hippie surfer enclave at Ahipara. Continue south via the Hokianga Harbour and stop for the night at Opononi overlooking the wild west coastline. Allow yourself time to pay homage to the majestic kauri trees of the Waipoua Forest before commencing the long, scenic drive back to Auckland via the excellent museums and food producers around Dargaville.

      Itineraries

      Central Highlights

      10-central-highlights-itin-nzn6jpg

      1 WEEK

      This itinerary offers a short, sharp blast down the middle of the island, taking in NZ’s two main cities and other highlights along the way.

      After a couple of days in energetic and cosmopolitan Auckland, soaking up the vibrant food and bar scene and viewing national treasures at the Auckland Museum, start the slow drive south, dropping in to briefly explore Hamilton and its classic cars, genteel Cambridge, and Hobbiton at Matamata en route to adventure capital Rotorua.

      At this destination the classic combo of bubbling thermal activity and vibrant Māori culture awaits, and you can ease any travel aches with a lengthy soak in a hot spring or unleash any pent-up energy zip lining, mountain biking or stand-up paddle boarding to name a few options here.

      Next continue south to Taupō for jetboating thrills or the more relaxed appeal of trout fishing in its well-stocked lake. If you’re feeling brave, bungy jump above the Waikato River.

      Follow the coves of Lake Taupō’s picturesque eastern shore to Tongariro National Park, where there’s good winter skiing, and the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, judged one of the world’s best one-day walks. If walking doesn’t appeal, you can dine at New Zealand’s highest restaurant at Knoll Ridge Chalet.

      History enthusiasts will love the National Army Museum at Waiouru, or stop at the beach in Paekākāriki for a 10km coastal walk with epic views, before pushing on to Wellington. The nation’s cute little capital has more than enough museums, galleries, bars and cafes to amuse you for a couple of days, and a good bar and live-music scene to blast away the cobwebs at night.

      10-otbt-nzn6jpg

      Plan Your Trip

      Hiking in the North Island

      Hiking (aka trekking, bushwalking, or ‘tramping’ as Kiwis call it) is the perfect

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1