North Island Travelers Recommend

Auckland is New Zealand's largest city, set between two harbors of staggering beauty. Whether your passion is America's Cup sailing or relaxed harbor cruises, exploring the wilderness or shopping, dining and culture, Auckland offers an amazing range of things to see and do. Day 1: Auckland OrientationDiscover the vibrant city of Auckland on the hop-on-hop-off bus, or get to know this lovely city on the Auckland Great Day Out. Day 2: Auckland Outdoors and AdrenalineGo straight to the top with the Auckland Harbour bridge climb - the 360-degree views of the city are magnificent. If you need more of a thrill, take the plunge on a breathtaking harbor bridge bungy jump, or join the crew on an actual America's Cup yacht, trying your hand at America's Cup style match racing. Day 3: Auckland Day TripsGorgeous islands, hot bubbling mud, glow-worm caves, historic sites and fresh snowfields - there's plenty to enjoy on a day trip from Auckland.

At the northernmost tip of New Zealand is one of the country's best kept secrets: the picturesque Bay of Islands. This is where the locals come for holidays - there is something for whatever strikes your fancy: sailing, fishing, snorkeling, horse-riding, hiking, kayaking, Excitor boat riding, swimming with dolphins, discovering history or just laying in the sunshine under one of the world's bluest skies. You'll want to get your bearings and maybe have a closer look at all those beckoning islands. Since the 1920s a small boat has made its ways around the islands to collect milk and cream from the dairy farms and deliver mail; you can take this 'Cream Trip,' although on a more luxurious vessel than the original small boat. Or you can gaze at the islands from afar, walking along the pristine, sandy beaches of the mainland.

Rotorua has something for everyone, from geothermal activity and luxurious mud baths to Maori cultural experiences and adrenaline rushes. Experience the scenic beauty, history and culture of Rotorua, viewing geysers and boiling mud pools at Te Puia and Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve and see traditional arts and culture at the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute. Maori culture is a major attraction in Rotorua with cultural performances including a greeting ceremony, traditional dances, singing and hakas, combined with a hangi. Rotorua is best known for its thermal activity. Head to Kuirau Park in the city center to glimpse steamy bubbling pools, visit Whakerewarewa for expansive mud pools and gushing geysers or relax in one of the many thermal spas. Ready for more adventures? Go white-water rafting on the Kaituna River or take the easier Rangitaiki River, try skydiving into a paddock, a 4WD bush safari, or the short and steep 10-minute thrill ride.

Rotorua and the sacred waters of the Bay of Plenty lie just 230km (140 miles) southeast of Auckland in New Zealand’s North Island. This famously lively geothermal hot spot abounds with spurting geysers, steaming hot springs and bubbling mud pools. It’s been a sacred place for the Maori for centuries, and today it’s one of the best spots in the country to catch a Maori cultural performance and join in a traditional hangi feast. Rotorua boasts some glorious colonial architecture, classic botanic gardens and paddle-steamer cruises on the lake. You can also join in some of New Zealand’s wackier adrenaline sports here, like zorbing downhill in a translucent sphere, surfing artificial reefs, whitewater rafting and sledging, and mountain biking through forests of redwoods.