North Island highlights

Northland

The suggestions here include both Northland, and heading closer to Auckland.

• Cape Reinga tour
• Waitangi Treaty Grounds (Māori culture) [Treaty Grounds only or combo – promo code NZTT]
• Bay of Islands boat trips
• Ferry over to Russell
• Fish at chips at Mangonui Fish Shop
• Dukes Nose (Kaiaraara Rocks) Track
• Poor Knights Islands (snorkelling and diving)
• Mangawhai Cliffs Walkway
• Goat Island Marine Reserve
• Tāwharanui Peninsula (great birdlife and swimming beach)
• Matakana Village Farmers’ Market (on Saturdays) and sculpture gardens.

>>> Save money with our Bay of Islands deals.

>>> Read our Northland blog posts.

Auckland

• Skytower
• Auckland War Memorial Museum
• Wētā Workshop Unleashed
• SEALIFE Kelly Tarltons Aquarium [promo code NZTT5]
• Day trip on a ferry to an island in the Hauraki Gulf: Waiheke (join a tour, if you like), Rangitoto or Tiritiri Matangi
• Tour the beaches of the west coast – Piha or Muriwai – and walk the Waitakere Ranges.
• Base yourself off-the-beaten-track on Aotea Great Barrier Island.

>>> Save money with our Auckland and Aotea Great Barrier Island discounts.

>>> Read our Auckland blog posts.

Waikato

• Hamilton Gardens
• Putaruru Blue Springs (use the Leslie Road car park)
• Visit Tirau to see its quirky buildings
• Hobbiton
• Raglan – surfing, and visit the Bridal Veil Falls on the way in
• Waitomo glow worm caves.

>>> Save money with our Hamilton, Raglan, Waitomo and Hobbiton discounts.

>>> Read our Waikato blog posts.

Coromandel

• Cathedral Cove
• Hot Water Beach
• New Chums Beach
• Driving Creek Railway
• Karangahake Gorge & Windows Walk.

>>> Save money with our Coromandel discounts.

>>> Read our Coromandel blog posts.

Taupō & Tongariro National Park

• Huka Falls
• Aratiatia Dam release
• Lake Taupō (the largest in New Zealand) – see the Māori carvings
• Jet boating – Huka Falls Jet or Rapids Jet
• Orakei Korako geothermal park
• Hot pools – DeBretts or Wairakei Terraces
• Bungy jump [promo code NZTT5]
• Tramping/hiking at Tongariro National Park (including Tongariro Alpine Crossing, Gollum’s Pool and Taranaki Falls)
• Drive SH1 (Desert Road)

>>> Save money with our Taupō/National Park discounts.

>>> Read our Taupō/National Park blog posts.

Bay of Plenty

Tauranga/Mount Maunganui

• Climb Mount Maunganui (“The Mount”)
• Swim at the beach or in the hot pools

>>> Save money with our Tauranga/Mount Maunganui discounts.

>>> Read our Tauranga/Mt Maunganui blog posts.

Rotorua

• Geothermal parks
• Māori cultural experiences
• Raft the Kaituna River (the world’s highest commercially rafted waterfall)
• Hot pools
• Ziplining with Rotorua Canopy Tours or Rotorua Ziplines
• Mountain biking
• Skyline luge and gondola [promo code NZTT].

>>> Save money with our Rotorua discounts.

>>> Read our Rotorua blog posts.

Gisborne

• Rere Rockslide
• Rere Falls
• Dive Tatapouri: Reef ecology tour (stingray experience)
• Eastwoodhill National Arboretum of NZ

>>> Read our Gisborne blog posts.

Hawke’s Bay (Napier/Hastings)

• Wine tastings
• Art deco buildings in Napier
• National Aquarium of New Zealand
• Gannet tour at Cape Kidnappers

>> Save money with our Hawke’s Bay discounts.

>>> Read our Hawkes’s Bay blog posts.

Taranaki (including New Plymouth)

• Three Sisters and Elephant Rock
• Te Rewa Rewa Bridge
• Pouakai Tarns (via Mangorei Track and Pouakai Hut)
• Tawhiti Museum
• Forgotten World Adventures
• Whangamomona Pub
• Whanganui River Journey

>> Save money with our Taranaki discounts.

>>> Read our Taranaki blog posts.

Wellington

• Red cable car
• Te Papa (our national museum) [international visitor tickets – promo code NZTT]
• Wētā Workshop
• Zealandia wildlife sanctuary [promo code NZTT5]
• Paekākāriki Escarpment Track

>> Save money with our Wellington discounts.

>>> Read our Wellington blog posts.