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Most UNIQUE Places On New Zealand's North Island 💫
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items Ready for the most unique trip around New Zealand's North Island? Here are our favourite destinations that will make your trip unforgettable
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Our complete North Island itinerary to the most unique places in New Zealand
20 Unusual Places To Visit On New Zealand's North Island
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The walk is a steady 30-40 minutes with a 179m elevation, it gets steep in places and there are quite a few steps but the views from the top are really something.
Hike Mount Paku
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Between August and March every year, the Muriwai cliffs become home to one of the largest gannet colonies in New Zealand. There’s a viewing platform that offers you an up-close and bird-friendly encounter for free – which is why we consider this a re...
See The Muriwai Gannet Colony
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If you have ever dreamed of bathing in Coca Cola, then your prayers have been answered. Take a trip to Lake Rotopokaka aka Coca Cola Lake.
Take A Dip In Coca Cola At Rotopokaka Lake
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New Zealand’s most easterly city, Gisborne, is the first city in the world to see the sunrise every morning during the summer months. It’s for that reason alone that it makes it to our list of unusual things to do on New Zealand’s North Island.
Be The First Person In The World To See Sunrise In Gisborne
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The only way to see glow worms in New Zealand by KAYAK! Such a unique thing to do
Join A Twilight Kayak Glow Worm Tour
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Waihi was voted New Zealand’s most beautiful town for 2019 and I can really see why. It’s seeped with a gold mining history that goes back over 3 centuries and has retained its heritage beauty.
Visit The Heart Of (Gold) New Zealand
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Want even more ideas for your New Zealand itinerary? Grab this 6 page check list!
Free 6 Page New Zealand Checklist
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A day trip to Kapiti Island is amazing thanks to the island being pest-free since 1996. This has allowed both the native bush and wildlife to flourish with the assistance of the DOC staff. With only 160 people allowed to visit Kapiti Island each day,...
Kapiti Island: Classic Guided Day Tour
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Visit these unique Moari rock carvings from the luxury of a boat cruise!
Take A Boat Cruise To The Maori Rock Carvings
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OR hop in a kayak and make a day of it! (click to read the full post on how to do this)
Spend The Day Kayaking To The Maori Rock Carvings
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New Zealand is teeming with unique landscapes that are forever changing, but none more so than the coastal cliffs of Mount Taranaki Region. These limestone formations are always being crafted into new shapes by the ever crashing waves. The most famou...
Snap A Photo Of Three Sisters and the Elephant Rock (now Horse Head Rock)
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I’m sure we’ve all basked on a perfect white sand beach, but have you topped up your tan on a black sand beach? The region is home to the darkest black sand beaches in the country.
Visit A Black Sand Beach
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Because it is about an hour’s thrilling plane ride in a small aircraft, or a four and a half to five-hour, often rocky, boat ride, Great Barrier Island is often perceived as a difficult place to get to, but it really is well worth the trip!
Visit Great Barrier Island & The Dark Sky Sanctuary
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Just a stone’s throw from Wellington, the first location you’ll hit on your way down Cape Palliser is the Putangirua Pinnacles, these are one of the lesser-known (and more out of the way) Lord of The Rings filming locations and they’re well worth a s...
Visit Middle Earth At Cape Palliser (Lord Of The Rings Location)
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One of the best things to do when the weather is fine in New Zealand is to get outdoors and Karangahake Gorge is a great place to do it. Especially if you are trying to keep costs down with free entertainment!
Explore Karangahake Gorge
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Kai Iwi Lakes are the only sand dune lakes in the country, and they are fed exclusively by rainwater. This makes them perfect for swimming and boating! Located approx. 45 mins from Dargaville on the road to Waipoua Forest, they’re a great place to st...
Go Boatin On Kai Iwi Lakes
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Take a short cruise out to a unique rock formation with a chance of seeing dolphins while you're there
Visit The Hole In The Rock At Paihia/Russell
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Go in search of wild dolphins around the scenic bay of islands with this half day cruise
Take A Wildlife Discovery Cruise Around The Bay of Islands
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The tree is estimated to be over 2,000 years old and is one of the largest and oldest trees in the world.
See New Zealand's Tallest Kauri Tree -Tane Mahuta
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The Tama Lakes track is just around the corner from the Tongariro Alpine Crossing and offers a fantastic alternative for those winter closures, or if you’re looking for a slightly less challenging walk.
Walk The Tama Lakes Track (A Tongariro Crossing Alternative)
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The famed Cape Reinga is the most Northerly point of New Zealand and the point where two oceans meet (the Tasman and the Pacific). This cool fact alone makes it well worth the visit in 2025, equally as interesting is the fact the Maori believe it is ...
Explore Cape Reinga
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Hamilton’s award-winning gardens are a local favourite but are still somewhat undiscovered by many visitors to New Zealand. Unlike traditional botanic gardens, the Hamilton Gardens have established a reputation for their elaborately themed gardens.
Wander Around Hamilton Gardens
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If it comes to volcanic landscapes, The Mt Tarawera near Rotorua is hands down one of the best alternatives to the overcrowded Tongariro Crossing. It’s a lot shorter than the crossing, only 4 km long, which makes it a great option for people who can’...
Join A Mt Tarawera Volcanic Guided Hike Experience