Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
Things to do in New Zealand's North Island (from a local)
41
items As a New Zealander, I've spent my whole life exploring up and down our beautiful country. I've lived on both and North and the South Islands for many years, and when I was living on one, I visited the other every single year. While there's so much to...
Sections
7
Bay of Islands
Auckland Region
Bay of Plenty
Waikato
Taranaki
Wellington Region
Bay of Islands
A few things to check out in the Bay of Islands.
Delicious chocolate! If you're heading to Kerikeri, make a stop in here, too!
Makana Confections
Don’t go chasing waterfalls. Unless they’re Haruru Falls, Paihia. You can chase those ones. In Te Reo Māori, ‘haruru’ means “big noise,” which totally fits because when it rains, this place gets loud with all the water gushing everywhere. Picture a roaring torrent of water tumbling over the horseshoe-shaped falls. Defienitely worth pausing ...
Haruru Falls, Paihia
If you're ready to go Skydiving in New Zealand, then why not jump out of a plane over stunning scenery in the Bay of Islands? Check our experience here on the blog.
Skydiving in the Bay of Islands
Auckland Region
These are things from the Auckland Region, but check out my other list of Just Auckland based things to do!
I love a sculpture trail. We’ve done a few in our time living in Auckland, so this is one I’ve always wanted to go to the Sculptureum. Sculptureum, just north of Auckland in Matakana, is a sculpture and art park, featuring huge sculptures outside in ...
Taking a Trip to the Sculptureum, Auckland
There’s nothing quite like exploring a market with your friends, especially if that market involves brunch. Matakana Markets are a brilliant Saturday morning out, and not too far from Auckland, either.
Matakana Markets
Kawau Island is a stunning spot out in the Hauraki Gulf, just north of Auckland, and only takes about 1.5 hours to get to, via drive and ferry. As part of our 20-year friendship anniversary, my friend and I headed north on a mini road trip, boarded t...here on my blog.
Kawau Island
Gibbs Farm is a multitude of hectares up on the southeastern edges of Northland’s Kaipara Harbour, and stationed around the massive property are sculptures that seem to defy physics, perspective, and generally everything you know. The farm is an oper...
Gibbs Farm
Brick Bay is a brilliant combination of cafe/restaurant, winery, and sculpture trail. It makes for a really fun day out, and you can check out the time we spent there here on my blog.
Brick Bay Sculpture Trail And Winery
“From August to March each year,” like the website so kindly states, “you can watch the comings and goings of a busy gannet colony. It’s hugely entertaining.” It’s about an hours drive from Auckland, and while it stinks like bird poo it really is a g...
Muriwai Gannet Colony
Puhoi is a tiny wee town on the main route north from Auckland in New Zealand, and if you have a morning or afternoon, it's well worth stopping. There's a little shop and a cafe, and nice places to sit.
Take A Half-Day Trip to Puhoi
You can take a rid into the Waitematā Harbour in Auckland on the famous Ted Ashby ship. You can see more about the experience here on my blog.
Ted Ashby Ship Experience
If you're visiting Auckland, chances are you'll find yourself in the domain (where the Museum is!). Take a half hour and head to the Winter Gardens to check out some of the beautiful flora and fauna.
Auckland Domain Wintergardens
While the gardens are a little out of the way, they're still worth the visit in Auckland. You can see my blog post with some more thoughts and photos here.
Auckland Botanic Gardens
If you've been to other zoos around the world, then Auckland Zoo isn't anything super special. BUT it does have some really cool New Zealand birds, and you might even catch a glimpse of the kiwi!
Auckland Zoo
My friend's work did a winery tour on Waiheke and I was invited! I think we visited about 4 wineries and got to taste while we were at each one. A really fun day out!
Waiheke Wine and Dine Tour
My friend told us about this orchard which is in the middle of nowhere, out near Auckland Airport near the beach, and you can go and pick avocados! We are big lovers of avocados in our house, so this was the best news ever. You can learn more at the ...
The Secret Avocado Orchard In Auckland
There are only two major remnants of Auckland’s volcanic stonefields, and one is the Ōtuataua Stonefields site. You can learn more about it at the link, or check out my blog post all about it here on This Splendid Shambles.
Otuataua Stonefields Reserve
Bay of Plenty
Some things to do in the Bay of Plenty, in New Zealand.
If you're visiting Rotorua, then Eat Streat is probably already on your list. But it's a great stretch of restaurants and eateries right on the lake front.
Eat Streat in Rotorua
Beautiful park in the heart of Rotorua, where you can see hot pools for free.
Kuirau Park
This is SUCH a cool tree walk! If you have the opportunity, go during the day and then head back there during the evening. It's even more fun at night!
Redwoods Treewalk
This is about 30mins drive from Rotorua, where there are some really great (and free!) mud pools.
Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland
STUNNING Blue and Green lakes near Rotorua. There are two lakes, one which appears really blue, the other really green (hence the names!).
Blue And Green Lakes Rotorua
Waikato
Things to do in the Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island
There’s something about a lavender farm that just brings joy. I know you know what I mean. And I have to say, there was a lot of joy when we visited the lavender farm in Hamilton.
Visit the Lavender Farm in Hamilton
After driving past the Taupiri Sunflower Farm on my way home from Zealong Tea Plantation, I knew I had to make it a priority on my next trip down to Cambridge. After a stunning weekend at Lake Karapiro, we headed back to Auckland and stopped off at t...
Taupiri Sunflower Farm
My friend and I looooove the Hamilton Gardens. Every time they add a new garden to the site, we head down from Auckland to check it out. It's free for locals, and just $10 for people who don't live in Hamilton. And it's well worth it. Check out my fu...here.
Hamilton Gardens
Blueberry Country is New Zealand’s largest family-owned blueberry orchard group, and I was lucky enough to be invited to one of their orchards this summer. A friend and I headed down to the Ngatea Orchard from Auckland, excited to check out the farm ...
Picking Blueberries at Blueberry Country NZ
The Green Dragon Inn at Hobbiton is brilliant! On my first trip to Hobbiton (I've been three times haha), we did the Green Dragon version of the tour which included an incredible dinner. You can see more about that here!
The Green Dragon Inn
One of my absolute FAVE places in New Zealand's North Island. I've been three times now, oops. You can see more about trip here.
*Outside Benable aff link
*Outside Benable aff link
Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours
Zeelong Tea Estate is a great stop if you're road tripping through New Zealand's North Island. It's not only a beautiful spot, but you can try a lot of different teas, and opt for their afternoon tea, too. You can read about my own experience here on the blog.
Zealong Tea Estate - Tea Room
These beautiful caves are in Waitomo, a small town in the Waikato here in the North Island of New Zealand, where you can see glow worms. You can read more about my own trip there here on the blog.
Waitomo Glowworm Caves & Tours NZ
This place was totally an accidental find. On our way from Napier, to Auckland last month, we saw a sign off the road for a Thermal Park. Purely out of curiosity, we drove down the road and discovered this place: Wairakei Thermal Park, and it was a l...
Wairakei Natural Thermal Valley
At designated times during the day they let the water stream from the Aratia dam at the top, and run over all the rocks into the natural river bed, creating the rapids. It’s an amazing sight, seeing all the water suddenly rush down the ravine. You ca...here on the blog.
Aratiatia Rapids
Just north of Taupo, the Waikato River (NZ’s longest river) hits the rocks and forms Huka Falls. It’s this awesome, and slightly scary waterfall, which tumbles out 220,000 litres of water every second. Very incredible.
Huka Falls
Taranaki
Visiting Taranaki? Here are a new things you could do in the area.
We sort of found this part by mistake when we visited New Plymouth for the first time, but it's a beautiful park that's well worth taking the time to wander through. You can see more from my own trip there here on the blog.
Pukekura Park
If you're visiting New Plymouth, then talking a walk down the board walk is a must! It's been beautiful built and you can walk or cycle a long way along the coast.
New Plymouth Coastal Walkway
Wellington Region
Visiting the Capital? Definitely check out Te Papa Museum. There are some permanent exhibits (including the famous Gallipoli exhibit!) and there are always new thing happening, too.
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
You can visit Rivendell! This isn't too far from Wellington and it's such a beautiful spot in the woods. Definitely check it out if you're a Lord of the Rings fan!
Rivendell Walk
Mt Victoria in in the heart of Wellington City and you can do a beautiful loop walk around it. A great way to get up and out of the city but also see if from a new perspective.
Mount Victoria Loop
These are famous in New Zealand! Absolutely stunning rock formations that you can do a loop track to.
Pinnacles Track Loop
Zealandia is one of my favourite spots to visit in New Zealand. If you're looking for beautiful walks through New Zealand's native bush, full of native birds, and have the opportunity to see a tuatara, this is must!
Zealandia
Coromandel
Visit the famous Cathedral Cove! Such a beautiful part of the North Island in New Zealand!
Cathedral Cove and Coromandel Small Group Tours