Most beautiful places in the North Island + hidden gems
There are many magical places to visit on the North Island of New Zealand. From sublime volcanic beaches to the mountainous depths of Middle Earth, there is a reason many consider North Island to be one of the most unique road trip destinations in the world (besides only a South Island road trip!). There are so many famous beautiful places and underrated North Island hidden gems that it can be hard to know where to start in making a North Island itinerary!
This list includes some of the most beautiful places in the North Island, from coastal lookouts to stunning hikes and lesser-known activities. When I lived in Auckland on a Working Holiday Visa, I was lucky enough to have some fantastic day trips around the area and realised how many unique and underrated locations this stunning island offers.
And whilst I adore North Island’s most famous destinations – you’d be mad to skip Hobbiton, Rotorua, and Taupo – this blog post is for those who want to venture outside the crowds and experience more during their New Zealand adventure.
That said, many beautiful places are famous for a reason! So I’m sure you’ll have heard of some of the North Island suggestions in this post.
Waipoua Forest
contributed by Giorgy of G-Extreme Travel
Waipoua Forest, on the Kauri coast, is one of the outstanding natural highlights of New Zealand. This beautiful area is home to the largest remnant of the once-extensive kauri trees. Thanks to the Waipoua Forest, you will feel like you are stepping back in the past to what New Zealand used to be. So, you shouldn’t miss this beautiful hidden gem!
These kauri trees can reach 60m in height and have a trunk more than 5m in diameter – they are massive. You will likely feel like ants in front of these giant beauties. The highlights of this park are the Tane Mahuta, known as the Maori forest god, where you will see the tallest kauri alive, aged between 1200 and 2000 years. And also the Te Maru Ngahere, known as the father of the forest.
To make the best of your day, you should combine The Waipoua Forest visit with Trounson Kauri Park and Kai Iwi Lakes nearby! You can stay overnight at the Waipoua Forest Campground for a wild experience or, for something more luxurious, at the Waipoua Lodge.
Whether you visit the forest sanctuary alone or on a twilight tour with Footprints Waipoua, make sure you stock up on food beforehand. Unfortunately, there aren’t many stores or restaurants once you go north of Dargaville. For any of you who want to explore the area on foot, please look at the DOC’s website.
Russell
contribution by Michelle of Walking On Foreign Chels
There are plenty of places to stay, but I recommend the Russell TOP 10 Holiday Park. Stay in a cabin, park a camper or pitch a tent. It’s only a short walk to the heart of the town – the waterfront!
To get to Russell, take one of the passenger ferries from Paihia for a day trip. They leave every 15mins from Paihia Wharf from 7.20am – 10.30pm, and tickets start at $7. Alternatively, take one of the car ferries from Opua. The car ferries leave every 10-20mins from 6.10am – 10pm, and tickets start at $16 for vehicles or $2 for foot passengers. Another option is to take the scenic route and drive along the coast via Oakura. It’s a windy road, but the scenery is fantastic!
Russell (Kororareka) was the original capital of New Zealand, albeit only for a short time in 1840-1841. It was a lawless whaling port rife with prostitution, gambling, and grog, quickly becoming known as the “Hell Hole of the Pacific.” There is even the “Hell Hole Festival”, where locals dress up and recreate scenes from the past during the summer.
Make sure to visit the oldest existing church in New Zealand, Christ Church (spot the bullet holes in the walls), Pompallier House, and Russell Museum. Next, drive up to the flagstaff and sundial on the hill that overlooks the town. This is the 6th flagstaff to be placed on the hill. Hōne Heke cut down 4 to protest against the British crown, and fire damaged the 5th in 1913.
There are also several beaches to explore, including the waterfront, Long Beach and my favourite – Ta Peka Point. All beaches are suitable for swimming, but the water at Long Beach is a little rougher.
Mangawhai Cliff Walkway
Curving around the coastline above Mangawhai Heads Beach, this sublime walk is one of the best things to do in Mangawhai. With green rolling hills on one side and the blue, blue ocean on the other, this walk brings the perfect combination of the coast and countryside.
While keen walkers can do the entire 9km (return) walkway – which takes around three hours – you can choose how long to walk for yourself. The first lookout takes just 20-minutes to reach.
The hike begins from the beach, and you can park at Mangawhai Heads Beach car park. From here, enjoy the rock formations jutting out of the sea as you stroll across the sand. The Cliff Walkway is signposted and begins with a series of steps up to the path. The panoramic views will undoubtedly make it worth your while.
Kuaotunu
by Hannah from Hannah Henderson Lifestyle Travel
There is magic about the Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand’s northeast. Winding roads and remote baches (holiday cottages) are plentiful, as are magnificent sea views and hidden bays. Kuaotunu is a township where time moves slowly, and every minute is savoured.
A small centre with a shop, a café & pizza restaurant, and petrol pump services the local community. Opposite this is Black Jack Reserve and a sweeping white sand beach. The Kuaotunu River runs out into the water here, creating lovely fresh-water shallows – perfect for children learning to swim.
Spend the day boogie boarding or swimming at the beach, playing golf at the nearby Matarangi Golf Club, or exploring and collecting shells on Otama and Opito bays. In the evening, enjoy a gourmet pizza from Luke’s. Don’t miss the art gallery and café at Luke’s – which serves as a community hub.
You can take a day trip to Kuaotunu from the city of Whitianga; or enjoy a pit stop here on a loop around the peninsula. But if you were wise, you would get away from it all and rent a bach for a week or two and really appreciate the relaxed pace of Kuaotunu.
Waiheke Island
contribution by Heather Marston from New Zealand Wanderer
Waiheke is a small island located in the Hauraki Gulf of New Zealand. It’s only a 40-minute ferry ride from download Auckland, but it feels like a world away. There is something for everyone on Waiheke Island, from ziplining through the forest to relaxing on one of Waiheke’s beautiful beaches. With over 100km of walking tracks, a coastal walk is another great way to spend the morning.
The wide variety of Waiheke vineyards makes for a beautiful way to spend an afternoon of wine tasting and stunning views. Here are 3 of my favourites:
– Mud Brick – a smaller, rustic venue set on a ridge offering sweeping vineyard views overlooking the Hauraki Gulf
– Cable Bay – a larger, modern and well-known vineyard with a veranda and vast lawn area overlooking the sea
– Wild Estate – a fun and relaxed style vineyard including a brewery and an assortment of activities like clay bird shooting, archery, a giant chess board, and so much more.
Grab an ice cream before catching the ferry back to the mainland. La Dolce Vita makes authentic Italian-style gelato every day from scratch. There are 10 incredible flavours to choose from, and the fruit ones are vegan!
How to get there: Ferries run regularly from downtown Auckland and you can purchase tickets directly from Fullers.
Getting around: Public transport operates on the island, including buses and taxis. You can also hire a car or e-bike or book a food and wine tour.
What to bring: Walking shoes, sunscreen and hat, camera, swimming gear and towel, a light jacket and warm layers.
With its secluded beaches, rolling vineyards and quaint seaside towns, it is a wonderful day trip to escape the city and experience one of the top island escapes.
Hawkes Bay
contribution by Chris Heckmann from Around the World With Me
Hawke’s Bay is one the most underrated places in all of New Zealand. Almost entirely unknown to visitors from other countries, Hawke’s Bay is a wonderland of rugged coastline, unique beaches, and beautiful coastal wineries. The region known as Hawke’s Bay is on the eastern shore of the North Island of New Zealand, centred around the small and charming city of Napier. With pleasant summers and mild winters, the region is an ideal destination for visitors all year round.
The region is named after the large bay that stretches from Cape Kidnappers to Mahia. It’s sparsely populated outside of Napier and Hastings, the two main cities. The coastline mixes black sand beaches, rolling hills, and steep mountains with cosy, sandy coves. Ideally, you’ll want to spend at least an entire weekend in Hawke’s Bay. Basing yourself in Bay’s View, just north of Napier, will give you easy access to the whole bay and allow you to experience the town’s unique black sand beach.
If you only have a day in the area, start it out with a visit to Waipatiki Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in New Zealand. After soaking in the sun, head back south to Te Awanga for some wine tasting at the stunning Hawke’s Bay wineries. Have lunch at Clearview Estate, then hop around, tasting all the delicious wines. Be sure to hit Elephant Hill and Te Awanga Estate before heading up to Te Mata Peak to get an ariel view of the bay.
As the day ends, head into Napier for dinner and drinks. Or you can skip all of that and head to Cape Kidnappers (guided tour only) to see the world’s largest gannet colony. No matter what you do, you’ll be itching to return to Hawke’s Bay!
Bell rock track, Hawkes Bay
contribution by Angel from Angel the Wanderlust
Bell’s Rock Track is the best track you’ve never heard of and a New Zealand hidden gem. You can find beautiful landscapes, panoramic views and unique bell-shaped rocks here!
Bell Rock track is a one-hour drive from popular tourist destination Napier, Hawke’s Bay. The track takes around 3-4 hours to return – plus another 30 minutes to an hour taking pictures and admiring the view. Bring a light-packed lunch if you want a picnic at the top.
You can easily finish this track mid-afternoon, so make this a day trip and head to Napier for a lovely wine tasting or dinner at a winery.
The Bell’s Rock Track is easy to moderate, so people of any age with a reasonable fitness level can enjoy it. One thing to note before you go, it is very windy and exposed up top. So wear sunscreen to protect yourself, plenty of water to stay hydrated and bring a light jacket!
The last 20 minutes of the drive to this track is an unmaintained gravel road. So prepare to have a bit of a bumpy road. It’s unnecessary to have a 4-wheel drive to get here. Just drive slowly and safely!
Waitomo Glowworm Caves
contribution by Stephen of A Backpackers Tale
Visitors to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves in New Zealand are amazed by the unique experience of underground caverns filled with bioluminescent lights. The glowworms in these caves are a fungus (known as Arachnocampa Luminosa) that emit light to attract insects to their sticky threads and feed off them. But don’t let that take the magic of this beautiful place.
Stalactites and stalagmites fill the caves and create beautiful patterns on the walls and ceiling. And when thousands of glowworms light up the cave ceiling, they resemble thousands of stars in the night sky.
One thing to note is that the only way to experience these caves is on a tour. The most popular tour is the Blackwater Rafting Tour, which takes visitors through the caves on an inner tube and includes a ride down the Waitomo River. It is a good balance of experiencing the beauty of the glowworms and an adventure.
Other tours include the Glowworm Cave Tour, which is a relaxing affair, or the Ruakuri Cave Tour – the longest tour of the bunch and a little pricier. Whichever option you choose, the Waitomo Glowworm Caves are worth a must-see for anyone travelling to the North Island of New Zealand.
Tawhai and Mangawhero Falls
While Tongariro National Park is better known for its volcanic landscapes, the Alpine Crossing, and jagged peaks, it’s also home to its fair share of beautiful waterfalls! These are two of my favourites.
Mangawhai Falls can be found on Ohakune Mountain Road on the way to Turoa Ski Field. The 28m waterfall cascades down into a beautiful pool, iced over when I visited in Winter. Mount Ruapehu – the tallest peak in the North Island at 2797m – can be seen towering behind it.
Alternatively, Tawhai Falls is on the way to Whakapapa Ski Field. Undoubtedly one of the most photogenic places in Tongariro, this gem is definitely worth a spot during your time on the North Island. And luckily, both waterfalls are just a few minutes’ walk from their nearest car parks, making them easy add-ons while you’re in the area.
These two waterfalls also set the scene for one of the Lord of the Rings movie locations. The river below Mangawhero Falls is where Gollum tries to catch a fish, while Tawhai Falls is the waterfall behind him in the same scene, as Faramir looks down on him.
Waimangu Volcanic Valley
For a unique way to experience the geothermal landscapes of New Zealand, Waimangu Volcanic Valley is an otherworldly experience. The entire walkway is 4km long, taking about an hour to pass multicoloured lakes and steaming streams. You know it will be a spectacle with names like Frying Pan Lake and the Inferno Crater!
Unlike other hot pools in Rotorua, you can’t take a dip in these particular thermal springs, but it’s well worth it for the sights and sounds nonetheless.
Visitors can add on a relaxing cruise around Lake Rotomanaha at the end of the walkway. This is a great way to learn more about New Zealand’s volcanic history and the secrets behind this unique landscape. You can also take a kayak tour to get even closer to the action.
The Eastern Walkway and Oruaiti Reserve, Miramar
New Zealand might not be known for its beautiful beaches and coastal views, but locals know better! There are many stunning walkways around New Zealand’s capital city Wellington, but these trails in Miramar have to be my favourite. With panoramic views over the Cook Strait and fascinating historical sights, it’s a great way to enjoy the South of the North Island.
The Eastern Walkway is just 2.5km and passes the Ataturk Memorial with fantastic views over Wellington Harbour. The walk ends at the mesmerising Breaker Bay Beach – a true hidden gem. (Though be warned, not everything is hidden here – it’s a clothing-optional beach!)
You can continue the walk on to Oruaiti Reserve, which I highly recommend. The winding path passes Oruaiti Pā, a historic Māori site, and old fortifications from WWII. The panoramic views at Point Dorset are unbeatable. At the end of the walk, enjoy a coffee on the beach from one of Seatoun’s local cafes. This lovely seaside suburb is a lovely way to wind down after your hike, and, for those interested, it was also one of North Island’s Lord of the Rings movie locations. While nothing remains of the set today, it was here that they filmed the scenes at Bree.
Oh man, New Zealand has been on my bucket travel list for so many years and you are reminding me why! What great experiences and locations, definitely pinning this for later travel planning. 🙂
I’ve never been to New Zealand before but my parents have gone. I remember them talking about the glow worm caves.
New Zealand has been forever been on my list to see! I would love to see these gorgeous spots. You did an outstanding job finding some amazing places to see.
I have never visited North Island but have always been interested in visiting, so this guide will definitely be useful should I decide to finally come across the pond in 2023!