New Zealand North Island Itinerary: Options for 5 Days to 2 Weeks

In this guide, we list multiple ways to plan your New Zealand North Island itinerary. These range from 5 days to 2 weeks. Some are quick point-to-point trips (great if you also have plans to visit the South Island) and others are longer loops that circle through much of the island.

About These Itineraries

These itineraries can be done all year. In the winter months, you can go skiing instead of hiking.

You will need to rent a car or campervan. This gives you the freedom to travel at your own pace and allows you to get to some more remote locations.

We have a lot of information about New Zealand on our website. Rather than getting into the details of things to do in Auckland, Wellington, the Coromandel Peninsula, etc., we provide the links to each of these guides. You can also see all of our guides on our New Zealand Travel Guide.

New Zealand North Island Itinerary Suggestions

• 5 Days on the North Island: Auckland, Bay of Islands & Cape Reinga
• 5 Days on the North Island: Auckland to Wellington
• 7 Days on the North Island: Auckland, Tongariro & Wellington
• 10 Days on the North Island: Auckland, Coromandel, Tongariro & Wellington
• 14 Days on the North Island: Auckland, Northland, & Wellington

New Zealand North Island Itinerary #1

5 Days on the North Island: Auckland, Bay of Islands & Cape Reinga

This itinerary starts and ends in Auckland. You will travel north to the northernmost part of New Zealand, visiting the Bay of Islands and driving the Twin Coast Discovery Highway to Cape Reinga.

This itinerary is best for those who want to get off the beaten track (many of the North Island’s most popular sights are south of Auckland) and those who have visited New Zealand on a prior trip but didn’t have enough time to explore this part of the island.

New Zealand North Island Itinerary Map: 5 Days Auckland and Cape Reinga

Day 1: Arrive in Auckland

Today is a low-key day. If you get in early and have lots of energy, spend the day touring Auckland. If your flight gets in late, or you arrive on a long overnight flight (like we did from the USA), you most likely will be feeling wiped out.

For a list of things to do, restaurants, and hotel recommendations, take a look at our article Best Things to Do in Auckland.

Auckland | New Zealand North Island Itinerary

Day 2: Drive to Paihia

Paihia is a small town on the North Island that is the gateway to the Bay of Islands.

From Auckland, you can drive straight to Paihia (230 km, 3 hours) or visit some sights on the North Island along the drive. Here are two options:

The Waitākere Ranges

Sitting west of Auckland is a gorgeous stretch of coastline. Spend several hours at Karekare Beach, Piha Beach, or Te Henga (Bethells Beach) before driving to Paihia.

Karekare Beach

Tane Mahuta & Signal Station

From Auckland, drive to Tane Mahuta, New Zealand’s largest tree. It’s a 3-hour drive to get here, followed by a short walk to see the tree. Just a few minutes down the road is Te Matua Ngahere, the second largest tree in New Zealand.

Tane Mahuta

Continue north, taking the optional detour to Waimamaku Beach. Then drive to Signal Station and take a short walk out to the tip of the peninsula for stunning coastal views.

The view from the Signal Station Track | New Zealand North Island Itinerary

Finally, you have the option to visit the Koutu Boulders. These are similar to the Moeraki Boulders on the South Island. To get here, park at the Koutu Boulders Car Park in Opononi and it is a 5-minute walk to the boulders.

Koutu Boulders

Then, drive to Paihia and have dinner.

Sleep in Paihia. For hotel and restaurant recommendations, take a look at our Guide to Paihia.

This drive from Auckland to Paihia is 375 km and takes five and a half hours without stops.

Day 3: Bay of Islands Cruise

One of the best things to do on the North Island of New Zealand is to visit the Bay of Islands. These 144 islands dot the coastline of New Zealand near Paihia. You can visit them on a boat cruise or see them from the sky in a helicopter.

Bay of Islands | New Zealand North Island Itinerary

Boat tours last a half to a full day. With your remaining time, visit the sights in and around Paihia. We recommend touring the Waitangi Treaty Grounds to learn about an important piece of New Zealand history, visiting Russell (the first European settlement in New Zealand), and go wine tasting. Get the full list in our Guide to Paihia.

Sleep in Paihia.

Day 4: Cape Reinga

If you like scenic drives and stunning coastal scenery, this just may be your favorite day of this itinerary. It’s a big driving day but you get to see a quieter part of New Zealand that many visitors miss. For things to see and do, refer to our Guide to Northland.

From Paihia, drive north to Ahipara. This town is one of the endpoints of Ninety Mile Beach. From this point you get a great view of the beach. If you have a 4WD vehicle, you can drive Ninety Mile Beach north to its other endpoint at Scott Point.

If you don’t have a 4WD, from Ahipara, drive north on State Highway 1 until it dead ends at Cape Reinga. This is as far north as you can go by car. At Cape Reinga, walk out to the Cape Reinga Lighthouse and look north. This is where the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean meet. The views from this spot are amazing!

Cape Reinga

On the drive back to Paihia, visit Tapotupotu Beach (a secluded, remote beach near Cape Reinga) and the Te Paki Giant Sand Dunes. At the sand dunes, you can hike to the highest point for more spectacular views or rent a sandboard and go sledding on the dunes.

Te Paki Giant Sand Dunes | New Zealand North Island Itinerary

Return to Paihia and have dinner. Sleep in Paihia.

Day 5: Drive to Auckland

Today, return to Auckland. It is a 3-hour drive. You have the option to spend the morning in Paihia, visiting the sights in Paihia and nearby Kerikeri, or driving to Auckland in the morning and spending the afternoon in Auckland.

Sleep in Auckland.

If you happen to have an extra day, we recommend day tripping to Waiheke Island from Auckland. This is one of our favorite experiences in New Zealand and is a great option for foodies and wine lovers. You can do this at the beginning or end of this itinerary.

New Zealand North Island Itinerary #2

5 Days on the North Island: Auckland to Wellington

This quick point-to-point itinerary connects Auckland to Wellington with a few key sites in between.

It’s great for those planning a trip to both islands of New Zealand. This itinerary sets you up to cross the Cook Strait and enter the South Island at the end of the 5 days. Or, do it in reverse, after a visit to the South Island, ending in Auckland.

New Zealand North Island Itinerary Map: 5 Days Auckland to Wellington

Day 1: Arrive in Auckland

Today is a low-key day. If you get in early and have lots of energy, spend the day touring Auckland. If your flight gets in late, or you arrive on a long overnight flight (like we did from the USA), there’s a good chance you’ll be exhausted.

For a list of things to do, restaurants, and hotel recommendations, take a look at our article Best Things to Do in Auckland.

Day 2: Waitomo Glowworm Caves & Hobbiton

Today you get to visit two of the North Island’s must-see spots for first time visitors to New Zealand, the glowworm caves and Hobbiton.

Glowworm Caves in Waitomo

In the morning, make the drive to Waitomo (200 km, 2.5 hours). In Waitomo, there are several ways to see the glowworms.

Waitomo Glowworm Caves is the most popular option. Tours of this cave run all day, last about 45 minutes to an hour, and it is the best option if you want to see some glowworms on a quick visit. Photography is not allowed.

At Ruakari Cave, just down the street from Waitomo Glowworm Caves, you can take a 1.5-hour guided tour of the cave. Photography is allowed but is very challenging since the caves are almost completely dark.

You also have the option to go blackwater rafting. This thrilling experience is 3 to 5 hours (depending on the tour) and involves hiking and tubing through the underwater caves. You will also see thousands of glowworms in the cave. Fitting in blackwater rafting is a lot to do today, but possible if you book the first tour of the day.

Learn more about the glowworm caves and blackwater rafting in our Guide to the Waitomo Caves.

Blackwater Rafting | photo courtesy of Legendary Black Water Rafting Co.

Hobbiton

From the Waitomo Caves, it takes an hour and fifteen minute to drive to Hobbiton. This filming site for the LoTR and The Hobbit Trilogies is a must-have experience, especially if you are here with kids or a fan of these movies.

Tours of Hobbiton run all day. Get tour times, pricing, and make your reservation in advance on the official website. You can see more photos of Hobbiton in our Guide to Hobbiton.

Hobbiton | New Zealand North Island Itinerary

Rotorua

After your tour of Hobbiton, drive to Rotorua (70 km, 1 hour). Have dinner in Rotorua (we recommend Poco Tapas and Wine or Mitai Maori Village if you want to watch a cultural performance and take part in a hangi, which is a traditional Maori meal).

Sleep in Rotorua. Get hotel recommendations in our article Best Things to Do in Rotorua.

Day 3: Rotorua

Today, spend the morning in Rotorua and then continue south to Taupō.

In Rotorua, there is a lot to do. If it’s your first time here, two essential experiences are the Whakarewarewa Forest and a visit to a geothermal area.

Redwood Forest

The Whakarewarewa Forest is a forest of giant coastal redwoods that have been growing next to Rotorua since the early 20th century. Visitors can walk the forest trails, go mountain biking, or experience the Redwoods Treewalk.

The Redwoods Treewalk is a series of 28 suspension bridges hover 20 meters above the forest floor. These bridges form a 700-meter loop and along this walk you get an incredible view of the Redwood trees. The walk takes about 30 minutes. Get pricing and hours on the official website.

Whakarewarewa Forest

Redwoods Treewalk | New Zealand North Island Itinerary

Te Puia

There are several geothermal areas to visit in Rotorua. Te Puia is one of the best. Here you get to see Kiwi birds in the Kiwi Conservation Centre, see mud pools and steaming geysers on a short walk through the geothermal area, and see Maori-made sculptures and artwork. One of the highlights of the visit is seeing the Pōhutu geyser (the largest geyser in the Southern Hemisphere) which erupts twice an hour.

Pōhutu Geyser

Skyline Rotorua

Ride the gondola to Skyline Rotorua. Kids will love riding the Luge. Have lunch and do a wine tasting at Volcanic Hills Winery while enjoying panoramic views over Rotorua. I recommend making a reservation in advance.

This itinerary includes just a few of the things you can do in Rotorua. To see the full list, take a look at our Guide to Rotorua.

Drive to Taupō

In the mid-afternoon, drive to Taupō. On this drive, you will pass several geothermal areas. Pick one and then continue to Taupō.

Waimangu Volcanic Valley is 20-minutes from Rotorua. This long, narrow valley is home to Frying Pan Lake (the world’s largest hot spring), the Inferno Crater (a brilliantly blue lake), and Lake Rotomahana. A visit here lasts about 2 hours.

Inferno Crater, Waimangu Volcanic Valley

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland sits next to Waimangu Valley. It is often called New Zealand’s most colorful geothermal area. Here you can see Lady Knox Geyser, colorful hot springs, and the largest mud pool in New Zealand.

Orakei Korako Geothermal Park. Boardwalk tracks lead to geysers, bubbling pools of mud, and steaming, colorful pools. This is one of our favorite geothermal parks in New Zealand. It is located about 30 minutes north of Taupō.

Orakei Korako Geothermal Park | New Zealand North Island Itinerary

Taupō

Have dinner and spend the night in Taupō. For restaurant and hotel recommendations, take a look at our article Best Things to Do in Taupō.

Day 4: Taupō

Spend the day in Taupo. Top experiences include taking a boat cruise on Lake Taupo to see the Māori Rock Carvings, relaxing in a natural hot water spa, mountain biking, going for a jet boat ride on the Waikato River, seeing Huka Falls, and even skydiving and bungy jumping. For the full list, read our article Best Things to Do in Taupō.

Sleep in Taupō.

Māori Rock Carvings

Day 5: Wellington

In the morning, drive to Wellington (375 km, 5 hours). On this drive, you will go past Tongariro National Park and have views of Mount Ruapehu and Mount Ngauruhoe (Mount Doom in the Lord of the Rings trilogy).

It’s a big detour, and won’t leave much time today in Wellington, but you have the option to ride the Sky Waka Gondola to Mt. Ruapehu for views of the volcanic plateau.

Spend the remainder of the day in Wellington. For recommendations on what to do, where to eat, and where to stay, check out our Guide to Wellington.

Wellington | New Zealand North Island Itinerary

New Zealand North Island Itinerary #3

7 Days on the North Island: Auckland, Tongariro & Wellington

This itinerary is similar to the 5-day itinerary above, but it gives you a day to visit Waiheke Island and a day to either hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing or spend more time in Wellington.

New Zealand North Island Itinerary Map: One Week Auckland to Wellington

Day 1: Arrive in Auckland

Arrive in Auckland, spend the afternoon in Auckland and sleep in Auckland.

Day 2: Waiheke Island

Day tripping to Waiheke Island was one of our favorite experiences in New Zealand. This island sits in the Hauraki Gulf, just a short ferry ride from Auckland. Things to do here include wine tastings, relaxing at the beach, hiking, ziplining, doing gin and olive oil tastings, and having lunch or dinner paired with a wine tasting.

Learn how to plan your visit with our article How to Plan the Perfect Waiheke Island Day Trip.

Waiheke Island

Gin tasting on Waiheke Island

Day 3: Waitomo Glowworm Caves & Hobbiton

Follow day 2, Waitomo Glowworm Caves and Hobbiton, in the 5-day itinerary above.

Day 4: Rotorua

Follow day 3 in the 5-day itinerary above.

Day 5: Taupō

Follow day 4 in the 5-day itinerary above.

This evening, you can sleep in Taupō or spend the night in Turangi, which puts you a little closer to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing trailhead (if you choose to do this hike). There are many more hotel and restaurant options in Taupō but staying in Turangi allows you to have a slightly later wake up time.

Day 6: Tongariro Alpine Crossing or Wellington

Today, you have a choice to make: hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing or drive to Wellington (which gives you a full day in Wellington tomorrow).

Tongariro Alpine Crossing

Like Waiheke Island, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is another one of our favorite activities in New Zealand. If you are a hiker, this is not to be missed. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is often called the best day hike in New Zealand, and one of the best in the world.

On this 19.4 km/12 mile point-to-point hike, you will walk in the shadow of Mt. Doom, walk through an almost lunar landscape, and watch as semi-dormant volcanoes smoke not too far off in the distance.

This hike takes 6 to 8 hours. You can spend the night in Taupo or Turangi. It’s possible to drive to Wellington after the hike, just be prepared for a 5.5-hour drive in the afternoon and evening.

Tongariro Alpine Crossing

Drive to Wellington

Option number two is to skip the Tongariro Alpine Crossing and drive to Wellington today. That gives you the afternoon today and a full day tomorrow in Wellington.

On this drive, you have the option to stop at the Sky Waka Gondola. You’ll have similar views as the Tongariro Alpine Crossing without the effort. It’s a big detour, and won’t leave much time today in Wellington, but it is an easy way to gaze out over the volcanoes at Tongariro National Park.

Day 7: Wellington

Spend the day in Wellington. For ideas on what to do and where to stay, take a look at our article Best Things to Do in Wellington.

Wellington Cable Car | New Zealand North Island Itinerary

Doing this Itinerary in the Opposite Direction

If you need to do this itinerary in the opposite direction (for example, you are on a bigger trip through New Zealand, starting on the South Island and ending on the North Island, here is this same itinerary in the opposite direction). If you plan to do the Tongariro Alpine Crossing hike, you will only have the morning of day 1 to visit Wellington. You need to get to Turangi or Taupō the evening of the first day, to be at the trailhead the morning of day 2.

Day 1: Wellington (drive to Turangi in the afternoon if you plan to hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing)
Day 2: Tongariro Alpine Crossing, drive to Taupō, sleep in Taupō
Day 3: Taupō, drive to Rotorua in the afternoon, sleep in Rotorua
Day 4: Rotorua, sleep Rotorua
Day 5: Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves, sleep in Hamilton or Auckland
Day 6: Auckland
Day 7: Waiheke Island

New Zealand North Island Itinerary #4

10 Days on the North Island: Auckland, Coromandel, Tongariro & Wellington

This itinerary continues to build on the ones above. On this itinerary, you will follow the 7-day itinerary above, with three extra days to slow down a little bit, but also visit one or two more sights on the north island.

New Zealand North Island Itinerary Map: 10 Days Auckland to Wellington

Days 1 & 2: Auckland and Waiheke Island

Follow days 1 and 2 of the 7-day itinerary.

Day 3: Auckland & Coromandel Peninsula

Spend the morning in Auckland. In the afternoon, travel to the Coromandel Peninsula. From Auckland, it is a 230 km drive that takes about 3.5 hours.

On the Coromandel Peninsula, we recommend staying in Hahei or Cooks Beach. We stayed at Hahei Beach Bach, a small house that has a living room, kitchenette, bathroom, and bedroom. It’s clean, quiet, colorful, and very nicely decorated and it is located just a short drive from Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach. For dinner, we highly recommend Kaizen in Cooks Beach.

Day 4: Cathedral Cove & Hot Water Beach

Today, visit the coastal sights on the Coromandel Peninsula.

Cathedral Cove is one of the most picturesque places to visit on the North Island. To get to this iconic beach, take a boat tour or hike to the cove. A visit here lasts an hour or half of a day, depending on how you choose to get here and how long you want to spend on the beach. Learn more in our Guide to Cathedral Cove.

Cathedral Cove

You also have enough time to visit Hot Water Beach. Bring a shovel, dig a hole, and relax in the warm waters that bubble up from the ground. Hot Water Beach is located just a few kilometers from Cathedral Cove.

This evening, you have a choice to make. You can spend another night on the Coromandel Peninsula, but you will then do a lot of driving tomorrow. Alternatively, drive to Hamilton and spend the night here, which breaks up the drive a little bit. It is a 185 km, 3-hour drive to Hamilton.

In Hamilton, we stayed at the Quantum Lodge Motor Inn and had a great experience. If you like Indian food, we had a wonderful meal at Pappadomz.

Day 5: Waitomo Glowworm Caves & Hobbiton

Visit Waitomo Glowworm Caves in the morning, followed by Hobbiton in the afternoon, and continue to Rotorua in the evening.

Hobbiton | New Zealand North Island Itinerary

If you spent last night in Hamilton, it is just an hour drive to Waitomo Caves, versus 3.5 hours from the Coromandel Peninsula. If you like the idea of blackwater rafting at the Waitomo Caves, it’s best to stay in Hamilton the night before.

For recommendations on where to stay and where to eat in Rotorua, take a look at our Guide to Rotorua.

Day 6: Rotorua

Today, spend the morning in Rotorua and then continue south to Taupō.

A must-do in Rotorua is to visit the Whakarewarewa Forest, a forest of giant coastal redwoods. Visitors can walk the forest trails, go mountain biking, or experience the Redwoods Treewalk.

Te Puia is one of the top geothermal areas to visit in Rotorua. Here you get to see Kiwi birds in the Kiwi Conservation Centre, see mud pools and steaming geysers on a short walk through the geothermal area, and see Maori-made sculptures and artwork. One of the highlights of the visit is seeing the Pōhutu geyser (the largest geyser in the Southern Hemisphere) which erupts twice an hour.

Ride the gondola to Skyline Rotorua. Kids will love riding the Luge. Have lunch and do a wine tasting at Volcanic Hills Winery while enjoying panoramic views over Rotorua. I recommend making a reservation in advance.

These are just a few of the things you can do in Rotorua. To see the full list, take a look at our Guide to Rotorua.

Drive to Taupō

In the mid-afternoon, drive to Taupō. On this drive, you will pass several geothermal areas (Waimangu Volcanic Valley, Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, and Orakei Korako Geothermal Park). Pick one and then continue to Taupō.

Have dinner and spend the night in Taupō. For restaurant and hotel recommendations, take a look at our article Best Things to Do in Taupō.

Days 7 & 8: Taupō

On this itinerary, we have two days in Taupō. There is a lot to do in Taupō, from boat tours, mountain biking, bungy jumping and skydiving, and relaxing the natural hot springs. Two days in Taupō gives you a little bit of time to slow down. Alternatively, you could use the extra time here, adding it to Wellington, if you would rather spend more time in Wellington.

Wairakei Terraces Thermal Spa, Taupō

For a list of things to do in Taupo, read our article Best Things to Do in Taupō.

On the evening of day 8, spend the night in Taupō, or transfer to Turangi, to be closer to the start of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, if you plan to do this hike.

Day 9: Tongariro Alpine Crossing or Wellington

Today, hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing and continue to Wellington in the evening. Alternatively, you can drive straight to Wellington with the option to add on the Sky Waka Gondola along the drive.

Day 10: Wellington

Spend the day in Wellington. For ideas on what to do, check out our Guide to Wellington.

Doing this Itinerary in the Opposite Direction

If you need to do this itinerary in the opposite direction (for example, you are on a bigger trip through New Zealand, starting on the South Island and ending on the North Island, here is this same itinerary in the opposite direction). If you plan to do the Tongariro Alpine Crossing hike, you will only have the morning of day 1 to visit Wellington. You need to get to Turangi or Taupō the evening of the first day, to be at the trailhead the morning of day 2.

Day 1: Wellington (drive to Turangi in the afternoon if you plan to hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing)
Day 2: Tongariro Alpine Crossing, drive to Taupo, sleep in Taupō
Day 3: Taupō
Day 4: Taupō, drive to Rotorua
Day 5: Rotorua, sleep Rotorua
Day 6: Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves, sleep in Hamilton
Day 7: Coromandel Peninsula, sleep in Hahei or Cooks Beach
Day 8: Drive to Auckland
Day 9: Waiheke Island
Day 10: Auckland

New Zealand North Island Itinerary #5

14 Days on the North Island: Auckland, Northland, & Wellington

This itinerary is a combination of the 5-day itinerary to Cape Reinga and the 10 day itinerary. With two weeks on the North Island, you have just enough time to road trip from Auckland to Cape Reinga and down to Wellington.

New Zealand North Island Itinerary Map: The Best of the North Island in 14 Days 

For more details about each day, refer to the 5-day itinerary with Cape Reinga and the 10-day North Island Itinerary.

If you need to do this itinerary in the opposite direction, here’s how to do it:

Day 1: Wellington (drive to Turangi in the afternoon if you plan to hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing)
Day 2: Tongariro Alpine Crossing, drive to Taupō, sleep in Taupō
Day 3: Taupō
Day 4: Taupō, drive to Rotorua
Day 5: Rotorua, sleep Rotorua
Day 6: Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves, sleep in Hamilton
Day 7: Coromandel Peninsula, sleep in Hahei or Cooks Beach
Day 8: Drive to Auckland
Day 9: Waiheke Island
Day 10: Auckland
Day 11: Drive to Paihia
Day 12: Bay of Islands cruise
Day 13: Cape Reinga
Day 14: Drive to Auckland, afternoon in Auckland

With More Time

If you have more than two weeks, either add more time into the destinations along this itinerary (Wellington, Auckland, Taupō, and Paihia are all great places to spend more time) or add on a new spot.

Between Taupo and Wellington, you can add on Egmont National Park to photograph or climb Mount Taranaki.

From Wellington, you can day trip to the Martinborough wine region and the Putangirua Pinnacles.

From Auckland, day trip at to the Waitakere Ranges and spend the day at Karekare or Piha Beach.

If you like scuba diving, add a day or two to visit the Poor Knights Marine Reserve, which is an archipelago that sits just off the coast from Northland.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days do I need on the North Island of New Zealand?

At a minimum, plan on spending 5 days on the North Island. This gives you just enough time to visit Auckland or Wellington, and either venture north to Northland and the Bay of Islands, or visit Hobbiton, the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, and the geothermal areas around Taupō and Rotorua.

It takes 2 weeks or longer to road trip through the North Island of New Zealand. If you want to visit everything listed on our North Island Bucket List, plan on spending at least 2 weeks on the North Island.

Is it worth visiting the North Island of New Zealand?

With glowworm caves, giant sand dunes, wineries, stunning coastal landscapes, black sand beaches, geothermal areas to explore, Hobbiton, cultural experiences, and forests of redwoods and kauri trees, and small towns and large cities to visit, there is something here for everyone. The North Island is well worth visiting on your trip to New Zealand.

When is the best time to visit the North Island of New Zealand?

Summer (December through February) is generally the best time to be here, with warmer, drier weather. However, it is also the busiest time of year to be here.

In autumn (March through May), temperatures cool off, as do the crowds, but rain chances increase. Fall colors make an appearance.

In the winter (June, July, and August), the temperatures continue to cool. Snow will fall on the highest peaks but for the most part, the North Island doesn’t get snow like the South Island does. The North Island tends to stay a bit warmer, especially the farther north you go.

And finally, in the spring (September through November), temperatures warm up and flowers begin to bloom. In late spring, rainfall goes down but crowds start to rise.

If you have any questions about this New Zealand North Island itinerary or how to modify it, let us know in the comment section below.

More Information for Your Trip to New Zealand

NEW ZEALAND ROAD TRIP: With 3 weeks in New Zealand, visit the highlights on a road trip to the North Island and South Island. If you have less time, you can shorten this itinerary by spending 2 weeks on the South Island.

SOUTH ISLAND ITINERARIES: Whether you have one week or three on the South Island of New Zealand, plan your visit with our one week itinerary, 10 day itinerary, and 2 week itinerary. Each itinerary lists multiple ways to plan your road trip, depending on your interests.

OUR FAVORITE EXPERIENCES IN NEW ZEALAND: All four of us went bungy jumping in Queenstown which was a blast. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is our favorite hike in New Zealand, followed by Roy’s Peak Track and the Routeburn Track. We also love Waiheke Island (a great day trip from Auckland), Queenstown and visiting Franz Josef (Glacier Country).

AUCKLAND: Get started with our article Best Things to Do in Auckland, which also has hotel and restaurant recommendations. Learn how to plan your time with our Auckland Itinerary. And don’t miss our guide to Waiheke Island, an amazing day trip from Auckland.

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