{"id":3288,"date":"2020-08-12T10:03:24","date_gmt":"2020-08-12T10:03:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tripfuser.com\/blog\/?p=3288"},"modified":"2025-01-05T14:22:18","modified_gmt":"2025-01-05T14:22:18","slug":"new-zealand-north-island-tour-travel-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/new-zealand-north-island-tour-travel-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Your New Zealand North Island Tour: Hit the Road and Explore"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Skirt the coast to find paradise beaches, make your way inland to get to the heart of Maori culture, surrounded by volcanicity and vibrant colours. Search for Pippin and Merry in Hobbiton and sample the fruits of the land in Wellington. No matter how you travel from top to tail, no New Zealand North Island tour is the same.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The question is, how do you start? New Zealand\u2019s North Island is jam-packed with astonishing scenery and sprinkled with fun-filled activities that make it a hot spot for travellers of all kinds.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While Lord of Rings fans won\u2019t want to go past Hamilton, science lovers will find themselves running between Rotorua and the glow worm caves that dot the island; foodies will find a home in Wellington while nature lovers will be lost among the endless rolling hills, mountains and coastlines that welcome you with open arms.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An essential part of your New Zealand (NZ) experience in the North Island is learning more about traditional owners of this land, dipping into the culture by meeting Maori people and learning that there is much more to this culture than the Hakka. To branch out on your foodie experiences, treating yourself to a Hangi meal is an absolute essential. After all, what better way to get into a culture than through food?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Last up &#8211; wine. Need we say more? New Zealand wines are known across the world, and while the most famous are in the South Island, New Zealand\u2019s North Island has some surprises in store with vineyards in Hawke\u2019s Bay, Waikato and Auckland.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Come winter or summer, no matter what your style of travel is, you\u2019ll be guaranteed to find it here in the North Island. This guide will unveil the best of New Zealand to get you planning your next trip, so let\u2019s get started.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3297 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/kirsten-drew-STP6oSg-0HU-unsplash-4-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100034\/kirsten-drew-STP6oSg-0HU-unsplash-4-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100034\/kirsten-drew-STP6oSg-0HU-unsplash-4-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100034\/kirsten-drew-STP6oSg-0HU-unsplash-4-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100034\/kirsten-drew-STP6oSg-0HU-unsplash-4-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100034\/kirsten-drew-STP6oSg-0HU-unsplash-4-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100034\/kirsten-drew-STP6oSg-0HU-unsplash-4-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100034\/kirsten-drew-STP6oSg-0HU-unsplash-4-1170x780.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100034\/kirsten-drew-STP6oSg-0HU-unsplash-4-585x390.jpg 585w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 2560px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 2560\/1707;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3297\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/kirsten-drew-STP6oSg-0HU-unsplash-4-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100034\/kirsten-drew-STP6oSg-0HU-unsplash-4-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100034\/kirsten-drew-STP6oSg-0HU-unsplash-4-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100034\/kirsten-drew-STP6oSg-0HU-unsplash-4-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100034\/kirsten-drew-STP6oSg-0HU-unsplash-4-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100034\/kirsten-drew-STP6oSg-0HU-unsplash-4-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100034\/kirsten-drew-STP6oSg-0HU-unsplash-4-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100034\/kirsten-drew-STP6oSg-0HU-unsplash-4-1170x780.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100034\/kirsten-drew-STP6oSg-0HU-unsplash-4-585x390.jpg 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/noscript>North Island Travel: When to Go<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New Zealand is known to have four seasons in one day, sitting farthest south in the world, you can expect the typical weather of Europe, just flipped upside down. No matter where you travel on your New Zealand tour of the North Island, this is a year-round destination with endless life and activities to keep you going.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The North Island has a hotter climate than the South Island, with summer reaching high into the twenties, giving you long sunny days. Your ideal summer North Island tour in New Zealand is from December to February. While the North Island may be busy with tourists at this time, the hustle and bustle is worth it for some prime beach time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Autumn, from March to May, and spring, from September to November, are the perfect times for long walks through the countryside or hiking in Auckland as nature\u2019s vibrant colours come to life.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The North Island comes to life once again in winter, from June to August, when walking trails are swapped for ski slopes welcoming skiers and snowboarders from all across the world to the picturesque snow-clad landscapes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">[vc_row css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1509035681059{background-color: #f2f2f2 !important;border-radius: 5px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1509350069266{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}&#8221; el_class=&#8221;post-cta&#8221;]<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>Don&#8217;t Miss Our Exclusive Offers! Subscribe Today!<\/b><\/h4>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For the ultimate travel inspiration, local insight straight from our expert Local Designers and exclusive offers you won&#8217;t find anywhere else from Designer Journeys, sign up today! Don&#8217;t miss out.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">[\/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=&#8221;Subscribe&#8221; style=&#8221;flat&#8221; color=&#8221;pink&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; link=&#8221;url:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/subscribe&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Things to Do in the North Island NZ<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Auckland<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A diverse and creative city that embraces food, wine, art and music, Auckland creates a warm and welcoming start to your New Zealand North Island tour itinerary.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spread over volcanic mountains, Auckland acts as a gateway to the North Island. However, with endless activities including picturesque walking trails, great access to beaches and open-air markets introducing you to Auckland\u2019s produce, the city warrants a little exploration while being a base for your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/trip-gallery\/12-day-charming-new-zealand-exploration-1792023502\">North Island trip<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Auckland day tours can take you to Hobbiton, the Bay of Islands and on an unforgettable road trip driving from Auckland to Wellington. The city is a great introduction to New Zealand as the first of your North Island destinations just like on this <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/trip-gallery\/6-day-new-zealand-northern-island-beaches-boating-1792003827\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6-day New Zealand beaches and boating tour<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wellington<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Wellington, you\u2019ll feel instantly welcomed into a community with its small-town feel. Sitting on the cusp of the North Island\u2019s natural wonderland, Wellington embraces the sea it looks out to as well as its mountainous backdrop, the perfect combination for any city! You can tap into Wellington\u2019s natural vista on this <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/trip-gallery\/2-day-wellington-seal-colony-experience-1792001422\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2-day Wellington seal colony experience<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Of all the places to go in the North Island to delve into New Zealand\u2019s food scene, Wellington has to be it. With many award-winning restaurants, you have to sample all that this city has to offer. In between your tastings, the city is also known for its many museums and galleries, which warrant your attention to learn about the culture and history of the North Island.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rotorua<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are looking to learn more about Maori culture, look no further than Rotorua. Filled with volcanicity, the Maori people care for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/trip-gallery\/8-day-new-zealand-north-island-itinerary-1792017792\">the land of Rotorua<\/a> and embrace all of its fruits. The city sits on the edge of a haven of natural landscapes waiting to be explored, the city encourages a more down to earth and outdoor-orientated approach to life with fun-filled activities great for the family, like fly fishing in Rotorua.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hiking and biking trails, bubbling hot springs and geysers run in tandem with Maori culture here, and you\u2019ll find yourself learning about both at the same time. The best example of this is the geothermal mud pools that are a must-do in the North Island<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The hot pools are characterised by vibrant colours that seem impossibly natural as they steam, bubble and spit from below the surface.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Glow Worm Caves<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A magical North Island New Zealand highlight, the glow worm caves are a spectacle that can only be compared to a starlit sky in the middle of nowhere. The most famous glow worm caves are in Waitomo where you find an easy-access cave and well-facilitated tours that welcome thousands of visitors every year.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, there are numerous other glow worm caves that offer a similar experience without the crowds so you don\u2019t miss out on this amazing experience just like in this <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/trip-gallery\/3-day-northland-new-zealand-self-drive-tour-1792016564\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tour with glow worm caves in the Northlands<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Among them are Lake Mclaren, Kawiti Glow Worm Caves and Okupata Caves.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3296 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/sebastien-goldberg-CmU1hFeJgyk-unsplash-1-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100020\/sebastien-goldberg-CmU1hFeJgyk-unsplash-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100020\/sebastien-goldberg-CmU1hFeJgyk-unsplash-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100020\/sebastien-goldberg-CmU1hFeJgyk-unsplash-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100020\/sebastien-goldberg-CmU1hFeJgyk-unsplash-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100020\/sebastien-goldberg-CmU1hFeJgyk-unsplash-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100020\/sebastien-goldberg-CmU1hFeJgyk-unsplash-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100020\/sebastien-goldberg-CmU1hFeJgyk-unsplash-1-1170x780.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100020\/sebastien-goldberg-CmU1hFeJgyk-unsplash-1-585x390.jpg 585w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 2560px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 2560\/1707;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3296\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/sebastien-goldberg-CmU1hFeJgyk-unsplash-1-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100020\/sebastien-goldberg-CmU1hFeJgyk-unsplash-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100020\/sebastien-goldberg-CmU1hFeJgyk-unsplash-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100020\/sebastien-goldberg-CmU1hFeJgyk-unsplash-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100020\/sebastien-goldberg-CmU1hFeJgyk-unsplash-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100020\/sebastien-goldberg-CmU1hFeJgyk-unsplash-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100020\/sebastien-goldberg-CmU1hFeJgyk-unsplash-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100020\/sebastien-goldberg-CmU1hFeJgyk-unsplash-1-1170x780.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100020\/sebastien-goldberg-CmU1hFeJgyk-unsplash-1-585x390.jpg 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/noscript>Coromandel Peninsula<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A coastal paradise, the Coromandel Peninsula is the full package when it comes to places to visit in the North Island, NZ. White sand beaches are met with rainforests and verdant hideaways create a dream escape; from The Pinnacles to Cathedral Cove, the Coromandel Peninsula is a nature lover\u2019s paradise!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Coromandel is your chance to exchange the big city for a calm and fresh escape on the east coast. The peninsula has a rustic, easy-going atmosphere that, no matter where you stay, you\u2019ll feel inclined to fall in line with.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you want to lie in a hammock all day or get stuck into the adventurous activities in the forest, with the best hiking in New Zealand\u2019s North Island, and on the beach like on this <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/trip-gallery\/7-day-north-island-hilton-lake-taupo-1792017108\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7-day North Island active nature tour<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the Coromandel Peninsula has a charm that you cannot avoid.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whale Watching in the North Island<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Offering an unmissable performance for all that wish to see it, whale watching in the North Island of New Zealand will show you that the beauty of this magical destination is not just on land, it\u2019s offshore too.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A safari tour from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/trip-gallery\/2-day-auckland-food-tour-1792001423\">Auckland<\/a> takes you offshore where you\u2019ll meet dolphins, seals and whales, with different species migrating past the east coast throughout the year. Led by marine biologists, you\u2019ll also have the chance of seeing manta rays and little blue penguins.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hobbiton<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Set in the heart of the Waikato region is every Lord of the Rings fan\u2019s dream: Hobbiton is arguably the most famous attraction in the North Island.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stepping into Middle Earth, you feel worlds away as you walk through the movie set of The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings films. Following a guide, a tour of Hobbiton will walk you through how the set was made and give you the chance to become part of The Shire as you are shown the tiniest details that complete the experience!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hobbiton is only the beginning of the Lord of the Rings filming locations on the North Island, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/trip-gallery\/7-day-best-lord-of-the-rings-tour-1792003826\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this North Island tour<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that takes you to The Shire, Rivendell and Mordor in search of the Ring on your very own Lord of the Rings adventure.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3295 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/callum-hill-sWLZk6uzZRs-unsplash-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1883\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100005\/callum-hill-sWLZk6uzZRs-unsplash-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100005\/callum-hill-sWLZk6uzZRs-unsplash-300x221.jpg 300w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100005\/callum-hill-sWLZk6uzZRs-unsplash-1024x753.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100005\/callum-hill-sWLZk6uzZRs-unsplash-768x565.jpg 768w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100005\/callum-hill-sWLZk6uzZRs-unsplash-1536x1130.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100005\/callum-hill-sWLZk6uzZRs-unsplash-2048x1506.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100005\/callum-hill-sWLZk6uzZRs-unsplash-1170x860.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100005\/callum-hill-sWLZk6uzZRs-unsplash-585x430.jpg 585w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 2560px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 2560\/1883;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3295\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/callum-hill-sWLZk6uzZRs-unsplash-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1883\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100005\/callum-hill-sWLZk6uzZRs-unsplash-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100005\/callum-hill-sWLZk6uzZRs-unsplash-300x221.jpg 300w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100005\/callum-hill-sWLZk6uzZRs-unsplash-1024x753.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100005\/callum-hill-sWLZk6uzZRs-unsplash-768x565.jpg 768w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100005\/callum-hill-sWLZk6uzZRs-unsplash-1536x1130.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100005\/callum-hill-sWLZk6uzZRs-unsplash-2048x1506.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100005\/callum-hill-sWLZk6uzZRs-unsplash-1170x860.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100005\/callum-hill-sWLZk6uzZRs-unsplash-585x430.jpg 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/noscript>How to Get Around the North Island<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New Zealand is a country where the destination often comes second to the journey so considering how you travel is essential.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Self-drive in the North Island<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Road trip!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you choose to rent a car or buy one, your self-drive North Island trip will be one to remember. Green rolling hills turn into endless coastlines, hidden beaches and coves. Bubbling geysers turn into glaciers and caves; a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/trip-gallery\/3-day-new-zealand-family-vacation-to-lake-taupo-1792016721\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">self-drive tour in the North Island<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will be a trip to remember, and is an absolute must-do!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Private Transport<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While organising private transportation in the North Island will be the most expensive option, it is also the most efficient as you can relax in the knowledge that a driver will get you to your next destination, and show you all the essential stops along the way.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bus<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If neither of the above are options for you, there are a range of budget-friendly options available. New Zealand\u2019s coach tours in the North Island are known for taking travellers to all the must-see places. There is also the InterCity Bus link to take you from Auckland to Rotoroa for a day trip, and even from Auckland to Wellington on a tour.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When in the cities, the hop-on-hop-off buses are perfect to go on your very own tour.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plane<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flying around the North Island is less time-consuming, yet you are still getting the spectacular views that New Zealand is known for.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With a little forward planning, it\u2019s possible to get cheap flights from Wellington to Auckland and the surrounding area. While you are not quite getting the stunning views that are available on the road, if you are planning a short North Island tour, flying may be your best option to see all it has to offer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Where to Stay on Your North Island Trip<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Auckland<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While Auckland is not a big city, where you stay is going to affect your time here. For first-timers, it\u2019s advised that you stay central to make sure that you soak up all of that Auckland goodness. From the boutique shops to the endless restaurants, the centre of Auckland has all that you need to make the most of the city hustle.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you want a little luxury, you may consider staying in Auckland Viaduct, while beach lovers and surfers will enjoy Mission Bay or Piha.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Havelock<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sitting close to Te Mata Peak, Havelock is known as Hawke\u2019s Bay\u2019s \u201clove village\u201d, a romantic little spot with beautiful shops, restaurants and an artistic vibe.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Accommodation in Havelock in the North Island of NZ is limited, but what you do find is small locally-run cottages and exclusive retreats that act as a gateway to some of New Zealand\u2019s best wineries.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rotorua<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Home to rich Maori culture, bubbling pools and hissing geysers, Rotorua is an absolute must-visit place in the North Island, and with that comes a range of accommodation to suit all kinds of travellers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From caravan sites to hotels, luxury retreats and lodges, Rotorua has accommodation spread throughout the town and sitting on its scenic outskirts, so you\u2019ll never feel like you are missing out.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taupo<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Known for its beautiful lake, there is one thing that is for certain while staying in Taupo, you\u2019ll have a stunning view to gaze out to. There are several areas to choose from in Taupo, as the lake is huge, however, first-timers in the North Island will find they don\u2019t need to look much further than the town.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With everything from backpacker hostels to private lodges with staggering views, Taupo is a dreamily relaxing place to stay. Campers will also revel in the host of locations to park and pitch up.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3294 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/nicholas-rean-oiL09Vr9d0-unsplash-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1229\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095951\/nicholas-rean-oiL09Vr9d0-unsplash-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095951\/nicholas-rean-oiL09Vr9d0-unsplash-300x144.jpg 300w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095951\/nicholas-rean-oiL09Vr9d0-unsplash-1024x492.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095951\/nicholas-rean-oiL09Vr9d0-unsplash-768x369.jpg 768w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095951\/nicholas-rean-oiL09Vr9d0-unsplash-1536x738.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095951\/nicholas-rean-oiL09Vr9d0-unsplash-2048x984.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095951\/nicholas-rean-oiL09Vr9d0-unsplash-1170x562.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095951\/nicholas-rean-oiL09Vr9d0-unsplash-585x281.jpg 585w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 2560px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 2560\/1229;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3294\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/nicholas-rean-oiL09Vr9d0-unsplash-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1229\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095951\/nicholas-rean-oiL09Vr9d0-unsplash-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095951\/nicholas-rean-oiL09Vr9d0-unsplash-300x144.jpg 300w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095951\/nicholas-rean-oiL09Vr9d0-unsplash-1024x492.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095951\/nicholas-rean-oiL09Vr9d0-unsplash-768x369.jpg 768w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095951\/nicholas-rean-oiL09Vr9d0-unsplash-1536x738.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095951\/nicholas-rean-oiL09Vr9d0-unsplash-2048x984.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095951\/nicholas-rean-oiL09Vr9d0-unsplash-1170x562.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095951\/nicholas-rean-oiL09Vr9d0-unsplash-585x281.jpg 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/noscript>Places to Eat &amp; Drink on Your North Island Travels<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wellington<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The food scene in Wellington has its own identity. So much so, there are a number of foodie tours dedicated to it. Surrounded by a wealth of fresh produce, Wellington acts as a centre to bring it all together.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Covering everything from chocolate to beers and wine, it would be rude not to come to Wellington hungry. With restaurants ranging from the unique to the cheap and cheerful, you\u2019ll finish your time in the city full and happy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hawke\u2019s Bay\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Food and wine in Hawke\u2019s Bay are at the centre of everything. There is even a continuous event series to keep up with what is happening on the food scene and to make sure locals stay in the know.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The perfect getaway, spending a quiet moment in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/trip-gallery\/7-day-private-north-island-hawkes-bay-wineries-1792022335\">Hawke\u2019s Bay<\/a> and becoming acquainted with its culinary scene is essential. Tours like this <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/trip-gallery\/3-day-luxury-hawke-s-bay-wine-tour-1792016674\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3-day luxury Hawke\u2019s Bay wine tour<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> demonstrate that food and wine here are not just for special occasions, it\u2019s a lifestyle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hangi in Rotorua<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Following the belief that the earth is the giver of all life, hangi cuisine is cooked underground, and in \u2018<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whakarewarewa\u2019, this means with geothermal activity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In true Maori hospitality, you\u2019ll dine on a feast of meat and vegetables cooked either in a mineral pool or in a geothermal pit. The Hangi pie comes highly recommended, which is all of the ingredients wrapped in pastry. The flavour is unlike anything you have had before!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Waiheke Island<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You cannot visit the North Island on a food tour without <a href=\"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/trip-gallery\/12-day-north-island-highlights-1792029513\">visiting Waiheke Island<\/a>. This wine island is the culinary capital of the north, known for its endless vineyards and captivatingly delicious restaurants everywhere you turn.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With a great variety of food and wine tours on offer, Waiheke Island demands that you come hungry as the award-winning local produce found here is something you cannot miss out on!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3293 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/james-coleman-bJAeszSaiTY-unsplash-3-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095932\/james-coleman-bJAeszSaiTY-unsplash-3-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095932\/james-coleman-bJAeszSaiTY-unsplash-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095932\/james-coleman-bJAeszSaiTY-unsplash-3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095932\/james-coleman-bJAeszSaiTY-unsplash-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095932\/james-coleman-bJAeszSaiTY-unsplash-3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095932\/james-coleman-bJAeszSaiTY-unsplash-3-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095932\/james-coleman-bJAeszSaiTY-unsplash-3-1170x780.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095932\/james-coleman-bJAeszSaiTY-unsplash-3-585x390.jpg 585w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 2560px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 2560\/1707;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3293\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/james-coleman-bJAeszSaiTY-unsplash-3-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095932\/james-coleman-bJAeszSaiTY-unsplash-3-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095932\/james-coleman-bJAeszSaiTY-unsplash-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095932\/james-coleman-bJAeszSaiTY-unsplash-3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095932\/james-coleman-bJAeszSaiTY-unsplash-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095932\/james-coleman-bJAeszSaiTY-unsplash-3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095932\/james-coleman-bJAeszSaiTY-unsplash-3-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095932\/james-coleman-bJAeszSaiTY-unsplash-3-1170x780.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095932\/james-coleman-bJAeszSaiTY-unsplash-3-585x390.jpg 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/noscript>Cost of a New Zealand North Island Tour<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To break down your North Island trip, you look at the following;<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Length of your trip<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Season or month you choose to travel in<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Accommodation class and type<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How many places you visit during your trip<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Number of activities or tours you take part in<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expenditure on shopping and dining out<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When looking at this list, planning your New Zealand North Island tour can seem daunting. Not to mention, making sure your North Island travel is within budget can seem like a lot of planning. However, there is a way the stress can be taken out of this.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With Designer Journeys, all you need to do is list your budget, trip duration, activity preferences and how you like to travel. With this information, you\u2019ll be connected directly with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/new-zealand\/local-designers\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a Local Designer in New Zealand<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> who will plan your trip based on your requirements. From airport transfers to hotel and restaurant reservations and guided tours, your Local Designer will make planning your trip to New Zealand\u2019s North Island seem easy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alternatively, you could <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/new-zealand\/design\/1?ab=1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">design your own North Island trip<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with Designer Journeys and feel at ease knowing that every detail has been taken care of. By taking a few simple steps, your New Zealand tour can be tailor-made to what is achievable for you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As an example, take a look at a North Island tour, like this <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/trip-gallery\/5-day-luxury-new-zealand-tour-1792003828\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5-day luxury North Island escape trip<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that costs $1,759 per person, it includes;<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5-star accommodation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Four guided activities<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Airport transfers and transport by private car<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Four breakfasts, two lunches and one dinner<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By adjusting small things you can cut the cost of the trip significantly, making a more budget-friendly trip. Where you choose to stay, how often you decide to move and how you choose to travel will all affect the price of your New Zealand trip.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When it comes to planning a trip to New Zealand, everyone has different requests, making custom travel the best way to make your ideas a reality. With Designer Journeys, you can browse a range of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/new-zealand-tours\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fully-customisable New Zealand tours<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and tailor any one of them to your preferences with one of our Local Designers. Or better yet, select what you want out of a trip using the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/new-zealand\/design\/1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018Design your Own Trip\u2019<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> function and let one of our Local Designers design the trip of your dreams!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Festivals Not to Miss On Your North Island Tour<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Homegrown<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Held in the creative town of Wellington, Homegrown does just as it says; hosts local artists and vendors that make up the North Island community. From internationally-renowned names to local well-known faces, the festival embraces all that the North Island and New Zealand have to give.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pasifika Festival<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of many Pasifika Festivals around Polynesia, Pasifika is a celebration of cultures in the Pacific region with Polynesian culture, of which Maori culture is a huge part of, at the centre. Communities from in and around Wellington and Auckland, where the festivals are held, come to the two cities to celebrate Polynesian culture through music, food and art.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Splore<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regarded as the boutique festival of the North Island, Splore takes over a beach one hour from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/trip-gallery\/9-day-scenic-places-to-visit-in-new-zealand-1792023503\">Auckland<\/a> once a year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Capturing the perfect New Zealand summer in just one weekend, people from across New Zealand come to camp, enjoy good company and good music alongside beautiful art for a magical creative experience. Of all the camping experiences, many people bring their boats which adds a little something to the festival that you might not have experienced before.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Auckland Beer Week<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Celebrating local breweries around the North Island, Auckland Beer Week is held across many bars in the city celebrating not just beer, but the food that comes with it too.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Focusing on local produce, beer week has many tastings and events that are navigated by free tuk-tuks and buses to ensure everyone travels safely.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3292 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/yue-shian-lee-D7qgx2aPGiU-unsplash-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095913\/yue-shian-lee-D7qgx2aPGiU-unsplash-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095913\/yue-shian-lee-D7qgx2aPGiU-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095913\/yue-shian-lee-D7qgx2aPGiU-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095913\/yue-shian-lee-D7qgx2aPGiU-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095913\/yue-shian-lee-D7qgx2aPGiU-unsplash-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095913\/yue-shian-lee-D7qgx2aPGiU-unsplash-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095913\/yue-shian-lee-D7qgx2aPGiU-unsplash-1170x780.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095913\/yue-shian-lee-D7qgx2aPGiU-unsplash-585x390.jpg 585w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 2560px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 2560\/1707;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3292\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/yue-shian-lee-D7qgx2aPGiU-unsplash-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095913\/yue-shian-lee-D7qgx2aPGiU-unsplash-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095913\/yue-shian-lee-D7qgx2aPGiU-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095913\/yue-shian-lee-D7qgx2aPGiU-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095913\/yue-shian-lee-D7qgx2aPGiU-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095913\/yue-shian-lee-D7qgx2aPGiU-unsplash-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095913\/yue-shian-lee-D7qgx2aPGiU-unsplash-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095913\/yue-shian-lee-D7qgx2aPGiU-unsplash-1170x780.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12095913\/yue-shian-lee-D7qgx2aPGiU-unsplash-585x390.jpg 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/noscript>Regional Tours in the North Island\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We\u2019ve broken down our favourite tours in the North Island to save you the search;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NZ North Island road trips can also include the South Island, just like <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this trip covering <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/trip-gallery\/14-day-bay-of-islands-1792017107\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New Zealand\u2019s things to do in the North Island<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and more!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Perfect for honeymoons, or just a little treat, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/trip-gallery\/3-day-luxury-rotorua-tour-1792017061\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this luxury tour from Auckland to Rotorua<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for the weekend oozes elegance with stunning accommodation and fine dining experiences.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Likewise, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/trip-gallery\/3-day-new-zealand-itinerary-waikato-region-1792016722\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this 3-day luxury escape to the Waikato region<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> covers essential experiences like North Island\u2019s glow worm caves and Hobbiton while staying in a 5-star hotel &#8211; dreamy!<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ready to Design your Own North Island New Zealand Tour?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Armed with this guide, you are one step closer to embracing the North Island in all its glory. Whether you are looking for a coastal escape or want to explore the mountains and volcanoes in the centre of the North Island, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/new-zealand\/local-designers\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">our Local Designers in New Zealand<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have the knowledge and experience to make it happen.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"kk-star-ratings kksr-auto kksr-align-left kksr-valign-bottom\"\n    data-payload='{&quot;align&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;3288&quot;,&quot;slug&quot;:&quot;default&quot;,&quot;valign&quot;:&quot;bottom&quot;,&quot;ignore&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;reference&quot;:&quot;auto&quot;,&quot;class&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;count&quot;:&quot;6&quot;,&quot;legendonly&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;readonly&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;score&quot;:&quot;4.8&quot;,&quot;starsonly&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;best&quot;:&quot;5&quot;,&quot;gap&quot;:&quot;5&quot;,&quot;greet&quot;:&quot;Rate this post&quot;,&quot;legend&quot;:&quot;4.8\\\/5 - (6 votes)&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;24&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Your New Zealand North Island Tour: Hit the Road and Explore&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:&quot;136.7&quot;,&quot;_legend&quot;:&quot;{score}\\\/{best} - ({count} {votes})&quot;,&quot;font_factor&quot;:&quot;1.25&quot;}'>\n            \n<div class=\"kksr-stars\">\n    \n<div class=\"kksr-stars-inactive\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"1\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"2\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"3\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"4\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" data-star=\"5\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    \n<div class=\"kksr-stars-active\" style=\"width: 136.7px;\">\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n            <div class=\"kksr-star\" style=\"padding-right: 5px\">\n            \n\n<div class=\"kksr-icon\" style=\"width: 24px; height: 24px;\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n                \n\n<div class=\"kksr-legend\" style=\"font-size: 19.2px;\">\n            4.8\/5 - (6 votes)    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Skirt the coast to find paradise beaches, make your way inland to get to the heart of Maori culture, surrounded by volcanicity and vibrant colours. Search for Pippin and Merry in Hobbiton&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":3298,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"faq_json_schema":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[96,100,141,102,104,147,106,148,107],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v23.4 (Yoast SEO v23.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Your New Zealand North Island Tour: Hit the Road and Explore | Travel Journal by Designer Journeys<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"This travel guide will unveil the best of New Zealand to get you planning your New Zealand North Island Tour, so get reading!\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/new-zealand-north-island-tour-travel-guide\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Your New Zealand North Island Tour: Hit the Road and Explore\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"This travel guide will unveil the best of New Zealand to get you planning your New Zealand North Island Tour, so get reading!\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/new-zealand-north-island-tour-travel-guide\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Travel Journal by Designer Journeys\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/DesignerJourneys\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2020-08-12T10:03:24+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-01-05T14:22:18+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100050\/james-coleman-f5CdpzkqsaU-unsplash-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1707\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Eilidh Wilson\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Eilidh Wilson\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"16 minutes\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Your New Zealand North Island Tour: Hit the Road and Explore | Travel Journal by Designer Journeys","description":"This travel guide will unveil the best of New Zealand to get you planning your New Zealand North Island Tour, so get reading!","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/new-zealand-north-island-tour-travel-guide\/","og_locale":"en_GB","og_type":"article","og_title":"Your New Zealand North Island Tour: Hit the Road and Explore","og_description":"This travel guide will unveil the best of New Zealand to get you planning your New Zealand North Island Tour, so get reading!","og_url":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/new-zealand-north-island-tour-travel-guide\/","og_site_name":"Travel Journal by Designer Journeys","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/DesignerJourneys\/","article_published_time":"2020-08-12T10:03:24+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-01-05T14:22:18+00:00","og_image":[{"width":2560,"height":1707,"url":"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100050\/james-coleman-f5CdpzkqsaU-unsplash-scaled.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Eilidh Wilson","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Eilidh Wilson","Estimated reading time":"16 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/new-zealand-north-island-tour-travel-guide\/","url":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/new-zealand-north-island-tour-travel-guide\/","name":"Your New Zealand North Island Tour: Hit the Road and Explore | Travel Journal by Designer Journeys","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/new-zealand-north-island-tour-travel-guide\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/new-zealand-north-island-tour-travel-guide\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100050\/james-coleman-f5CdpzkqsaU-unsplash-scaled.jpg","datePublished":"2020-08-12T10:03:24+00:00","dateModified":"2025-01-05T14:22:18+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/e38c558e06a273f9d48e06d86f29a7d7"},"description":"This travel guide will unveil the best of New Zealand to get you planning your New Zealand North Island Tour, so get reading!","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/new-zealand-north-island-tour-travel-guide\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-GB","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/new-zealand-north-island-tour-travel-guide\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/new-zealand-north-island-tour-travel-guide\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100050\/james-coleman-f5CdpzkqsaU-unsplash-scaled.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/s3-cdn.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12100050\/james-coleman-f5CdpzkqsaU-unsplash-scaled.jpg","width":2560,"height":1707,"caption":"New Zealand North Island Tour"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/new-zealand-north-island-tour-travel-guide\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Travel Journal","item":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Oceania Travel","item":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/category\/oceania-travel\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"New Zealand","item":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/category\/oceania-travel\/new-zealand\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Your New Zealand North Island Tour: Hit the Road and Explore"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/","name":"Designer Journeys","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-GB"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/e38c558e06a273f9d48e06d86f29a7d7","name":"Eilidh Wilson","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.tripfuser.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/65162311_2659718157374901_3711710303411503104_n-e1621936910675-96x96.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.tripfuser.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/65162311_2659718157374901_3711710303411503104_n-e1621936910675-96x96.jpg","caption":"Eilidh Wilson"},"description":"Hello! I\u2019m Eilidh, a Scottish-born writer, artist and part-time explorer who has been based in Vietnam since 2016. Very much the outdoor type, in between words, you\u2019ll catch me seeking out adventures to be had and stories to be told. I\u2019m a sucker for a sunset, adore the reward of finding waterfalls and a self-proclaimed beach bum. Back at the desk, I love sharing my experience and love of travel and inspiring others to reach further out into the world - especially if it\u2019s related to food!","sameAs":["https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/eilidh-wilson\/"],"url":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/author\/eilidh\/"}]}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"","yoast_wpseo_canonical":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3288"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3288"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3288\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9212,"href":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3288\/revisions\/9212"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3298"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3288"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3288"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.designerjourneys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3288"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}