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What to see in New Zealand's North Island

Hobbits to volcanoesHobbiton and the glowworms, Rotorua, Tongariro, and the coast either side.

Hobbiton, the Waitomo glowworm caves, Rotorua, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing and the coast. Hobbiton is a two and a half hour guided tour of the 12 acre movie set, and pairs with a boat through the glowworm caves at Waitomo in a day from Auckland. Rotorua has the geothermal mud pools and a traditional Māori hāngī. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a 19km walk past volcanic craters and turquoise alpine lakes. North of Auckland, the Bay of Islands cruise winds among 144 islands. Day trips from Auckland are from $239, and eight days across the island from $1,264.

Checked on 28 October 2026.

A day Hobbiton and Waitomo from$359 Eight days Wellington to Auckland from$1264 Four days The Far North from$1852

The North Island is geothermal country, Māori culture, Hobbiton and coast, warmer and greener than the South and with less driving between the sights. Here they are from north to south.

Northland: the Bay of Islands and Waitangi

  • The Bay of Islands. A 4.5 hour guided catamaran cruise among 144 islands. It runs as a day from Auckland, a three hour drive north.
  • The Waitangi Treaty Grounds, with a traditional hāngī dinner at Waitangi that evening on the Far North trips.
  • Omapere on the west coast, where the Far North trips start with fish and chips on the beachfront.

Auckland and the Coromandel

  • Rangitoto Islandby water taxi from Auckland, on the 10 day trip.
  • Cathedral Covewith an afternoon kayaking or swimming in the turquoise water.
  • Hot Water Beachand its natural hot tubs, on the 10 day Northern Trail.

Hobbiton and the glowworms

  • Hobbiton.A two and a half hour fully guided tour of the 12 acre movie set, on Hobbiton's own buses, with a drink at the Green Dragon Inn.
  • The Waitomo glowworm cavesthe world-famous ones, guided and with a boat through the caves.
  • Both in one day from Aucklandfor $359, or Hobbiton on its own for $239.

Rotorua and the centre

  • Rotorua's geothermal mud poolsand the National Kiwi Hatchery.
  • A traditional hāngīin Rotorua or with dessert at Kohutapu Lodge on Lake Aniwhenua.
  • Blue Duck Stationa country station lodge with a 4WD eco-safari, two nights on the 9 day trip.
  • Lake Taupōsailed on the 17 day trip.

Tongariro

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a 19km walk across rocky plateaus, past volcanic craters and turquoise alpine lakes. The trips that include it transfer you to both ends and put you up in alpine chalets at Tongariro, so you walk it one way with no car to collect.

Wellington and the coast

  • Wellington, the capital, with the Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary.
  • Mount Maunganui, with fish and chips on the 8 day trip.
  • Raglan, on the west coast, a night on the Auckland loops.

Day trips from Auckland

TripLengthFrom
1 Day Hobbiton1 day$239
1 Day Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves1 day$359
1 Day Bay of Islands1 day$375

Pick-up and drop-off in Auckland. Prices update on their own.

Seeing the whole island

TripLengthStarts and finishesWho it is forFrom
8 Day North Island8 days, 7 nightsWellington / Auckland—$1264
7 Day Northern Voyager7 days, 6 nightsAuckland / Auckland—$1940
4 Day Far North Escape4 days, 3 nightsAuckland / Auckland—$1852
9 Day North Island Adventure9 days, 8 nightsAuckland / Wellington—$2099
10 Day Auckland to Wellington10 days, 9 nightsAuckland / Wellington—$2849
9 Day Auckland to Wellington9 days, 8 nightsAuckland / Wellington—$2899
7 Day Northern Explorer7 days, 6 nightsAuckland / Wellington—$4111
7 Day North Island Escape7 days, 6 nightsAuckland / Auckland—$4150

Prices update on their own.

Which suits you

  • One day from Auckland: Hobbiton and Waitomo together, or the Bay of Islands.
  • Four days for the Far North: Omapere, two nights at Paihia in the Bay of Islands and the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, in twin-share hotels.
  • A week to ten days for the whole island: Rotorua, Taupō and Tongariro, with the Coromandel or Wellington depending on the trip. The 8 day trip is from $1,264, Wellington to Auckland.
  • Travelling at 50 or over? The 7 day Northern Explorer is designed for you, in hotels on a luxury coach.
1 Day Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves1 Day Hobbiton & Waitomo Cavesfrom $3591 day1 day. Hobbiton and the glowworm cavesView trip1 Day Bay of Islands1 Day Bay of Islandsfrom $3751 day1 day. Bay of Islands cruise from AucklandView trip4 Day Far North Escape4 Day Far North Escapefrom $18524 days, 3 nights3-star twin-share hotels4 days. The Far North and WaitangiView trip8 Day North Island8 Day North Islandfrom $12648 days, 7 nightsMulti-share hostels and lodge8 days. Wellington to AucklandView trip9 Day Auckland to Wellington9 Day Auckland to Wellingtonfrom $28999 days, 8 nights3-4 star Hotels9 days. Tongariro and Blue Duck StationView trip

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Where this comes from. What each trip visits, where it sleeps, its meals, who it is designed for and prices are that trip's own details as held on its page here, and prices update on their own.