2 week North Island itinerary and travel guide
This road trip covers my favourite places in the North Island, in two weeks
Cathedral Cove, on the Coromandel Peninsula (my home region)
Wine, beaches, hot springs. What more could you want from a road trip?
Wine in the hot springs, maybe? You can swing that at Secret Spot in Rotorua, or swan around with a cocktail in the Lost Spring on the Coromandel.
The most popular stops in the North Island are Auckland, Rotorua, and Waitomo — which makes for a neat triangle if you only have 3-5 days.
With a little more time, you can visit some of the North Island’s lesser visited regions.
In this two week itinerary, I’ve included some of my favourite places to visit and things to do. I’ve tried to bring together off-the-beaten-track destinations that I love, as well as the popular attractions.
I hope this gives you inspiration for exploring Te Ika-a-Māui.
Disclosure: This itinerary contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission (at no extra cost to you!) if you make a purchase via those links. Thanks for your support!
A few tips for visiting the North Island
A sunrise in Pauanui, on the Coromandel Peninsula
TIMING
Two weeks is the perfect amount of time for a road trip around the North Island. This gives you enough time to experience the top things to do in the North Island, while not having to rush, skip places, or have long driving days. If you have three weeks, I would recommend adding a week in Northland — you need about that much to do the region north of Auckland justice.
DRIVING
You can easily do this itinerary in either a campervan/motorhome or in a rental car, staying in Airbnbs and motels. A campervan will let you get a bit more adventurous if you’re up for it — there are some amazing coastal camping spots in the North Island.
The easiest place to compare campervan prices and models is Motorhome Republic — it’s a little clunky but the only alternative is to sift through the campervan websites individually, and they can be even clunkier.
Driving times in New Zealand can be deceptive. The distances are long and the roads can be narrow and winding, which means it takes longer to get places than you would initially think from looking at Google Maps. Always allow yourself more time than you think you need to get from A to B.
14 day North Island itinerary overview
Day 1: Arrive in Auckland
Day 2: Take a day trip to Waiheke Island
Day 3: Road trip around the Coromandel Peninsula to Hahei
Day 4: Visit Coromandel beaches in the morning, head to Rotorua in the afternoon
Day 5: Spend a day visiting Rotorua
Day 6: Drive south to Tongariro National Park, via Taupo
Day 7: Go hiking in Tongariro National Park
Day 8: Head down to Whanganui
Day 9: Drive Surf Highway 45 to New Plymouth
Day 10: Explore New Plymouth
Day 11: Check out some hikes in Taranaki National Park
Day 12: Head north to Waitomo
Day 13: Make your way to Raglan
Day 14: Back to Auckland
DAY 1
Find your feet in Auckland
Auckland is unlikely to be your favourite stop on your North Island itinerary, but seeing as most international visitors arrive here after a long flight (often across mind-boggling date lines) it makes sense to stop for a night.
Auckland city has pockets of beauty, and plenty to offer on the dining front; the main challenge is that it can take time and perseverance to find parts of the city to love.
For a flying visit, your best bet is to find a hotel somewhere central (ideally around Britomart or the waterfront). From there, you can take ferries to islands in the gulf — Waiheke being the star of the show — and spend an evening at one of the Auckland’s best restaurants.
If you’d prefer to skip Auckland city altogether, but don’t want to drive after a long flight (a wise choice), an excellent option is to head straight to Waiheke. The island is easy to reach; Uber from the airport to the ferry terminal, and hop on the next ferry, they run at least every hour.
Once on the island, you can get to your accommodation (look for somewhere in or near Oneroa) via taxi, then get around on foot or by public bus. Waiheke feels worlds apart from the centre of Auckland, and the combination of sea views, white-sand beaches, and glossy vineyards can mean a thoroughly enjoyable way to recover from jetlag.
WHERE TO STAY IN AUCKLAND
Most hotels are clustered in the city centre, around Queen Street and the Viaduct. While the immediate areas around your hotel might not be the most inspiring, these areas are very convenient to transport (the ferry terminal for Waiheke is right at the bottom of Queen St.) and you will be walking distance to many restaurants.
If you prefer a quieter neighbourhood with less of a concrete jungle vibe, check out stays in Ponsonby or Grey Lynn.
The Convent Hotel
$$ | HOTEL | GREY LYNN
Once a derelict halfway house, best known for booze-fuelled brawls, The Convent Hotel has been fully restored to its original Spanish Mission style, complete with Catholic art and artefacts. It also has a great on-site restaurant, Ada. Located in Grey Lynn, you’ll be further from the hustle and bustle, but closer to more of the local hangouts.
The Fable Auckland MGallery
$$$ | HOTEL | CENTRAL AUCKLAND
Located on Queen Street, smack in the centre of town, the Fable hotel is decorated in the Art Deco style currently so popular with the city’s hotels. I spent one night in this hotel and enjoyed the jewel tones, gilt flourishes, and fine bone china tea set — it felt more lavish than a standard hotel room.
The view from my room was almost non-existent, looking out into a sea of air-conditioning units behind central city sky scrapers, but the convenience of the location more than made up for that.
FEATURED HOTEL
Hotel Britomart
Independent, design-focused, and as sustainable as a hotel can be.
DAY 2
Visit Waiheke Island
Auckland’s island of wine
A day trip to Waiheke Island is easily one of the best things to do in Auckland. And not just for tourists; locals love to head over to Waiheke too, whether it’s for a day trip, an event, or the occasional weekend escape.
Back in the 70s, Waiheke was a hang out for hippies and hermits more at home in the laid back island life than the fast pace of the city 35 minutes across the water.
The proximity to the city and stunning beaches meant Waiheke was never going to fly under the radar for long, though. The first grape vines were planted in 1977, and in the time it took for them to get established, Waiheke transformed into a luxury holiday destination, complete with multi-million dollar homes overlooking the sea, fine dining restaurants and sleek cellar doors.
Despite the very visible wealth on Waiheke, there are still traces of the bohemian enclave that was. The island still depends on tank water, you’ll still see healing crystals for sale at the Ostend market, and if you wander to the wrong part of some of the beaches, you run the risk of running into fully nude locals.
As a visitor, the magic of Waiheke lies in dipping into both sides of the island. The wine is a big drawcard and sampling syrah is a must do – but so is going for a walk in native bush and picnicking on the white sands of the northern shores.
WHAT TO DO ON WAIHEKE
Take a scenic wine tour with Kiwi Connect
Kiwi Connect is one of the smaller tour operators on Waiheke, which is half of their charm. Local guides drive small electric vans and stop off at scenic viewpoints as well as vineyards; by the time you get back on the ferry, Kiwi Connect wants you to be convinced that Waiheke has much more than just wine.
Their ‘Far End’ tour takes you to Man O’War and other out of the way vineyards, for a more exclusive look at Waiheke.
GETTING TO AND AROUND WAIHEKE
Waiheke is very easy to reach from Auckland. Ferries leave frequently (at least every hour) from downtown Auckland, and it's only a 40 minute trip across to the island.
Most sailings are met by buses, tours, taxis and shuttles at the Matiatia ferry terminal on Waiheke, where you can also find maps and information. It’s chaos initially, but the crowds quickly disperse.
Oneroa, two stops on the public bus or a 20 minute walk uphill from the Matiatia ferry terminal, is the largest village on the island.
Here you’ll find a few upmarket boutiques with beautiful homewares, a small supermarket, and a handful of restaurants. Further east is Ostend, a village centre that is a little less glossy than Oneroa, with a more lived-in feeling. Continue on the ‘main’ road and arrive at Onetangi, a long, beautiful beach, a little more removed from the hustle and bustle of Oneroa. This is a lovely area to stay if you plan on exploring more of the island.
Fullers360
The Fullers passenger ferry runs more or less hourly, from 6am-midnight, but the regular ticket is walk-up only (a reserved time costs extra). This means queuing up at the terminal. Lines can be long at peak times and you might not get on the sailing you want, unless you arrive 30 minutes in advance.
Island Direct
A smaller, local ferry which you can book online in advance, Island Direct is far less busy onboard and you’re guaranteed to get on at your chosen time (without having to pay extra for the privilege, as you do with Fullers).
The only downside is this company has fewer sailings, so if you’re booking last minute they might not have space.
Man O’ War Direct Ferry
If you'd like to head straight to Waiheke's only beachfront winery, you can get a direct ferry from Auckland to Man O'War. Run by Explore Group, this ferry is more expensive than the public ferry to Matiatia Ferry Terminal on the opposite end of the island, but it saves you a 45-minute journey (and an expensive taxi) if Man O'War is your goal.
Man O'War itself makes for a great day-trip destination, with great wine, decent food, and quick service.
If you're determined, you could also walk from Man O'War up to Stony Batter Historic Reserve, ticking off some of the harder-to-see attractions on Waiheke in one go.
DAY 3
Road trip from Auckland to the Coromandel Peninsula
It takes around two hours to reach the Coromandel Peninsula from Auckland; you’ll hit Thames first, an old gold mining town, and from there you can head up the west coast of the peninsula.
The Coromandel is famous for its eastern beaches. Most visitors head for Hahei and Cathedral Cove, both of which are undeniably beautiful.
Stopping in Coromandel Town gives you the chance to see the other side of the Coromandel, though, in both senses of the word.
Around Coromandel Town (and further north on the peninsula, if you’re game to drive on the narrow gravel roads) are pockets of the wondrously creative and alternative artists and thinkers.
A true highlight of the Coromandel is Driving Creek Railway, a small train through native bush built by the late artist, engineer and conservationist Barry Brickell. Driving Creek also serves as a ceramics studio, and the shop is well worth a browse.
Shakespear Cliff Lookout — the beach you can see below is Lonely Bay, which is a stunning little semi-secret spot.
WHAT TO DO IN THE COROMANDEL
The Lost Spring is a beautiful adults only naturally thermal hot spring, right in the middle of Whitianga.
Detour to Opito and Crayfish Bay
Detour off Highway 25 and you’ll get to some of the most sublime beaches on the peninsula; Otama and the remote Opito.
The road out to Otama Beach and Opito Bay goes straight past Luke’s Kitchen, a stalwart of the Coromandel.
With beach views and a very laid back vibe, Luke’s is a popular place to stop. I found the pizzas there to be somewhat underwhelming, and the sangria weak — if you pause for a drink, go for a local beer over the pitcher of sangria.
Luke’s is often very busy, as it’s the only place to get a meal for miles around, and there can be a wait for tables in summer. If you don’t mind grabbing a sandwich from the Kua Kawhe right next to Luke’s Kitchen, I suggest going for that option instead of waiting in line for food.
From Kuaotunu and Luke’s Kitchen, head up and over a hill over the true-to-Coromandel-type (steep, twisty, and gravel in patches) hill to Opito Bay. The long scythe of honey-coloured sand is backed by golden hills and contrasts delightfully with the bright blue water.
From the southern end of the beach, climb the steps to reach the top of an old Māori pa — defensive ditches are still visible — and enjoy views back across the bay.
Take a boat tour around the Cathedral Cove coastline
There are a number of boat tours departing from Whitianga and touring along the Cathedral Cove coastline.
Of these, I highly recommend choosing Cave Cruzer, a one-man show run by Brian, who has a deadpan sense of humour and a love for throttling his boat into spins.
The boat tours all follow a similar route, so it’s Brian’s personality that makes his tour stand out (and some of the others, like the Glass Bottom Boat, feed the fish in the marine reserve. I don’t agree with that approach, so wouldn’t recommend joining their tours).
If you would prefer to leave from Hahei, the zippy little Hahei Explorer is also a great option.
All of the boats will whisk you around the marine reserve.
WHERE TO STAY IN THE COROMANDEL
Coromandel Town, Whitianga and Hahei all make ideal bases for exploring the area, with Coromandel Town providing the most character and access to the far northern reaches of the Coromandel (add a day to day trip to Port Jackson), Whitianga being the easiest place to catch a boat to explore the coastline, and Hahei serving as possibly the most scenic town on the Coromandel.
Of course, if you’re in a campervan, there are many wonderful camping spots on the Coromandel — among my favourites are Waikawau Bay, Opoutere, and Pauanui (the last two are free for self-contained campervans only)
Buffalo Lodge
$$ | HOTEL | COROMANDEL TOWN | INDEPENDENTLY OWNED
Tucked away in regenerating native bush, five minutes from Coromandel Town centre, Buffalo Lodge offers sea and sunset views, a 'help yourself' fruit orchard and herb garden, and a cosy library.
FEATURED STAY
Wairua Rainforest River Retreat
Stay in native forest, with a forest bathtub, hot tub for stargazing, and a fire pit. Glorious. I honestly cannot recommend this place highly enough — if you want to splurge, do it here.
Day 4: Visit Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach, on your way to Rotorua
Spend the morning visiting the coastline around Hahei — the most famous beach is Cathedral Cove.
This cove gets a lot of visitors, so if you want to have it to yourself, wake up early and go for a sunrise mission (the east coast of the Coromandel is amazing for sunrises).
Otherwise, just resign yourself to the crowds.
You can take a boat tour around the coast if you just want to see the Cathedral rock formation and white-sand beach from the water.
Hot Water Beach is also worth checking out for the novelty value. Geothermal activity under the sand in one specific spot means hot springs well up from under the ground. This spot is only exposed at low tide, so make sure you’re there an hour or two either side of the low tide.
You can dig your own little pool in the sand and wallow around in scalding hot water, cooking yourself alongside the dozens of other people doing the same thing.
I’m kidding (a little) it is quite cool. It’s not quite a relaxing bathing experience, but it is unique.
DAY 5
Visit geothermal and cultural attractions in Rotorua
Visitors have been flocking to Rotorua’s thermal waters and volcanic wonders since the 1870s. Back then, many came to see the Pink and White terraces of silica deposits, which were destroyed in the 1886 Mt Tarawera eruption.
The fabled terraces may be gone, but there are still plenty of natural wonders luring visitors to Rotorua.
Your first introduction to New Zealand’s most dynamic thermal area is likely to be a whiff of sulphur-rich air as you drive into town. Rotorua is built right on top of a geothermal system which sends steam up through storm drains, and makes mud pools bubble in public parks. One of the main reasons to visit Rotorua is to see a geyser, a colourful pool of acid, or steaming cliffs.
Each of the geothermal parks in Rotorua offers something slightly different; whether that is combining the geothermal sights with hangi food cooked in the ground, a mud bath, or a soak in soothing hot waters.
Then there’s the chance to visit a Maori village, raft off the highest commercially raftable waterfall in the world, and explore a redwood forest.
WHAT TO DO IN ROTORUA
Waimangu Volcanic Valley
$ | GEOTHERMAL
When the Mt Tarawera eruption in 1886 destroyed the Pink and White Terraces, it created this thermal area (the terraces are thought to be beneath the waters of Lake Rotomahana in the Waimangu reserve).
A quieter option than Wai O Tapu, Waimangu is explored via a gentle downhill walk of 1-2 hours through the valley. Along the way are thermal and volcanic features like Frying Pan Lake, a vast hot spring, and Inferno Crater Lake, which has pastel blue water in the right conditions (the intensity of the colour depends on the water level, which rises and falls in a 38 day cycle, and how much you can see depends on the amount of steam blowing around), and colourful silica terraces.
The walk concludes on the shore of Lake Rotormahana; you can opt for a boat trip on the lake, for a closer look at steaming cliffs, or catch a shuttle back up the hill to the beginning.
Glow worm kayak tour
A unique way to see glowworms in New Zealand is to paddle across a lake under cover of darkness, and nose your way into small caves along the shoreline. The hidden nature of the lake-side caves, paddling in the dark, and the glowworms themselves combine to make this a unique adventure.
WHERE TO STAY IN ROTORUA
Aura
Of Rotorua’s central hotels, my top pick is Aura, located close to the lakefront and within easy walking distance to many restaurants (and if you can’t convince people with shorter legs to walk, the hotel lends out free scooters to get around). The hotel rooms are perfectly serviceable, but it's the extra facilities that make it unique; enjoy private thermal pools, or try your hand at cooking dinner with the geothermal steam box.
DAY 6
Road trip south to Tongariro, via Taupo
It only takes around two hours to drive from Rotorua down to Turangi, Raurimu, or other villages around Tongariro National Park. But, you can stop in Taupo on the way, and spend most of the day exploring.
Several geothermal parks are located between Rotorua and Taupo, so it can make sense to visit one of these on the drive south. Wai O Tapu and Waimangu Volcanic Valley are both 30 minutes south of Rotorua, while Orakei Korako is 50 minutes south.
Orakei Korako, which is often overlooked by visitors not wishing to stray too far from Rotorua, is a lovely quiet park, and one of the most visually stunning. It’s well worth the detour.
Closer to Taupo, the main sight is Huka Falls. The thundering falls are a result of the Waikato River, normally 100m wide, being forced through a 15m wide canyon; the torrent of blue water is an astonishing sight, albeit a busy one.
It only takes 15 minutes to walk to the viewing platform and back.
Time it right and you can also see the Aratiatia Rapids, where a dam releases water into a rocky gorge. The dam opens a couple of times a day.
WHERE TO STAY IF YOU WANT TO HIKE THE TONGARIRO CROSSING
Ohakune makes a great base for exploring Tongariro National Park
If you’re planning on doing Tongariro’s premier hike, ideally you want to book two nights' accommodation close to the park. Taupo is the largest town in the vicinity, but it’s still one hour each way to the park, which isn't ideal if you plan on heading south after Tongariro.
You will probably have the most luck with Airbnbs along the southern edge of Lake Taupo, or in Turangi, or in Waimarino/National Park Village. You could also look at heading a little further south — Ohakune and Raetihi also make good bases for exploring the area, but from Ohakune the start and finish points for the Crossing involve almost as much driving as Taupo (although if you want to explore other parts of Tongariro, like the Old Ghost Road, Ohakune is the clear winner).
The Powderhorn Chateau
$$ | HOTEL
Rustic, chalet-style Powderhorn has comfortable rooms lined with wood and furnished with leather armchairs. My room opened onto a small balcony, overlooking the river.
Rua Awa Lodge
$$ | PRIVATE HOLIDAY HOME
I’m a sucker for an outdoor bathtub and a fire pit, but this little lodge also has warm, wood-accented interiors and is run by a lovely local couple.
DAY 7
Hike in Tongariro National Park
Tongariro National Park, in the heart of the North Island, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s also home to some of the most striking and unique landscapes in the country, like volcanic cones, deep craters, rock-strewn desert and emerald-green lakes. This makes it the premier hiking destination in the North Island.
Although roads run around each edge of the park – State Highway bordering the eastern edge – Tongariro can be logistically tricky to navigate.
The easiest entry point to the park is from Highway 4 on the western flank, on the road which runs to Whakapapa Village and onwards to Whakapapa ski field. In Whakapapa Village, you’ll find the DOC visitor centre, plenty of car parking, and the trail head for a few walks, including the Taranaki Falls and Tama Lakes track.
If you want to hike the Tongariro Crossing, it’s almost impossible to do so without arranging some form of transport; there is a 4 hour parking limit at the Mangetepopo carpark (the most popular starting point for the hike) and you won’t make it as far as the Red Crater and Emerald Lakes in that time.
The hike is best walked as a one way trek, anyway; you can choose to meet a shuttle at the end point, or park at the end and have a shuttle take you to the start of the track. The second option involves and extra kilometre of walking (to reach the free carpark where you can leave your vehicle all day) but gives you more time freedom, as you won’t need to rush to keep to the shuttle schedule.
Day 8: Head down to Whanganui, a creative little riverside town
Whanganui has some colourful old buildings
I also loved watching the artists shape glass at Glassworks NZ
From Tongariro National Park, it’s only about a 90 minute drive down to Whanganui.
I think Whanganui is such a little gem.
It reminds me of Wellington, with an eclectic and creative vibe, but it’s smaller and easier to visit (I haven’t included on this itinerary, but which you could carve out a few days for if you’re interested in seeing the capital).
Wellington is a beautiful city, but at the end of the day, it’s still a city.
I love Whanganui for the fact that it’s still a small town, but it has some of the quirky, creative culture of Wellington (more and more people are migrating north from Wellington as a result of the high cost of living there).
ITINERARY NOTES
You could carry on to Taranaki and New Plymouth this day, if you didn’t want to spend the night in Whanganui. This also makes sense, as the accommodation options in and around Whanganui aren’t that amazing.
You could just spend the day exploring and still get a sense of what this little town is like.
If you carried on to New Plymouth, that would mean driving between 3.5-4 hours this day, but you could break that up over the day.
Day 9: Drive Surf Highway 45 to New Plymouth and Taranaki
Taranaki is one of my favourite regions in the North Island.
It’s the perfect place to road trip around. The Surf Highway curves around the coast and you can turn down almost any side road and end up at an epic black sand beach.
The waves here are wild and rugged, which is why it’s so famous among surfers, but you can still enjoy beach sunsets, long walks, and swimming when the surf is calmer.
Then there’s Mount Egmont National Park, which is an almost circular park surrounding the mighty peak of Mount Taranaki.
Hiking up the summit is the premier walk in the region, but you can only tackle it on a good weather day in summer, and it’s a full day hike.
A half day hike option is the walk up to the Pouakai Tarns, the reflective pools that mirror the peak of Taranaki on calm days.
New Plymouth itself is a pretty standard town, but there are a couple of highlights.
Chief among these is the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery/Len Lye Centre for contemporary art — it’s pretty impressive for a small town gallery. Pukekura Park is also a very beautiful place to go for a walk.
WHERE TO STAY IN NEW PLYMOUTH
Taranaki is a welcoming region for camping. I loved camping at the Three Sisters/Tongaporutu Domain freedom camp.
FEATURED STAY
Ahu Ahu Beach Villas
Easily the best place to stay in the Taranaki region is Ahu Ahu. I adored everything about this place, from how welcoming the family who run it are, to how dedicated they are to sustainability and community. And the villas themselves are incredible.
Day 10: Have a relaxed day enjoying New Plymouth
I think it’s always a good idea to enjoy a few nights in one place, without a huge amount on the agenda.
You could very easily do that on this day, by just hanging out in New Plymouth. A very cool little town, New Plymouth is home to the Len Lye Art Centre, which is very worthwhile.
If you fancy a drink, Shining Peak Brewing is excellent
Day 11: Visit Taranaki National Park for walks
The big walk in Taranaki/Egmont National park is hiking to the summit of Mount Taranaki.
That’s a pretty big undertaking, though — you need clear weather conditions, a good level of fitness, and pretty much a whole day to do it. The views from the top are incredible if you’re up for it. For me, it sits alongside the Tongariro Crossing as the most dramatic day hike you can do in the North Island.
If you don’t feel like climbing a mountain, a much easier option is to hike to the Pouakai Tarns. That’s a nice little out and back hike, with spectacular views across to Mount Taranaki and out to sea on a nice day.
Day 12: Make your way up to Waitomo
It’s a 3 hour drive from New Plymouth to Waitomo via the coastal route.
I’m a big fan of that coast drive. You can stop off at Tongapōrutu, or the Three Sisters, which is a nice beach walk (at low tide only) out to rock formations and views of Mount Taranaki in the distance.
If you like taking roads less travelled, keep following the coastline from Awakino to Marokopa, along a gravel road that sees very few tourist vehicles. Stops on that route include Waikawau Tunnel Beach, and then as you veer inland towards Waitomo village, Marokopa Falls and the Mangapohue Natural Bridge.
A longer, inland route from Taranaki to Waitomo runs roughly parallel to the coast, but takes much longer – around 4.5 hours. That drive is along the Forgotten World Highway, which sounds a lot more interesting than it really is. Although you’ll get to see some backcountry sheep stations, a couple of unique tunnels, and the village of Whangamomona (famously a self-declared republic), the reality is that there isn’t a lot to see during several hours of driving on a narrow gravel road.
A better way of exploring the Forgotten World Highway is with Forgotten World Adventures, who’ll take you off the gravel road and onto railway tracks through the region. From your perch in a modified golf cart, you’ll have excellent views of the remote area.
Forgotten World can organise to move your vehicle from A to B, so you can experience the rail cart tour as a one way trip.
This is definitely one of the more unique things you can do in the North Island, if not all of New Zealand, so it’s worth looking into.
Day 13: Head underground at Waitomo
Beneath the rolling green farmland of the Waitomo area lies an immense cave system containing limestone formations, rivers, and caverns. The name Waitomo comes from the Maori words wai (water) and tomo (hole or shaft).
This is not only one of the best places to see glowworms in New Zealand, it’s one of the best places to go caving.
Spellbound
If you’re looking to avoid the crowds at the main Waitomo Caves, Spellbound is an excellent option. With a focus on glowworms rather than caving action, the small-group tours are suitable for a range of fitness levels and abilities.
You’ll head into a cave system located around 30 minutes drive south of Waitomo, and get to raft around underneath a very brightly lit cavern ceiling.
There’s also the option to visit a second, dry cave which has fewer glow worms, but features an almost entire moa skeleton. This was the first time I had seen moa bones, and having grown up with many stories of these legendary giant birds, this was a huge highlight for me. Highly recommended.
Day 14: Make your way back to Auckland
It’s a two hour drive from Raglan back to Auckland.
Find more New Zealand itineraries
Resources for planning your New Zealand trip
A little quick fire round up of some of my top planning websites and resources.
VISA: Immigration New Zealand’s information on the NZeta
MONEY: I use Wise, including in New Zealand (I love the way it helps me track my spending)
TRAVEL INSURANCE: I recommend World Nomads (it’s what I use outside of New Zealand — when I’m here, I only occasionally get a cheap plan to cover rental cars).
RENTAL CARS: Discovercars.com for comparing the prices of rental cars
CAMPERVANS: Motorhome Republic for comparing the prices of campervans (see my advice for travelling New Zealand in a campervan)
FIND ACCOMMODATION: Booking.com is my preferred website for finding hostel or hotel accommodation in New Zealand, but it’s also worth checking Vrbo when you’re looking for places to stay outside of towns (some of the best places to stay are more remote). Canopy Camping is great for a special stay.
BOOK ACTIVITIES: Viator is an easy way to book tours (as a disclosure, I have written for them before!).
FIND WALKS AND HIKES: The DOC website is the best resource for all trails, scenic campsites, and mountain huts
BEST APPS: Campermate or Rankers for finding campsites, Gaspy for saving money on petrol
WEATHER: Metservice is New Zealand’s main weather site, but NIWA provides good mountain forecasts if you’re going hiking. I also love YR.
MEALS: First Table is a great site which lets you book meals for 50% off.
STAY ORGANISED: TripIt — an all-in one travel organiser for when the number of bookings starts to get overwhelming.
GET MORE HELP: For tailored advice — Book a call with me! If you need feedback on your itinerary or personalised travel tips, feel free to put some time in my calendar and let’s chat.
Thanks for reading this far! I hope this itinerary helped you plan a trip around the North Island. Here are some other articles that might come in handy with planning your trip:
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AUTHOR BIO
I’m a freelance travel writer from New Zealand with bylines in National Geographic Travel, Conde Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure and more.
I’ve travelled up and down beautiful Aotearoa and I love sharing my recommendations for the best places to visit in New Zealand.
