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New Zealand: The North Island

  • October 13, 2014
  • By 50 Shades
  • 6 Comments

Auckland-Harbour-at-night

From active volcanoes to island sanctuaries, secluded bays, harbours bulging with yachts, and rich Maori culture, the North Island of New Zealand is jam packed with interesting sights and landscapes. And the good news is that it’s only a 3 hour flight from Australia. Check out the latest fabulous flights and prices.

The North Island or Te Ika-a-Maui is one of the two main islands of New Zealand, separated from the slightly larger but much less populous South Island by Cook Strait. It has the country’s largest city, Auckland as well as the capital, Wellington at either ends of the island.

Geothermal Pools at Rotorua

Geothermal Pools at Rotorua

The best way to see this fascinating country is by hiring a car and doing a self-drive tour or by one of the many bus tours. As you meander through the ever-changing terrain there is a blend of magnificent coast, sprawling farmlands and geothermal wonders.

My 7 day itinerary started and finished from the largest Polynesian city in the world, Auckland. Sometimes called the ‘city of sails’ because of its huge sailing fraternity. This map shows where our road trip took us.

North Island NZ

Day One – Auckland

We arrived into the city of Auckland that lies on and around an isthmus, less than two kilometres wide at its narrowest point, between Mangere Inlet and the Tamaki River. There are two harbours in the Auckland urban area surrounding this isthmus: Waitemata Harbour to the north, which opens east to the Hauraki Gulf, and Manukau Harbour to the south, which opens west to the Tasman Sea.

It is an extremely picturesque city with this ‘city of sails’ boasting 135,000 registered yachts and launches and renowned in yachting circles for hosting two America’s Cup challenges (2000 Cup and 2003 Cup).

Westhaven Marina, Auckland, North Island, New Zealand

Our short one night stay in Auckland only allowed enough time for a quick stroll through the city taking in the magical sight of the 328 metre high Sky Tower which predominates the skyline. For an unforgettable experience you can do a sky jump or a sky walk from the tower. For the ‘not so brave’ there is an observation deck called sky deck and a cafe and bar with views to die for over Auckland city and harbour.

Our wanderings bought us to the Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour where you can board a harbour cruise or sailing adventure or visit the New Zealand National Maritime Museum. The harbourside is crowded with some of Auckland’s finest restaurants where you can sample some freshly prepared New Zealand produce or just sit back and relax with a glass of crisp Sauvignon Blanc.

Auckland, New Zealand

Day Two & Three – Bay of Islands

We set off in our hire car northwards to the Bay of Islands. The scenery was hilly, lush and green with a few vineyards along the way. We stopped at Ransom Winery about one hour out of Auckland and tasted some nice white wines.

Ransom Winery

Ransom Winery

We continued another two hours to our destination, the Bay of Islands, encompassing 144 islands between Cape Brett and the Purerua Peninsula and includes the boutique towns of Opua, Paihia, Russell and Kerikeri.

Waterfront at Paihia

Waterfront at Paihia

The Bay of Islands is a subtropical micro-region known for its stunning beauty & history. For those that love beaches and water activities, it’s paradise. Our accommodation was at a hotel which had stunning views out to these group of islands.

View from our Hotel at Paihia

View from our Hotel at Paihia

During a walk around the wharf area, where most of the charter boats operate out of and ferry service to nearby Russell, we were treated with a fishing charter boat returning with a massive prize – a Blue Marlin.

Catch of the Day

Catch of the Day

The following morning began with a ferry ride over the bay to the old whaling village of Russell, which was the country’s first sea port. It still retains its charm with historic buildings and a seaside setting full of cafes, restaurants and art galleries.

Russell Wharf

Russell Wharf & Village

A stroll around the streets will lead you to the Catholic Mission ‘Pompallier’, which is New Zealand’s oldest surviving Roman Catholic building and the Christ Church, the oldest existing church in New Zealand, which still carries musket ball holes from the New Zealand Land Wars.

Christ Church

Christ Church

A short drive inland from Paihia are the pretty horseshoe-shaped Harura Falls. Harura means “big nose” in Maori language.

Harura Falls

Harura Falls

A further 20 Kms through orchards with roadside stalls, we came to the northland town of Kerikeri. The town itself is full of galleries, cafés and gourmet food shops. For nature lovers, the 10 minute walk to Rainbow Falls offers the chance for a picnic amid native bush and birdsong.

There are two historical buildings of significance – Kemp House, New Zealand’s oldest standing European building and the Stone Store, which dates back to 1832.

Historical Buildings in Kerikeri

Historical Buildings in Kerikeri

Day Four – Coromandel Peninsula

After two wonderful days in the Bay of Islands region we headed southwards back towards Auckland and then west for 55 Km onto the Coromandel Peninsula.

The Coromandel Peninsula extends 85 kilometres north from the western end of the Bay of Plenty, forming a natural barrier to protect the Hauraki Gulf and the Firth of Thames in the west from the Pacific Ocean to the east.

Views from the Coromandel Ranges

Views from the Coromandel Ranges

We discovered that the peninsula is steep and hilly, and is largely covered in temperate rainforest. The Coromandel Range forms a spine for the peninsula rising to nearly 900 metres, with the large island of Great Barrier lying beyond the northern tip.

Whitianga Beach

Whitianga Beach

Renowned for its natural beauty – rural farmland, misty rainforests and pristine golden beaches, the Coromandel is blessed with hundreds of natural hideaways. After a quick tour of the town of Coromandel our hideaway of choice was at the seaside town of Whitianga. It is the home of the world renowned Cathedral Cove, Hot Water Beach and Mercury Bay, known for its endless marine experiences both on and under the water.

Cathedral Cove New Zealand

Cathedral Cove

Day Five to Six – Rotorua

We departed the Coromandel Peninsula, via Tauranga and drove inland to the city of Rotorua which is located on the southern shores of the lake of the same name, in the Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand.

Rotorua is part of the Taupo Volcanic Zone, a geothermal field extending from White Island off the Bay of Plenty Coast to Mt Ruapehu far to the south. The region boasts volcanic crater lakes, gushing geysers, bubbling mud pools, hissing fumaroles and colourful sinter terraces.

Green Geothermal Pool

Green Geothermal Pool

Our first task was to indulge ourselves at the Polynesian Spa where we partook in a soak in the varying temperatures of the hot thermal baths, followed by a relaxing mud bath and water therapy/massage. Very therapeutic.

Walking around Rotorua Lake waterfront, we watched the elegant black swans and ducks swimming on the lake. You can cruise Lake Rotorua on a traditional paddle steamer or hop on board an amphibious WWII landing craft and experience the lakes with Rotorua Duck Tours.

Rotorua Lake

Rotorua Lake

We visited the Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland where we witnessed the erupting geyser, burbling mud pools and thermal pools in various colours.

Erupting Geyser

Erupting Geyser

Next stop was at the picturesque Haku Falls and at the Haku River where the jet boats thunder down the river performing manoeuvres. Further south we took in the splendour of the great Lake Taupo, which is the largest lake in New Zealand.  It is a noted trout fishery with stocks of introduced brown trout and rainbow trout.

Haku Falls

Haku Falls

The town of Taupo is a tourist hot spot with its incredible lake and mountain vistas and exhilarating activities on offer.

Lake Taupo

Lake Taupo

Day Seven – Hamilton

On the last day of our North Island tour, we drove back towards Auckland to catch our flight later on that day. We stopped at Cambridge, a town of racehorse stud fame, producing some of the winners of the Melbourne Cup, such as Van Der Hum, Ethereal and Might & Power.

Racehorse statues at Stud Farm

Racehorse statues at Stud Farm

We drove onto the city of Hamilton in the Hamilton-Waikato region; a land of lush pastures and fertile soils that was chosen to play The Shire in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films.

We strolled through the famous Hamilton Gardens which feature themed gardens from all around the world.

Hamilton Gardens

Hamilton Gardens

For those of you who have never considered travelling to New Zealand, think again. It really is a country of natural wonders, lush green vistas and pristine coastlines. The Land of the Long White Cloud doesn’t fall short when it comes to heart-stopping, jaw-dropping, eyeball-popping travel experiences.

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By 50 Shades, October 13, 2014 Kathy was a 50 something year old when she started up this blog 6 years ago, but has since turned over another decade and is now in her early 60s. She is married with two adult children and lives on the Tweed Coast of New South Wales, Australia. Kathy enjoys living life to the fullest and loves to keep fit and active by maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly. Some of her interests include reading, photography, travelling, cooking and blogging! Kathy works part-time as a freelance writer but her real passion is travelling and photographing brilliant destinations both within Australia and overseas and writing about it.
  • 6

50 Shades

Kathy was a 50 something year old when she started up this blog 6 years ago, but has since turned over another decade and is now in her early 60s. She is married with two adult children and lives on the Tweed Coast of New South Wales, Australia. Kathy enjoys living life to the fullest and loves to keep fit and active by maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly. Some of her interests include reading, photography, travelling, cooking and blogging! Kathy works part-time as a freelance writer but her real passion is travelling and photographing brilliant destinations both within Australia and overseas and writing about it.

6 Comments
  • Pinky Poinker
    October 13, 2014

    Brilliant Travelogue Kathy. I adored Lake Taupo it was so pretty. I thought Rotorua was a bit stinky and I had 5 small children with me who I was petrified would fall into a pit of boiling mud. I love the people in New Zealand too. They’re so friendly just like Aussies.

    • Kathy
      October 13, 2014

      I was pleasantly surprised as to how picturesque the North Island was, as I had only been to the mountainous South Island previously. It was also very warm and Summery when we were there. Rotorua was very smelly but I found the geothermal activity in the area fascinating.

  • Johanna
    October 14, 2014

    Oh gosh it looks gorgeous! Your pics have made me want to move there already! Now I have to start planning a trip, that’s all there is to it! Great tempter Kathy and lovely photos.

    • Kathy
      October 14, 2014

      You should do just that Jo. A flight across to our neighbours is fairly reasonably priced and the Aussie dollar goes a little further over there. There is also a host of interesting things to see and do and the scenery is breathtaking.

  • budgettraveltalk
    October 18, 2014

    Thanks for the tour. We’ve been to the south island twice because we have friends there. I had heard about the Bay of Islands and we were offered a house-sit there once. I totally agree that car or campervan is the way to see NZ. It is the perfect country for it.

    • Kathy
      October 20, 2014

      We had also been to the South Island previously and so I was pleasantly surprised with how beautiful the North Island was. I would highly recommend it to anyone as a great driving holiday.

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