New Zealand: Ultimate North Island Road Trip

Arrive in Auckland, the nation’s largest city, pick up your rental car and settle into your hotel.

Take an afternoon stroll around Queen Street, a great place for shopping. If you’re looking for a more unique shopping experience, take a 30-minute walk to Karangahape Road and browse through the many thrift stores.

For the adrenaline junkies, head on over to the Sky Tower and take a leap off of New Zealand’s tallest building.

Auckland has no shortage of great places to eat and drink. For dinner I recommend Ahi, which features a menu showcasing New Zealand’s best dishes and local ingredients. Following dinner, head to one of the many flash bars in the city, like Ghost Donkey, My Bar or Ding Dong Lounge.

After breakfast, head out for a day full of fun on one of the islands just outside the city.

Take the ferry to Waiheke Island and enjoy a wine tasting at one of the many vineyards, such as Tantalus Estate or Te Motu Vineyard. Enjoy a late lunch at The Oyster Inn before heading back to Auckland to relax before another evening out on the town.

For those not keen on wine, take the ferry to Rangitoto Island and hike through rainforests and lava fields to the summit of this volcano for panoramic views of the city and the bay. Enjoy a packed lunch before heading back to Auckland.

Tonight, start with happy hour at Parasol and Swing Company, then head to the Britomart neighborhood for dinner at Amano. Finish the night off with a tasty dessert from Giapo.

Today starts bright and early as we head three hours south of Auckland to Rotorua.

There’s something for everyone in Rotorua! For Lord of the Rings fans, hop onto a Hobbiton Day Tour. For the adrenaline junkies, go whitewater rafting on the Kaituna River or check out Velocity Valley. For a more relaxing experience, head to the Polynesian Spa for a thermal bath or take a stroll through the geothermal wonderland that is Waimangu Volcanic Valley.

After a day full of fun, enjoy a dinner in town or settle down with takeaway at the hotel.

After brekkie, make the one-hour drive to charming Lake Taupō. There are plenty of options here for adventure!

If you missed the geothermal activity in Rotorua, check out Craters of the Moon. Those looking for fun on the lake can rent a paddle board or sign up for a parasailing tour. This evening, hop aboard a sunset sail and see the iconic Maori rock carvings while enjoying wine and cheese you picked up at the local grocery store.

For dinner, head to the waterfront and enjoy a dinner at Vine Eatery & Bar.

Wake up ready for another day of fun in Taupō!

This morning take a peaceful walk to the roaring Huka Falls and admire the powerful push of the icy blue water. Afterwards, head to the Wairakei Terraces and relax in the thermal hot springs. Take the afternoon to stroll by the lake or go shopping in the CBD. For dinner, indulge in the amazing chef’s tasting menu at Embra, a restaurant that utilizes local NZ ingredients.

Wake up bright and early for a 1.5-hour drive to Tongariro National Park and gear up for New Zealand’s best day hike. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing takes you across an active volcano with incredible views of crater lakes, steaming vents and lava flows. Your expert guides at Adrift Tongariro will provide everything you need for a challenging yet rewarding day.

After the hike, make the short drive to the mountain town of Ohakune. Settle into your hotel and enjoy a dinner with views of Mount Ruapehu at The Powderkeg.

Take the morning to sleep in, as yesterday was a big day. This afternoon, head down to TCB and choose between a mountain bike or electric bike for today’s adventure: biking the Old Coach Road. A shuttle will drop you off at Horopito, and you will bike 17 kilometers at your own pace back to Ohakune. Enjoy the native bush and explore the old viaduct. Once back in town, stop for a beer at King’s before returning your bike.

Italian is on the menu for dinner tonight at Osteria.

We’re up early today as we get ready for our next big adventure. The next three days will be spent canoeing down the Whanganui River with Canoe Safaris New Zealand. After meeting at their base, your expert guides will take you to the launch and prepare you for the trip. Get ready for stunning paddling in the gorge, lush rainforest views, exciting rapids, towering waterfalls, comfortable bush camping and gourmet three-course meals. I can truly vouch for this experience — I spent two summers guiding on the Whanganui with Canoe Safaris and it was spectacular every single time!

Back from your big adventure the afternoon before, opt for a late check-out this morning. The only thing on the agenda today is the four-hour drive to the town of New Plymouth. Check into your room and relax at the hotel bar or head into town for a hearty meal. I recommend the Port Fish Shop for a classic fish and chips — you are oceanside, after all!

After breakfast, head out to enjoy the sights of New Plymouth. There are few options in this unique area.

For those looking for more adventure, head to Egmont National Park and choose one of the many day hikes on this active volcano, Mt. Taranaki. There are short and long options, all offering stunning views of the summit and surrounding rainforest.

If you’re feeling more local today, soak up the sun at one of the black-sand beaches in town, like Ngamotu Beach. For a short hike with spectacular views, check out Paritutu Rock. This afternoon, hit a brewery or two, such as Shining Peak Brewery or Three Sisters Brewery. For dinner, I recommend Laughing Buddha for their homemade tofu and dumplings.

This morning, take the scenic route and drive along the Surf Highway as you make your way to Wellington. This five-hour drive has great views with plenty of beaches and towns to stop in along the way. Once in the capital city, check into your hotel and gear up for some metropolitan fun!

Wellington is my favorite city in New Zealand. Full of museums, green spaces and excellent restaurants and bars, there’s something for everyone here.

Tonight, enjoy a delicious dinner at Mr. Go’s. Afterwards, pop by a hip bar for a cocktail or craft beer, such as Shady Lady or Fork and Brewer.

Today, the city is yours to explore as you choose. My favorite thing to do in Wellington is pay a visit to Te Papa, the national museum of New Zealand. Entry is free and you can easily spend the entire day reading through the variety of exhibits.

If you’re looking for a glimpse of New Zealand’s native plant and animal species, head over to Zealandia. This massive green space is home to a variety of endemic trees, bushes, birds and lizards. There is a free shuttle from the CBD and it is a great place to get some fresh air.

This afternoon, shop on Cuba Street or head up to the Parliament Building for a glimpse at NZ politics. Near Parliament, stop for a pint at The Thistle Inn, the country’s oldest pub.

For dinner tonight, indulge in the chef’s tasting menu at Koji. This restaurant utilizes all local NZ ingredients and specializes in unique Asian flavors.

This morning, say farewell to the capital city as you set off for Martinborough. Just an hour away, this charming town is great for wine tasting and stargazing.

Start your day here with a wine tasting at one of the many wineries, such as Ata Rangi Vineyard or Palliser Estate Winery. Head to Colombo Martinborough for a late pizza lunch and more wine, if you desire. Head to your hotel to relax before this evening’s fun.

After the sun sets, head to Star-Safari to check out the night sky through large telescopes and enjoy expert scientific information from your guides.

Fuel up with brekkie for your long drive up to Napier (3.5 hours). This seaside town in Hawke’s Bay is famous for its architecture and is dubbed the Art Deco capital of New Zealand.

After your long journey, take the afternoon to relax and enjoy a delicious Indian meal in the CBD at Bollywood Stars Napier.

This morning, choose your own adventure!

Hop on an Art Deco tour for an in-depth look at the iconic architecture of Napier. Or head to Ōtātara Pā Historic Reserve for a deep dive into Maori culture and history. This reserve is home to the remains of terraces, dwelling sites and food storage pits that were once part of a thriving indigenous community.

Head to the National Aquarium of New Zealand for a glimpse at penguins, kiwi birds, a variety of fish and other animals. For stunning ocean views, make the journey up the Bluff Hill Lookout.

For dinner, head to K Kitchen & Bar to enjoy fresh seafood and craft cocktails.

After breakfast, set off for the four-hour drive to Tauranga, your jumping-off point for the Bay of Plenty.

Settle into your hotel on the harbor and enjoy a dinner with great views.

This morning, start with an early breakfast and then get ready for today’s adventure. Tauranga is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country and a tourism hotspot.

For the thrill seekers, go for an unforgettable skydive, hop on a scenic helicopter flight or hike up the iconic Mount Maunganui — one of NZ’s most Instagrammed spots!

To really enjoy the ocean, book a marine wildlife tour, sign up for a surfing lesson or join a sea kayaking tour.

Following breakfast, set off for the 2.5-hour drive to the Coromandel Peninsula. You’ll be staying in Whitianga for a relaxing end to your epic adventure.

This afternoon, head to the famous Hot Water Beach for a stroll and experience the hot mineral water bubbling up from the sand. Afterwards, enjoy a craft beer at Hot Water Brewing Co. before your oceanside dinner at Hotties Eatery.

Day 21

Wake up at a leisurely pace for your last full day in New Zealand. There are a few options to fully take advantage of the Coromandel.

Take a sailing tour for spectacular views of the coastline, or join a sea kayaking tour to explore the famous Cathedral Cove.

Sign up for a fishing charter to catch your own meal, or join a diving tour to get an up-close look at the marine life.

For your final dinner, enjoy a chargrilled seafood meal at Stoked Bar & Grill overlooking the marina.

Day 22

Enjoy your final breakfast before heading back to Auckland (2.5 hours). Drop your rental car off and say farewell to the Land of the Long White Cloud — until next time, New Zealand!