Perfect 1-Week New Zealand North Island Travel Itinerary
Are you planning a road trip around New Zealand? Here is our perfect 7-day New Zealand North Island travel itinerary for first-time visitors. Explore the North Island's must-visit places and top attractions in one week with our travel guide, including the best things to do, tips on how to get around, and where to stay.
New Zealand's North Island is one of the most diverse and incredible places we've ever visited, and as we spent several months living, working, and exploring this incredible corner of the world, we still can't believe how lucky we were to be able to enjoy the mesmerizing beauty of this country.
New Zealand has two main islands - North Island and South Island. We are not going to compare which island is more beautiful, and will solely focus on the North Island travel itinerary and provide you with information how to plan your time the best, however, it's important to decide if you want to visit only one or both of them before you set off on a journey.
According to us, you should for sure visit both islands, and seven days for the North Island is just the right time to see the main highlights.
And what's so different about our New Zealand North Island itinerary when we compare it with other travel itineraries you can find on the internet?
We tried to make our guide as much practical as possible, which means that we take into consideration also travel distances and travel times between destinations.
We also visited all the places on the list by ourselves, so we know what is possible to do in one day and what's not.
Then we tried to put together the best of New Zealand and capture the essence of this beautiful part of the world in only seven days but sensibly and logically, so you can still have an enjoyable road trip and fun.
In other words, this North Island itinerary is something you can actually use in practical life, and it's not a bunch of randomly put New Zealand must-visit places in one blog post.
Feel free to follow it, if you have some questions, use the comment section!
On some days, you will spend a lot of time driving, however, we tried to be realistic when it comes to planning the distances between destinations. But to be honest, driving in New Zealand is quite fun, because the scenery is almost unnatural, and you never know what will appear behind the corner.
Here is our introduction to New Zealand's North Island, hope you will find inspiration here.
ARRIVAL DAY
We usually call the arrival day a Day Zero, and try not to plan any serious sightseeing on that day, we only check into a hotel, rent a car when necessary and do some shopping.
It, of course, depends on your timetable, but as New Zealand is quite far from most of the countries, we recommend you to do the same.
We flew from the Czech Republic to New Zealand, and it took us 31 hours, which is a lot.
So we arrived in the afternoon totally exhausted, and couldn't force ourselves to do anything meaningful the first day. Also, the jet lag didn't help either.
DAY 1 - AUCKLAND
Auckland is the biggest and most vibrant city in New Zealand surrounded by a beautiful landscape of volcanoes, hills, and sea, and you have plenty of choices of what to do to fill your day.
Start your day early in the morning, eat a nourishing breakfast, and head off the city.
Leave the 'City of Sails' as is Auckland often nicknamed, and take a ferry to Devonport village, Waiheke or Rangitoto Island, and after you come back in the afternoon, explore the Central Bussines Area, where you will find captivating museums, Sky Tower which dominates the city, and lovely waterfront.
Watching the yachts and sails coming and going out to seas was a splendid sight and the area near the Wynyard Crossing was surely one of our favorites in Auckland.
After a tiring day, you can try one of the fancy restaurants near the waterfront to get to know the local cuisine a little better and enjoy the tasty seasonal food of the region. There are also cheap eating out options, which is great for budget travelers, and we think you should try local food no matter your budget.
In other words, Auckland offers things to do for every visitor, and it is a great introduction to the country.
Where to stay in Auckland | Budget: Econo Lodge City Central | Mid-range: M Social Auckland | Luxury: Stamford Plaza Auckland | Airport: Naumi Auckland Airport Hotel
DAY 2 - COROMANDEL
Hit the road early and make your way to the east side of the island.
Today we are going to explore the Coromandel, a stunning peninsula featuring beautiful beaches and scenic drives along the coastline.
Once you arrive at Kopu, turn left and head northwest. From Auckland, it's 250 kilometers long drive to Hahei, a small resort village, and a favorite holiday spot for locals.
In Hahei, you can visit probably the most popular attraction on Coromandel, the walk to famous Cathedral Cove, a natural rock archway. You can also go kayaking, which is one of the best ways to explore this beautiful part of Coromandel.
On the way back, there is another must-visit spot - Hot Water Beach, where you can dig up a hole and warm up your body.
It's another 200 hundred kilometers (about 3 hours ride) from Hahei to Rotorua, next stop on our itinerary, so we would recommend leaving a part of the journey for the next day, but this is highly individual, and it depends how tired are you going to feel.
DAY 3 - ROTORUA
The next stop on our list is Rotorua, which is all about Maori culture and geothermal activities.
You might easily spend a week in the area and not get bored, however, our itinerary is sadly not that flexible, so we have to see the best of Rotorua in one day. And it's going to be a busy day, believe us.
First, the town itself is very interesting, and the omnipresent smell of sulfur will quickly fill up your nostrils.
You can start your day with an early walk around Rotorua Kuirau Park, which has to be the best city park in the world. This centrally located park is full of colorful pools, boardwalks, hot springs, and steaming hot water. On top of that, it really is a city park, so there is no entry fee.
Then head to Wai-O-Tapu, which is the most famous place in Rotorua.
It's basically a large complex of mud pools, awesome formations created by volcanic activity, and colorful ponds. Just wait until you see the Champagne Pool from the upper viewing platform, and you will understand what is all this fuss about.
Is this attraction worth the 32.50 NZD you have to pay for the entrance fee? Definitely.
On the way to the entrance, you can stop at Lady Knox Geyser to see an eruption at 10:15 AM. The eruption is not natural anymore, and the experience is a little bit underwhelming, but it's included in your ticket, so it's a totally optional thing to do.
If you would like to go with a guide and learn more about the area in another form than just from reading the information signs, join a Waimangu Volcanic Valley Tour.
In the afternoon, you should visit one of the Maori villages and taste the traditional Hangi dinner. You will learn more about Maori history, culture, habits, and traditional dances.
You can reserve a Mitai Maori Village Tour here.
Those are just a few examples of the best things to do in Rotorua, unfortunately, the day has only twenty-four hours, and you should get a night of good sleep to function normally the next day.
Where to stay in Rotorua | Budget: Funky Green Voyager | Mid-range: Wylie Court Motel Lodge | Luxury: Peppers on the Point Lake Rotorua
DAY 4: HOBBITON & WAITOMO CAVES
On the fourth day of our itinerary, we will visit one of the most unique places in New Zealand, the famous Waitomo Caves.
The destination is 145 kilometers away from Rotorua, however, we will take a small detour first and make a very enjoyable stop on the way.
Leave Rotorua via the State Highway 5 and head northwest towards the village Matamata, where you will find the Hobbiton Village.
If the characters of Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee are unknown to you, or you think, that they are the finalists of the last Dancing with the Stars show, probably head to Waitomo Caves directly.
The rest of us will enjoy a Hobbiton Movie Set Guided Tour around the Shire. For LotR fans, this is a must-visit place.
From Matamata, head southwest, and you should arrive in Waitomo in about an hour and a half.
Once you arrive at Waitomo, you have to take the Waitomo Glowworm Caves Boat Tour into a dark cave illuminated only by glowworms.
This is simply one of the most amazing experiences you will have in New Zealand.
When your boat tour is over, visit Aranui Cave and Ruakuri Cave.
You can try one of many adventure activities such as Black Abbys Caving Experience, water rafting, tubing or zip-lining, that's why is Waitomo one of the most popular destinations in New Zealand among backpackers.
There are more attractions along the way if you follow Te Anga Road towards the west coast, such as Mangapohue Natural Bridge and Marokopa Falls, which is worth to visit, only if you have an abundance of time. Which we seriously doubt, after this crazy day full of tours and activities.
In the afternoon, leave Waitomo behind, and hit the road once again. You are getting closer to Tongariro National Park, a destination you simply cannot miss.
Where to stay in National Park | Budget: National Park Backpackers | Mid-range: The Park Hotel Ruapehu | Mid-range: Tongariro Crossing Lodge
DAY 5: TONGARIRO ALPINE CROSSING
Do you dare to walk into Mordor?
We did many amazing day hikes and multiday treks on both New Zealand islands, but if we had to choose the best day hike, it would be probably Tongariro Alpine Crossing in the North Island.
Not only because Tongariro National Park is the home of Sauron's evil empire, but mainly because the landscape is incredibly beautiful.
In other words, the scenery is out of this world, and once you are enclosed by the dramatic landscape, you will never want to leave. But no worries, New Zealand has many more aces in its sleeve.
It is pretty easy to arrange transport to the beginning and from the end of the trail, so the only thing you should focus on is the hiking, admiring the beauty, and photographing.
Do you say you are not an avid hiker, and you are not sure about the level of your fitness? Well, in this case, put your prejudices and fears aside, this hike is must-do. End of story.
When looking for more info about Tongariro National Park, you will for sure stumble across information on a multi-day hike Tongariro Northern Circuit.
This multi-day track takes three days but is totally worth it, in case you are a bit more flexible with time.
DAY 6 - MARTINBOROUGH
Today is going to be a long day on the road.
From Tongariro National Park head south, you have a 4-5 hour drive ahead of you to the enchanting village of Martinborough.
Enjoy the scenery along the way, and if you are incredibly lucky, you might even spot a sheep or two, though we don't want to jinx it.
So you might be now asking, why on earth would you want to go to Martinborough, a place you've never heard of in your entire life.
That's partly true, but we bet you heard about New Zealand's wine, and Martinborough is one of the best places you can visit in New Zealand when it comes to wine tasting.
See? Trust us.
You can either visit some of the vineyards on your own (always check opening hours) or join a guided tour. Every November, the village hosts a popular one-day event called Toast Martinborough, so in case you will be in the area around this time, put this event in your calendar.
The second reason why to visit Martinborough is that you have to start moving south to arrive in Wellington at the scheduled time.
We can't fail to mention, that we spent three months working on one of the local vineyards, and have very fond memories of this place.
If you arrive early and still have the energy to explore the surroundings, you can drive to Cape Palliser. The southernmost point on the North Island features seal colony, farmlands, and lighthouse, and the drive itself is very scenic.
You can also stop at the Putangirua Pinnacles, a really cool rock formation where one of the scenes from the Lord of the Rings was shot.
If you are still looking for more inspiration about what to do in the area, you can hike in nearby Tararua Forest Park, which features a beautiful Mount Holdsworth Jumbo Circuit hike (without crowds) or before you reach Martinborough, turn left in Masterton and head to Castlepoint with fabulous views over the New Zealand coastline.
Where to stay in Martinborough | Budget: Martinborough Top 10 Holiday Park | Mid-range: Martinborough Experience B&B | Luxury: The Martinborough Hotel
DAY 7 - WELLINGTON
The last day of our North Island adventure has come, and we will spend it by exploring Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand.
Wellington is a coastal city and the windiest city in the country (it has a nickname Windy Welly). The city is home to Government, Parliament and Supreme Court plus a dozen museums, theatres, and libraries.
The center of the New Zealand government, Wellington features many impressive buildings, and the Parliament building known as Beehive is the most prominent one. You can go inside on a guided tour, and we highly encourage you to that.
Excellent guides will walk you around the accessible parts of the building while explaining the purpose of the building, history, and the earthquake system that protects this structure.
Te Papa Tongarewa Museum is another must-visit place in Wellington, and one of the reasons why this museum is so popular among backpackers and international visitors is, that it has free entry (unlike many museums in Auckland, where you have to pay a steep entrance fee).
If time allows, visit the harbor, botanical garden, have a drink at Cuba Street, take a Wellington's famous cable car up to the Kelburn district, or just grab a fish and chips to celebrate you've just finished one part of your journey successfully.
Where to stay in Wellington | Budget: Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers | Mid-range: C Hotel Wellington | Luxury: InterContinental Wellington
WHERE TO GO NEXT?
At this point, you have two choices, catch a flight back to Auckland and fly home, or cross the Cook Strait by ferry and start your South Island adventure.
For more information, read our comprehensive one-week South Island itinerary.
The most obvious way to continue your road trip around New Zealand is by taking a ferry to South Island and start exploring this incredibly beautiful island. Some people argue that the South Island is even more beautiful than the North Island, and we will leave it to you to decide which one will you like better.
IS ONE WEEK ENOUGH FOR NORTH ISLAND?
Seven days in the North Island will allow you to see the best of the island, although two-weeks would for sure allow you to fully explore the beauty of this island.
But we totally understand not many people have so much time, and there is still South Island to discover, so in all honesty, we can say that by following this itinerary, you will see the best of the best on North Island. Of course, if this trip to New Zealand is supposed to be your once in a lifetime adventure and dream holiday, that you think is never gonna happen again, you might want to stretch your itinerary for a few more days to embrace your experience.
In a perfect world, we would suggest you to spend at least fourteen days on North Island, and then another fourteen days on the South Island. But we know that getting a month off is almost impossible in the real world, especially if you want to travel with your partner or family.
The possibilities are almost endless here, and it depends on many factors.
You can explore first the North Island only, and then return later to explore the South Island or vice versa. You can also spend a week on one island, fourteen days on the other island, we think you see the pattern now, and it's a hard decision, but it's only up to you.
Or you can check out our New Zealand: The Perfect 4 Weeks Itinerary if you think 1 week per island is to rushed and hectic.
PLACES WE SKIPPED
Seven days on the North Island is not enough to allow you to see everything.
We completely left out from the itinerary the northern part of the island, where you will find kauri trees, sand dunes, and Maori towns, the east coast where you will find East Cape, Gisborne, area around Lake Waikaremoana, and the art-deco town of Napier, from where you can visit Cape Kidnappers.
Also, we couldn't fit in the itinerary southwest area around New Plymouth, Mount Taranaki, and Whanganui National Park.
We also skipped Lake Taupo, which is close to Rotorua, and which you probably find on every NZ itinerary. We think you will visit more beautiful lakes along the road.
In other words, you have to make compromises, and that means you can't see it all.
Although, it can be a great excuse to visit this beautiful part of the world someday in the future.
HOW TO GET AROUND NEW ZEALAND'S NORTH ISLAND
Well, it's a road trip, so you are going to need a car.
And although you can get around New Zealand by bus or try to hitchhike, a car will give you the ultimate freedom to explore all the places at your own pace.
And honestly, we think that seven days just for the North Island are barely enough, and you can't waste your time waiting for the bus.
And what are your options?
You can rent a regular car , and sleep in the hostels or hotels along the way if you are a budget traveler, or stay in camps and sleep in the tent.
Then you have the big motorhomes. If you can't live without the comfort of your home even on the road, rent a motorhome. These self-contained big homes on wheels will allow you to stay in many free campsites, where even campervans are not allowed to stay overnight.
Campervans are somewhere in between. They are 'comfortable' enough, and you will save tons of money on accommodation, thought the rental fee is usually much higher, than what you would pay for a hatchback car.
Regardless of what kind of, there is one more thing to know.
New Zealanders drive on the left side, and if you are from the EU, the US or any other country, where driving on the right side is mandatory, it's a thing you need to adjust to.
It takes a little bit of practice to get comfortable with driving on the opposite side of the road, and things can go wrong quickly if you are not paying attention to driving. When driving, be attentive, drive responsibly and carefully, and always be aware of the traffic.
So, what should you do, when you are a solo traveler and renting a car only by yourself is way too expensive? The answer is usually simpler than you would think, ask around your hostel, there are usually people in the same situation who are looking for a companion they can share the cost and experiences with.
As we lived in New Zealand, we bought a car, which is a great option for travelers who spend several months exploring the islands, though this option doesn't make much sense for people on vacation.
In only a week, you need to cover very long distances by car.
On top of that, you will be walking, hiking, kayaking, and doing plenty of other activities during the day. To avoid driver fatigue, share the driving if possible, and take regular breaks.
Also getting a good night's sleep is essential to enjoy your road trip.
WHEN TO VISIT NORTH ISLAND
In general, the best time to visit New Zealand is in summer, which is from December to February.
The reason behind this is very simple. New Zealand gets the best weather during summertime. With summer being the most popular traveling season for both locals and international tourists, the prices for accommodation skyrocket, and it might be hard to find (affordable) room.
And steer clear of Christmas and New Year's Eve.
So we think the best time to visit the North Island is during shoulder months in spring and autumn. The weather will be still great, you will see fewer tourists along the way, and also the hotels will be cheaper. Not to mention, that in autumn some parts of New Zealand will turn into vivid colors of crimson red, golden yellow, and russet brown.
Winter is the perfect time to visit New Zeland if you want to avoid the crowds, but you must know what to expect.
Keep in mind that the days will be colder and rainier. Also, extreme weather is common on Tongariro Alpine Crossing, and snow and ice might cover the trek, and there is also the risk of avalanches.
You can do this popular trek even in winter though you are going to need crampons and winter gear, so it's much better to go with an experienced local guide for obvious safety reasons.
Or you can completely change your plans and go skiing for a day on the slopes of Tongariro National Park.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
WHAT TO PACK FOR VISITING NEW ZEALAND'S NORTH ISLAND
Think layers and pack only essentials.
There are two factors that you need to take into account when packing for New Zealand.
Time of the year you'll be visiting New Zealand, and your usual way of traveling.
Are you planning to stay in the hotels or stay in basic DOC campsites? Both have pros and cons, and you need to approach packing from the right perspective.
You sure don't need a sleeping bag when staying in the motel, but you need proper hiking boots regardless of the place you choose to spend your night.
A sleeping bag for camping in the car is the most essential thing to pack, and the sleeping bag should be warm enough, especially when you travel outside the summer months.
And even in summer, the nights can be really cold, especially in the mountains and in higher elevated areas even on the North Island, while South Island will be even colder.
Always bring a good windbreaker and a strong sunscreen.
In the worst case, you can stop by in the local Kathmandu store to buy hiking or camping gear you left home, or whatever store you will meet along the way. Some campervan rental companies offer to rent gear, but it's usually way too expensive, and honestly, we like to sleep in our own sleeping bags, etc.
For more information, head to our article Ultimate New Zealand Packing List.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
