New Zealand North Island Itinerary: 2 Week Road Trip

New Zealand is a huge country! I remember being really overwhelmed when I started planning our trip. Which is why I put together a New Zealand North Island itinerary to help you see the highlights on the North Island, based on my time in Aotearoa (the Māori word for New Zealand) in April 2023.

Some people skip the North Island of New Zealand in favour of the South Island or only see cities like Auckland and Wellington before moving on. But I think it would be a huge mistake to skip the North Island. This is where you’ll find black sand beaches, volcanic valleys, Māori rock carvings, glowworm caves and the magical land of Hobbiton!

To help you see the best of the North Island, without rushing and while still saving time for the South, I’ve created a two week loop road trip from Auckland. This round trip allows you to pick up and drop off your car in Auckland, and can easily be shortened or lengthened depending on how much time you have in Aotearoa.

Our April 2023 trip to New Zealand was one of the best trips I’ve ever been on – and I’ve been to almost 50 countries! I highly recommend adding New Zealand to your bucket list and seeing some of the incredible North Island with your own eyes.

Keep reading for my complete New Zealand North Island itinerary where I break down my suggested two week road trip. Plus, I’m sharing what to do if you have more or less time on the North Island, where to stay and how best to get around!

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning if you click through and make a purchase, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!

My top 3 things to do on the North Island of New Zealand

My top three highlights from our time on the North Island were:

1. Going on the set tour of Hobbiton and feeling like we had actually walked into Middle Earth
2. Being wowed by the geysers and pools at Rotorua’s geothermal parks
3. Floating down a cave in Waitomo in the pitch black with glowworms shining all above us

Don’t miss these on your own North Island road trip!

New Zealand North Island itinerary map

2 week round trip New Zealand North Island itinerary

This two week round trip New Zealand North Island itinerary hits the highlights around the centre of the North Island. But as you can see from the map above, it doesn’t explore all of the North Island.

But rather than rushing to drive the entire length of the North Island in just two weeks, we chose this route so we could spend more time in each place. This itinerary works best for people who prefer shorter driving distances, want to spend more time at the main sights in the centre of the island, and understand they won’t see absolutely everything.

Another plus of this itinerary? By making it a round trip, you’re able to return your car to Auckland, which is a lot cheaper than doing a one-way car rental and paying to put your car on the inter-island ferry. We did this round trip, returned our rental car to Auckland and then flew to Queenstown to start the South Island leg of our New Zealand road trip!

New Zealand North Island itinerary road trip summary

My below itinerary covers:

• Auckland: 3 nights
• Coromandel: 3 nights
• Rotorua: 4 nights (including a day in Hobbiton)
• Taupo: 2 nights
• Hamilton: 2 nights (including a day in Waitomo)
• Return to Auckland

Let’s dive into the itinerary details!

Day 1-3: Auckland

How to get to Auckland

Most international visitors to New Zealand arrive in Auckland, so you’ll likely arrive by plane. From the airport, I recommend taking the SkyDrive bus into the city. The bus leaves every 30 minutes and only costs $17 NZD ($10 USD) per person. It’ll drop you off at SkyCity in the centre of Auckland (which is within walking distance of the hotel I recommend below!)

What to do in Auckland

Welcome to Aotearoa! Use the first day of your New Zealand North Island itinerary to get into the city, get over your jet lag and begin exploring your local neighbourhood. I always suggest getting outside to help get on the right schedule, but don’t recommend scheduling anything important on Day 1 in case you’re tired or your flight is delayed.

On your second day in Auckland, it’s time to explore the city! There’s lots to do in Auckland no matter your interest. We really loved seeing movie magic come to life at Weta Workshop Unleashed, learning about New Zealand’s history and culture at the Auckland War Memorial Museum, and strolling the waterfront at Viaduct Harbour.

On Day 3, it’s time to explore a little further afield. You could pick up your rental car and head west to the beaches and waterfalls of Waitakere Ranges Regional Park. Or hop on a ferry to Waiheke Island where you can enjoy art galleries, wine tasting and more scenic beach views.

Where to stay in Auckland

I found Auckland really walkable if you’re staying in the CBD (central business district) of Downtown Auckland. I’ve heard that Auckland’s transit system can be slow and unreliable, so staying centrally and being able to walk everywhere is key.

I highly recommend the hotel we stayed at, Parkside Hotel & Apartments Auckland, as it was super central (10 minute walk to SkyCity, 25 minute walk to the harbour), really comfortable and affordable. We paid $148 NZD ($88 USD) per night for a large room with a city view, king bed, mini kitchen and laundry.

Day 4-6: Coromandel Peninsula

How to get to the Coromandel Peninsula

From Auckland it’s about a three hour drive to the Coromandel Peninsula. I recommend having a car or camper van for this New Zealand North Island itinerary, as bus routes in New Zealand are long and limited.

What to do on the Coromandel Peninsula

The Coromandel is all about beautiful beaches and getting back to nature. You’ll definitely want to check out the famous Cathedral Cove, which you can reach by hike, boat tour or kayak (check conditions to see if the hiking route is accessible). Another don’t miss sight on the Coromandel is Hot Water Beach where you can dig your own makeshift hot tub!

There are lots of other water activities available to you off the Coromandel Peninsula like snorkelling in sea caves or kayaking along the lagoon. Back inland, you can check out the Karangahake Gorge by bike or on foot. There’s also the scenic Driving Creek Railway train ride with views over the water, mountains and trees.

Sadly, we didn’t get to the Coromandel on our 2023 trip to New Zealand. It was on my original itinerary but we ran out of time and decided to save it for our next trip. But my friend Jane visited with her family a few months before us and had an amazing time. She highly recommends a boat trip to Cathedral Cove!

Where to stay on the Coromandel Peninsula

It’s recommended to base yourself in either Whitianga, a centrally located town with lots of activities and accommodation options, Hahei Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the area but with fewer accommodation options, or Pauanui, a holiday community perfect for water lovers.

Some highly rated options include Crow’s Nest Apartments in Whitianga, Hahei Beach Resort and Puka Park Resort in Pauanui.

Day 7: Hobbiton

How to get to Hobbiton

Depending where on the Coromandel Peninsula you are, it’s a 2.5-3.5 hour drive from there to the next stop on your New Zealand North Island itinerary, Hobbiton! I recommend stopping at Sweet Painted Lady Cafe for pies on your way.

What to do at Hobbiton

Hobbiton, as you might know, is the set where The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit prequel movies were filmed. The original set was rebuilt for the Hobbit movies with the intention that it would be a permanent site for movie fans to explore.

Even if you’re not a huge LOTR fan, I still think the Hobbiton set tour is worth it. We did the two hour basic tour and it was incredible. I was completely blown away walking into this magical land. You almost forget it’s a movie set, it feels that real and comprehensive!

All tours at Hobbiton are guided and take you through the Hobbit village, up to Frodo/Bilbo’s famous house and over to The Green Dragon Inn for a drink. Our guide was great at pointing out all the tiny details you may not catch in the movies, plus shared tons of cool behind the scenes details with us, such as what goes into making a tree from scratch!

Visiting Hobbiton is one of the most popular activities in New Zealand and definitely one that books up well in advance. I strongly suggest buying your tickets in advance so you don’t miss out.

Get your tickets to Hobbiton here!

Where to stay at Hobbiton

As cozy as Hobbit Holes look, you can’t actually stay at Hobbiton. You can stay in nearby Matamata where there are a few hotels, as well as a couple of LOTR restaurants. Their tourist info centre is even shaped like a Hobbit Hole!

Alternatively, you can continue on with this itinerary, driving one hour to Rotorua. We did this when we visited Hobbiton; we drove from Auckland, did the Hobbiton tour, and then continued to Rotorua to spend the night.

Day 8-10: Rotorua

How to get to Rotorua

If you didn’t drive to Rotorua directly after Hobbiton, you can head there on the morning of Day 8. It’s only a one hour drive from Hobbiton to Rotorua, though I recommend adding a five minute detour to see the Blue Spring.

What to do in Rotorua

There are tons of exciting things to do in Rotorua. I suggest spending your first day exploring the sights in the city centre. Take a walk through the beautiful Government Gardens and get your first taste of Rotorua’s geothermal life at Kuirau Park (it’s free!). Grab a delicious lunch on Eat Streat – we had a lunch at Atticus Finch that I’m still thinking about – and end your day soaking in the hot pools at Polynesian Spa!

On Day 9, I suggest a Redwoods sandwich. By that I mean: check out Rotorua’s redwood forest in the morning, head to a geothermal park in the afternoon, and then see the redwoods again at night.

If you’re on a budget, you can do what we did and simply walk along the forest floor of the Redwood tree forest, Whakarewarewa, for free. Or buy a ticket to Rotorua Treewalk to walk on high platforms amongst the branches. This whole area is lit up at night, making a return visit after dark a completely different experience.

As for Rotorua’s geothermal parks, there are so many to choose from. My favourites were Waimangu Volcanic Valley, for a more low-key walk amongst beautiful nature, and Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, for sights with a bigger wow factor (but also a bigger crowd). I would actually recommend visiting both, if you have the time. You can visit one on Day 9 and one on Day 10.

You could also choose to check out nearby beaches, hiking routes, lakes or white water rafting on Day 10, in addition to another geothermal park or two. Check out this post for lots of itinerary suggestions in Rotorua.

I strongly recommend ending your time in Rotorua at Mitai Māori Village. We really enjoyed our evening here feasting on a Hāngī (a traditional meal cooked underground), watching a cultural performance, and learning more about Māori culture. This experience does sell out so I recommend booking your tickets in advance!

Get your tickets to Mitai Māori Village here!

Where to stay in Rotorua

We stayed at an Airbnb in Rotorua; a converted shipping container that was perfect for two on a budget trip to New Zealand. It was a small space but well located and our lovely hosts even brought us some fresh fruit from their garden.

Other well-rated hotels in Rotorua include KARANDA BnB, Regal Palms Resort and Pullman Rotorua.

Day 11-12: Taupo

How to get to Taupo

Taupo is just a one hour drive from Rotorua. There are a few geothermal parks in between Rotorua and Taupo, so you may choose to visit one or two on your way.

What to do in Taupo

Taupo was one of my favourite stops on our New Zealand road trip and I could even see myself living in this awesome town one day. There are so many things to do in Taupo but the main thing you need to do is get on the water. I suggest going on a boat cruise to see the Māori rock carvings on Lake Taupo on Day 11.

We went on a 100% electric-powered sailboat and it was a really great ride. I tend to get seasick but the lake was calm and it was so impressive to get up close to the 14 metre (46 foot) Māori carvings.

Book your sailing trip tickets to see the Māori carvings in Taupo here!

After your boat trip, spend the rest of Day 11 around Taupo town. Walk the waterfront, check out the local shops and don’t miss the world’s coolest McDonald’s inside an airplane!

On Day 12, hop in your car to check out the sights around Taupo. We were totally blown away by the power of the Aratiatia Dam release and beautifully blue Huka Falls. You can also check out more geothermal areas and hot springs, visit a prawn-themed theme park, and taste local honey at Huka Honey Hive.

Where to stay in Taupo

We stayed at the Barrington Motel in Taupo and I definitely recommend it. This small motel has a few rooms and is only a couple of minutes’ drive from downtown Taupo. We paid $165 NZD ($98 USD) per night for a cozy room, small kitchenette and ensuite bathroom, with free parking included.

Day 13: Waitomo

How to get to Waitomo

From Taupo, the most southern point of this New Zealand North Island itinerary, we’ll start to head north back up to Auckland. The next stop is Waitomo, a two hour drive from Taupo.

What to do in Waitomo

The main draw of Waitomo is the glowworm caves in the area. A glowworm is actually a fungus gnat that produces a blue-green bioluminescence in its larval stage. As gross as that sounds, I promise that they look really cool and are worth seeing in person!

Though glowworms can be found throughout Aotearoa, there are large populations within the damp caves of the Waitomo region. We went on our glowworm tour with Spellbound Caves and I highly recommend the experience. Our small group of 12 got to experience two caves and we were allowed to take photos, which some glowworm tours don’t permit.

The first limestone cave we explored was partially lit, allowing us to see all of the different stalactites and stalagmites, as well as ancient fossils. Our guide, Scuba, was incredibly well-informed and taught us a lot about cave features and history. After a quick snack break, it was onto the second cave.

The second cave was pitch black. Scuba did a great job of leading us through the cave and helping us adjust once we turned our headlamps off.

The highlight of the experience was when we got on a raft in the middle of the cave and floated along, looking up at what felt like millions of glowworms all around us. It was truly one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen in my life!

Where to stay in Waitomo

We stayed at 40 Winks, a self-contained cabin/tiny house in Otorohanga, which is a 30 minute drive from Spellbound Caves. I really liked this little home. The bed was comfortable, the wifi was great and the owners even left us some items for breakfast.

You could also stay directly in Waitomo at highly rated hotels like Waitomo Caves Guest Lodge or Abseil Inn, or carry onto Hamilton, a one hour drive from Waitomo.

Day 14: Hamilton

How to get to Hamilton

From Waitomo, it’s a one hour drive to Hamilton. As I mentioned above, you may want to drive straight to Hamilton after your glowworm cave tour so you can be in Hamilton for two nights, instead of needing to pack up again after just one night in Waitomo.

What to do in Hamilton

The main highlight of Hamilton is Hamilton Gardens, a huge garden complex in the middle of the city with different themed gardens that will turn anyone into a plant lover. Best of all, it’s free to visit!

We spent an awesome afternoon exploring Hamilton Gardens. I really loved the Surrealist Garden, with its oversized garden equipment and trees that moved, and the Ancient Egyptian Garden, which was just really beautiful. We spent a couple of hours here but I think we could have easily spent the whole day.

Also in the Hamilton area you can visit the Zealong Tea Estate (New Zealand’s only tea plantation), try out surfing at Raglan, get cultured at the Waikato Museum, or head out on one of the city’s many walking or cycling paths.

When you get hungry, there are quite a few great places to eat in Hamilton. We went to Dumpling House for lunch and had the best Dan Dan Noodles!

Where to stay in Hamilton

On our trip we continued on from Hamilton straight back to Auckland. But if you’re spending a night or two in the city, the Argent Motor Lodge, BKs Premier Motel Hamilton and Novotel Tainui Hamilton all come highly recommended.

Return to Auckland

How to get to Auckland

From Hamilton, it’s a 1.5 hour drive back to Auckland. If you rented your car at the airport, you can drop it off and take a shuttle directly to your terminal. Or if you rented it in the city, you can return it there and then jump on the SkyDrive bus back to the airport.

When we finished our New Zealand North Island itinerary, we returned our car to Auckland Airport and then flew to Queenstown, where we rented another car and explored the South Island. For us, that made more sense than trying to drive the whole length of New Zealand in the three weeks we had.

Where to stay by Auckland Airport

If your flight doesn’t leave the same day, you could stay the night by Auckland Airport and then fly out the next day. We did this at the end of our New Zealand trip, flying back to Auckland from Queenstown and then staying by the airport before flying home to Canada the next day.

We stayed at the Best Western BKs Pioneer Motor Lodge which was a perfectly fine budget option. The room was a bit dated but it was large, clean, came with a kitchen and included a free shuttle to/from the airport.

Other nearby well-rated options include Novotel Auckland Airport (right next to the airport so you can walk!) and Manha Hotel Auckland Airport (includes free parking & an airport shuttle).

New Zealand in a week? How to shorten this 2 week New Zealand North Island itinerary

If you only have one week to see the North Island of New Zealand, I recommend sticking closer to Auckland. There’s lots to do in Auckland to fill a few days, plus you can take day trips to places like Hobbiton, Waiheke Island, the west coast beaches and the Waitomo glowworm caves.

Here are some popular day tours from Auckland:

After a few days in Auckland, I would suggest either Rotorua or Coromandel for your remaining time in New Zealand. Having 2-3 days in Rotorua or Coromandel will give you enough time to follow my itinerary suggestions for those cities above.

Choose Rotorua if you’re more into geothermal wonders and choose the Coromandel Peninsula if you’re more into beaches.

2+ weeks to spare? How to extend your New Zealand North Island road trip

Have more than two weeks for your North Island road trip? Awesome! There’s definitely so much more to explore in New Zealand and lots to fill three or more weeks on the North Island.

If any of the stops above seemed rushed, you can spend more time in them and just travel slower. You could also turn this round trip into a one-way if you want to drive the length of the North Island or extend it and drive onto the South Island.

Here are some more places you can add to your New Zealand North Island itinerary: 

• Head north to the Bay of Islands, Whangarei, and all the way to Cape Reinga, the northernmost point of New Zealand that is open to the public
• Extend your time in Rotorua by visiting nearby Tauranga, Mount Maunganui and the Bay of Plenty
• Explore the west coast, such as Whanganui, Plymouth and Raglan
• Hike the famous Tongariro Crossing in Tongariro National Park
• Check out the small towns of Napier and Hastings
• Wine taste in Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa
• Visit New Zealand’s windy capital city, Wellington
• Hop on a ferry to the South Island and continue exploring Aotearoa!

What is the best way to get around the North Island?

Rental car is definitely the best way to get around the North Island of New Zealand. We chose to rent a car and stay at budget hotels but you could also choose to rent a camper van and sleep in that. Camper van rentals are very popular in New Zealand and a fun way to explore the country.

I highly recommend renting your car through Discover Cars. We chose them for our New Zealand trip and I was really happy with the service. Not only did they offer the most competitive price by searching local and international companies, but full coverage insurance was also super affordable.

Rent your North Island car with Discover Cars here!

If you don’t want to drive, you could explore the North Island by bus. The InterCity bus does connect New Zealand’s major cities, but the service is fairly limited and you won’t be able to get off the beaten path. Some cities have public transit options, but these will also limit how far you can explore.

Another option if you don’t want to drive or bus is to join multi-day tours. I think this is a great idea if you’re short on time or not comfortable driving. Check out some multi-day tour options for the North Island:

How many days do you need to see the North Island of New Zealand?

My itinerary above suggests two weeks for a North Island road trip, which I think is a great amount of time to see the North Island’s highlights. But if you wanted to see more of the island or drive it from the top to the bottom, I’d recommend 3-4 weeks.

Most people who visit New Zealand want to see both islands, so then the question becomes how much time to spend on the North Island vs the South Island. Obviously, it depends how much time you have overall for your trip, but I think you can get a good taste of the North Island in just one week.

Is the North Island better than the South Island of New Zealand?

It depends what you want to see! In my opinion and based on the three weeks we spent exploring both islands, the North Island has more diverse landscapes – from beaches and big cities to geothermal parks and big lakes – and has more notable activities, like Hobbiton and the glowworm caves.

The South Island is more of a natural wonderland with views that will take your breath away, like the ones from Milford or Doubtful Sound and Aoraki Mt Cook. I think most people would say the South Island is better and I might have to agree. But I still think it’s very worth seeing both islands!

Wrapping up your New Zealand North Island itinerary

After finishing our New Zealand North Island itinerary, I was so impressed by everything we had seen and could not have been more excited to keep exploring on the South Island. But I remember turning to Colin multiple times within our first week on the North Island and saying, “This was already so worth it!”

From our first experiences in Auckland, going through the Weta Workshop Unleashed tour and visiting the Auckland War Memorial Museum; to geothermal parks and Māori dinner in Rotorua; to the small town and beautiful water of Taupo; to the stunning glowworms of Waitomo and the epic gardens of Hamilton – everything about the North Island blew me away.

Don’t make the mistake of blowing past the North Island or rushing to get from Auckland to Queenstown all in one trip. If you don’t have a ton of time in Aotearoa, I strongly encourage you to make the most of it with a smaller loop road trip on both islands, or just one island if you’re really short on time. Whatever part of New Zealand you get to experience will be amazing!

Plan your New Zealand North Island itinerary with these resources: