Go back

New Zealand Tourist Attractions

North Island

Geographic features rule New Zealand tourist attractions.

A majestic isolated mountain, enormous sand dunes, geysers, hot springs, an active marine volcano, 150 islands in one bay are only some of nature’s creations on North Island New Zealand. Often man makings and YOUR New Zealand story are as unique as the land.

Many overseas travellers arrive at the Auckland airport. As the largest city Auckland central does not differ much at first glance to other metropolitan areas in other countries. Skyscrapers, high volume of traffic, and the hustling and buzzing of a cultural hub dominate the picture.

At second view it becomes clear that there is a lot more to Auckland City. Take the chance to explore outdoor things to do in Auckland.

Australasian gannetsThe thumbnail leads to NZ jig saw puzzles online.


West Auckland Fans

This is a monthly e-zine. Subscribe and you will always be up to date with what is added to this site.

The city centre of Auckland is also starting point for guided day tours with highlights like:

  • City tour
  • Coastal tour, rainforest walk, and wilderness experience
  • Scenic day tour by land to the Bay of Islands with visits to the Waitangi grounds where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840, Paihia, and Russell
  • An off shore perspective of a Bay of Islands tour focuses on one hundred forty four islands forming inlets and bays, the hole in the Rock, and the lighthouse on Cape Brett.
  • Meanwhile a dolphin discovery sets marine mammals in the centre of interest

A bus travel over multiple days sets the base for engaging actively in the visited area.

Swimming on beautiful beaches, cycling, hiking, or sand dune sliding at the Opononi Dunes at Te Paki Stream paired with a ride along the Ninety Mile Beach Road to the light house at Cape Reinga are some. This way certainly bears advantages opposing to what we experienced on our adventure tour to the top of Northland.

An alternative for independent traveller is a self contained motor home rental. The positives are clearly to react spontaneously to pace and place.

Whangarei the major city of Northland is inviting to take a touring or yachting break. The city centre is nestled around an attractive basin surrounded by cafes, restaurants, and galleries with shopping areas in walking distance. With time at hand there are many more New Zealand tourist attractions on the North Island past Auckland to experience.

Coromandel Peninsula is picturesque with some interesting tourist magnets. The hot water beach is one that requires the right timing to indulge a hot bath on the beach.

At low tide hot water springs are exposed and with a bit of digging you can form your own hot pool and take a relaxing bath. Most promising to succeed are 2 hours on both sides of low tide and a spade.

Maori Women in New Zealand Cooking Food in a Hot Spring
Maori women cook food at AllPosters

Rotorua New Zealand is famous for one of NZ geographic features. New Zealand tourist attractions revolve around the region's geothermal activity. Both Maori and Europeans knew to value this. With its hot springs, geyser displays and the opportunity to bath in hot or mud pools it was the earliest tourist and wellness metropolis in New Zealand. Maoris valued these qualities too. Today it is still an important centre for Maori culture and performances.

The Rotorua map is helpful to find your way around the city and its attractions.

Whakatane is known for a special New Zealand attraction: Whakaari or White Island. Boat or helicopter tours leave daily for this active marine volcano. On the way to the island often pods of dolphins cross the path so you could be lucky to watch a dolphin encounter in addition.

Mt. Taranaki also called Mt. Egmont dominates the Taranaki region. The mountain is one of the wettest spots in the range of New Zealand tourist attractions. The rain recorded exceeds four times the amount of New Plymouth.

Te PakiThe thumbnail leads to e-cards of amazing photos of NZ.


Old Parliament Building and the Beehive, Wellington, North Island, New Zealand
Buy at AllPosters.com

Wellington is the capital of New Zealand. The city is famed for its rich cafe culture and nightlife that come with being a centre of theatre and film industry as well as the arts scene.

Some very distinct architectural buildings are the "Beehive" where the New Zealand government has its seat and the "Te Papa Tongarewa" The Museum of New Zealand.

On our first visit in the capital we spent three whole days exploring the museum, which was quite remarkable since the children were only six years old. It is always worth to set some time aside to explore the things to do in Wellington while staying in affordably priced Wellington hotels. A Wellington map might come handy to plan and find your way around.

All in all New Zealand tourist attractions are manifold. New Zealand travel gives the best ideas on how to discover our beautiful islands in a very short period of time or more extended on a work travel visa to sponsor your gap year, idependent or pre-organized and guided.


NZ Webz Directory             China Tourist Attractions

New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.
NZ photo contest winner December 2011
12/2011 winner
"Pohutukawa"
by Matt, Auckland, NZ
NZ Photo Contest

NZ Dvd Review