Choose from 123 Fun Things to Do in North Island
Mount Victoria Lookout
The panoramic views stretch from the harbor islands all the way to planes taking off and landing at the airport south-east of the city center.
Mount Victoria is 196 meters (642 feet) high. The lookout is topped by a triangular memorial to Antarctic explorer Admiral Byrd.
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Velocity Valley (Agroventures Adventure Park)
- According to New Zealand law, bungee jumpers must be at least 10 years old and weigh more than 77 pounds (35 kilograms).
- Minimum ages on other attractions range from 3 to 6 years old.
- Passengers must be at least 3.6 feet (1.1 meters) tall to ride the Shweeb.
- The 2-passenger Agrojet’s minimum height requirement is 3 feet (.9 meters).
- Safety gear is required on the Freestyle Airbag and can be rented from the reception desk.
Kaituna River
- Rafting trips on the Kaituna River are suitable for adventurous beginners.
- The minimum age for this white-water excursion is 13 years; children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Every Class V rapid is followed by a stretch of flat water.
- Outfitters provide all necessary equipment: life jacket, wetsuit, booties, safety helmet, fleece top, and spray jacket.
- Bring swimwear, a towel, and a change of clothing.
Mount Eden
- The broader Mount Eden suburb is home to the Auckland War Memorial Museum and the Auckland Domain park, both of which are highly worth visiting.
- Mount Eden Road is full of vintage stores, book shops, cafés and bars.
- Sports fans should check out Eden Park, a stadium that hosts some of New Zealand’s biggest rugby and cricket matches.
Huka Falls
Those hoping to get a lookout over the falls can walk the footbridge overhead, where you’ll be close enough to feel the spray or else get a view from the Huka Falls Trail, a one-hour walk that follows the forested riverbanks to where the tranquil waters explode into the hurtling falls. If it’s an adrenaline kick you’re after, opt for a jet boat ride instead, where you’ll get to zoom upstream to within meters of the falls.
Huka Prawn Park
The humble prawn takes center stage at the Huka Prawn Park, with a selection of fishing pools offering the chance to catch your own dinner and take it to the on-site restaurant to be prepared. Over 150,000 giant Malaysian river prawns swim in the waters at any one time, with the park growing 32 tons of prawns each year, meaning you’re bound to catch enough for a good meal. Equally interesting is visiting the hatcheries, where you can learn about the lives of the tiny sea creatures on an Interactive Hatchery Tour, including tackling the jumping rocks, indulging in a geothermal foot bath and feeding wild trout.
Don’t worry, there’s plenty of quirky fun to be had even if you’re not a fan of eating the prawns—pedal away on the water-spurting bikes; bang out a tune on the water piano fountain; or have your photo taken with the park’s lovable mascot, Shawn the Prawn.
Manukau Heads Lighthouse
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Maori Rock Carvings at Mine Bay
Although the designs appear like the remains of an ancient Maori settlement, they were in fact carved by artist Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell in the 1970s, taking three summers to complete. The dramatic works are some of the largest rock art of their kind in the world, depicting Ngatoroirangi – the Maori visionary who guided the Tuwharetoa and Te Arawa tribes to Lake Taupo over a thousand years before. Flanking Ngatoroirangi are two smaller carvings depicting the south wind and a mermaid, and utilizing traditional Maori stone-carving techniques.
Only viewable from the water, visiting the Maori Rock Carvings is a popular boat excursion from Taupo, but it’s also possible to get there by kayak, offering an incredible up close view of the figures as you float beneath the cliffs.
Mt Tarawera
Near the northeast coast of the North Island is Mount Tarawera, the volcano responsible for a massive eruption that destroyed the famed, naturally occurring Pink and White Terraces and buried three Maori villages, including Te Wairoa, in 1866. The volcano is currently dormant, but visitors can book several different guided tours of the mountain, ranging from helicopter, 4-wheel drive vehicles and mountain bikes.
The area around Mt. Tarawera is breathtaking in its beauty and captivating in its thermal characteristics. Nearby are both the Geothermal Wonderland of Wai-O-Tapu and the Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley near Te Puia, the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute. At Tarawera's foot is Lake Rotomahana, which offers numerous recreational activities including fishing, water skiing and boating.
In addition to Lake Rotomahana, Mt. Tarawera's eruption formed many others, as the rift and domes formed from the explosion dramatically altered the surrounding landscape. In fact, the blast was so massive that its ash could be seen as far away as Christchurch, nearly 500 miles to the south. The resulting topographic challenges have created some of the most exhilarating bike trails in the world.
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Since January 2010, independent hiking on Tarawera (and even being on the roads that approach it) is forbidden, due to health and safety issues, vandalism, and traffic. If you want to visit it you must book a tour.
Rotorua Museum
Spend some time in the Te Arawa and Tarawera galleries, the former of which houses an extensive collection of ancient Maori art and artifacts, as well as treasured antique photographs from the European colonial era. The latter is dedicated to the eruption of Mt. Tarawera and the destruction wreaked in 1886.
Muriwai Beach
- If surfing’s on the agenda, don’t fail to bring or rent a wetsuit. Even in summer, the sea off New Zealand can be quite cold.
- The gannet colonies are within the Muriwai Regional Park, which has picnic areas, a cafe, and walking trails.
- The sea all along the West Coast is notoriously powerful. Only strong swimmers should brave the surf, and always follow any warnings about rip tides or places that should be avoided.
Hutt Valley
Motutapu Island
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Parnell Village
- Parnell covers quite a massive area, and the Auckland Domain is a large park. Check out a map of the area while planning your day, so you can eat, shop, and relax at the best times.
- While Parnell is known as an upmarket area, there are a number of restaurants to suit any budget.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes if you plan on joining walking tours or independently hiking through the suburb.
Paradise Valley Springs
Started in 1939 as a trout sanctuary, Paradise Valley Springs Wildlife Park is now a popular destination for animal lovers of all ages. Visitors can feed and interact with many of the animals, most of which are native to the island.
Given New Zealand's isolation from the rest of the world, its flora and fauna evolved differently than continental creatures, and as such, New Zealand's wildlife is unique. While many New Zealand trips involve outdoor activities and visitors see much of its indigenous animals in the wild, the Paradise Valley Springs Wildlife Park has the most interesting native critters under one roof.
Guests to the park explore the different wildlife sections, including the popular Treetops Canopy walk. A series of wooden bridges and pathways have been built high up in the trees, giving visitors a chance to wander through the native birds' natural habitat.
In addition to the animal exhibits, the park is also known for its natural spring. Before Europeans came, Maori tribes would bring their battle-wounded to the spring, because they believed it had medicinal properties. Magical healing power or no, the spring produces an unending supply of clean water with high mineral content, and guests can sample directly from the source or buy water from the recently constructed bottling plant.
Lions are native to Africa, but in the 1970s, the park operators acquired some retired circus lions, and the park has been raising and caring for lions ever since. If you have the stomach for it, you can watch the lions being fed daily at 2:30pm. When cubs are born, the lion-keeper will allow you to pet them free of charge.
Kaitoke Regional Park
- Kaitoke Regional Park is ideal for nature lovers, hikers, and LOTR fans.
- On-site park rangers provide guidance on finding a location or keeping safe in the rain forest.
- Hunting for deer, goats, and pigs is permitted in much of the park, though you’ll need to get a permit from the Greater Wellington Regional Council first.
- The park typically has events running during the summer for families camping in the area.
Rotoroa Island
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Mount Victoria Reserve
- Devonport is a fashionable neighborhood with lovely cafés, bars, and boutiques. It’s worth combining a visit to Mount Victoria with some time in the town.
- Look out for the colorfully painted ‘mushrooms’ at the summit, actually vents for a water-pumping station beneath the surface of the mountain.
- Cars were banned from the summit of Mount Victoria in 2018, so walking (or cycling) up is the only option.
Picton
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Maori Arts and Crafts Institute (Te Puia)
Te Puia, the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute was established by the New Zealand Parliament to guard and preserve Maori culture, housing the national schools of carving and weaving. Visitors interact with master craftsmen as they turn native hardwood and plant fibers into beautiful pieces of traditional art, spinning stories as they work.
Touring the facilities is interesting, informative and not to be missed, but the highlight is Te Po, Te Puia's authentic evening experience. As evening falls, you'll assemble in a carved meeting space and go on to participate in Maori rituals of friendship and greetting. As the night progresses, you'll feast on traditional cuisine as your guides will share Maori heritage, song and weaponry.
Te Puia is also the staging area for tours of the Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley, where there are numerous geysers and 3 regularly erupt - Kereru, Tohu and the world famous Pohutu geyser, which erupts around 20 times a day reaching heights of up to 30m (100ft).
In addition to preserving to the Maori culture through performances and demonstrations, Te Puia also preserves New Zealand national culture with the Kiwi House. As its name implies, the Kiwi House is dedicated to helping the little flightless birds in their fight against extinction.