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Fine wines

Explore award-winning vineyards

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On the water

Go island hopping and enjoy watersports

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Home cooked meals

Enjoy a warm cultural experience with a Māori family

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Flora and fauna

Discover ethereal landscapes and natural beauty

Welcome to the geothermal and cultural heart of New Zealand

With a landscape that encompasses a coastline of black sand beaches, active volcanoes and unique geothermal activity, New Zealand’s North Island is as diverse as it is beautiful.

The island is also home to the country’s cosmopolitan cities of Auckland – the vibrant heart of New Zealand – and Wellington, the trendy capital on the lowest point of the North Island.

In contrast, the Northland and the Bay of Islands are dotted with early colonial towns, quiet coves and clear Pacific waters. Further south, past ancient giant Kauri trees, is New Zealand’s geothermal wonderland of Rotorua: complete with bubbling mud pools, bursting geysers and colourful, steaming lakes.

With natural beauty to spare, the North Island’s hiking trails offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to traverse ethereal landscapes and see the local flora and fauna up close.

The rich rewards of this island extend to luxury lodges, fine wines from Hawkes Bay and Māori cultural experiences that allow you to better understand the local relationship to this fertile heartland.

Highlights

Be welcomed into the spiritual and community hub of a group of Māori families, spending time in their Whare Tupuna ( Ancestral House) and learning about their history

Enjoy a private catamaran adventure as you navigate the waters around Waiheke Island, with snorkelling, stand-up paddleboarding and beach breaks along the way

Go on a guided tour to a selection of boutique wineries around Wellington and savour some of the world’s best Pinot Noir

The North Island is the geothermal and cultural heart of New Zealand. It’s here you can experience a locally cooked meal made underground, or fly over the coast to an active volcano island to explore on foot. The variety of landscapes is incredible: an Art Deco seaside town surrounded by wineries, the remote coves of the Bay of Islands or the breathtaking hikes that make up New Zealand’s greatest walks. The North Island really is the place to experience New Zealands renowned manaakitanga (hospitality in Maori).

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Rosanna Convey

Travel Designer

Luxury accommodation in North Island

There are many incredible places to stay in North Island. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:

Why book with Jacada?

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Personalised design

We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.

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Authentic experiences

Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.

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Responsible travel

Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.

Ready to plan your adventure?

Whatever you want from your North Island tour, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

Where to go

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Auckland

New Zealand’s largest cosmopolitan centre is a lively mix of culture, cuisine, music and art with ample green spaces and easily accessible beaches.

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Bay of Islands

Equally beautiful and historically significant, the bay is peppered with 144 vastly untouched islands that are renowned for their inviting clear waters, subtropical climate and diverse marine life.

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Coromandel

A classic Kiwi beach holiday destination made up of petite coastal towns, velvety white-sand beaches and native rainforests teeming with birdlife.

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Hawke's Bay

The North Island’s wine country is one of New Zealand’s warmest, driest regions with golden colours stretching across arid plains.

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Rotorua and Taupo

Steaming mud pools, erupting geysers and Maori traditions all make Rotorua and Taupo a special area to visit – one that is distinctively unique to the rest of New Zealand.

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Wellington

Nestled on rolling green hills that spill down to a charming harbour, New Zealand’s capital is an epicentre of culture and creativity – renowned for its arts, gastronomy, heritage and bohemian character.

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Meet your Australasia team

When to visit

New Zealand is a year-round destination. In summer visit the beaches and explore the country’s National Parks. Spring is a mild time of year to travel and the countryside comes to life. In winter the South Island is a playground for outdoor adventures and epic scenery. Autumn sees cold, crisp days in the South Island and more mild rainy days in the North Island.

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Wine Tasting

March–April

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Skiing and Snowboarding

June–September

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Whale and Dolphin Spotting

Year Round

When is the Best Time to Visit New Zealand?

When is the Best Time to Visit New Zealand?

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Plan your trip to North Island

Whatever you want from your adventure in North Island, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

Plan with peace of mind

When you book a trip in today’s world there’s a lot to think about. But with the right advice and expert planning, you can do it with confidence.

If you book to travel with us but your plans are impacted by circumstances you can’t control, we’ll change your reservation or cancel your booking for a full credit towards future travel.

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