New Zealand North Island offers a myriad of adventures for the family. There is the steaming hot nature adventure with volcanoes, hot springs, bubbling mud pools, “foamy” waterfall and a soaring geyser. There is an animal adventure where the kids saw the kiwi bird, farm animals, watched the demonstrations for sheep shearing and cow milking, and stayed at an animal farm. There is also a fun adventure where we rode downhill in a Luge, rolled downhill in a Zorb ball, and went sailing; and last but not least a cultural adventure with the Maoris.
Our 10-day New Zealand North Island Itinerary
We did a 10-day road trip around New Zealand North Island with 3 kids. My youngest kid was barely a year old at that time and was just learning how to walk. Our itinerary is detailed below. Click on the links for more details.
Arrive in Auckland.
Travel from Auckland to Tirau and stay at Belmont Farm.
Discover one of the most magical caves in the world at Waitomo Glow worm Cave. View spectacular limestone formations in Ruanuki Cave. Overnight in Plymouth.
Have a picnic at Egmont National Park with a scenic view of Mt Taranaki. Overnight at Howards Lodge at the Tongariro National park.
Take the volcanic loop around the Tongariro National Park. See the beautiful Lake Taupo and visit the thundering Hukafalls before heading to Rotor.
Witness the eruption of Lady Knox geyser. Explore the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland and mudpool. Take the Skyline (cable-car) ride & ride downhill in the Luge. Visit the Maori Village for a traditional Maori dinner and performance.
Zorb down a hill in a ball before heading to Agrodome to tour an organic farm and see an entertaining live sheep show. Visit Rainbow Springs to see kiwis and explore beautiful native trees and streams. Unwind and soak in the natural hot pool at the Polynesian spa. Visit Rainbow Springs again in the evening and view wildlife and streams under an array of colourful lights.
If time permits, visit the Hobbiton town made famous by the Lord of the Rings movie at Matamata. After which, drive to Auckland. Go up to the Auckland tower before sun sets and witness the Auckland city transformation from day to night.
Visit Bees Online to buy the famous Manuka Honey. Head to the Auckland harbour and set sail in the City of Sails.
DAY 10: AUCKLAND – HOME
Depart Auckland.
View 10-day NZ North Island map in a larger map
Tips on Planning this trip
Transport
There is no better way to travel around New Zealand than to drive. Travelling by camper vans is also quite common. An alternative was to join the day tours but that was more expensive than self-drive.
There was an additional charge for renting a car from the airport, and it was cheaper for my family to take a cab to town and rent the car from town the next day. The car was returned at the airport.
Attractions in New Zealand North Island
- Waitomo Caves (www.waitomo.com, 39 Waitomo Caves Road, Waitomo Caves, Private Bag 501, Otorohanga) Booked tour online
- Mt Taranaki (www.taranaki.co.nz)
- Tongariro National Park Volcanoes (www.nationalpark.co.nz)
- Huka Falls, and Huka Falls River Cruise (www.hukafallscruise.co.nz)
- Lake Taupo (www.greatlaketaupo.com)
- Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland (www.waiotapu.co.nz, 201 Waiotapu Loop Road, RD 3, Rotorua 3073)
- Rainbow Springs (www.rainbowsprings.co.nz, Fairy Springs Road, PO Box 25, Rotorua, New Zealand)
- Skyline and Luge (www.skyline.co.nz, Fairy Springs Road, PO Box 2353, Rotorua New Zealand)
- Mitai Maori Village (mitai.co.nz, 196 Fairy Springs Road, Rotorua, )
- Zorb (www.zorb.com)
- Agrodome Show and Farm Tour (www.agrodome.co.nz, Western Road, Ngongotaha, Rotorua)
- Polynesian Spa for a dip in the hot springs pool (www.polynesianspa.co.nz, 1000 Hinemoa Street, Rotorua 3010, New Zealand)
- Muriwai Beach and Gannet Colony
- Auckland Sky tower (www.skycityauckland.co.nz/Attractions/Skytower)
- Pride of Auckland Cruise (www.prideofauckland.com, Explore NZ Booking Kiosk, Viaduct Harbour, Auckland)
Other places considered
- Hell’s Gate Geothermal park and mud spa (www.hellsgate.co.nz, SH30, Tikitere, Rotorua, New Zealand)
- Tepuia Whakarewarewa Thermal Area (www.tepuia.com, Box 334, Hemo Road, Rotorua, New Zealand)
- Lord of the Rings Hobbiton movie set tours (www.hobbitontours.com, Rings Scenic Tours Ltd, 101 Arawa Street, PO 366, Matamata, New Zealand)
Accommodations
It was easy to find decent accommodations for a family of 4-5 in New Zealand. Most of it provided a kitchenette and all provided free parking. These were the places I stayed in New Zealand North Island.
- 1N farm stay in Tirau (I stayed at Belmont Farm, which had a cottage with 2 bedrooms)
- 1N in New Plymouth (I stayed at Coronation Court Motel, which had a 2-bedroom apartment)
- 1N in National Park (I stayed at Howards Lodge which had a Deluxe Family Room)
- 3N in Rotorua (I stayed at Brylin Motel which had a Family 2-bedroom apartment)
- 2N in Auckland (The place I stayed is no longer available)
Hi Rosie
Would you remember how much you guys spent on this trip in all? Trying to budget for a trip this coming October!
Hi Eileen, We spent about less than SGD 1K (USD 800) per person, excluding flight. It is economical to travel by car when you have 4 to 5 people, plus it is easy to find budget-friendly family accommodations in New Zealand.
I have a 7 year old kid, I want to bring him to New Zealand and reading your article makes me happy because I believe he will have a good time here. With all those photographic sceneries and other interesting places and activity I hope New Zealand shares good memories with my child.
Love the layout of this guide – so much easier to read than others I’ve came across! My north island bucket list just keeps growing – great recommendations thank you!
Thank you Lauren. It is great to know that it helps you in your planning.
HI Rosie,
I am planning to visit North Island New Zealand and I found your write up. It is very interesting and very detail. Thank you so much for the information. However, I read on the Waitomo glowworm where they need some sort of tour guide. So do you mind sharing how you do the Waitomo glowworn tour where do you book it online from SG or we can just walk in and book it on the spot or there is no need for any tour sort of? Also regarding the Tongariro National Park and Lake Taupo. Do we need any tour as well or we can do it free and easy? Please advice. Thank you
Elsie ( Msia)
Hi Elsie! For the Waitomo glowworm, we did make a booking online. Unfortunately, I cannot remember from which site. You can try booking the Waitomo Cave tour from Get your Guide instead. Type “Waitomo Caves” in the search bar. For exploring Tongiraro National Park and Lake Taupe, my preference is to drive. If you are not comfortable to do so, you can always find a tour. Get your Guide has plenty of tours for New Zealand that you can book in advance.
Hi, I can’t find the Belmont Farm Stay anywhere on the internet and the link you provided as well can’t go through. Do you know about it? Thank you.
Hi Rosie, i intend to bring my 3 kids (10, 7, 2) and my elderly parents to NZ for 2 wks. Where do you recommend we cover? North or South Island?
Hi Carol, I like South Island more. If you want to over both, it is possible to do one-week on each island.