Epic North Island Experiences You Need To Tick Off

With summer on the horizon, there's never been a better time for us to explore our beautiful country. You can make up for lost time, explore everything on your local bucket list and get the 'Gram while you're at it.

We've put together a list of well-known (and a few more secret) spots around the North Island you need to check out to make the most of the season including a brand new experience at Hobbiton. So without further ado, here are the best tourist attractions in the North Island that should be on your list.

Cape Reinga

Northland

Cape Reinga is a popular pilgrimage for most tourists, and be warned, it's a fair drive up to this beautiful and sacred spot. Take a few days off and stop along the way in the Bay of Islands for some lunch and gorgeous views. 

Don't miss the Te Paki sand dunes on your way back for the most fun (and the biggest leg workout) you'll have all year, and then relax at the North's best-kept secret, Ngawha Springs. With 10-minute strolls to four-day hikes, there are some amazing walking tracks at Cape Reinga so pick your fave and head out.

Hot Water Beach

Coromandel

Image credit: Hot Water Beach | The Coromandel I www.thecoromandel.com

We're not going to lie, Hot Water Beach gets pretty busy at low tide, but where else can you dig and enjoy your own spa pool? While the tracks to Cathedral Cove are currently closed due to storm damage, you can still reach it via boat.

Head over to Coromandel to check out Driving Creek Railway to ride the iconic train up New Zealand's steepest track through the Coromandel bush spying unique pottery creations and artwork along the way. 

Waitomo Caves

Waikato

Whether you're after adventure, glow-worm magic or an opportunity to get into nature, Waitomo Caves has it all plus some great deals so you can do it all, too. Take the leap and abseil down into caves, take a gentle boat ride through amazing glow worm caves, or jump off waterfalls during a black water rafting trip (there's a hot shower at the end to warm you up). One word: Epic.

Hobbiton Movie Set Tours

Waikato

Image credit: Hobbiton | Supplied

Get the crew together and take a tour of Hobbiton. This movie buff's paradise has just unveiled Hobbiton Movie Set’s new experience—for the first time, visitors will be able to tour an actual Hobbit Hole.

That's right, now you can step into an authentic Hobbit Hole as part of your tour of Hobbiton as for the past 20 years, the 44 Hobbit Holes left behind from filming have remained an external façade, leaving many to wonder what could lie beyond. The Hobbit Hole features a labyrinth of fully themed rooms: an entry hall, two bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, and dining area, an equipped pantry and a parlour complete with a crackling fireplace.  

You don't need to be a huge LOTR fan to appreciate how epic this spot is and the local tour guides have heaps of cool inside information about the films, plus who can say no to a drink at The Green Dragon at the end of your tour?

Polynesian Spa

Rotorua

Image credit: Polynesian Spa | Facebook

Rotorua is basically Mecca for tourists, and we could probably write a whole article just on things to do in this hotspot. At the top of our list of places is the luxurious Polynesian Spa. You could book your own private lake-view pool or head straight to the day spa to treat yourself.

While you're about it be sure to check out Rotorua's many attractions such as the ZORB, Wai-O-Tapu, Canopy Tours or hire out a mountain bike and hit the Redwood trails.

River Valley

Manawatu-Wanganui

For a weekend away off the beaten track, River Valley near Taihape is the perfect spot. Spend the day hitting some Grade 5 white water rafting, stay the night at a Deluxe Riverside Suite, and then the next day spend it up in the high country with a spectacular horse trek. 

Hawke's Bay Wine Tours 

Hawke's Bay

Image credit: Craggy Range Winery | Supplied

Waiheke, who? The place to be is Hawkes Bay with its endless sunshine—plus if it's good enough for Benedict Cumberbatch, it's good enough for you and your mates. Take a wine tour and visit some of the best vineyards around Napier and Hastings such as Black Barn, Elephant Hill or Craggy Range—see more of our recommendations here. Stay at some of the most gorgeous boutique accommodation in HB for the night and go out to explore Napier's Art Deco town centre the next day.

Te Papa

Wellington

On your ventures be sure to explore Te Papa, the six-floor Museum of New Zealand. Whether you're going to finally check out the giant squid or Weta Workshop's Gallipoli exhibition, there's so much to see and we guarantee you'll need almost a whole day to explore. The best part is—it's free! Alongside Te Papa, you could check out the Beehive to get yourself educated on NZ Parliament, or Zealandia Ecosanctuary for a spot of bird-watching.

Looking for more New Zealand adventures? Make a plan to tour the South Island tourist attractions stat.

Main image credit: Cape Reinga | David Kirkland