10 Things you need to visit on New Zealand’s North Island 2024
Let’s be honest, the north island of New Zealand is underrated and everyone raves about the South Island. It’s true, the South of New Zealand is stunning with its crystal blue lakes and snow-capped mountains. But for us, the North of New Zealand with its sheep hills was just as great!
Me and Matias talked about what we loved the most and here are 10 Things you should not miss on New Zealand’s North Island. We chose these attractions and activities based on our experience there, how easy it was to find them and their cost.
Here are 10 Attractions, both paid and free you should not miss on New Zealand’s North Island. But don’t worry, only 2 of the activities are paid - the rest are totally free!
1. Castlepoint Lighthouse
Starting strong with this beautiful lighthouse on the east coast. Both Matias and I rated Castlepoint in our Top 3 things to see in New Zealand. Maybe because we were the only ones there and I think that is pretty rare. One of the benefits of traveling in winter.
The view from the top says it all
The view is stunning and you can climb up all the way to get the best pictures. There is even a spot where you can whale watch. Hopefully, you are luckier than us and spot some. This is also a great place to go for a freezing and refreshing dip in the salty ocean. And if you look around you can spot many seals chilling in the shallow water and the dunes.
Whale watching spot behind the lighthouse, down the stairs
How to get there: It’s an easy 1-hour scenic drive from Masterton. There are also a few free camping spots right by the lighthouse (self-contained only) with toilets. Be aware they will fill up super fast in high season (Oct-Mar). We were there in June and shared the small parking ground with 5 other cars, which for the middle of winter is still a lot.
Price: free
Can you spot the seals?
2. Mt Taranaki
The mountain at sunrise
The most impressive mountain in the North Island of New Zealand and you can spot it from miles away when you drive to the west. Make your way towards New Plymouth or Hawera and you can’t miss it. There are many stunning hiking routes around the mountain and breathtaking free camping spots for self-contained vehicles.
Mt. Taranaki at night with no clouds
The benefit of staying overnight is seeing the mountain all by yourself for sunrise, which really can not be topped. We had a cold night up there and were all by ourselves but it was so worth it for the stars at night and the sunrise views.
Tired but happy Tabea
The night sky - even better when you see it with your own eyes
How to get there: Drive to New Plymouth or Hāwera and you can’t really miss it. From both cities you will already spot the impressive mountain on a clear day and signs will lead you there. Also Google Maps and maps.me give perfect directions.
Price: free
Sunrise on Mt. Taranaki
3. Hobbiton
Welcome to Hobbiton
Yes, you’ve most likely been expecting this one, and rightfully so! As a teenager when I first saw the Shire on the screen never have I thought that I would visit the exact filming locations and see the tiny Hobbit holes for myself. But I did! The 89 NZD tour is worth it. You feel mesmerized by the artistry and attention to detail. There are even candles burning in the windows and real potatoes growing in the garden.
One month prior to filming Director Sir Peter Jackson made people go up in the morning to hang clothes and take them back down at night so there would be little natural footpaths to the laundry line. What an attention to detail to make it look more realistic.
Did not have breakfast that day and right here is the moment I regretted it!
The guides have extremely interesting facts about the movies and share so much. We’ve learned that some of the trees were not up to Sir Peter Jackson’s standards (director of the Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit trilogy) and so every leaf needed to be handprinted and attached to a tree which delayed filming for 6 weeks!
With some tours, you can even have a lunch or dinner included which we will try next time! And in 2024 you can even walk inside a Hobbit hole and see the interior of the homes.
How to get there: Hobbiton is in Matamata which is right in the middle of Hamilton, Tauranga, and Rotorua. The drive there is already half the fun. You see the sheep hills and already feel like you are in the Shire. You can park straight at the ticket office and a bus takes you to the filming location.
Price: currently (July 2023) tours start from 89 NZD
The view from Bilbo’s Home
Inside the Dragon Inn
4. Visit Rivendell
While we are on the topic of Lord of the Rings you can also visit the filming location of some of the scenes of Rivendell. However, this is nowhere near as well preserved as Hobbiton. Now the place is mostly forest with a few information boards here and there. The highlight is the majestic stone entrance which makes you feel like magic exists. Don’t believe me? See for yourself!
behind the scenes information
Here you can see how tall the different characters should be according to Tolkien. Sadly I discovered I am quite tiny next to my all-time crush Legolas!
How to get there: On the way to Wellington you will see a sign that says Rivendell, follow it and park your car in the parking spot. Again, Google Maps gives great directions.
Price: free
found my own real-life Legolas at Rivendell
5. Award Winning pies at Clareville Bakery
This one surprised us and was not planned at all. But while driving towards Wellington we saw a sign for a bakery and a busy parking area. Matias turned around and quickly found ourselves in the long line of Clareville Bakery waiting to try some pies. My first ever pie and OMG it did not disappoint: 11 out of 10! They also sell award-winning sourdough bread, cakes, and all the other things you’d expect in a bakery.
The only picture I have, but it was sooo good!
How to get there: On road 2 towards Wellington between Masterton and Carterton.Save it now on Google Maps.
Price: starting from 4 NZD
6. Elephant Rock and the 3 Sisters
Elephant rock during low tide
We stopped at a small parking area just ahead of the Elephant Rock and the 3 Sisters, since it offered free camping for the night in our self-contained vehicle. We arrived already in the dark, but Matias read about it beforehand and we knew we had to walk to the rocks during low tide. For us, this was exactly at sunrise so we set an alarm for 6 am.
After some tired complaining from us we walked out to the ocean, which was so worth it! The morning light and walking through Elephant Rock is one of my favorite memories from the North Island. Also being one of 3 sisters I named each sister after one of us: Tabea, Selma, and Maila.
Why Elephant Rock? Because the rock looks like one!
Can you see his eye?
How to get there: It is located in Tongapōrutu. And there are many signs leading you there while you drive towards New Plymouth from Hamilton.
Price: free
all in one picture - Elephant Rock, the 3 Sisters and me
7. Scenic drive through Marokopa
take me back!!!
Those views! I lost count of how many times we stopped the car just to take some pictures. At some point we just stopped the car and just stood there speechless. Me crying and Matias dancing because our WORLD IS SO FREAKING BEAUTIFUL. It’s true, I have a video to prove it!
It was such a peaceful drive and we saw one sheep farm for sale and then talked the whole way about how we would create a cute Bed and Breakfast at our sheep farm.
one of those places you just can’t forget!
How to get there: We drove there after visiting the waterfall in Te Anga and towards Awakino to join the bigger road again. Be aware the road here has its rough spots.
Price: free, if you don’t count the gas ;)
our future sheep farm… maybe
8. Marokopa Falls, TeAnga
The biggest waterfall we have seen in New Zealand. But also, we did not go to Milford Sounds. It’s huge and stunning plus we had great weather and were there all by ourselves. But I will just let the pictures speak for themselves.
Marokopa Waterfall
so nice greenery around the waterfall
How to get there: Drive south from Hamilton and just turn to the Waitomo Caves and continue on that road. New Zealand does a great job at road signs and we never missed a waterfall we wanted to see, but just in case here is the google maps link ;)
Price: free
9. Bridal Veil Falls
This waterfall is maybe my favorite. A very impressive, long waterfall where you can walk from the top to the bottom of it. Be aware that it means climbing some stairs but nothing that would require a rest day. Again, the pictures describe it best.
Bridal Veil Falls from the top lookout
View from the top
How to get there: We drove from Hamilton towards Raglan and then turned South. It was already such a beautiful drive there and the waterfall was the cherry on top. Find it here.
Price: free
Bridal Veil Falls from a different angle
10. Huka Falls and Huka Honey Hive
This is the 3rd waterfall on our list and was also the most visited. Due to its central location just above Lake Taupō, it is easy to reach and also really pretty. The watercolor is bright turquoise and the sound of the fast-streaming water is beautiful. On our way to the Falls, we spotted a little Honey store and stopped on the way back. This little stop was so cute and filled with all the honey products you can imagine. The highlight was the kind staff and the honey tasting.
Huka Falls
My favorite color
How to get there: Drive to Taupō which is located on the biggest lake in the North Island, Lake Taupō, and from there you can follow the signs towards the north of the city you will find both Huka Falls and the Honey Hive.
Price: free, both the Falls and visit to the Honey Hive. However, try stopping yourself from buying tasty honey ;)
The only picture I have from the Honey Hive, because we were too busy tasting honey..
Bonus: Rotorua and the steaming hot pools
It was hard to choose our Top 10 spots so here comes a bonus. Rotorua is quite well developed and there are a few tourist hot spots around, however, the experience of seeing the steaming city was really interesting. Our highlights were the Maori village and a park where we had a little foot bath in the hot springs.
You can see steam like this all throughout the village and you smell it too.
Before you ask, yes it smells very interesting in the whole city due to the volcanic gasses and activity.
Perfect temperature when traveling during the cold season
How to get there: Rotorua is located north of Lake Taupō and south of Hamilton and Tauranga. It is quite easy to find. Here are the Google Map links to the village and hot foot bath.
Price: free
We warmly recommend a road trip through New Zealand and encourage you to not skip the north. We felt a welcoming hospitality from the people we met and enjoyed the Hobbiton vibes that we felt throughout the whole island.
Keep exploring, Tabea & Matias
