Top Things to do in North Island
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The 10 Best Budget-friendly Things to do in North Island, New Zealand
Discover the best top things to do in North Island, New Zealand including Tongariro Alpine Crossing, Pukekura Park, Hamilton Gardens, New Plymouth Coastal Walkway, Waimarino Adventure Park, Rotoroa Island, Tiritiri Matangi Island, ZEALANDIA Ecosanctuary, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Auckland Museum.
Restaurants in North Island
1. Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,166 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By RJMEX - Brooks, Canada
My wife and I did the Tongariro Crossing on February 8, 2019. We rode the Northern Express train from Auckland, stopped in Ohakune for two nights to do the Crossing, and continued on to Wellington. I had done some research on the Crossing, so we were prepared with hiking boots, day packs, layered windproof clothing, and extra collapsible water bottles. We also pre-booked a shuttle service to deliver us to the trail head, and pick us up at the finish. This is essential if you are doing the full day hike as there is a 4 hour parking limit in the car parks and the full hike is a good 6-8 hours depending on fitness level, photo op time, and how much you want to just enjoy the experience. Make no mistake, this is not a flatland "walk in the park", and unless you are at a good level of health and fitness and have the proper gear, this is not the hike for you. We are in our mid 60s and consider ourselves fit, but this was a workout. I recall the shuttle driver saying there were something like 800 stair steps going both up and down, and while they do make things less treacherous going up, they were a special kind of torture on the descent which takes 3 - 3.5 hrs. We saw several hikers suffering blisters, aching knees, and lack of water. The temperatures were quite cool when we started in the morning, along with a fairly strong wind, and we were glad for the wind proof clothing. By the time we were descending in the afternoon, it was quite warm and we had shed the layers. Heed the warnings about changing weather! We had a beautiful clear day, but a couple days earlier a guide told us the trail was down to a meter visibility in places due to fog and mist. You will find websites and reviews that play down the difficulty of this journey and tell you people from 4 years to 94 years have done the Crossing. That may well be, but these are exceptions, not the rule. My wife had to help a young nurse in her twenties who was afraid to continue due to the unstable footing on the descent from Red Crater and a guide told about having to carry a 10 year old over part of the trail he simply refused to go down. If you are unsure of your ability or equipment, book the hike with a guide or at least talk to someone who has done the crossing. Age is not the barrier, fitness and careless preparation is. If you decide to take the challenge and weather cooperates, you will be rewarded by some of the most spectacular views on the planet. Enjoy and good hiking!!
2. Pukekura Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,777 reviews
Pukekura Park covers 52ha (128 acres) right in the heart of New Plymouth, Taranaki and is one of New Zealand's premier botanical gardens. The park has an international Green Flag award and is a Garden of National Significance. With a diverse range of landscapes, the park features bush walks, formal gardens, lakes, children's play areas, a sports area and a Tea House. The park includes the Fernery and Display Houses as well as the adjacent garden estate area of Brooklands, home to the acclaimed TSB Bowl of Brooklands and Brooklands Zoo. As a popular destination for locals and visitors alike, Pukekura Park lights up over the summer as the backdrop for the annual TSB Bank Festival of Lights. The park is free to enter and can be accessed from various streets including Liardet Street, Brooklands Road, Fillis Street, Rogan Street, Kaimata Street and List Street.
Reviewed By Nutputter
Just a gorgeous valley of native nz bush and flowers and water features.We were taken by surprise ...first that it is free and very large so allow plenty of time ..and there is a lovely old fashioned tea rooms in the middle ...with Pukeiti ,New Plymouth is certainly blessed with lovely gardens and parks .
3. Hamilton Gardens
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,439 reviews
Explore an enchanting world of secret gardens. Transport yourself through time and to far-flung corners of the world. Meander through a lush tropical jungle, visit ancient China and indulge yourself in a Renaissance Prince's 16th century garden. Five garden collections have been created to delight the senses, with some garden concepts reaching back 4,000 years. Hamilton Gardens is a conceptual garden based in the Waikato that explores the context, history and meaning of gardens through time, and from around the world. It is internationally recognised for its unique concept and is the Waikato region's most popular tourist destination. Only five minutes drive from Hamilton's CBD, the Gardens is open 7 days a week during daylight hours and entry and parking is free. Access is off SH1, alongside Cobham Drive on the southern side of Hamilton.
Reviewed By Adamc7651
The gardens are a good activity to do for the whole family! Our friends and family enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and stunning gardens
4. New Plymouth Coastal Walkway
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,675 reviews
Utterly spectacular 11km long walkway along the seafront in New Plymouth, New Zealand. Walk, ride skate or scoot from Bell Block in the north to Port Taranaki to the south taking in the stunning Te Rewa Rewa Bridge, three swimming beaches, a golf club, rolling farm land, rivers and various accessways to residential and shopping areas.
Reviewed By 562grahamb - Napier, New Zealand
The New Plymouth Costal Walkway is a pedestrian and cycleway goes for miles and miles...8 miles to be exact. It’s easy to walk manageable pieces, there are numerous parking lots and public washrooms along the way. There are lots of delights along the way, including surfers, friendly Kiwis walking their dogs, a golf course, the famous Len Lee’s “Wind Wand” sculpture and the spectacularly shaped Te Rewa Rewa Bridge crossing Waiwhakaiho River at the northern end. We had several wonderful excursions during our stay. New Plymouth is to be commended for making exercising, the easy choice.
5. Waimarino Adventure Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 709 reviews
Waimarino Adventure Park is situated on the banks of the Wairoa River just 10 minutes from Tauranga city. This tranquil paradise is based around the sport of kayaking and over the past 35 years, Waimarino has become Tauranga’s premier kayaking & recreation location. Waimarino Adventure Park has New Zealand's only kayak slide, The Blob, kayaks, rock climbing, diving boards, Italian Pedallos and plenty more. Grab your swimwear and visit us for a great day of action & fun.Waimarino Kayak Tours offer a great range of kayak tours in Tauranga & Rotorua region including magical glow-worm experiences, fantastic scenery, lake-edge thermal hot pools, catering and transport.Enjoy light refreshments & NZ wine on the edge of Lake McLaren at sunset, surrounded by the ducks &swans. Glide across the calm waters at twilight, before entering our enchanting glow-worm canyon. Our glow-worm kayak tour is truly unique, and a fantastic ‘must do’ experience while in NZ. This glow-worm kayak tour experience is not available in any other location globally. ONLY in Tauranga!Enjoy our kayak tour on scenic Lake Rotoiti, paddle past pohutakawas, (NZ’s Christmas tree) cascading native bush& abundant birdlife along the lake edge. Classic kiwi holiday homes nestle amongst the cliffs & coves. Enjoy the myths and legends of the Maori people linked to Lake Rototiti, before entering the glow-worm cave. Cross the lake to the Manupirua natural thermal hot-pools to relax and reflect on your exhilarating experiences.Please see our website for more information about our park and kayak tour options.
Reviewed By stitches2016 - West Sussex, United Kingdom
Had a brilliant evening!! Cheese and wine on arrival by the river. Then we kayaked along stunning vegetation and trees into some caves to see the glow worms and on our return journey we were fortunate enough to have a full moon to light our way back in the stillness of the evening with occasional night sounds of birds! A very memorable experience.
6. Rotoroa Island
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 117 reviews
Closed to the public for nearly 100 years, Rotoroa Island is now a sanctuary for wildlife and home to endangered native species including kiwi, tieke, takahe, pateke and skinks. Just over an hour from downtown Auckland, this beautiful and unique island warmly welcomes you to reconnect with nature. Come and see endangered species in their natural habitat, and learn about our ongoing efforts to protect them. Visit our award-winning museum and exhibition, and learn all about our fascinating history. Hiking, swimming, volunteering and fishing; on Rotoroa Island there's something for everyone.
Reviewed By 196barbl - Dunedin, New Zealand
We spent a day exploring the island and loved it. We walked to both the North Tower and then the South Tower and the views are spectacular. There is so much birdlife on the island, all you need to do it just stand and then it will appear, some of it quite close. We didn't swim, however others were and it seemed like the ideal way to cool off on a hot day. There is a fountain at the exhibition centre, that you can use to refill water bottles and their is a small kiosk that sells natural feel good icecreams on a stick, made in Nelson. You need to take all your rubbish with you and make sure that you check with the person who welcomes you from the ferry to the island about the return time as the information on fullers was incorrect and there is only one return ferry each day.
7. Tiritiri Matangi Island
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,924 reviews
Reviewed By Escape50291134045 - Auckland, New Zealand
the trip was amazing walking up to the lighthouse to have a break and and seeing native birds fly around you is just amazing even getting to see the little blue penguins and a surprise stingray in the bay.
8. ZEALANDIA Ecosanctuary
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,744 reviews
Imagine a lush forest full of rare native animals. Discover ZEALANDIA – an ecosanctuary home to over 40 rare native species and 32km of walking tracks. Explore the outdoors at your own pace or be led by a guide! Our nature experts will show you the best places to spot wildlife like kakariki, tuatara and takahe on a ZEALANDIA by Day tour. Relax at Rata cafe with delicious food made from sustainably sourced ingredients and admire the views over the lake. Browse locally designed art, jewellery, homewares, books, clothes and gifts at the store where the products you buy have purpose and help the sanctuary to operate. For something a little more adventurous, see how the sanctuary transforms after dark on a ZEALANDIA by Night tour and search for thousands of glow worms and over 150 kiwi. Experience this world-renowned conservation success that lies only minutes from Wellington’s CBD. As a not-for-profit, your visit helps us ensure the future flourishing of New Zealand’s native wildlife.
Reviewed By Ealgian - New York City, United States
I hope my comparison of Zealandia to Jurassic Park is not interpreted in a negative fashion. Growing up in the era of those films that gave me a deep appreciation for our natural world as well as the unique talent of human beings to mess up that natural world, it was the first comparison that came to mind upon visiting Zealand. There is truly no place like it on earth. The combination of science, engineering, and love for our planet and its creatures that Zealandia represents is infinitely inspiring. You will see and hear so many fascinating creatures here, especially birds. The tour guides will also share interesting facts about how the work of preservation is done, and the clever solutions people have devised to undo some of the damage humans have wreaked on NZ. If you take the night tour, there's a good chance you'll see kiwi birds (to see them for certain, highly recommend the Kiwi Birdlife Park in Queenstown).
9. Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14,040 reviews
Experience the whole of New Zealand in one building! Te Papa is New Zealand's bold, innovative and interactive national museum. Explore the great treasures and stories of this country, its unique natural environment, Maori culture and taonga (treasures), dynamic art heritage, and its fascinating history. Te Papa is located on Wellington's spectacular waterfront. Open 10am to 6pm every day except Christmas Day. General admission is free.
Reviewed By trishydishy
What a great museum - added bonus of seeing the terracotta warriors and Peter Jackson's marvellous and moving Gallipoli exhibition - saved our trip to Wellington which we found mostly CLOSED!!
10. Auckland Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,640 reviews
Discover and experience Maori culture, with daily cultural shows and an internationally significant Maori and Pacific collection to explore, the Auckland Museum is a must see attraction. Housed in an Iconic building within the grounds of a tranquil park, the Auckland Museum is a place to discover and learn about New Zealand's culture and its natural history. Since 1929, the Museum has served as place of remembrance for the many Aucklanders who have sacrificed their lives in war.
Reviewed By justinwL3694KP - Auckland Central, New Zealand
Much prefer from Te Papa great fun more of a world range to look at really nice way to spend a day. Has cafe food and nice tours, never feel to crowded and have plenty of time to look at everything
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