NORTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND (2025) | 13 Beautiful Places to Visit on a North Island Road Trip (+ Tips)

New Zealand's North Island is the smaller of the country's two main islands. It boasts a dynamic landscape of active volcanic zones, expansive coastlines, and rolling green hills. The island is also home to bustling cities, including the nation's capital. But what truly sets it apart is its vibrant cultural aspects, being the historical and spiritual home of Māori heritage. In this video, we’re excited to guide you through 13 beautiful destinations we encountered on our North Island journey, presented in the order we explored them. 🗺️📍 GET OUR NEW ZEALAND ROAD TRIP GUIDE WITH INTERACTIVE MAP & ITINERARIES: https://www.rexby.com/worldwildhearts/newzealand 🔗 NORTH ISLAND LINKS & ACTIVITIES ☑️ Wellington - Te Papa Museum of New Zealand admission ticket: https://gyg.me/EoyD39tp ☑️ Taranaki - Pouakai Crossing Hiking Track: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/new-zealand/taranaki/pouakai-crossing ☑️ Taranaki shuttle for Pouakai Crossing: https://taranakidriven.nz/mountain-shuttle ☑️ Taranaki - Veronica Loop Hiking Track: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/new-zealand/taranaki/veronica-loop-track ☑️ Ruakuri Cave guided tour: https://gyg.me/DkUTqtKh ☑️ Waitomo Glowworm cave guided tour: https://gyg.me/M78HdpCq ☑️ Tongariro Alpine Crossing shuttle bus: https://gyg.me/1vCZZpEv ☑️ Taupō - Orakei Korako entrance ticket: https://gyg.me/n0XdoHR8 ☑️ Rotorua - Waimangu Volcanic Valley entrance ticket: https://gyg.me/oGpjjaK4 ☑️ Rotorua - Kaituna River whitewater rafting: https://gyg.me/2bIoElaR ☑️ Rotorua - Mitai Maori Village cultural tour with dinner: https://gyg.me/xVxkXRd0 ☑️ Hobbiton movie set guided tour: https://gyg.me/3aUqzSGJ ☑️ Tauranga dolphin watching (& swimming) tour: https://gyg.me/ImpNRdfn ☑️ Mount Maunganui Summit Hiking Track: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/new-zealand/bay-of-plenty/mount-maunganui-summit-and-ranui-loop-track ☑️ Cathedral Cove Track: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/new-zealand/waikato/mautohe-cathedral-cove-track ☑️ Mount Paku Summit Trail: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/new-zealand/waikato/mount-paku-summit-walk ☑️ Northland - Mount Manaia Hiking Track: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/new-zealand/northland/mount-manaia-track ☑️ Urupukapuka Island - Otehei Bay Ferry: https://www.exploregroup.co.nz/otehei-bay/otehei-bay-ferry/ ☑️ Waitangi Treaty Grounds: https://gyg.me/5rpiiW9v ☑️ Auckland Sky Tower Tickets: https://skycityauckland.co.nz/sky-tower/ 😴 WHERE TO STAY - Auckland: Quest on Eden Apartment Hotel ($$): https://www.booking.com/hotel/nz/quest-on-eden.en.html?aid=7936148&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2 - Wellington: Ohtel Wellington ($$): https://www.booking.com/hotel/nz/ohtel.en.html?aid=7936148&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2 - Rotorua: Stay 280 & Stay 284 ($$): https://www.booking.com/hotel/nz/tuscany-villas-rotorua-heritage-boutique-collection.en.html?aid=7936148&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2 🚐 BOOK A CAMPERVAN IN NEW ZEALAND: Jucy: https://t.cfjump.com/91399/t/71828 CamperCo: https://www.camperco.co.nz/ 🎥 MORE NEW ZEALAND VIDEOS: - Queenstown: https://youtu.be/vq22rrE_JI4 - Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park: https://youtu.be/7ppI7092Wx4 - Fiordland National Park: https://youtu.be/iMFzlEw3ScQ - South Island Road Trip: https://youtu.be/RrSGSTWPMMw - Auckland: https://youtu.be/sC3ZRbWvTJo - Rotorua: https://youtu.be/4r0UX7Xt5oI - Wellington: https://youtu.be/uPANrJwGJJo - New Zealand Top 15: https://youtu.be/40Vh7oYEke4 - New Zealand Top Experiences: https://youtu.be/NOZf0NyhZYU - New Zealand Scenic Relaxation Film: https://youtu.be/RU8en3Ppwsk ✍️ GET TRAVEL PLANNER AT 50% OFF: https://www.worldwildhearts.com/product-page/comprehensive-travel-planner 💰 SAVE MONEY ON YOUR TRIP: - Book cheap flights: https://skyscanner.pxf.io/c/3559813/1027991/13416?associateid=AFF_TRA_19354_00001 - Book cheap accommodations: https://www.booking.com/index.html?aid=7936148 - Book rental car: https://www.discovercars.com/?a_aid=Wordwildhearts - Get ESIM at 15% discount with code WWH15: https://saily.com/worldwildhearts - Find the best hiking trails & offline maps: https://alltrails.pxf.io/c/3559813/1865884/22353 ✅ SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/c/WorldWildHearts 😊 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: https://www.instagram.com/worldwildhearts/ https://www.tiktok.com/@worldwildhearts 🎵 MUSIC CREDITS: Rejoice in the morning by The David Roy Collective Palisades by Livingrooms Graduation by Zac Nelson Chapter In Life by Amit Sagie Hidden Trails by Ziv Moran Music Tree by SLPSTRM Steady Hearts Stronger Roads by BalloonPlanet Well Come Round Instrumental Version by Louis Island 🎥 VIDEO CHAPTERS: 0:00 Intro 1:14 Wellington 2:01 Taranaki / Egmont National Park 3:27 Waitomo Caves 4:34 Tongariro National Park 6:01 Lake Taupō 7:20 Rotorua 9:31 Hobbiton 10:33 Tauranga and Mount Maunganui 11:46 Coromandel Peninsula 12:56 Northland and Whangārei Heads 13:57 Bay of Islands 16:51 Waipoua Kauri Forest 17:55 Auckland 18:55 North Island Travel Tips #northisland #newzealand #roadtripitinerary