My name is Jess Blair from the Instagram profile @jessicarblair. Welcome to my blog on the best places to visit in the North Island of NZ this summer.
I spent most of my childhood based in the Waikato region. From a young age, I was always outside in nature pursuing adventure filled activities such as hiking, skiing, kayaking and surf lifesaving. Naturally, I started to want to capture these moments and my photography passion grew from there.
Photography became a big part of my life five years ago when I was training to be a Physiotherapist. Now, I work full time as a Physiotherapist and most of my weekends consist of adventure and photography.
Why Visit the North Island this Summer
The North Island is almost the forgotten island. Travellers automatically head down to the South and bypass the North. What I love about the North Island is that it is very diverse – up the top is like the tropics but you can also have an alpine experience in the more central regions like Tongariro.
There are so many special places to visit in the North Island but one of the spots that has the most meaning to me is a place called Waihi Beach. I spent a lot of time here growing up and it has a bit of everything – incredible hiking trails, majestic waterfalls and beautiful beaches.
10 Best Places to Visit in the North Island
The North Island is home to many well-known destinations like Rotorua. But there are also endless hidden gems to explore on this beautifully diverse island. Below are my recommendations for the best places to visit in the North Island this summer that are off-the-beaten-track.
1. Tama Lakes Track in Tongariro National Park
This 5-6 hour return track in Tongariro National Park offers hikers amazing views of two lakes that occupy old explosion craters on Tama Saddle situated between Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe. Walk through tussock country and herb fields on a superb alternative walk to the Tongariro Crossing.
2. Te Arai Beach in the Wellsford Region
Te Arai Beach is a long sandy beach that stretches as far as the eye can see. It’s located in the Wellsford region and offers plenty of opportunities for sunbathing, swimming and having a game of beach cricket with your mates! There is also a fantastic campground within the regional park.
3. Sunrise Hut in the Hawkes Bay Area
This twenty-bunk hut in the Ruahine Forest Park is the ultimate place to see the sunrise with awesome views across the Hawke’s Bay. The hut is situated at 1280 metres and was built back in the 1980’s, although it was upgraded in 2005. Hiking to the hut is a leisurely and enjoyable walk.
4. Bream Head Scenic Reserve in Northland
Bream Head is a gem of a spot located in the Whangarei Heads area of Northland. This coastal forest is a gorgeous place to walk through as you encounter a diverse range of species on the way such as kiwi, wood pigeons, North Island robin and many regionally important plants.
5. Summit of Mount Tauhara in Taupo
Hiking Mount Tauhara is a favourite activity for the locals of Taupo. The walk takes you to 1,088 metres above sea level and traverses 2.5 km of trail. Views from the top look out over Lake Taupo and the central North Island. This is a challenging hike which is a great way to get some exercise.
6. The Ancient Volcano of Mount Karioi in Raglan
Located 8 km southwest of Raglan lies the ancient volcano of Mount Karioi. This is another awesome hike to enjoy in summer with incredible views as far south as Mt Taranaki. There are a couple of tracks to take: a two-and-a-half hour hike to the Lookout and a three hour walk to the Summit.
7. Ruapuke Beach on the West Coast
Ruapuke Beach is a wild beach on the West Coast of the North Island. You can access this beach either from Raglan (22 km) or by driving around Mount Karioi on the Ruapuke Road. Once you arrive, you’ll be greeted by long stretches of black sand and waves perfect for a day’s surfing.
8. Marokopa Falls in the Waitomo Area
A majestic 35m high waterfall situated in the heart of the Waikato. Many people have claimed that this little waterfall is the most beautiful waterfall in the country and it’s easy to see why when you arrive. You can find the falls 15 km east of Marokopa and 31 km west of Waitomo on Te Anga Road.
9. Lake Waikaremoana on the East Coast
Lake Waikaremoana is a stunning area of the East Coast where you can enjoy hiking through podocarp rainforests, discovering remote beaches and marvelling at rugged mountains. There are a range of huts and campsites to stay at and they all need to be booked in advance.
10. Mercer Bay Loop Walk near Piha
A fantastic day walk for those wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of Auckland. The Mercer Bay Loop Track is a 2.7 km loop trail located near Piha. Enjoy walking through forests and taking in stunning views along the way. You can do this walk and visit Piha Beach on the same day.
Best Accommodation in the North Island
Doc Huts are amazing places to stay if you want that mountain experience. One of my favourites would have to be Sunrise Hut in the Hawkes Bay but there are plenty of huts you can stay in scattered all over the North Island.
I have stayed in a few Airbnb’s as well. However, in more recent times, I have chosen to stay in huts. Here are a couple of my favourite Airbnb’s:
- Blue Hill Studio in Napier
- Pheasant Farm Cottage in Kopu
Another thing I recommend is just camping! There are plenty of campsites throughout the North Island. Having a car or camper is the easiest way to get around the North Island and go from place to place. Depending on where you are planning on heading, a 4WD can be helpful as well.
A Favourite Memory of the North Island
One of the coolest experiences I had recently in the North Island was hiking the Tongariro Crossing track for sunrise. We experienced a crazy pink and purple glow over the peaks of Mount Ngauruhoe. Later that day we hiked up to Tama Lakes for sunset, completing almost 40 km of hiking that day.
Luckily the weather was on our side (if you have been to Tongariro you will know how inaccurate the weather predictions can be). We watched the most beautiful sunset over the lakes, Mount Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe.
Luckily the weather was on our side (if you have been to Tongariro you will know how inaccurate the weather predictions can be). We watched the most beautiful sunset over the lakes, Mount Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe.
Tips for your Travels in the North Island
- If you are hiking, always take extra gear and plan for all conditions. Like the island, the weather can be very diverse and change quickly.
- Use Google Earth, it’s a great tool that can help you find off the beaten track locations.
- Do your research and have some idea as to where you want to go. Then go where it best works with the weather conditions.
- Stop in the small towns where you can have unique experiences like a massage in Martinborough.
- Ask the locals about the best places to visit, they may have some less popular locations they recommend.
- Get to places for sunrise or sunset. Often you may have them all to yourself and miss the crowds!
Thanks for reading and enjoy your travels in the North Island this summer!
