North Island Map

Imagine an urban environment where everyone lives within half an hour of beautiful beaches, hiking trails and a dozen enchanted holiday islands. Add a sunny climate, a background rhythm of..

Explore the great outdoors, shop till you drop, sample the culinary delights, and wander picturesque vineyards. Experience the best New Zealand has to offer – all right on Wellington’s..

The Rotorua region was the birthplace of New Zealand tourism in the 1800s and it remains one of New Zealand’s favourite destinations. The unique volcanic landscape, living Maori culture..

Wellington’s many charms lie in part with it's close proximity to the natural attractions of the region. The central part of the city is nestled between a beautiful forest clad hills and..

Gardens and art are the stars of spring in the Bay of Plenty. The mild climate makes it the perfect time to view the region's finest gardens and local art during the iconic Bayleys' Garden..

The Bay of Islands is a micro-region that includes the towns of Opua, Paihia, Russell and Kerikeri, as well as a large area of offshore islands between Cape Brett and the Purerua Peninsula...

Spring in subtropical Northland brings the senses alive. Imagine ocean waves lapping on white sand beaches with the warming sun on your skin. Listen to native birdsong in ancient kauri..

Spring signals the opening of the Coromandel scallop season. Dive for scallops to barbeque yourself or savour them at a local seafood restaurant. Coromandel’s famous water gardens at..

A Mediterranean climate with long, fine dry summers and mild winters not only makes this a great place to visit but has fostered the production of it’s other great attraction, fine wines..

The port city of Napier is a popular tourist destination with its sweeping views of Hawke’s Bay, its many festivals, surrounding vineyards, orchards and a warm dry climate. Napier was..

Situated in the volcanic heart of the North Island, the Lake Taupo region is home to New Zealand's largest fresh water lake, fascinating geothermal areas and the famous Huka..

Fruit, wine and 1930s architecture give Hastings an appealing point of difference. The area was devastated by a huge earthquake in 1931 (as was Napier) then rebuilt using architectural..

Accessible by road or a short ferry ride west from Paihia, the tranquil coastal town of Russell, or Kororareka as it was formerly known, was the first permanent European settlement in New..

Gisborne is the first city in the world to greet the sun each morning, and it has a reputation for great food, wine and surf beaches. As the unofficial ‘Chardonnay Capital of New..

The city of Rotorua lies on the southern shore of Lake Rotorua in the centre of the Rotorua region. It is arguably the best known tourist destination in New Zealand, famous both for its..

Maori history is is strong and historically important in Tauranga. A visit to the Historic Village will transport you back in time and is well worth a visit, offering a unique view of both..

Thames is the Coromandel Peninsula’s main town. Idyllically situated between the Firth of Thames and the mountains of the Coromandel Forest Park, Thames has a fascinating history linked..

Mount Maunganui is a thriving coastal resort town located at the tip of the southern entrance to the Bay of Plenty, as well as the name given to the extinct volcano that features..

The attractive combination of sand, surf and native forest makes Whangamata a popular destination for summer holidays. Find a spot on the four kilometre ocean beach or swim in the safe..

Auckland is New Zealand's largest and most culturally diverse city. Consistently rated as one of the world's most livable cities, it's a melting pot of European, Asian and South Pacific..

Mangonui is the main centre of Doubtless bay and forms part of a string of small settlements. This is the northernmost centre in New Zealand even though it is still nearly 100 km southeast..

A short drive north of Kerikeri, Matauri Bay is one of the true coastal delights of the winterless north', and a favourite with travellers of all types. With long stretches of white sand..

The National Aquarium of New Zealand in Napier opened early in 2002. It is as close to the ocean as you can be to the waters edge without getting your feet wet. The magnificent..

Piha is a laid-back seaside village 45 minutes west of Auckland city. The dramatic beach, which is marked at each end by rugged cliffs, is a popular surfing location. The water has strong..

Te Puke is a thriving town situated in the Bay of Plenty 60 km from Rotorua and 75km from Whakatane, named for the rolling hills around it. Te Puke's main claim to fame is the kiwifruit..

In 1993, Jane Campion’s Oscar Winning The Piano made Karekare an international star, with everyone talking about the beautiful black-sand beach. Karekare beach is located on Auckland's..

Lake Rotorua is the second largest lake on New Zealand’s North Island, covering almost 80 square kilometres. The city of Rotorua lies on the southern shore and the town of Ngongotaha on..

The settlements of Opononi and Omapere are situated on the southern shore, near the mouth of Hokianga Harbour in the Northland Region. Opononi and its twin settlement Omapere are famous..

Rainbow Springs Nature Park is on the northern outskirts of Rotorua about 5 minutes from the centre of town. The nature park covers over 22 acres of native bushland and is criss crossed..

A satisfying seaside stroll awaits on the doorstep of Wellington's central business district. Large areas of the once-busy waterfront were left idle by the change to more efficient..

Auckland's west, including Waitakere City and part of Rodney District, is famous for its great scenery - lush rainforests, rugged black sand beaches and rolling green rural..

The city of Hamilton is bisected by the mighty Waikato River, which is best appreciated from the deck of a classic paddle steamer. While the trees and riverbank suburbs glide by, you can..

Lake Waikaremoana is part of the Te Urewara National Park, one of the most beautiful areas of natural wilderness remaining on the north island. The lake itself is known as a prime trout..

Beautiful Lake Taupo is actually a huge volcano with a fiery history. Its most recent eruption, in 181 AD, was large enough to change the sky as far away as Europe and China. According to..

One of the larger Hauraki Gulf islands, Waiheke is just 14 kilometres by ferry from the heart of Auckland city. It's a place that visitors, and the people who are lucky enough to live..

Located within the boundaries of Te Urewera National Park, Waikaremoana is a name that encompasses both the lake and the settlement. The beautiful lake, which is sometimes described as..

If you’re exploring the Coromandel Peninsula, you’ll soon come to Whitianga – the main town in Mercury Bay. When native forests were being harvested on the peninsula in the 1800s and..

One of New Zealand’s largest provincial cities, Palmerston North has an attractive historic heart. Many of the original stores (built in the 1920s and 1930s) have been restored and now..

Waitemata or Auckland Harbour as it is commonly known is a peaceful, sheltered area that lies just off the Hauraki Gulf, and with the highest number of yachts and ships per capita of..

Bowentown is a natural reserve headland at the northern entrance to Tauranga Harbour, and was once home to several major Maori coastal villages. Today it is a tranquil holiday destination..

From the seaside town of Whitianga you can catch a ferry across the harbour mouth to the Stone Steps Wharf - the start of Cook's Coast. Alternatively, you can drive about 35 kilometres..

Feilding is well known for its beautiful gardens. In fact, Feilding has won the Most Beautiful Town award 13 times. The importance of Feilding to the local rural community is particularly..

The Kaituna river starts from the outflow of Lake Rotoiti and travels northwards for 45 km where it meets the Pacific Ocean near Te Puke. The upper section of the Kaituna near Lake..

The city of New Plymouth is known for its sunny climate, art galleries and beautiful parks. It is also New Zealand’s ‘oil town’, with offshore rigs extracting natural gas and oil...

Geologically very young (less than two million years), the Ruahine Range is distinctive because it's narrow and rises very sharply. Most of the range is enclosed within the boundaries of..

Situated in the stunning Bay of Islands, the Waitangi Treaty grounds is New Zealands pre eminent historic site. It was on this location in 1840 that the treaty of Waitangi was signed..

Below the hilly green pastures of the Waitomo region is a subterranean limestone landscape of caves, sinkholes and underground rivers. Once, many millions of years ago, this land was..

Whakapapa Village is located at the base of the access road to Whakapapa ski field on the western side of Mount Ruapehu, an active volcano. The settlement is dominated by the elegant..

The coastal village of Kawhia supports a fishing and farming community. For much of the year, life is quiet. But over summer Kawhia fills up with holiday makers. Kawhia’s main claim to..

The Poor Knights islands is a unique marine park situated 25km off the shore of the Tutukaka Coast. Named by Jaques Cousteau as one of the top 10 dive sites in the world, the Islands are..