#Info Section 9: Travel- Places on the North Island Part 1

We were able to live in New Zealand for six months and explore the North and South Island with our camper. We were able to see so many different and incredibly beautiful places that we still can't quite believe we were actually there. However, we would have saved ourselves some mistakes, disappointments, or not-so-good experiences if we had known some things beforehand. That's why we have put together everything we would have liked to know beforehand:

The North Island

Although New Zealand's North Island is smaller in size than the South Island, about three-fourths of the entire population live there. It is not only home to the largest city in the country, Auckland, but also the capital, Wellington.

While the South Island is considered more scenic, the North Island has some real highlights to offer, such as Tongariro, the Coromandel Peninsula, or Mount Taranaki. And just like everywhere else in New Zealand, it is definitely worth seeing and beautiful!

Auckland:

New Zealand may not be known for exciting cities, but Auckland is still worth seeing!

The 328-meter-high Skytower is, of course, a real eye-catcher that never lets you lose sight of the city center, no matter where you are in Auckland's vicinity. You can enjoy the breathtaking panoramic view of the city for 32 NZD per person.

At the foot of the Skytower is also the hub of the city: Queenstreet. You can easily spend a few hours in the shops, cafes, and restaurants of this nice shopping street. If you walk to the end towards the water, you will reach the very pretty Auckland harbor. In the area around the Viaduct Harbour, there are supposed to be good (and quite expensive!) restaurants and bars that are particularly popular in summer. From there, you should also have a good view of the 1100-meter-long Auckland Harbour Bridge.

Tip: To get a good view of the skyline, we can recommend Mount Eden. This mountain is located about 5 kilometers south of the city center and is the highest elevation in Auckland. That means you have to move a little... but it's worth it!

Bay of Plenty:

Mount Maunganui

Hardly any backpacker is unfamiliar with the view from Mount Maunganui! The most popular destination in the Bay of Plenty can be reached in just a few minutes' drive from Tauranga. The 232-meter-high mountain is almost entirely surrounded by water, giving it a unique location. The ascent should take about half an hour: in addition to some stairs, there is a well-built path to the top. Once you reach the "summit," you will be rewarded with a breathtaking 360° view. The view of the miles-long beach, the city, and the turquoise water is definitely worth the short climb!

Tip: If you stand with your back to the city and look at the mountain, start the ascent on the right side of the mountain. The path on the left actually just goes all the way around instead of going up.

Kaiate Falls

A nice outing in the Bay of Plenty are the Kaiate Falls, especially for those who can't get enough of waterfalls! You can reach these waterfalls near Tauranga after a short hike through the rainforest. The track passes by each of the three waterfalls, which are all very beautiful to look at. The Kaiate Falls were the second place in New Zealand that we really explored, so they have a special place in our travel memories. We can recommend the relatively short trip (about half an hour) with a clear conscience!

Tip: However, you should avoid the narrow, winding gravel road called Te Puke Quarry Road. In any case, take the other way that leads back to the motorway!

Coromandel

Coromandel is a peninsula in the north of New Zealand that is particularly beautiful to look at. It is fairly sparsely populated but offers some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. There is a highway that runs along the coast all the way around the Coromandel Peninsula. Here are the places you definitely shouldn't miss:

New Chums Beach

One of the last untouched beaches in the world and one of the most unforgettable places we've seen in New Zealand! From Whangapoua Beach, it's just a short hike to this hidden beach. Don't be confused by the signs: even though the path over the rocks by the sea looks unofficial, that is actually the only way to get there. Once you reach the forest and have gone a little higher, you should already hear the sound of the waves of New Chums Beach. If you're lucky, you might even have the beach all to yourself. In any case, simply incredible!

Cathedral Cove

You can reach Cathedral Cove for free by parking in front of the (also very pretty) Hahei Beach and taking an additional 20-minute walk. Alternatively, there is a large park & ride parking lot from which buses drop you off before the actual Cathedral Cove Walk. (That, of course, costs money). From the starting point, it is a 60-minute walk and descent down a staircase until you reach the naturally formed rock arch. Cathedral Cove connects two secluded bays where you can relax after the walk. No one can pass by a photo of this white cave passage!

Hot Water Beach

It is well known that Hot Water Beach is more of a mainstream place than an insider tip. No matter what time of day, the beach is crowded with tourists. So be prepared to dig in the sand in close quarters with other tourists to build your own natural bathtub. If you walk about 30 meters further and leave the hot springs behind, you will have the picturesque rest of the beach almost to yourself.

The Middle:

Hobbiton:

If you love "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, you will not regret a day trip to the famous film sets! The Hobbiton Movie Set is located not far from the town of Matamata and attracts hundreds of tourists every day. The entrance fee, both online and on-site, is 89$, or about 48€ per person. That's a lot of money, but it's definitely worth it. At first, we were disappointed when we heard that we couldn't visit the set on our own, but this feeling quickly disappeared when the tour started. In groups of about 20 people, you will be taken by bus from the starting point directly to the Shire, and then a guide will show you around. The guide also provides some interesting information and film facts. He didn't talk too much, and we never found it annoying. Everything was well organized, you still have enough time for photos, and at the end, you get a free drink. All in all, a very nice experience!

Rotorua:

Rotorua is located on the lake of the same name and is known for its hot springs and geysers. However, a lot of money is charged for all the natural wonders that Rotorua has to offer: For an admission price of 60$ or more, you can visit the Te Puia Museum to admire the famous Pohuto Geysir, which is located in the Maori community of Whakarewarewa. However, you can also visit the great Wai-O-Tapu for much less money, where you can admire the Lady Knox Geysir and a huge park with thermal springs.

Wai-O-Tapu:

Wai-O-Tapu, or "Thermal Wonderland," is a wonderful geothermal area near Rotorua and Taupo. The entrance fee is 32$ per person and should be booked online directly on the website in advance. But you also get a lot for your money. If you want to see the Lady Knox Geysir in full action, you should start early in the day because he is forced to erupt during a short show at 10 a.m. This means a lot of tourists at once, but they actually spread out quite well in the large park and don't bother you further. If they do, you can simply walk the tour in the wrong direction to avoid the crowds. Otherwise, there are many colorful springs to see, a bright green lake, and the famous hot spring, the steaming Champagne Pool. Definitely worth a visit!

-> Part 10: Travel- Places on the North Island Part 2 follows