If you’re planning a visit to New Zealand‘s North Island, allowing a week will give you an incredible experience. New Zealand is a beautiful country has been named the world’s safest destination for solo and female travellers in 2025. It has charming cities, diverse landscapes, beautiful beaches, rich Māori culture and adrenaline-fuelled activities. I spent several months living, working and exploring New Zealand, so I know a lot about this wonderful place. Read on for my recommended New Zealand North Island itinerary for 7 days, including what to do and where to stay.
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Quick overview of the best 7 day New Zealand North Island itinerary
- Days 1-2: Auckland and day trip to the Coromandel Peninsula
- Days 3-4: Rotorua for geothermal wonders, Hobbiton movie set and Waitomo glowworm caves
- Days 5-6: Taupo and Tongariro National Park
- Day 7: New Zealand’s cool little capital, Wellington
Planning your North Island itinerary
This route flows naturally from Auckland in the north down to Wellington, hitting all the major highlights while considering the most convenient transport options if you don’t have a car. You’ll experience everything from geothermal wonders and glow worm caves to epic mountain hikes and movie locations – the perfect introduction to what makes New Zealand’s North Island so special.
Days 1-2: Auckland and Coromandel
Like me, your New Zealand 7 day North Island itinerary will probably begin in Auckland. Looking out of the aeroplane window as we prepared for our descent into Auckland, I was gobsmacked. New Zealand was giving me velvety green rolling hills, dark mossy trees and mile-long stretches of blonde beaches.
After flying in from London via Hong Kong, I arrived in Auckland feeling jetlagged, but once I settled into my hostel, I navigated the city and ended up taking a ‘power nap’ that lasted 13 hours – oops. After that, I was finally refreshed and ready to explore Auckland.
Where to stay in Auckland
Travellers on a budget will like the modern and trendy Lylo Auckland which is centrally located and has sleek, pod-style mixed and female-only dorms.
If you want to treat yourself, check out The Hotel Britomart, a stunning boutique hotel in the heart of the city. Alternatively, the fabulous SkyCity Grand Hotel has premium rooms with harbour views.
Check the map below to find the best accommodation deals in Auckland for your dates:
Day 1: Explore Auckland
After checking into your accommodation, explore Queen Street, Auckland’s main shopping strip. Start by the Auckland Art Gallery and walk down 15 minutes towards Britomart and the waterfront. If you’d rather not walk, there’s a hop-on hop-off tourist bus that will transport you around the city.
From here, walk 15 minutes to the Sky Tower. The views from the top are spectacular and if you’re feeling brave, the SkyWalk or SkyJump will get your adrenaline pumping. From the Sky Tower, it’s an easy downhill stroll to the photogenic Viaduct Harbour to spend a relaxing evening by the water. If you prefer, you could book a half-day scenic guided tour of Auckland to learn more about the city.
If you have more time, check out my full recommended 3-day Auckland itinerary here.
Day 2: Day trip to Coromandel Peninsula
From Auckland, it’s a 3.5 hour drive to the Coromandel Peninsula. I recommend taking an organised day trip from Auckland to Coromandel. One of New Zealand’s most picturesque coastal regions, this is a well-loved beach destination for Kiwis. Its natural highlights include Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach.
The tour will take you to Hot Water Beach first – its name comes from the beach’s steaming hot water springs. The guide will make sure your visit is timed to coincide with the low tide to access the natural thermal water. Our tour guide gave us spades so we could create our own pools of luxuriously warm water to bathe in.
Then, it’s a 10 minute drive to the gorgeous Cathedral Cove, named after its natural arches of stone. It’s such a picturesque photo spot – check out my photo below. Fun fact, Macklemore’s filmed the music video here for his hit song Can’t Hold Us.
Book your place on this guided tour to see both Hot Water Beach and Cathedral Cove in one day.
Days 3-4: Rotorua
Your 7 day New Zealand North Island itinerary continues with two nights in Rotorua. This is the perfect base to explore the Hobbiton movie set and the magical Waitomo Caves.
Rotorua is known for its geothermal landscapes and rich Māori culture. The whole city sits on top of a massive geothermal field, which means you’ll encounter bubbling mud pools, steaming lakes, and natural hot springs around every corner.
Day 3: Travel to Rotorua
You can find cheap flights from Auckland to Rotorua which take just 45 minutes. Alternatively, the drive to Rotorua takes about 2.5 hours or there’s a bus that takes just over 4 hours. The route takes you through rolling farmland and small towns, giving you a taste of rural New Zealand. You’ll notice the landscape gradually changing as you approach Rotorua – the air gets a distinctive sulfur smell (don’t worry, you get used to it), and you might even spot steam rising from the ground.
Where to stay in Rotorua
The Regent of Rotorua is a lovely boutique hotel with an outdoor pool and on-site restaurant. If you’re on a budget, head to the centrally located Rock Solid Backpackers, which has a rock-climbing wall and even a cinema.
Check out the interactive map below for the best accommodation deals for your dates in Rotorua:
Māori cultural dinner
Kick off your Rotorua experience with a traditional hangi feast at Te Pā Tū, where your dinner is cooked underground using geothermal heat. You’ll watch cultural performances and learn about Māori history while enjoying food that’s been slow-cooking in the earth all day.
Reserve your place at Te Pā Tū online here – it’s a popular experience so best to book in advance.
Day 4: Day trip to Hobbiton and the Waitomo Caves
Pack your camera and sense of adventure for today’s epic road trip. You’ll visit two of New Zealand’s most magical destinations – the rolling green hills of Middle-earth and underground caves lit by thousands of glow worms. The total driving time is 4 hours spread across the day – alternatively you can book this organised tour from Rotorua which takes in both sites and includes lunch too.
Morning: Hobbiton Movie Set
An one-hour drive from Rotorua is Matamata, where you’ll find the original Hobbiton movie set.
If you’re a Lord of the Rings fan, you’ll love stepping into the rolling hills of the Shire, with its perfectly round doors and manicured gardens. The tour includes a pint at the Green Dragon Inn, which I’m assured tastes better when you’re in Middle-earth.
Book your place on a guided tour of Hobbiton to hear fascinating behind-the-scenes stories.
Afternoon: Waitomo Caves
After lunch, it’s a one-hour drive from Hobbiton to Waitomo for an entirely different kind of magic. The Waitomo Caves are famous for their ethereal glowworms which light up the darkness like a starry sky.
During our guided walk through one of the caves, a local expert introduced us to their famous glow-worm inhabitants and gave a little history about the area. On our way to another one we saw the area’s resident – a surprisingly huge long-finned eel – before sailing gently through this cave on a boat. Blue-hued dots of glow-worms all around us lit our way, which was simply magical. Our group started singing Coldplay songs in the eerie darkness, which I’m sure the worms appreciated.
Fun fact, Peter Jackson loved the acoustic quality of these caves and recorded some of the soundscape for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, so you’re literally hearing the sounds that made it into the movies.
After Waitomo, it’s a two-hour drive back to Rotorua in the evening.
Reserve your spot on a tour of the Waitomo Caves and see the glowworms for yourself.
Days 5-6: Taupo
You’ll spend the next two nights of your 7 day New Zealand North Island itinerary in the lakeside town of Taupo. This relaxed destination sits on the shores of New Zealand’s largest lake and serves as your gateway to one of the country’s most famous hiking experiences.
Day 5: Rotorua to Taupo
Your final morning in Rotorua gives you one last chance to experience its incredible geothermal wonders before heading to the lakeside town of Taupo.
Morning: Geothermal wonderland
Start your day at the Wai-O-Tapu geothermal park, where you’ll see the famous Champagne Pool with its orange mineral deposits and steaming turquoise water. You’ll also see the Artist’s Palette – a collection of hot springs in every colour, created by different minerals in the water. Its Lady Knox Geyser erupts daily at 10:15am (staff add soap to trigger it), shooting water up to 20 metres high. The whole park feels like walking on another planet.
Book your entrance to Wai-O-Tapu geothermal park in advance for the ultimate convenience.
Afternoon: Travel to Taupo
Drive or take the bus one hour south to Taupo. This lakeside town has a relaxed atmosphere and stunning mountain views. Taupo is New Zealand’s largest lake, formed by a massive volcanic eruption over 1,800 years ago. I really enjoyed cycling around the lake. Taupo also has excellent watersports, restaurants and a charming holiday town vibe.
Where to stay in Taupo
Check out the lakeside Ika Nui Taupo, which has spacious apartments and scenic views. Budget travellers will love Finlay Jack’s Backpackers, which has mixed and female-only dorms as well as private rooms.
Check out the map below to find the best accommodation deals in Taupo for your dates:
Day 6: Day trip to Tongariro National Park
Today brings New Zealand’s most famous day hike – the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. It’s an hour’s drive from Tongariro National Park. If you don’t have a car, your best option is to book a shuttle transfer from Taupo – the drivers will give you all the information you need about this 20km hike. If you don’t fancy the hike, from Taupo you can take a scenic helicopter flight over Tongariro. Someone I know did this and they said it was spectacular.
The walk takes you up the steep ‘Devil’s Staircase’, over the 1900 metre high Mount Tongariro. Its giant red craters looked like the surface of Mars. Another active volcano, Mount Ruapehu, was used as a filming location in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
When I did this hike, our group passed luminous blue lakes and through the steaming landscape of geothermal grassy valleys, forests and streams. After this epic walk, we tucked into chocolate and beers – they had never tasted so good!
The crossing takes 7-9 hours with steep climbs and changeable weather – we encountered everything from sunshine to hail showers and fog. For this reason, waterproof layers and proper hiking boots are essential – make sure you break in your boots, as otherwise your feet will suffer (like mine did!).
You’ll return on the shuttle transfer to Taupo exhausted but exhilarated, confident of a good night’s sleep.
Book your shuttle transfers to Tongariro National Park here, or book the helicopter trip from Taupo here.
Day 7: Wellington
For the last day of your 7 day New Zealand North Island itinerary, catch a one-hour flight from Taupo to Wellington. New Zealand’s capital city is compact, cool and creative, with a buzzing cafe culture and arts scene. Read more about Wellington in my dedicated post here.
At the Wētā Workshop and the Wētā Cave you can get a behind-the-scenes look at movie making magic in action – check out this tour, which includes lunch.
I recommend a visit to Wellington’s Te Papa museum, which often has high quality exhibitions. Otherwise, why not take a cable-car ride to the Kelburn lookout for expansive harbour views.
Discover more about fascinating Wellington – book a guided tour of the city including a cable car ride.
Where to stay in Wellington
Check out the fabulously stylish Bolton Hotel which has a fitness centre and spa pool.
If you’re looking for somewhere more affordable, try the superb Marion Hostel, which is centrally located and has a cool roof terrace.
See the map below to find the latest accommodation prices and availability in Wellington:
More amazing places to go on New Zealand’s North Island
If you have extra time beyond this 7 day New Zealand North Island itinerary, here are some incredible experiences worth adding to your adventure:
Waiheke Island
Just a short ferry ride away, Waiheke Island is a little paradise of vineyards, golden beaches and laid-back charm, making it an ideal day trip or overnight getaway.
Just a short ferry ride from Auckland, Waiheke Island is a little paradise of vineyards, golden beaches and laid-back charm, making it an ideal day trip. If you’re into scenic hikes, cultural experiences or unwinding with a glass of local wine, this destination adds a relaxing element to any North Island adventure.
Check out my recommended Waiheke Island day trip itinerary here.
Bay of Islands
I spent a couple of wonderful days in Paihia, a little coastal paradise where you can explore the stunning Bay of Islands. One of my favourite memories was taking a boat tour and watching a pod of dolphins play in the water.
In Paihia, there’s plenty to do to keep you busy. You can take a boat trip to the famous Hole in the Rock, visit historic Russell – New Zealand’s first capital – or hike to the stunning Haruru Falls.
Raglan
Raglan is known for its dramatic coastline, world-class surf breaks and laid-back vibe. Visitors can relax on the black sands of Ngarunui Beach, while experienced surfers head to Manu Bay which has one of the world’s longest left-hand surf breaks. In Raglan, you’ll also find creative art galleries, eco-conscious cafés and scenic hikes, including to the Bridal Veil Falls, a 55-metre waterfall.
The best way to get around New Zealand’s North Island for 7 days
A rental car gives you maximum flexibility for this New Zealand North Island itinerary 7 days. Otherwise, you can buy a cheap second hand vehicle and sell it on once you’ve completed your trip. You can stop wherever you want, explore at your own pace, and easily access all the attractions on this route.
Personally, I loved the Stray bus. It’s a great way to see New Zealand alone, because your fellow passengers become your friends. There’s a great group atmosphere on the Stray New Zealand bus tour with about 30 travellers, aged around 25-35. You’re looked after by a friendly driver who’s full of local knowledge (and often ludicrously bad jokes). Stray organises all the accommodation, trips and activity options, including scenic stops and even a gumboot throwing competition en route. This is the beauty of the Stray New Zealand passes. There are no obligations and you are free to hop on and hop off as you explore this wonderful country.
Frequently asked questions about a North Island itinerary
How many days do you need in New Zealand’s North Island?
From seven days to 14 days hits the sweet spot for most people. That’s enough time to experience its diversity, from hot water beaches in the north to volcanic landscapes in the south. Spending 3-5 days in New Zealand’s North Island works if you only want to focus on one region, but you’ll miss some of its most amazing experiences – trust me.
What is the best time to visit the North Island of New Zealand?
For the perfect balance of good weather and fewer tourists, visit during the shoulder seasons of October-November or March-April. December to February has warmer summer weather but also higher prices.
What is the most beautiful part of the North Island?
I loved the coastal beauty of the Coromandel Peninsula. In fact, all the beaches, countryside and islands around Auckland, like Waiheke Island, are stunning. I recommend you spend time on the South Island too – you won’t believe your eyes.
What should I pack for a 7-day North Island adventure?
While the North Island is normally warmer than the South Island, you’ll need to pack layers for variable weather conditions. Also bear in mind the activities you’ll be doing. Take comfortable walking shoes as well as proper hiking boots. Also pack swimwear for the hot springs and beaches, a waterproof jacket and sunscreen. Don’t forget an international driving permit if you’re driving yourself around.
Final thoughts on a New Zealand North Island itinerary for 7 days
What a ride! From coastal beauty to alpine crossings, this 7 day itinerary covers the best of New Zealand’s North Island.
One day you’re relaxing in geothermal pools, the next you’re floating under glowworms in an underground cave. Not to mention visiting a magical movie location.
Just don’t forget to break in your hiking boots before tackling Tongariro, unless you fancy losing your toenails like I did!
Now, read about my adventures on New Zealand’s South Island here.
