Travel guides, itineraries, and insider tips from Auckland to the Bay of Islands, Rotorua to Wellington. Plan your perfect North Island adventure with stories from people who've been there.
★ Featured
From Auckland's harbour to Wellington's hilltop cable car, with geothermal wonders and Maori cultural experiences in between — here's how to make the most of a week on New Zealand's North Island.
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Nature
Geysers, mud pools, hot springs and the cultural significance of geothermal sites — what to see, what to skip, and how to do it respectfully.
Itinerary
Got two days in Aotearoa's biggest city? Here's how to balance city sights, harbour views, vineyards and that famous Kiwi flat white in just 48 hours.
Itinerary
Russell's heritage streets, dolphin cruises, Cape Reinga and the Treaty Grounds — a slow-paced itinerary for the subtropical north.
Culture
Beyond the hangi and haka — how to experience Maori culture meaningfully, where to go, and the protocols every visitor should know.
Food & Drink
Often called the world's coolest little capital, Wellington punches well above its weight on the food front. Here's where the locals actually eat.
Travel Tips
Subtropical summers, mild winters, shoulder-season bargains — a month-by-month breakdown of what to expect, what to pack, and when to go.
Culture
An honest look at the most famous movie tour in NZ — what it costs, what to expect, and whether it lives up to the hype for non-Tolkien fans.
Nature
Dig your own thermal pool in the sand at Hot Water Beach, walk to the iconic Cathedral Cove, and explore one of NZ's most underrated regions.
Nature
Often called the best one-day hike in the world. Here's everything you need to know about NZ's most famous trek and the lake town that hosts it.
Whether you're planning an itinerary, researching a region, or just dreaming — find content that fits.
Day-by-day route guides for every length of trip
Where locals eat, drink and discover NZ flavours
Maori traditions, history, and meaningful experiences
National parks, hikes, and natural wonders
Practical advice for first-time NZ visitors
Kid-friendly destinations and activities
Loved what you've read? Browse our escorted New Zealand tours — including dedicated North Island itineraries departing year-round.
Acknowledgement of Country. Cooee Tours acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waterways on which we operate and travel, and pays deep respect to their Elders past, present, and emerging. We recognise the continuing cultural connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to Country, and the tangata whenua of Aotearoa New Zealand.
The North Island is one very good destination out of a very long list. Cooee Tours has been running coaches since 1974 — start with the continent, the country next door, or somewhere further afield.
Every destination below has its own travel guide, things-to-do pages and tour range — built the same way as this one.
You know where you want to go — here is what there is to see and do there, and the tours that take you.
Things to do in the North IslandNorth Island tours