Things to Do in North Island

It doesn't take long when traveling through New Zealand to realize this country is extreme. Everything here, from the scenery to thrills, is just a little more elevated, a bit more intense, and in some ways a little more raw. Take, for example, the Auckland Harbor Bridge, which spans the width of Waitemata Harbor to bridge the Auckland coasts. It isn't enough that this 3,348 ft. span is an iconic part of the skyline, so to take it up another notch, the city has tours where you can literally walk on top of the famous bridge. The view from here, as you might imagine, is inarguably the best in Auckland, as sailboats race beneath your feet and islands dot the coast. Look to the west towards the Waitakere Ranges and the vineyards and suburbs of West Auckland, or east to the hills of Waiheke Island and the Coromandel Peninsula beyond. The view looking north stretches all the way towards Whangarei past the procession of North Shore beaches, and the southern view is a sweeping panorama of Auckland's city skyline. The only place you don't want to look is directly beneath your feet"”where 140 feet of air is all that separates the tips of your toes from the roiling whitecaps below. 

The capital of New Zealand, but only its third largest city, Wellington is the geographic and cultural center of the country. Located on the southern tip of the North Island and sitting on a sparkling harbor, it is a primary departure point for ferries crossing Cook Strait to the South Island. With a vibrant arts scene and a variety of galleries, theaters and museums, Wellington has an undeniable charm and energy.

How to Get to Wellington

If you are arriving on a large cruise ship, you will dock at Aotea Quay, located between the Interislander Ferry Terminal and the train station. From there, a walk into the city center is about twenty minutes. You might also take a free shuttle if offered by your ship or catch a shuttle operated by the city, which costs around five New Zealand dollars. Smaller cruise ships dock at Queens Wharf, which is right in the center of town.

One Day in Wellington

Start your day in Wellington by taking the cable car from Lambton Quay up to Kelburn. Enjoy spectacular views over the city and harbor and then spend some time exploring the hilltop Botanic Garden and the Lady Norwood Rose Garden. You can walk all the way down to the city or backtrack and take the cable car back to Lambton Quay.

Next, head to the Museum of New Zealand, also known as Te Papa. Covering five floors, the museum features exhibits and interactive displays telling the story of New Zealand’s past, present and future. If you’re lucky, your visit will coincide with one of many special cultural performances. Allow a few hours to take it all in and then head to the waterfront to enjoy lunch at one of the many cafes along the quay.

After lunch, hunt down some of Wellington’s famous public art, including various sculptures, a cenotaph, a wind mobile and two stainless steel monoliths. A guide is available from the Wellington City Council. Time permitting, visit the Museum of Wellington City & Sea or the City Gallery before you return to your ship.

Nature enthusiasts may prefer a visit to the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary to check out rare New Zealand wildlife, including many of its native birds, while movie buffs will enjoy a “Lord of the Rings” tour, visiting many of the sites used in filming the popular trilogy.

In a region teeming with geothermic attractions, the Wairakei Natural Thermal Valley has a lot of competition, but while the scenery doesn’t quite live up to the mind-blowing landscapes of the nearby Craters of the Moon or Orakei Korako Cave, the park is still one of Taupo’s most unique accommodation options.

A traditional Kiwi campsite complete with its own thermal garden, hot pools and petting zoo, the Wairakei Natural Thermal Valley offers a great introduction to the area’s geothermic attractions. A walkway takes in the main attractions, including natural steam vents, bubbling mud pools and geysers, on a site next door to a geothermal power plant. Even if you’re not staying on site, you can still enjoy the thermal attractions and there are plenty of family-friendly activities to enjoy, including bathing in hot pools, spotting the colorful native birds that frequent the area and hand feeding the small park’s many animals.

Taking a ride on Wellington’s little red cable car is an essential experience.

The cable car has been operating since 1902, providing panoramic views over Wellington on its 5-minute chug up the hill to Kelburn village and the botanic garden.

At the top, visit the Cable Car Museum to learn more about this historic attraction, and get out your camera to snap must-have photos of those harbor views. Nearby, the Carter Observatory explains the mysteries of the southern night sky.

Even though Auckland is the "City of Sails", not every traveler has their own personal sailboat to ply the waters of the Hauraki Gulf. Luckily, the boats run by Fullers ferries make it remarkably easy to explore around Auckland. The main ferry terminal is in the downtown city center, from where Auckland travelers can embark on a day trip to various spots around the city.

For a short cruise, you can cross the waters of Waitemata Harbor to the northern suburb of Devonport. While en route, be sure to snap a photo of the Auckland Harbor Bridge which famously punctuates the city skyline. For those who are looking for a bit of hiking, Fullers offers boats to Rangitoto Island where you can trek to the top of a dormant volcano. In December and January, Fullers ferries make the 2.5-hour journey to Great Barrier Island, where you can trek to hot springs, bake on the beach, or kayak your way through empty coves. Or, if you're just looking for a leisurely cruise, Fullers has narrated tours of the harbor which point out the sights as the boat cruises across the water.

Finally, for those who want to spend the day wine tasting at Auckland's trendiest vineyards, Fullers has ferries which make the crossing to the grape-covered shores of Waiheke Island. In addition to the ferry, Fullers offers guided tours of the island, and help out with transportation from bicycles to car hire.

For Auckland travelers and vacationing locals, Fullers ferries are not only a means of efficient public transit, but a convenient conduit connecting the city with many of its surrounding adventures.

Just 10 minutes from central Wellington, the unique Zealandia wildlife sanctuary and conservation park is one of New Zealand’s premier eco attractions, restoring the flora and fauna that once surrounded the city.

The Karori Wildlife Sanctuary’s restored forest and wetlands provide a habitat for more than 30 native bird species, as well as frogs, lizards and cute green geckos.

View the exhibition tracing the development of New Zealand’s natural history, take a guided walking tour through the predator-proof, 225-hectare (550-acre) sanctuary, then refuel at the park’s cafe overlooking the lake.

The Museum of Wellington City and Sea explores the maritime connection that ties Wellington so closely to the sea.

Mixing historical displays with cutting-edge technology, the museum brings history alive with maritime artifacts, interactive exhibits, holographs, audio-visual displays and documentaries screened on a giant cinema screen.

The museum is spread over 3 floors of the restored 1892 Bond Store warehouse. The building is a feature in its own right, with historic timber beams and virtual vermin to set the scene.

Another highlight is the sailing ship conservation project known as Plimmer’s Ark.

Whakarewarewa, the Living Maori Village, provides an opportunity for visitors to experience the culture and traditions of the Tuhourangi/Ngati Wahiao people. Travelers have made their way to this living geothermal Maori village since the early 1800s, and it’s here that they can witness how the local people prepare and cook their food in thermal vents using steam and also get the chance to sample the traditional hangi meals onsite.  

A highlight of any visit to Whakarewarewa is Maori Haka, a cultural performance that harmonizes traditional songs of Maori stories and legends, shared by welcoming Whakarewarewa tour guides. These iconic shows run twice daily and are set against the backdrop of the geothermal valley, with its geysers, hot pools, and bubbling mud providing a unique story-telling experience.