Things to Do in North Island

Choose from 123 Fun Things to Do in North Island

Lady Knox Geyser

Named for Lady Constance Knox, a daughter of the 15th governor of New Zealand, Lady Knox Geyser is located in the North Island's Taupo Volcanic Zone. While this region is famous for a variety of fascinating geological phenomena, the Lady Knox Geyser is unique. Every day it erupts at precisely 10:15am, when a park guide induces it to do so - with soap.

Indeed, the soap is used to break the surface tension of the cold water in the geyser's upper chamber so that it will mix with the hot water in the lower chamber, which causes an 20 meter (65 feet) eruption that can last an hour. Stones have been placed around the opening in order to enhance the blast, and over the years, silica in the water has given the spout a nozzle-like appearance. You'll find it among the other natural marvels of the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland.

Unlike many of the other thermal features of the area, the Lady Knox Geyser does not have a Maori name because it was discovered in the early 20th century - by prisoners who were washing their clothes. They triggered the jet when they dropped some soap in with the hot water!

201 Waiotapu Loop Road RD 3, Rotorua 3073, New Zealand

Open daily 8:30am - 5pm (until 1pm on Christmas). The Geyser erupts at 10:15am every day

Adults: NZ$30, Children (5-15yrs): NZ$10

From $ 110

Town Hall

Grandiose in its Baroque design, Auckland's Town Hall is one of Queen Street's most prominent and notable buildings. Constructed back in 1911, the Town Hall is one of Auckland's best venues for musical performances and shows, as its concert chamber is considered to have some of the best acoustics in the world. In the Great Hall, where over 1,500 people can gather in a theater-style setting, many of the world's top symphonies and orchestras have performed for global dignitaries, and the biggest names in rock and roll have similarly graced the stage.

A permanent fixture is the Town Hall organ, which is not only New Zealand's largest instrument, but having completed a restoration in 2010, is often considered as one the world's most marvelous symphony instruments. Aside from the acoustics, Auckland's Town Hall is visually stunning from the rafters down to the floor, as stained glass windows filter light that falls on kauri wood floors, and chandeliers dangle from a ceiling adorned with exquisite plaster design. It's a building that was purposefully built to impress, and it continues to do so over a century later, right in the heart of downtown.

Practical Info

The Town Hall is often seen on walking tours of Auckland.

303 Queen Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand

From $ 56

Museum of Transport and Technology

Auckland's Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) is the biggest museum of its type in New Zealand, dedicated to the nation's transport, technology, and social history. MOTAT houses many attractions, including working steam trains and tramways, perfectly preserved WWII planes, and a Victorian-era village full of historical artifacts.

The Basics

MOTAT's biggest draw is its remarkable collection of old vehicles, including military vehicles, old Auckland buses, a variety of 19th- and 20th-century fire engines, and more from the last 100-plus years of New Zealand's transport history. From the museum's Great North Road site, you can take one a well-preserved tram to the MOTAT Aviation Hall on Meola Road, where a wide variety of commercial, recreational, and military aircraft are on display. In the Historic Village, step back in time to Victorian-era New Zealand while you explore a wide range of buildings and artifacts from the country's past; on Sundays the village comes alive, with a working forge, operating printing presses, handcraft-making sessions for kids, and more. MOTAT also hosts temporary science and technology exhibitions from all over the world.

Many travelers visit the museum independently, and it's also a stop on the Auckland hop-on hop-off bus. Regular visitors can pick up an annual pass that gives unlimited entry to the museum and discounts to nearby attractions.

Things to Know Before You Go

MOTAT is tailor-made for technology, science, and transport nuts of all ages.
MOTAT runs children's programs every school holiday, making it a great place to take the kids during those two weeks.
Expect to spend about four hours exploring both sites.
Automobile enthusiasts can see the museum's old vehicles get restored every Wednesday and Sunday at the Road Transport Workshop.
Refuel at the on-site Araroa Tearooms and Oriel's Ice Cream Partner.
If you're going to the Auckland Zoo next, MOTAT's tram can drop you off right at the zoo entrance.
Most of MOTAT is accessible to wheelchair users; contact the museum if you're uncertain of any areas.

How to Get There

Located just a few minutes out of central Auckland, MOTAT's main site is located on Great North Road in Western Springs. If driving, follow the North Western Motorway from central Auckland and take the Western Springs turnoff (St Lukes Road exit 6). You can also take the bus 18 to Stop 8122, right outside MOTAT Great North Road, and then take a MOTAT tram up to the Meola Road site.

When to Get There

MOTAT is open from 10am to 5pm every day except for Christmas and one weekend in March (check the website). The museum buzzes with activities and events every Sunday, but especially so on the third Sunday of each month, when the museum holds its MOTAT Live Days. On these days, the museum rolls out some of their old vehicles for rides (including an operating steam train), holds games and activities for kids, and has live demonstrations of technologies from the Victorian era and earlier.

Ride in an Historic Vehicle

MOTAT's tramways are operational every day of the week, and a number of their preserved vehicles are operational on MOTAT Live Days. On these special days, you can take a ride on a horse and carriage, on their adorable Little Flick fire engine, or on one of the museum's steam trains.

805 Great North Rd, Western Springs, New Zealand

Varies

From $ 32