New Zealand Road Trip: The North Island
Cathedral Cove, New Zealand (ISO 100, 19 mm, f/22, 0.4 s)
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If you talk to anyone who has been to New Zealand, they will all tell you how friendly the people are and how gorgeous the scenery is. Most people think of movies that were shot there (Lord of the Rings, The Last Samurai, Chronicles of Narnia, etc.) and the landscapes that accompany them.
It’s best to spend at least a few weeks to months here; since there is so much to do and see, the longer you can stay, the better in my opinion. It’s an immensely popular destination for couples who want to embark on an adventurous road trip. It’s also perfect for the solo traveler, looking for some solitude in the countless vistas and hikes the country is known for.
For a full time traveler, where time is more or less not an issue, seeing both the North and South islands is easily do-able, but for most, sometimes you have to choose between the two. I managed to see many of the sights from both islands in about two weeks time. These are the highlights that I can recommend from the North Island of New Zealand. You can find a map for the entire road trip at the end of this post. If you also have time for it, check out my post on my road trip through the South Island.
Rangitoto Island outside Auckland, New Zealand (view from Takapuna Beach) (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/10, 30 s)
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You will most likely fly into Auckland, which is not the capital, but is New Zealand’s most populous city (the capital being Wellington). There are some fantastic spots to check out in Auckland so I suggest starting your road trip a few days after your arrival (so you can also adjust to the time zone and get rid of any lingering jet lag).
If you want to:
Have the best ice cream in your life: Giapo.
Hit up good restaurants and cafes: Britomart.
Check out an outdoor market: City Works Depot.
Enjoy the outdoors at a nice park: go to One Tree Hill.
For outdoor adventure and activities: go to Rangitoto Island.
Piha Beach (ISO 200, 16 mm, f/10, 1/320s)
From Auckland, if you start North, you can enjoy the solitude at Takapuna Beach. This area has one of the best views of nearby volcano Rangitoto Island. Make sure you take some time while in Auckland to explore the island itself (you can kayak or take a boat to Rangitoto and hike across it). It was right before sunrise when I got to the beach so I was able to experiment with some long exposure photography shots without an obstructed view.
From here, you can go further north to the Waipu caves and see caverns filled with glowworms. There are several sites to see the bioluminescence of these creatures, with some charging entry fees and are heavily regulated/touristy. Use this guide to see which caves have free entry and where they are located.
Te Hoho Rock, Cathedral Cove (ISO 100, 16 mm, f/11, 1/20 s)
For those who enjoy the beach, head to Piha Beach on the western coast of the north island. It is incredibly close to Auckland so you can even do a day trip here and enjoy the summer weather.
The Coromandel peninsula is worth a visit, especially to see Hot Water Beach and Cathedral Cove (Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve). I arrived here early in the morning and parked at Hahei Beach, then hiked to the cove, which took about 20 minutes (you can park closer at Grange Road only from May to September). I was surprised that given how popular this place is, there were only a handful of other people there.
Whakarewarewa Redwood Forest, New Zealand (ISO 800, 16 mm, f/2.8, 1/30 s)
When you arrive, you are immediately greeted by a spectacularly white sand beach, with the iconic archway to your left and Te Hoho Rock in the distance. This is a photographers dream; stay awhile and grab pics form every angle you can and be sure to enjoy it as well without a camera in front of you.
Huka Falls, New Zealand (ISO 100, 16 mm, f/11, 1/8 s)
Next, head down south to replace the beach with a forest and drive down to Rotorua. Here you will find Whakarewarewa Redwood Forest, where you can hike or mountain bike many different trails, depending on the time you have and your athletic ability. After a brief spell of rain while I was there, the sun started shining through and illuminated the forest floor. If you’re looking for a place to stop overnight, Rotorua is a good choice.
You will also find the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland in Rotorua. It is an active geothermal area and a scenic reserve with hot springs colored brilliantly by bacteria and a variety of elements. There are many well marked trails in this reserve that don’t require much physical exertion.
About an hour’s drive further south is Huka Falls; a set of waterfalls that lies near Lake Taupo, known for its bright emerald colored waters and fast rapids. There is a viewpoint here and you can also take a jet boat ride around the waters, offered by a few tour operators.
For those wanting to visit the capital of New Zealand, you need to head down to the very southernmost tip of the north island. Furthermore, those in a camper van venture this way to catch the ferry to the south island.
For panoramic views, take the Wellington Cable Car, for nightlife and shopping, go to Courtenay Place, Cuba St., Or Lambton Quey.
