Regional North Island

Overview

Regional North Island brings expansive landscapes steeped in history and culture, with the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and Māori rock carvings heading the list. From the Bay of Islands to Taupō, this charming northern region is made up of a wide variety of natural landscapes - forests, beaches, geysers, hot springs, unique volcanic formations, and islands. It is a gem of natural wonders, lending itself to an exclusive spectrum of wildlife and outdoor adventures. 

What to Do

• Bay of Islands: Located just north of Aukland, this subtropical micro-region contains plentiful islands, beaches, ideal diving waters, wildlife, rock formations, river or seaside walking trails, and camping opportunities. Māori history can be traced here as well, with the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where the signing of New Zealand's founding document took place in 1840. There are 144 islands in total between Cape Brett and the Purerua Peninsula. 
• Coromandel: Stands as one of New Zealand’s most popular holiday destinations. Outdoor adventures are plentiful with diving, fishing, hiking, and cycling being the most popular in the area. This is also the location of the well-known Cathedral Cove. 
• Taupō: Located at the center of North Island and created by a large volcanic eruption, this region brings interesting and unique landscapes to life - hot springs, mud pools, geysers, craters, and warm geothermal water currents run throughout. More specifically, Craters of the Moon, Huka Falls, Tongariro National Park, and the Māori rock carvings at Mine Bay are popular places to start and further explore.