36 days in North Island Itinerary

The largest and most populous city in New Zealand, Auckland combines a rich history and thriving contemporary culture in an abundance of museums, art galleries, and performance venues.

Get outdoors at Tawharanui Regional Park and Tiritiri Matangi Visitor Centre. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Auckland: Waiheke Island (Connells Bay Sculpture Park & Fishing Charters & Tours) and Muriwai Gannet Colony (in Muriwai Beach). There's still lots to do: make a trip to Sky Tower, stop by Pauanesia, identify plant and animal life at Smiths Bush Reserve, and take in the waterfront at Westhaven Promenade.

For traveler tips, maps, more things to do, and tourist information, read Auckland itinerary planner .

Glasgow, UK to Auckland is an approximately 29-hour combination of bus and flight. You can also fly; or do a combination of train and flight. You'll lose 12 hours traveling from Glasgow to Auckland due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Glasgow in March, you will find days in Auckland are somewhat warmer (22°C), and nights are much warmer (22°C). Finish up your sightseeing early on the 7th (Sat) so you can go by car to Paihia.

The main tourist town in the Bay of Islands area, Paihia gives visitors a good range of accommodations, a convenient town center, long sandy beaches, and interesting architecture.

Step out of the city life by going to Nature & Wildlife Tours and Dolphin & Whale Watching. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Paihia: Kerikeri (Puketi Nature Trail & Aroha Island Ecological Centre) and Tane Mahuta Walk (in Opononi). The adventure continues: discover the deep blue sea with a scuba or snorkeling tour, steep yourself in history at Akeake Historic Reserve Track, stroll around Rangihoua Heritage Park, and look for all kinds of wild species at Paihia Harbour.

To find other places to visit, photos, where to stay, and more tourist information, read Paihia trip planner .

Getting from Auckland to Paihia by car takes about 3 hours. Other options: do a combination of bus and flight; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to Whangarei.

Whangarei is the northernmost city in New Zealand and the regional capital of Northland Region. Get outdoors at Poor Knights Island Marine Reserve and Tutukaka Headland. Venture out of the city with trips to Fishing Charters & Tours (in Mangawhai) and Ocean Beach (in Whangarei Heads). There's much more to do: stroll through Bream Head Coast Walks, appreciate the extensive heritage of Waro Limestone Scenic Reserve Walk, take a memorable tour with Tours, and take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Mount Manaia Track.

For traveler tips, ratings, reviews, and other tourist information, refer to the Whangarei trip itinerary maker .

You can drive from Paihia to Whangarei in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Sun) to allow enough time to travel to Tauranga.

The largest city in the Bay of Plenty, Tauranga features extensive sandy beaches, well-maintained hiking paths, and a good range of accommodations.

Take a break from the city and head to Rainbow Springs Nature Park and Paradise Valley Springs Wildlife Park. Change things up with these side-trips from Tauranga: Okere Falls Track (in Okere Falls), ZORB Rotorua (in Ngongotaha) and Rotorua (Zipline, Te Puia, & more).

For where to stay and more tourist information, use the Tauranga online itinerary builder .

Getting from Whangarei to Tauranga by flight takes about 2 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. In March, daily temperatures in Tauranga can reach 26°C, while at night they dip to 18°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 19th (Thu) so you can go by car to Waitomo Caves.

Head deep beneath the surface of the earth at Waitomo Caves, a village and cave system that draws both extreme sports enthusiasts and those wanting something a little more relaxed.

Take a break from the city and head to Waitomo Glowworm Caves and River Rafting & Tubing. When in Waitomo Caves, make a side trip to see Wainui Reserve in Raglan, approximately 1h 15 min away. There's lots more to do: hike along Ruakuri Walk, relax in the rural setting at Waitomo Big Bird & Miniature Animal Petting Farm, take in the dramatic natural features at Mangapohue Natural Bridge Walk, and explore the fascinating underground world of Piripiri Cave Walk.

To find reviews, other places to visit, ratings, and more tourist information, read our Waitomo Caves online holiday planner .

You can drive from Tauranga to Waitomo Caves in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 22nd (Sun) to allow enough time to travel to Whakapapa.

Get outdoors at Tongariro Alpine Crossing and Ohakune Old Coach Road. Step out of Whakapapa with an excursion to River Rafting & Tubing in Turangi--about 34 minutes away.

To see photos and more tourist information, read our Whakapapa visit planning site .

Traveling by car from Waitomo Caves to Whakapapa takes 2.5 hours. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (Fri) early enough to drive to Taupo.

The resort town of Taupo lies on the banks of Lake Taupo, the largest body of water in the whole of Australasia.

Escape the urban bustle at Huka Falls Walkway and Waimangu Volcanic Valley. Step out of Taupo with an excursion to Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland in Rotorua--about 38 minutes away. And it doesn't end there: get interesting insight from Tours, take in the natural beauty of Wairakei Natural Thermal Valley, identify plant and animal life at Orakei Korako Geothermal Park & Cave, and add some adventure to your tour with a kayaking and canoeing tour.

For other places to visit, maps, more things to do, and tourist information, read Taupo trip planner .

Traveling by car from Whakapapa to Taupo takes 1.5 hours. Cap off your sightseeing on the 1st (Wed) early enough to travel to Wellington.

Wellington, the world's southernmost capital city and New Zealand's second most populous urban area, combines the nation's rugged history and nature with its modern and cosmopolitan present.

Get outdoors at ZEALANDIA Sanctuary and Pinnacles Track. Change things up with a short trip to Waikanae Estuary Bird Tours in Waikanae (about 1h 05 min away). And it doesn't end there: see the interesting displays at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, take an in-depth tour of The Great War Exhibition, go from sight to sight with Wellington Cable Car, and admire the natural beauty at Wellington Botanic Garden.

For reviews, where to stay, other places to visit, and tourist information, read our Wellington trip itinerary website .

You can fly from Taupo to Wellington in 3 hours. Other options are to drive; or do a combination of bus and flight. In April, daily temperatures in Wellington can reach 20°C, while at night they dip to 14°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 4th (Sat) early enough to travel back home.