Top Things to do in North Island
Top Hotels in North Island
10 Mountains in North Island That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in North Island, New Zealand including Mount Manaia Track, Mount Taranaki, Te Mata Peak, Mount Kaukau, Mount Te Aroha, Mount Paku, Rainbow Mountain - Crater Lake Walk, Mount Otanewainuku, Mount Karioi summit tracks, Mt. Wellington.
Restaurants in North Island
1. Mount Manaia Track
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 217 reviews
Always check the New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC) website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By peekaboo19
A nice challenging walk up 420m to the viewpoint looking over the coast. Well worth the sweat up to see the beautiful view. Would recommend walking this if you are in the area but may not be accessible for everyone
2. Mount Taranaki
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 567 reviews
Reviewed By hannahz905 - Christchurch, New Zealand
An overnight trip to Pouakai Tarn: We originally planned to stay at Pouakai Hut for two nights, and actually we stayed only one night, as we were lucky to see all the view which we wanted to see. At that time, even the weather forecast was not good on Metservice one day before, but it turned out the weather was good most of time. We forgot it was a full moon period, so we didn’t get a chance to take milkyway which was a pity. Check Metservice – Egmount National Park weather ahead, but it is not 100% reliable. The route we took: Mangorei Road car park --2 to 3 hours--> Pouakai Hut—20 mins --> Pouakai Tarn We took most normal overnight camping gears (except tent), torch, food, filtered bottle, waterproof matches, gas, four seasons wearing staff, camera gears, tripod, hiking poles, wet wipe, tissues. Hut tickets (available in Kathmandu shop) The hut (first in first service, it was full at the end) provided sleeping mattresses, water (drinking water requires boiled), toilet, toilet paper…Our phone could even connect to 4G signal which was brilliant. No electricity available any way. By the way, all the rubbish is recommended to carry out by yourself, so rubbish bags are useful. We found the most useful things during the trip: comfortable/waterproof boots, waterproof/windproof jackets, waterproof pants, gaiters (super muddy on the way), warm hat (windy), gloves, torch, power banks for phones, jandals for walking around the hut, sun cream lotion, quick dry basic layers, socks, rubbish bags. Drive to Mangorei Road car park which is at the end of Mangorei Road. We took about 2 hours to Pouakai Hut. The track indeed has countless steps to the top, where most of time we walked in the beautiful native bush. From Pouakai Hut to Pouakai Tarn, it was about 10-20 minutes walk. Around Pouakai Tarn, there is a new wooden walking track. It did need some patience, but it was worthy. In order to protect the fragile environment, please stay on the track; please not walk/stand on the fragile vegetation; please leave your tripod on the track;
3. Te Mata Peak
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,684 reviews
Reviewed By JMT_NZ - Auckland Central, New Zealand
Te Mata Peak is simply stunning. I've driven to the peak several times and it's a great experience to take in the wider Hawkes Bay. If you drive right to the top then it's suitable for people with impaired mobility although they need to be able to walk up a short steep gradient for the best views from the trig.
4. Mount Kaukau
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 238 reviews
Reviewed By Lynleyfish - Cambridge, New Zealand
What a great view of Wellington City and Harbour! I walked up with a friend from the Khandallah side. The track was well-worn and easy to navigate.
5. Mount Te Aroha
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By jojoho68 - Auckland, New Zealand
Went for a mountain bike ride ( ebike) to the top of mount te aroha 952 metres Took 45 mins from tui road . Back Down 13 minutes Good ride
6. Mount Paku
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 251 reviews
Reviewed By AlanL896 - Lewes, United Kingdom
It's worth climbing up the steep path to the top of Mount Paku, as the 360 degrees view from the top is wonderful.
7. Rainbow Mountain - Crater Lake Walk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 60 reviews
Reviewed By BucketlistTick - Perth, Australia
One of the better hikes in the area and we did most of them. Track leads you through the trees and up the mountain to the summit. Took us about 50 minutes to the top and about 40 minutes back. It will require a good level of fitness and some sturdy shoes as the track is relentlessly uphill from about the 30 minute mark. We loved the challenge and the sweating as the rewards when we got to the top were breathtaking. 360 degree views and they are stunning. Shame I don’t live nearby, I would be challenging myself each week to try to get to the top faster each time.
8. Mount Otanewainuku
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By Niki211 - Mount Maunganui, New Zealand
This is a relatively easy bush walk with well formed tracks. There are some steeper sections and parts where you need to climb over fallen trees so you do need a reasonable level of fitness and agility. The falls are small with a lovely clear pool. We were able to picnic on a rock right beside them. If there are more than about six people at the falls there is limited space. Clean and unspoilt this treasure needs to be kept pristine. No dogs are allowed as it is a kiwi area. There are no toilet facilities anywhere near the falls or the track. Highly recommended for a great day out.
9. Mount Karioi summit tracks
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By Extraordinary687206 - Hamilton, New Zealand
First thing going up Karioi is to take some water to drink and a jacket as it can get cold and windy at times depending on weather. A lot of leg work here and a reasonable level of fitness is required. There is some fairly extensive stepping in this climb. You will be using both hands and feet to climb as you pull yourself up here and there. The odd chain and ladder to climb as well. All this makes it challenging but fun. At times you will be close to the edges but in a safe way. If its a windy day hold onto your hat or you'll lose it to the wind as mine flew over the side at great knots at the top. A tip here is to wear some gloves up to grab onto things. i have used hiking sticks but found them more of a nuisance. Depends on what makes you tick. Wear some good solid tramping boots or trail shoes. Be prepared for Mud on the track sometimes over a foot deep in places. If your careful you can navigate around this. Have fun and enjoy this scenic tramp.
10. Mt. Wellington
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By Etsip - Montevideo, Uruguay
On an island renowned for its hiking, one of the appeals of Mt Wellington is its accessiblity for people with mobility issues. Mt Wellington is paved right up to its peak and so is easily accessible by 2WD car. Short walkways to lookout points at the top of the mountain give wonderful views across the Tasmanian coast. The ease of access means 100% Instagrammable scenery with 0% effort! For those a bit more active, you can rent bikes from the summit and freewheel down, or if you fancy losing the use of your legs for a few days you can cycle right up to the top on a road bike.
