Top Things to do in North Island
Top Hotels in North Island
What to do and see in North Island, New Zealand: The Best Free Things to do
Discover the best top things to do in North Island, New Zealand including Tongariro Alpine Crossing, Pukekura Park, Hamilton Gardens, New Plymouth Coastal Walkway, Mount Maunganui Summit Track, Tawharanui Regional Park, Shine Falls, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Lake Taupo, Mission Estate Winery.
Restaurants in North Island
1. Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,166 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By RJMEX - Brooks, Canada
My wife and I did the Tongariro Crossing on February 8, 2019. We rode the Northern Express train from Auckland, stopped in Ohakune for two nights to do the Crossing, and continued on to Wellington. I had done some research on the Crossing, so we were prepared with hiking boots, day packs, layered windproof clothing, and extra collapsible water bottles. We also pre-booked a shuttle service to deliver us to the trail head, and pick us up at the finish. This is essential if you are doing the full day hike as there is a 4 hour parking limit in the car parks and the full hike is a good 6-8 hours depending on fitness level, photo op time, and how much you want to just enjoy the experience. Make no mistake, this is not a flatland "walk in the park", and unless you are at a good level of health and fitness and have the proper gear, this is not the hike for you. We are in our mid 60s and consider ourselves fit, but this was a workout. I recall the shuttle driver saying there were something like 800 stair steps going both up and down, and while they do make things less treacherous going up, they were a special kind of torture on the descent which takes 3 - 3.5 hrs. We saw several hikers suffering blisters, aching knees, and lack of water. The temperatures were quite cool when we started in the morning, along with a fairly strong wind, and we were glad for the wind proof clothing. By the time we were descending in the afternoon, it was quite warm and we had shed the layers. Heed the warnings about changing weather! We had a beautiful clear day, but a couple days earlier a guide told us the trail was down to a meter visibility in places due to fog and mist. You will find websites and reviews that play down the difficulty of this journey and tell you people from 4 years to 94 years have done the Crossing. That may well be, but these are exceptions, not the rule. My wife had to help a young nurse in her twenties who was afraid to continue due to the unstable footing on the descent from Red Crater and a guide told about having to carry a 10 year old over part of the trail he simply refused to go down. If you are unsure of your ability or equipment, book the hike with a guide or at least talk to someone who has done the crossing. Age is not the barrier, fitness and careless preparation is. If you decide to take the challenge and weather cooperates, you will be rewarded by some of the most spectacular views on the planet. Enjoy and good hiking!!
2. Pukekura Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,777 reviews
Pukekura Park covers 52ha (128 acres) right in the heart of New Plymouth, Taranaki and is one of New Zealand's premier botanical gardens. The park has an international Green Flag award and is a Garden of National Significance. With a diverse range of landscapes, the park features bush walks, formal gardens, lakes, children's play areas, a sports area and a Tea House. The park includes the Fernery and Display Houses as well as the adjacent garden estate area of Brooklands, home to the acclaimed TSB Bowl of Brooklands and Brooklands Zoo. As a popular destination for locals and visitors alike, Pukekura Park lights up over the summer as the backdrop for the annual TSB Bank Festival of Lights. The park is free to enter and can be accessed from various streets including Liardet Street, Brooklands Road, Fillis Street, Rogan Street, Kaimata Street and List Street.
Reviewed By Nutputter
Just a gorgeous valley of native nz bush and flowers and water features.We were taken by surprise ...first that it is free and very large so allow plenty of time ..and there is a lovely old fashioned tea rooms in the middle ...with Pukeiti ,New Plymouth is certainly blessed with lovely gardens and parks .
3. Hamilton Gardens
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,439 reviews
Explore an enchanting world of secret gardens. Transport yourself through time and to far-flung corners of the world. Meander through a lush tropical jungle, visit ancient China and indulge yourself in a Renaissance Prince's 16th century garden. Five garden collections have been created to delight the senses, with some garden concepts reaching back 4,000 years. Hamilton Gardens is a conceptual garden based in the Waikato that explores the context, history and meaning of gardens through time, and from around the world. It is internationally recognised for its unique concept and is the Waikato region's most popular tourist destination. Only five minutes drive from Hamilton's CBD, the Gardens is open 7 days a week during daylight hours and entry and parking is free. Access is off SH1, alongside Cobham Drive on the southern side of Hamilton.
Reviewed By Adamc7651
The gardens are a good activity to do for the whole family! Our friends and family enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and stunning gardens
4. New Plymouth Coastal Walkway
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,675 reviews
Utterly spectacular 11km long walkway along the seafront in New Plymouth, New Zealand. Walk, ride skate or scoot from Bell Block in the north to Port Taranaki to the south taking in the stunning Te Rewa Rewa Bridge, three swimming beaches, a golf club, rolling farm land, rivers and various accessways to residential and shopping areas.
Reviewed By 562grahamb - Napier, New Zealand
The New Plymouth Costal Walkway is a pedestrian and cycleway goes for miles and miles...8 miles to be exact. It’s easy to walk manageable pieces, there are numerous parking lots and public washrooms along the way. There are lots of delights along the way, including surfers, friendly Kiwis walking their dogs, a golf course, the famous Len Lee’s “Wind Wand” sculpture and the spectacularly shaped Te Rewa Rewa Bridge crossing Waiwhakaiho River at the northern end. We had several wonderful excursions during our stay. New Plymouth is to be commended for making exercising, the easy choice.
5. Mount Maunganui Summit Track
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,720 reviews
Reviewed By sussan59 - Auckland Central, New Zealand
Make sure you've got good shoes on and comfortable clothing, this is a great workout, especially for the baby boomer generation. The track was very dry the day we climbed the mount, ergo it was quite slippery, and we had to watch our step going up. The views once you reach the summit are stunning. The sense of achievement feels pretty good too! Going down, we chose the steep steps which were also a challenge, and our thighs felt it the following day. Overall a great experience!
6. Tawharanui Regional Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 259 reviews
Reviewed By GaryandLesleyTravel - Auckland Central, New Zealand
Just 85km north of Auckland’s CBD find this beautiful predator free regional park. Several beaches to choose from for the day tripper swimmer, surfer, sun lover or various walks around the peninsula. We enjoyed a great walk on the well pathed Ecology Trail, great native bird life, fauna and forest. Amongst the usuals we saw, Saddle Backs and Bellbirds. On arriving at the top of the forested trail if the tide is low you can drop down through the farmland to the coast and return to the beach / carpark via the beautiful coastline and its rocky outcrops dynamic in colour and design. A great public facility.
7. Shine Falls
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 116 reviews
Reviewed By sallytd14 - Nelson, New Zealand
The Shine Falls are about 1.5 hour drive from Napier on the road to Gisborne. We were taking our time so you could get there a bit quicker than it took us. You park at a DOC carpark and have an hours walk ahead of you. You would need a reasonable fitness level but in saying that we bumped into several families who were walking with very young (2 year olds!!) that made the entire trip themselves - albeit that they took a bit longer than the one hour. The falls are spectacular and well worth the walk. The walk starts out through a working farm and then meanders into native bush. It is quite hard going in a few places but not what I'd call "challenging". Certainly a must do if you've never been there. The falls are about 60 meters high!!!!!! Fantastico!!!!
8. Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14,040 reviews
Experience the whole of New Zealand in one building! Te Papa is New Zealand's bold, innovative and interactive national museum. Explore the great treasures and stories of this country, its unique natural environment, Maori culture and taonga (treasures), dynamic art heritage, and its fascinating history. Te Papa is located on Wellington's spectacular waterfront. Open 10am to 6pm every day except Christmas Day. General admission is free.
Reviewed By trishydishy
What a great museum - added bonus of seeing the terracotta warriors and Peter Jackson's marvellous and moving Gallipoli exhibition - saved our trip to Wellington which we found mostly CLOSED!!
9. Lake Taupo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 338 reviews
Reviewed By moetum - Perth, Australia
We were lucky as kids to camp and have this beautiful lake as our swimming pool and back yard. You would always feel refreshed when dipping in the lake clean, clear and serene.
10. Mission Estate Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 943 reviews
At Mission Estate, we have been perfecting our craft since 1851. By combining the traditional craft of winemaking with the latest technology, we are reaching out to a new generation of wine lovers across the globe.
Reviewed By Kitkatchunkytravels
My girlfriend and I visited Mission Estate when we were in Napier and were pleasantly surprised with the friendliness of the staff who did the wine tasting - Chris from Coventry you are amazing and you made our day! So much interesting knowledge considering he's new and a great laugh for us! Free wine glass is a bonus and the dessert wine was delicious! Thoroughly recommend
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