Top Things to do in North Island
Top Hotels in North Island
What to do and see in North Island, New Zealand: The Best Lookouts
Discover the best top things to do in North Island, New Zealand including Manaia Road Saddle And Lookout, Totara Park, Pararaha Valley Track, Puketapa Lookout, Manawatu Scenic Route, Mount Victoria, One Tree Hill (Maungakiekie), Te Mata Peak, Cape Reinga Lighthouse, Wellington Cable Car.
Restaurants in North Island
1. Manaia Road Saddle And Lookout
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
2. Totara Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By JamesM780 - Auckland, New Zealand
My lovely wife and a friend of ours went to Totara Park for a picnic on the weekend. There are plenty of picnic tables next to the carpark in Wairere Avenue. The trails around the park and the adjacent Botanic Gardens are well maintained, and even after rain, are pretty dry. Some of the trails wind around the lovely creek and give the place an almost tropical rainforest feel. The paths higher up are over the fields and have views which are simply stunning. Well worth enjoying.
3. Pararaha Valley Track
4. Puketapa Lookout
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By MartinB286 - Auckland, New Zealand
Stunning views overlooking Whakatane and out to see with White Island clearly visible. A place where you can feel at one with yourself and find peace. Go up early in the morning and enjoy a cooked breakfast at nearby Robert Harris. They do a mean breakfast!
5. Manawatu Scenic Route
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
This scenic alternative route to State Highway One, offers you a wide range of activities, from secret swimming holes, walks and hikes through ancient native bush, horse treks as well as gardens and heritage collections galore. You can drive this route in a day easily, but to make the most of the chance to experience real Kiwi backcountry, we recommend that you plan it over at least two days.
6. Mount Victoria
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,018 reviews
High lookout point along Wellington's Southern Walkway gives visitors a spectacular view of the city and its surroundings.
Reviewed By fafa_potato - Palmerston North, New Zealand
On a hot Wellington day, when you take the number 20 from Courtenay place to this lookout point (I was never going to walk) the views from this place are absolutely stunning! You can see all of Wellington and it is absolutely beautiful!
7. One Tree Hill (Maungakiekie)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,215 reviews
The second highest volcanic peak in Auckland, next to Mount Eden, One Tree Hill offers views of the city and has a huge obelisk at the top.
Reviewed By jeanettem190 - Cairns, Australia
After your walking visit to Mt Eden; a caldera volcano, it makes sense to stroll through tony, leafy Mt Eden Village & Epsom Village to Cornwall Park (vast! Check out the sheep & cows grazing!) up to One Tree Hill; a cone volcano (Check out the difference!). There are two horseshoe shaped calderas on two different sides of the 'cone'. As you wander up the very gentle slope, you'll see the Vicotrian Folly. Then there's the heritage-style Bistro where you can snag an ice-cream or similar & have a seat on the verandah. Right next door is Huia Lodge; a heritage listed little cottage & info centre promoting early Auckland & current cultural exhibitions. Across the road is Acacia Cottage; the oldest surviving structure in Auckland. 1841. No wonder it survived; it's made from super-strong kauri wood. The cottage is beautifully restored, having been shifted from it's original location in inner Auckland. There're all kinds of historic everyday items on display, which was quite interesting & nostalgic. Buses are no longer permitted beyond this point, so there're no more obnoxious loud hordes of shouting 'tourist' type people elbowing the walkers & shoving their selfie sticks all over. It's very scenic at the top. You're bound to find several nice photographic subjects. After all this walking you're liable to feel tired. No worries, just walk down another path, not through the vast public park, into a suburban street. You'll soon find a bus stop. If the bus is headed further out from Auckland, just cross the street! All the northbound city buses will meander their way back to the Auckland CBD!
8. 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.
9. Cape Reinga Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 988 reviews
Reviewed By BryanCll - Tewantin, Australia
We were stopping at Ahipara Bay and drove about an hour and a half to the cape. From the car park, we walked along a good track to the top of a hill with breathtaking views of the lighthouse and the convergence of the Tasman and the Pacific. Interesting turbulence where the two meet. Then walked down to the lighthouse for more scenic views. Spent about an hour enjoying the scenery and photographing. Good toilets at the carpark.
10. Wellington Cable Car
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,509 reviews
The highlight to any visit to Wellington is a trip on Wellington Cable Car. In just 5 minutes you will reach the top of the Botanic Garden where panoramic views of the city and harbour are the reward. You can also visit the Space Place Observatory here. Before you head back down make sure to visit the Cable Car Museum (free entry), which provides a history of the city's symbolic mode of transport and see the original cars and winding machinery on display. There are walking tracks that start at the top of the Cable Car if you're keen on a stroll back to the city. The Cable Cars leave every 10 minutes and evry 15 minutes before 8pm.
Reviewed By Probal - Sydney, Australia
It was a fun ride up with some great views and the walk back down through the botanical gardens to the city was great and lots of fun.
