Here’s the ultimate 5-day New Zealand North Island itinerary, which was the first part of my 2-week trip in this amazing country, followed by 10 days on the South Island.

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5-day New Zealand North Island Itinerary

How many days do you need in North Island, New Zealand

You could easily spend several weeks exploring New Zealand’s North Island, but a 10-day itinerary is one of the most popular options. However, since we only had two weeks for our trip and wanted to see as much of New Zealand as possible, I selected just a few key destinations I was most eager to visit and created this 5-day North Island itinerary while reserving the remaining 10 days for the South Island. You can check out the rest of our 2-weeks adventure in this post. While five days on the North Island only gives you time to experience some of the major highlights, it still offers a unique travel experience through its diverse landscapes and culture.

Is North Island in New Zealand worth it?

Absolutely! The North Island is home to New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland, geothermal wonders like Waiotapu (or Wai-O-Tapu), Maori Village and heritage sites, and world-famous film location of Hobbiton. The island’s landscapes are so unique, that you can easily stay around for a few weeks.

What is the best way to travel around the North Island in New Zealand

We rented a car to explore New Zealand’s North Island at our own pace and to make the most of this jam-packed itinerary in 5 days. However, exploring the country in a campervan is also a highly popular option. The roads in New Zealand are well-maintained, and driving felt relatively easy, even though we are not pros when it comes to a left-hand traffic system.

Should I spend more time in North or South Island New Zealand?

This is a very personal travel decision that depends on your interests. I loved visiting both islands, although a 5-day North Island itinerary felt a bit too brief to see everything. Ultimately, I chose to spend more time on the South Island because there were more landmarks and experiences from my bucket list there. The absolute truth is that you should visit both islands in New Zealand, but make sure to research and adjust your itinerary based on the places you want to see the most.

Best tours in New Zealand Northern Island

Pre-booking your experiences is especially helpful for places like Hobbiton and Wai-O-Tapu, which are always packed with visitors. Here are a few top-rated tours not to miss on New Zealand’s North Island:

wai-o-tapu 5 days New Zealand North Island Itinerary

5-day New Zealand North Island Itinerary

Day 1 Auckland

We began our 5-day North Island itinerary in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, which was a natural starting point due to our flight. We spent a day exploring Viaduct Harbour, a lively waterfront area filled with cafes, restaurants, and impressive yachts. Then headed to the Sky Tower for the views. Auckland is also a great place to learn more about New Zealand’s history at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

Day 2 Matamata

After Auckland, we headed to Matamata, a fantastic area to stay for a few days. Even driving around was enjoyable with all the cute small towns on the road. Here, we enjoyed the Waitomo Caves, famous for their glowworms.

New Zealand Food North Island 5 days
DKs Burger Bar in Matamata

Day 3 Hobbiton, Maori, and Treewalk

We started our third day on the North Island with a visit to Hobbiton, a must-stop in New Zealand for anyone who’s ever seen The Lord of the Rings. I recommend taking the earliest tour possible to avoid the crowds and fully enjoy the peaceful charm of the Shire. Hobbiton was one of my favorite experiences on this 5-day North Island itinerary. I believe that even people who haven’t watched The Lord of the Rings trilogy would still appreciate its enchanting, fairytale-like atmosphere.

After soaking in the movie-like vibe of Hobbiton, we headed to a Maori village to witness traditional performances and learn about their rich heritage. It’s truly impressive how New Zealand has preserved this native culture, allowing visitors to connect with its history.

Later in the day, we took a stroll through the Redwoods Treewalk, a canopy walk among towering redwoods. While the nighttime Treewalk, illuminated by lights, offers a magical experience, I recommend going before 8 PM to avoid the crowds. Honestly, the daytime walk was more enjoyable for me because I could fully take in the natural beauty without feeling rushed.

2 Weeks in New Zealand: Itinerary #nz #newzealand #blog #travel #traveltips #destinations #itinerary #map
Hobbiton is a must-stop on any New Zealand North Island Itinerary

Day 4 Waiotapu, Huka Falls, and Napier

On day four, we visited Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, renowned for its vibrant geothermal features such as the Champagne Pool and Lady Knox Geyser. The area was quite hot due to the geothermal activity. After exploring these incredible landscapes, we headed to Huka Falls, where we enjoyed the sight of one of New Zealand’s most unique and powerful waterfalls. We ended the day in Napier, a charming coastal town famous for its Art Deco architecture and world-class vineyards. Napier’s picturesque streets and waterfront made it the perfect spot for a relaxing evening stroll.

wai o tapu new zealand
Waiotapu

Day 5 Wellington

On the last day of our North Island itinerary, we headed to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital. The city is known for its compact size, vibrant arts scene, and stunning harbor views. We spent the day visiting Te Papa Tongarewa, New Zealand’s national museum, where you can dive into the country’s rich history, culture, and natural environment. For breathtaking views of the city and its surroundings, we took the Wellington Cable Car up to the Botanic Gardens.

One of the highlights for me was visiting the Weta Workshop. I was truly impressed by the talented and hard-working people there. I couldn’t contain my excitement when I learned about all the movies they’ve created special effects for, many of which have won Academy Awards for Best Visual Effects, including The Lord of the Rings, King Kong, Avatar, and The Jungle Book. Unfortunately, photos or videos aren’t allowed inside the workshop, so I can’t share any visuals – you’ll just have to see it for yourself!

2 weeks in New Zealand: 10 Days in South Island

After these 5 days on the North Island, we took a flight to Queenstown to continue our 2-week itinerary in New Zealand. You can read more in this post.

Map of New Zealand North Island Itinerary

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5-day New Zealand North Island Itinerary

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