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GOOT Routes - North Island Guide
  

This is Auckland
 
The GOOT Guide for the North Island is a collection of great places to visit, how to get there and what exciting things you can do along the way.

Throughout the guides we've highlighted the best kept "local" secrets, including free activities, and of course where to find our GOOT Passport Partners. This enables you to receive discounts on accommodation, activities, retail, food & drink and transport. Print out a guide and start exploring this beautiful country.
 
If you are heading up to the North Island and want some ideas of where to go, then check out the suggestions below. These will also be useful for those already in the North Island planning a road trip.
 

Getting There


The most logical and often cheapest way to get to the North Island from the South Island is to fly or ferry to Wellington. Alternatively you could fly into Auckland and then drive/bus/walk/skateboard back to Wellington. Look for flights with Air New Zealand (check out grab a seat), Qantas (red e deals) and Pacific Blue.
 

Getting Around


The best way to see the North Island is to get a group together and hire a car (or van). GOOT has partnered with two great companies: Alternative Car Hire (115 Beach Rd) & Ace Rental Cars (39 The Strand)... both of which are great options depending on what you have planned.

Alternatively you can go by bus. Check out: 
 
Intercity :: Kiwi Experience :: Magic :: Stray 
 

Route Options


The North Island is full of variety and while you may want to see it is likely you will have time constraints. Below we have listed a number of possible routes from either Auckland or Wellington.

Note: the number of days indicated is the bare minimum that would be required. To do these trips in this time would basically involve lots of driving with little time to complete activities and see the sights. Slow down and take it all in.
 

From Auckland

3-4 days:
Auckland - Bay of Islands - Auckland
 
5+ days: Auckland - Coromandel - Tauranga - Rotorua - Hamilton - Raglan - Auckland
 
5+ days: Auckland - Rotorua - Taupo - Waitomo - Auckland
 
8+ days: Auckland - Coromandel - Tauranga- Gisborne - Napier - Tongariro - Taupo - Rotorua - Hamilton - Auckland
 
8+ days: Auckland - Rotorua - Taupo - Tongariro - Taranaki - Waitomo - Auckland


From Wellington

5+ days: Wellington - Napier - Taupo - Tongariro - Taranaki - Wellington
 
8+ days: Wellington - Tongariro - Taupo - Rotorua - Tauranga - Coromandel - Auckland - Hamilton - Waitomo - Taranaki - Wellington.
 



Obviously there are unlimited possibilities, limited only by your imgination, money and time. Happy travels.
 

 

Far North :
Continuing on from a Bay of Islands you can go to the very top of New Zealand. The far north contains a variety of attractions including Cape Reinga, giant Kauri trees, a “90 mile beach”, massive sand dunes, and an abundance of marine life.

Kauri Coast
The Kauri Coast refers to a spectaculour stretch of coastline that extends north of Dargaville to the Hokianga Harbour on the west coast of New Zealand. It is named because of the large number of Kauri trees still visible along the way. It is a remote part of NZ that is well worth the time taken to get there.

Kauri Coast

Bay of Islands
With 150 islands, beautiful beaches and clear water the Bay of Islands is one of New Zealand’s must see destinations. However the “Bay” is only a small part of Northland, a diverse area that extends north of Auckland and all the way to the top of the country.

Great Barrier Island
If you have had enough of the big city and want to escape then Great Barrier Island is just the place. Just North of the Coromandel Coast lies this amazing rugged Island complete with stunning beaches, excellent hiking, hot pools and a unique pace of life.

Coromandel
Quite possibly the perfect destination – sand, surf and surprises. The Coromandel is a beautiful peninsular within a couple of hours of Auckland.

Hamilton
The city of Hamilton gets a bad name among most Aucklanders but if you want to do something different one weekend why not check it out. Hamilton is one of the fastest growing places in NZ and has a large University population. And what do students do best? They party!

Raglan
Situated on the West Coast south of Auckland is the chilled out destination of Raglan. World famous for it’s surfing this quiet little town is one relaxing place.

Waitomo
Waitomo is the home of the magnificent Waitomo Caves. This region is riddled with limestone caves and makes for an interesting and unique destination.

Tauranga
On the East Coast South of the Coromandel Peninsular lies the twin towns of Tauranga and Mount Maunganui. Due to a pleasant climate and handy location Tauranga, one of NZs largest ports, is rapidly developing as one of the places to live. Named after the impressive Mt Maunganui the Mount is a popular summer destination, with fine surf beaches and a resort type atmosphere.

Rotorua
If you want to get out of town and get the adrenaline pumping then the central North Island is the place to go. As the main tourist hotspot in the North Island "Roto-Vegas" has something for everyone - from wild white water rafting to beautiful serene lakes, from bubbling mud craters to relaxing natural hot pools. Rotorua is a happening destination, save some cash for this one and get into it.

Taupo
Looking for another adventurous destination then try Taupo. Located at the centre of the North Island Taupo is the home of New Zealand's largest lake, a massive waterfall and the best (and cheapest) sky diving in the North Island. Taupo is definitely the place to go if you want to jump. Why? Read on!

East Cape
...coming soon

Hawkes Bay
...coming soon

Tongariro:
The first National Park in NZ Tongariro is an iconic landscape of active volcanoes and beautiful lakes amidst a harsh lunar like landscape. But the central plateau is actually so much more than this - with mountains, forests and rivers it really is the place for adventure.

Taranaki
...coming soon

Wanganui/Palmerston North
...coming soon

Wellington
The capital of New Zealand and the country's third largest city Wellington is a happening place. Well known for its arts, creative people, strong winds (Windy Wellington), steep streets and good public transport this is a great place to hang out for a few days. There is lots to see and do and the night life here is amongst the best in the country.

Wellington Guide



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