North Island Itinerary Suggestions

by Sue
(Maroubra, Australia)

We will be on the North Island from the 6th -20th
January,flying in and out of Auckland.

Keen to do some nice walks around 3hours long, like kayaking, staying in B& B's, not interested in staying in
Auckland, possibly not BOI or Rotorua...we were there before. We have have been recommended Coromandel Peninsula, Tongariro National Park and maybe Waitomo Caves.

Can you suggest a good itinerary and route, with activities and possible accommodation?

Thanks so much.

Sue



REPLY FROM EDITOR

Hi Sue

Firstly…for accommodation I suggest you check http://www.ezibed.com/299.html which has a comprehensive list of all kinds of New Zealand accommodation. This is a last minute site so you can only book within 28 days which falls within your time frame.

Coromandel Peninsula - is lovely with walks, kayaking etc. There are lots of lovely beaches.

The walk to Cathedral Cove near Hahei is a must. Hahei has a camping ground with cabins. It is a good central location for visiting Hot Water Beach where you mix the hot thermal water with sea water and wallow in it. The beach is not the safest swimming beach. Many of the others would be better for swimming.

If you are a confident driver the road up to Port Jackson and Fletchers Bay is beautiful. But it is narrow, windy and unsealed at the end. There is a Youth Hostel at Fletchers Bay and a popular walk along the cliffs.

Whitianga is the main town on the Coromandel and a good place to overnight. Coromandel township is historic. Visit the Driving Creek Potteries and Railway for something different on the outskirts of the town. (See http://www.holidays-in-newzealand.com/driving-creek-railway-and-potteries.html )

Tongariro National Park - has a lot of walks of varying lengths. I like the walk around Lake Rotopounamu which is between Taupo and National Park. See http://www.holidays-in-newzealand.com/ new-zealand-walking-holidays.html You could perhaps just do the walk into Ketetatahi Springs and back. This is on the end ( or beginning depending which way you go) of the Tongariro Crossing. This section is very pretty and you can have a break on the deck of the hut before returning.


Waitomo Caves will also have local walks. There are various cave tours and if you are adventurous you could do the blackwater rafting.

I would suggest a circuit from Auckland via Coromandel Peninsula – Whitianga – as far north as you want to go along the Peninsula then across to Matarangi - through to National Park – Waitomo – Auckland You may like to go via Taupo if you haven’t been there before. Go from National Park – Taupo – Waitomo - Auckland

Another alternative is to go north. Up one coast and back down the other.Usually people would travel north via Bay of Islands. Base yourself in Paihia for a few days from where you could take a day trip up to Cape Reinga if you were interested. Visit Kerikeri and Russell then travel back through the Hokianga via Rawene, Opononi and Waipoua Forest. The board walk to Harere Falls at Waitangi is nice. If you do this I suggest the Matakohe Museum is well worth visiting.

There are dozens of walks all around the country. It depends on what your route is what could be suggested.

I hope this is useful. I will put this on my question page…it might be useful for others as well. You could also maybe get suggestions from other readers of walks or things of interest.

There are pages on all the locations mentioned on my website so have a browse around for more information.

Have a wonderful holiday

Kind Regards

Gail