Everyone knows New Zealand is pretty much 2 big islands - North and South. The more I asked the more I heard how most people loved South Island more. Today I'll let you be a judge of that and show how my North Island trip turned out! Let's dive in!
It's been 8 days, more than 2500 km, and for sure at least 20 different locations. Filling up the car (gas) every day was just a normal part of the trip. Managed to stay mostly on low-cost or TOP 10 campsites so we'd have access to showers and kitchen.
The trip started in Napier - the city where we spent the last 2,5 months. The plan was to travel to Cromwell (South Island) where cherry season was already waiting for us. Now more about why we had to be crazy and it was so worth it!
Waipunga Falls
Jumping in the car and on to the road again - fully packed as everything I own right now can fit in one camper van. Waipunga Falls felt like a great start because of its deep blue water + I managed to see some jet boat riders.
Taupo
One of those places where I wanted to go since the very beginning. Taupo is a perfect vacation spot where most locals (kiwis) travel to enjoy themselves. Beautiful lake next to the mountains and many hotels with the best view. When we arrived I did expect something more "Wow!". Due to the weather, even the place where you could hit the golf ball to the middle of the lake was closed.
Rotorua
The closer you get the smellier (like old eggs) it gets. Rotorua is located in such a specific - on moving earth plates which give us people the amazing side of natural, mineral waters, and high-quality mud. This particular mud pool reached a temperature higher that 75 degrees celsius.
The night was young so we followed friends' advice and went to enjoy a night in the forest - a tree walk. As you probably know, lights are my weakness so we had to go! Every installation is made in between giant, more than 118 years old trees.
Overnight we decided to stay in a free campsite. Here they are very common and usually with the most necessary facilities close. Only minus to these ones - they are available to everyone so you have to arrive quite early, otherwise, you might not get a spot.
The next day started with some nice breakfast + work on some ongoing projects (because remember, you need to start your day right) at a local French-style cafe. For some reason, I could eat sweets 24/7.
Next step - something that I've always wanted but never really went for it. SPA! For some people, it's such an easy yes, for me not that easy. It's good to take care of yourself but at what price is it worth it and what's the best way, place, time? This time it was here. The geothermal bathing experience was quite nice with all their high temperatures inside and out. My advice would be - take full advantage of this high standard/quality spa when it's at least a bit cold outside.
Tauranga
That surfer place? Yes! Still haven't tried but a sure thing - I will, you have my word. Now more about the water and lovely white sad beaches. Tauranga is a very popular tourist town with fancy places and great views.
Today is a beach day at Bay of Plenty and I'm trying to not feel guilty about doing exactly nothing. More or less some days need to be lazy. Next to this particular spot, we found one of the top 10 holiday parks, spent the night there. Ou, I forgot to mention, this was the day when we finally got a new mattress for our camper one - the old one was too small and we just needed an upgrade. I admit it's so worth every dollar we spent!
Hobbiton
The biggest - WOW! Neither am I a massive fan of Lord of the Rings, neither I normally would pay 89$ for something I even have know clue about. Hobbiton is a big "must see" even if you're not a true fan of the movie. The quality work film makers have put into it is just worth more than the money spent.
Although it's not actively used for new film making, the place is still in a great shape, full of hobbit energy, and so many great stories that literally bring you in to the movie. You can't actually go into the houses because there is nothing inside.
The only house where it's used to be possible to walk in is Frodos house - on the top of the hill. Funny story, but on top of the house there used to be a real tree. Due to construction, the real tree died to producer asked WETA (the company that does all masks, venous, etc. for movies like LOTR, Star Wars..) to make a new tree. With the eye, you can't see it, but even the leaves are fake - birds only sit on it.
The tour was supposed to be about 2 h long but we got lucky, the guide gave us at least an extra 30 min to explore more. Road to the Hobbiton Movie Set back in the days was built by the NZ National Army and as a prize, they had a chance to play Orks (the guide said they didn't have to put a lot of make-up on).
Hahei and Coromandel
Being here you start to believe in true beauty. As cheesy as it might sound it's true. Hahei is a small village almost in the middle of nowhere, still with its own school. To get to the Coromandel cove you get 2 options, either you take a kayak or hike 40 min and you're there. As it was quite late when we arrived (just missed the sunset) it was worth a little beautiful hike. White sand beach and swimming islands, pure nature.
Auckland
A lot of people think it's the capital city. It used to be but not anymore since 1865 the capital is Wellington. So many tourists have spent their time in Auckland that I had to visit it too. Due to Covid-19, the trip was short and now I'm glad.
For me, Auckland seemed crowded, quite dirty, and with the traffic almost as bad as in LA. Trip top the sky tower was okay but that's because the day wasn't sunny. If someone would ask me - do you want to live here? My answer wouldn't be positive.
Whale Bay
as fast as we possibly could we drove away from the city to start our trip in North Land (most locals call area higher than Auckland like that). A short trip to Whangarei Waterfall and we arrived at our home for the night Matapouri. Free campsite next to the beach.
I've noticed, the most beautiful beaches can't be reached by car. Day hike it had to be and again, with beautiful view, flowers, and birds that now we call "little chickens". Another hidden beach with its own swing which was right on time for a foggy day at Whale Bay.
Kerikeri
Same day but so many things that we want to see so we're back in car driving for 1,5 h. Hello, Kerikeri! An extremely short hike and there it is Rainbow Falls. Obviously no real rainbows for us due to this grey day.
The waterfall area is also home to kiwi birds so we had to make sure we're not bringing in random plants or sand with our shoes. Rainbow Fall gives you access to a spot behind the water, which I skipped. Foggy day = slippery.
Cape Reinga
One of my favorite lighthouses and "must-see" places. This is a very famous place due to many reasons, for example, that's the very end of the North Island and from there you can watch the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean.
When we got there, I don't know if I can call it luck but we were the only ones, I guess due to the (very) strong wind. It was still beautiful just hared to enjoy as even the walking part got harder the closer we got to the lighthouse.
Other pretty diamonds
Places where we only stopped for a couple of photos and a minute to admire. Waitangi River is one of those - close to the main road and still worth the stop. I was amazed at how easily you could access the whole waterfall.
For some reason, we wanted to stay at a place with a pool so we did really find a place with one! Why not? In app CamperMate (shows you all campsites, toilets, showers, bins, etc.) for 35$, we hired a parking spot next to a private house where they had the pool we so badly wanted. Day after a swim is always better than one without.
Kariotahi Beach felt like a dream, massive dark sand beach with many locals and sun perfect for a beach day so in the middle of nowhere, we spent here like 2 hours - quite enough because the sun here is stronger than anywhere else.
Next stop - Waitomo Glowworm caves. I wanted to see them since I heard they even existed. Millions of glowing worms hanging from cave ceilings while you can quietly sit in a boat and catch your "wow" moment. Not going to lie, I was scared as hell because yes, that's one of my fears.
Some places we like to catch only because you can get great photos. Desert Road. I still don't know which was the right picture spot but we found our own. Wind in hair, mind-blowing views, and a bit of danger. In the middle of nowhere where cars are fast we had a small photoshoot - so worth it (I know, again)!
I hope you enjoyed this North Island journey with me. It took 8 days to drive and experience all of this, from Napier to Wellington. There still is a South Island part of this thriving trip but about that next time.
I appreciate you, every comment and share means the world to me.
Have a great day!
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