The BEST activities in North Island?
 

Below is my tentative itinerary for a Nov/Dec trip to NZ, could anyone give me suggestions as to what are the best activities/sightseeing in these places? I will have a rental car so transport isn't a problem.<BR>3 days Auckland <BR>3 days Taupo <BR>2 days Rotorua <BR>3 days Coromandel<BR>4 days Bay of Islands<BR>1 day Auckland

1. In Auckland... do the Auckland Museum<BR>and drive to a west coast beach to see the surf<BR>2. In Rotorua... do the Agrodome and see a Maori show (include a hangi)<BR>3. In the Bay of islands... Take the Cream Trip<BR>4. Have a great time!

NZ is such a beautiful country - why spend 4 days in Auckland????? I would definitely use this time to visit the rest of the country, rather than a city (although it is pleasant enough). Why not fly down to the South Island instead?<BR><BR>I can thoroughly recommend driving down to Waimangu Volcanic Valley, south of Rotorua. It is far less crowded and touristy that Rotoruas's geothermal sights. Like being on another world - boiling lakes and rivers, turquoise lakes, boiling mud...absolutely amazing.<BR><BR>Hahei beach in Coromandel is beautiful. Also definitely check out Hot Water Beach nearby where you can dig a pit and sit in warm geothermally heated water at low tides. Mercury Bay is also a nice little town.<BR><BR>Bay of Islands - Take a dolphin watching boat trip from Paihia. Visit Kauri forests, laze on the gorgeous beaches.<BR><BR>Taupo - Bungy jump(!!!), laze by the lake. Amazing fishing around here. I think there are rock paintings around the lake.<BR><BR>Hope this helps<BR><BR>sonia

I can second Sonia's recommendation. Waimangu was a highlight of the volcanic area. Try to get there early when it is uncrowded. Also, we enjoyed the Buried Village. We skipped the agrodome and went zorbing - lots of fun.<BR><BR>I also agree with Sonia that 4 days is way too long for Auckland. Why not make it down to Wellington since you have two weeks?

Especially if you're a wine drinker or a lover of the art deco movement, I'd find a way to include a day in Napier if you could.

Take the ferry from Auckland to Devonport - about 10 minutes, walk up to the top of the hill for fantastic views over the gulf and Auckland. In Rotorua visit the Buried Village<BR>In the Bay of Islands, take the ferry from Paihia to Russell (you can drive but much much easier to ferry across the water).

Hi Fiona! You've had some excellent suggestions so far, my only add-on would be to consider a boat/helicopter trip out to White Island off the coast of Whakatane (not far from Rotorua via very scenic drive) to see our local LIVE volcanoe. Quite Unique and accessable.<BR><BR>Happy holidays.<BR><BR>nzers<BR>