Traveling the North Island in New Zealand

From Northland to Wellington: A Journey Through New Zealand’s West Coast

New Zealand’s North Island is a land of rugged coastlines, Māori legends, rolling farmlands, and vibrant cities. Over several weeks, we journeyed from the northernmost tip at Cape Reinga, through Auckland, and down to Wellington—hitting stunning beaches, art-filled cities, and LOTR filming locations along the way.

We spent time with old friends, learned a lot about New Zealand’s deep Māori heritage, and, of course, ate our fair share of fish and chips.

Here’s how our West Coast North Island adventure unfolded:

Northland Travel: The Birthplace of New Zealand

We kicked off our adventure in Ruakaka, Whangārei, and Paihia, areas brimming with history and natural beauty. Thanks to our friends Yvonne and Shane Reti, we got an incredible local’s view of Northland—one that went beyond the guidebooks.

Highlights of Northland:

• Hundertwasser Art Centre (Whangārei): A whimsical, colorful art center dedicated to Austrian artist Hundertwasser. It’s a must-see—even the public toilets are a masterpiece.
• Cape Reinga Lighthouse: Where the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean collide, creating powerful, swirling currents. It’s also a deeply spiritual site in Māori culture, believed to be the place where spirits depart for their ancestral homeland.
• 90 Mile Beach: A beach that doubles as an actual highway (yes, people drive on it). We took in the endless sand dunes, wind-blown landscapes, and salty ocean spray.
• Manea Footprints of Kupe (Opononi): A beautiful Māori cultural experience where Kupe’s journey to Aotearoa is brought to life through storytelling, song, and traditional carvings.
• Te Matua Ngahere (Father of the Forest): One of the oldest and largest kauri trees in New Zealand. Standing beneath it, you can’t help but feel small.

We hiked to lookout points, wandered tiny coastal towns, and watched the waves roll in from some of the most picturesque beaches in the world. Travel in the furthest north of the North Island was wild and wooly.

Auckland: The City of Sails & Hidden Speakeasies

Back in the big city, we had an amazing time with our friends Trevor and Sarah—who kindly housed us, fed us, and introduced us to Auckland’s best-kept secrets.

Auckland Highlights:

• Westbrook Wine Country: A gorgeous vineyard where we sampled New Zealand’s finest Sauvignon Blancs (and maybe a few too many).
• Caretaker Speakeasy: A hidden bar where you don’t order drinks—you just tell the bartender what flavors you like, and they whip up a masterpiece.
• Auckland Harbour: Watching the sun set over the water, surrounded by sleek sailboats and distant islands. Aspirational, to say the least.
• Exploring Downtown: From Britomart to Ponsonby, we checked out trendy shops, restaurants, and cafés.

And, of course, Steve found a golf course. Because if there’s a golf course in a country, he’s playing it.

Wellington: The Coolest Little Capital in the World

Heading further south, we stayed with our wonderful friends Philippa and Rod in Paraparaumu, just outside Wellington.

Wellington is quirky, artsy, and packed with history—like San Francisco but with a Kiwi twist.

Highlights:

• Wellington Cable Car: Taking the old-school cable car up to a viewpoint overlooking the city.
• Te Papa Tongarewa Museum: One of the best cultural and historical museums in the world. The Gallipoli war exhibit? Stunning and deeply moving.
• Lord of the Rings Filming Locations: We explored Kaitoke Regional Park, home to The Gates of Rivendell. You know, the place where Frodo recovered from that nasty Ringwraith stab wound.
• Mount Victoria Lookout: A breathtaking 360-degree view of Wellington, the harbor, and the surrounding hills.
• Wine Tasting in Martinborough: A little outside Wellington, but worth every mile. Incredible Pinot Noirs, rolling vineyard views, and long, lazy afternoons.

Final Thoughts on Traveling the North Island of New Zealand.

The Magic of New Zealand’s West Coast

Our journey from Northland to Wellington gave us a deeper appreciation for New Zealand’s culture, history, and stunning natural landscapes. The people we met, the stories we heard, and the places we explored made it a great way to explore “out of the way” New Zealand!

And this is just Part One of our New Zealand adventure! Up next:

• Ten Days in the South Island – Mountains, Glaciers & Wine
• The East Coast – Coromandel & Bay of Plenty

Stay tuned! If you’re dreaming of visiting New Zealand, we highly recommend slowing down, making friends, and exploring beyond the typical tourist spots. You never know what you’ll discover.