Whangarei & East Coast  ::  Bay of Islands  ::  Cape Reinga  ::  Kaitaia  ::  Kauri Coast & Hokianga

Golden beaches, secluded coves, tranquil harbours, warm waters, a dramatic coastline, wild surf, and spectacular forests… subtropical Northland is stunningly beautiful – an aquatic playground and a land of unspoiled natural splendor. Divers come from all over the planet to dive the Rainbow Warrior wreck and the Poor Knight Islands Marine Reserve with its spectacular reefs, secret tunnels, and the largest underwater cave in the world.

Experience Northland & Bay of Islands

• Ancient kauri trees
• Golden sands
• Poor Knights Islands – the largest cave by volume is Rikoriko Cave
• Maori legends
• Beautiful Bay of Islands

You´ll ❤️ these great things to see & do…

• Explore 90 mile beach
• Cruise through the famous hole in the rock
• Visit the Treaty House at Waitangi
• Swim with dolphins
• Hug a kauri tree
• Go sandboarding on towering golden dunes
• Experience the wonders of the poor Knights Islands
• Tackle one of the many bush tracks around Whangarei

The Northland culture and history are the epitome of New Zealand tourism. The matchless maritime beauty of the place and the easy accessibility to world-class facilities in accommodation and fine dining lure a consistent flow of tourists here. The local terrain and background landscapes are simply breathtakingly beautiful.
There are special holiday packages that offer a grand combination of economic stay and complimentary passes to the locally harvested food and wine celebrations, and arts and crafts displays.

Northland New Zealand Must See: Northland is celebrated the world over for fishing and diving. Northland is popular for the 90 Mile Beach, Cape Reinga, Ahipara, Karikari Peninsula, and Doubtless Bay. The regions are regularly visited, but still appear as if waiting to be discovered.

Things to Do in Northland

Things to Do in Northland: Taitokerau Northland is a subtropical region of islands, marine life, ancient kauri forests and Māori legend, stretching up from Auckland to the very top of the country. This is where the story of Aotearoa began, with the great Polynesian explorer Kupe and later the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. Cruise the Bay of Islands, with more than 140 islands, stand at Cape Reinga where two oceans meet, walk among giant kauri and dive the Poor Knights Islands. The Bay of Islands is about three hours’ drive from Auckland.

Experience Northland

• Bay of Islands cruises and island beaches
• Waitangi Treaty Grounds and Māori heritage
• Te Rerenga Wairua Cape Reinga and Ninety Mile Beach
• Ancient kauri forests, including Tāne Mahuta
• Diving and snorkelling at the Poor Knights Islands

You´ll ❤️ these great things to see & do…

• Cruise the Bay of Islands and visit Urupukapuka Island
• Take a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds
• Stand at Te Rerenga Wairua Cape Reinga and slide down the Te Paki Sand Dunes
• Walk beneath Tāne Mahuta, the Lord of the Forest
• Dive or snorkel the Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve
• Cycle coast to coast on the Pou Herenga Tai Twin Coast Cycle Trail

Where to Experience It in Northland

Northland is a large region, so the easiest way to plan your things to do in Northland is by area and theme. Where we have a matching activity, the name links to it.

• 
  : an aquatic playground of boat cruises, sailing, snorkelling and kayaking. Urupukapuka Island, the largest, is reached by ferry and has a licensed café and three bookable Department of Conservation campsites. See Boat Cruises & Water Activities.
• Waitangi, Russell and Kerikeri: the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Kororipo Heritage Park (the first side-by-side Māori and European settlement) and Māngungu Mission, site of the largest signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Kororipo and Māngungu are two of nine Tohu Whenua heritage sites in Northland. See Māori Culture.
• Whangārei and the Tutūkākā Coast: the Hundertwasser Art Centre with Wairau Māori Art Gallery at the Town Basin, plus the Hātea Loop Walk sculpture trail. See Heritage & Art.
• Poor Knights Islands: a marine reserve rated one of the world’s top ten dive sites by Jacques Cousteau, with Rikoriko Cave, the largest sea cave in the world. Dive boats leave from Tutūkākā and the Bay of Islands.
• Kauri Coast and Hokianga: the oldest and largest kauri trees, including Tāne Mahuta, the Lord of the Forest. The Ancient Kauri Trail runs from Maungaturoto through Dargaville to Ōmāpere. See Nature.
• Top of the North: Te Rerenga Wairua Cape Reinga, where Māori believe spirits depart for Hawaiki, and the Te Paki Sand Dunes, which rise up to 150 m and are popular for sandboarding. Ninety Mile Beach is best seen on a guided coach tour from Kaitaia or Paihia. See Active & Adventure.
• Cycling: the Pou Herenga Tai Twin Coast Cycle Trail, the northernmost of New Zealand’s Great Rides and the only one that connects the east coast to the west. See Cycling & Mountain Biking.
• Walks: Te Whara Track and Mount Manaia at Whangārei Heads, the Mangawhai Cliffs Walk, Kaiaraara Rock (the Duke’s Nose) and the Cape Brett Track. See Walking & Hiking.
• Waterfalls and lakes: Otuihau Whangārei Falls, Waianiwaniwa Rainbow Falls and the blue Kai Iwi Lakes.

Events in Northland

Northland hosts concerts and gigs, arts and festivals, sports, and food and drink events. The official events listing loads its dates online, and no 2027 dates were published when this page was written (23 October 2026), so check each event before you plan around it.

• Waitangi Day, 6 February. New Zealand’s national day, with commemorations at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds in the Bay of Islands. Accommodation fills quickly around it.
• Weekly farmers’ and growers’ markets are held around the region.

Northland After Dark

Hours and programmes change, so confirm with each operator.

• Twilight kauri tours: a guided tour at twilight lets you watch the forest change from day to night while you hear legends, waiata and stories of the forest.
• Wildlife: the region is known for thousands of glowworms on cave ceilings, and for kiwi in their natural habitat.

Eat & Drink in Northland

Northland’s subtropical climate produces an excellent variety of food and drink, and long summer evenings suit dining outdoors. Dine overlooking the ocean, on a hillside above the vineyards, or picnic in the countryside.

• Visit the open-air farmers’ and growers’ markets and roadside stalls.
• Explore wineries, breweries and distilleries, and the region’s artisan producers.
• Have a drink with a view at the Duke of Marlborough in Russell.
• Browse more at Food & Wine.

Northland by Season

• All year: the mild climate makes walking and hiking a year-round activity.
• Summer (Dec–Feb): long evenings for alfresco dining, boat cruises and island days, plus Waitangi Day on 6 February.

For national dates such as Waitangi Day, Matariki and Great Walks season, see New Zealand Festivals.

Good to Know Before You Go

• Getting there: there are three domestic airports, at Kaitaia, Bay of Islands and Whangārei, and regular coach services from Auckland.
• Self-drive: some of the best places are off the beaten track, so a rental car or motorhome helps. If you’re not comfortable on country roads, tour and transfer services are available.
• Northland Journeys: the official site has ten half- to full-day road and water journeys of 50 to 150 km, plus the 800 km circular Twin Coast Discovery Highway, which starts and finishes in Auckland.
• Twin Coast Cycle Trail: can be ridden in two days in either direction. Bikes and e-bikes can be hired in Ōpua and Kaikohe, and shuttles can be booked.
• Visitor information: there are i-SITE centres at Hokianga, the Bay of Islands (Ipipiri), Kaitaia and Whangārei.

Approximate drive times

• Auckland to the Bay of Islands: about 3 hours
• Whangārei to the Bay of Islands: about 1 hour

Combine Northland With

Northland is the gateway to the top of the North Island, and the Twin Coast Discovery Highway starts and finishes in Auckland, so it pairs well with:

• Auckland – the usual gateway, about three hours south of the Bay of Islands
• Coromandel Peninsula – beaches and bush, an easy drive from Auckland
• Waikato & Waitomo – glowworm caves and Hobbiton country
• Rotorua – Māori culture and geothermal wonders

Popular themes in Northland

Boat Cruises & Water Activities · Māori Culture · Nature · Walking & Hiking · Cycling & Mountain Biking

Tours that include Northland

More tours: North Island Tours · North & South Island Tours · Wine Tours · Self Drive Tours

Explore other regions

More North Island regions: Auckland · Bay of Plenty · Coromandel Peninsula · Gisborne & Eastland · Hawke’s Bay · Rotorua · Ruapehu · Taranaki · Taupo · Waikato & Waitomo · Wellington & Wairarapa · Whanganui & Manawatu

All North Island regions · All South Island regions · Full list of New Zealand regions

Most Popular New Zealand Tours

• 7 Day New Zealand Premium Food & Wine Discovery: 7 days, exclusive private tour
• 20 Day New Zealand Honeymoon Package: 20 days, self drive tour
• 15 Day New Zealand Lord of the Rings Tour: 15 days, independent coach tour
• New Zealand Bus Tour: 17 Day Discover New Zealand: 17 days, independent coach tour
• 15 Day New Zealand Train & Coach Tour: The Great New Zealand Train Journey: 15 days, train tour
• 17 Day New Zealand Guided Tour: Ultimate New Zealand: 17 days, escorted coach tour
• BEST OF NEW ZEALAND: New Zealand Travel Itinerary 2 Weeks: 14 days, self drive tour
• 9 Day South Island Self Drive Tour: Lakes & Glaciers: 9 days, self drive tour

All North Island Regions