8 days in North Island Itinerary

Wellington, the world's southernmost capital city and New Zealand's second most populous urban area, combines the nation's rugged history and nature with its modern and cosmopolitan present.

Start off your visit on the 19th (Fri): get to know the resident critters at Wellington Zoo, contemplate the waterfront views at Oriental Bay, and then get engrossed in the history at Wellington Museum.

For maps, ratings, and more tourist information, go to the Wellington trip itinerary planner.

Use the Route module to find travel options from your starting location to Wellington. Expect a daytime high around 20°C in April, and nighttime lows around 14°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 19th (Fri) to allow time to fly to New Plymouth.

Where other cities run, New Plymouth prefers to stroll.

On the 20th (Sat), take in the pleasant sights at New Plymouth Coastal Walkway, then kick back and relax at Oakura Beach, then hike along Ratapihipihi Scenic Reserve Walk, and finally learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at Pukekura Park.

To see traveler tips, where to stay, more things to do, and tourist information, read New Plymouth trip planner.

Getting from Wellington to New Plymouth by flight takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: drive; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Sat) to allow enough time to drive to Waitomo Caves.

Head deep beneath the surface of the earth at Waitomo Caves, a village and cave system that draws both extreme sports enthusiasts and those wanting something a little more relaxed.

Start off your visit on the 21st (Sun): hike along Ruakuri Walk, Head underground at Caveworld, explore the fascinating underground world of Ruakuri Cave, then snap pictures at Mangapohue Natural Bridge Walk, and finally admire the sheer force of Marakopa Falls.

Before you visit Waitomo Caves, use our trip planner to discover what you can do and see there.

Drive from New Plymouth to Waitomo Caves in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of flight and bus. Cap off your sightseeing on the 21st (Sun) early enough to go by car to Rotorua.

Surrounded by lakes and featuring impressive areas of geothermal landscape, the city of Rotorua offers an otherwordly landscape and a welcoming, peaceful environment, with the culture of the native Maori people very much in the foreground.

Get outdoors at Happy Ewe Cycle Tours and Waikite Valley Thermal Pools. Discover out-of-the-way places like Kuirau Park and Lake Rotorua. There's still lots to do: kick your exploration up a notch at Redwoods Treewalk, let the river carry you with a rafting and tubing tour, experience rural life at Agrodome, and tour the pleasant surroundings at Paradise Valley Springs Wildlife Park.

To see photos, more things to do, where to stay, and tourist information, use the Rotorua road trip planner.

Drive from Waitomo Caves to Rotorua in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In April, daily temperatures in Rotorua can reach 24°C, while at night they dip to 15°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Wed) so you can fly to Paihia.

The main tourist town in the Bay of Islands area, Paihia gives visitors a good range of accommodations, a convenient town center, long sandy beaches, and interesting architecture.

On the 25th (Thu), hike along Kororipo Pa Historic Walk and then get a dose of the wild on a nature and wildlife tour. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 26th (Fri): see some colorful creatures with a scuba or snorkeling tour, stroll through Paihia Harbour, and then glide through the air with a parasailing or paragliding tour.

To see ratings, photos, traveler tips, and tourist information, go to the Paihia trip itinerary maker tool.

Traveling by flight from Rotorua to Paihia takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 26th (Fri) so you can fly back home.