North Island · Te Ika-a-Māui
Volcanoes and hot springs,
warm seas.
An hour from the city there are black-sand beaches; three hours away, a hot-spring town where steam rises from the ground. The easiest island for a first visit.
Cathedral Cove, Coromandel
How far by car from Auckland?
Approximate driving times, not including breaks or photo stops.
Muriwai Beach
About 45 min
Coromandel coast
About 2 h 30 min
Rotorua
About 3 hours
Taupō
About 3 h 30 min
North Island seasons
Courses depart every season. The same place offers different things in each season.
Spring · Sep–Nov
Lambs and blossoms. Frequent rain, so bring a waterproof jacket instead of an umbrella.
Summer · Dec–Feb
Beach season. Hot Water Beach and the Coromandel beaches are at their best.
Autumn · Mar–May
Settled weather and fewer crowds. The sea is still warm.
Winter · Jun–Aug
Frequent rain but mild. Rotorua’s hot springs are in season.
All coursesCity · parks
Auckland
New Zealand’s largest city, yet extinct volcanic hills rise all over town and sheep graze in the parks. A city you remember for its sea and hills more than its buildings.
- Mount Eden — city views from the crater rim
- Cornwall Park · One Tree Hill — the locals’ walking spot
- Mission Bay — a seaside stroll and ice cream
- Devonport — a little harbour village across by ferry
Great for anyone who loves to walk · From the airport About 40 min by car to the city
North Island · North & South coursesCoast · seabirds
Muriwai Beach
A wild, black-sand surf beach west of Auckland. Thousands of gannets nest on the clifftops, flying and landing right in front of you.
- Gannet colony lookout — busiest in breeding season (roughly Aug–Mar)
- Black-sand beach walks and sunsets
Good to know The west coast has strong waves and rips, so swim only between the lifeguard flags. Tracks are sometimes closed due to conditions.
North Island · North & South coursesGeothermal · forest · Māori culture
Rotorua
A geothermal city where steam rises and mud bubbles all over. A faint sulphur smell greets you as you arrive. It’s also a place to experience Māori culture up close.
- Redwood forest — walks among towering trees
- Kerosene Creek — a free natural hot stream in the forest
- Hamurana Springs — a spring so clear you can see the bottom
Good to know Local safety rule: don’t put your head under geothermal water.
North IslandBeaches · baches · fishing
Coromandel
The peninsula where New Zealanders spend their summer holidays. Rent a bach — a beach house — for a few days, fish, walk the beach and fire up the barbecue at night. That’s a local holiday.
- Hot Water Beach — for about 2 hours either side of low tide, dig the sand and warm water wells up
- Cathedral Cove — a giant rock arch and white-sand beach
- Wharf fishing — no licence needed; just keep to size and catch limits
Good to know The Cathedral Cove track reopened in January 2026 but may close temporarily after heavy rain.
Beyond the coursesLake · volcanoes · hiking
Taupō and Tongariro
New Zealand’s largest lake and the active volcanic zone to its south. Not on our current courses, but good to know about on the North Island.
- Huka Falls — turquoise water thundering through a narrow gorge (short walk)
- Tongariro Alpine Crossing — a volcanic hike of about 19.4 km, 7–8 hours
Not for everyone The Crossing needs fitness and hiking gear, and won’t go ahead in bad weather. If your knees aren’t great, we suggest Huka Falls instead.
The North Island in photos
Volcanoes, forests and water
North Island scenery you might pass or visit on our courses.
Activities, if you want them
Optional activities at extra cost. We let you know before departure; if you’d rather skip them, take a walk or rest instead.
