While all of New Zealand is defined by its natural beauty, and acts as a playground for the adventurer, the North and South Islands have different strengths and drawcards. True, they are both mountainous and captivating, and popular, but for their own reasons.
Here, if you thought Auckland and Wellington were the only things going on in the North, we show you a few more reasons why you may want to stay there a little longer.
Meet the Natives
Most of New Zealand’s indigenous people, the Maori, live on the North Island. Actually most of any of New Zealand’s people live on the North Island, as it is the most densely populated and harbours the two major cities of the country. However here is where you can really find the Maori culture thriving.
In Rotorua, a good few hours southeast of Auckland, lies Te Puia, an authentic Maori Village in the geothermal valley of Te Whakarewarewa. Set up and open to tourists as a pre-colonial look in to traditional Maori life, the descendents of the local tribe act as guides and show visitors how the local Maoris utilized the natural formation of the land, such as the natural heat pools, rock formation and geysers.
http://www.tepuia.com/index.htm
In Rotorua you can also attend a Maori Cultural show. Join the bus and head out to a set up Maori village. Here you will be welcomed in the traditional way by the powerful Maori wearing their elaborate traditional clothing. You will be escorted around and shown snapshots of village life, such as weaving or young men learning to fight, before ushered on to a traditional meal called a Hangi, whereby the Maori cook their food in hot coals under the ground.
http://www.maoriculture.co.nz/
See the Thermal Springs
Rotorua is also popular for its volcanic activity. Though now the volcanoes in the region lie dormant, the telltale signs of the underground upheaval strikes you with the rotten-egg smell of sulphur as soon as you set foot in the place. But don’t let that deter you or else you would be missing out on some extraordinary scenery.
Hike up any one of the local attractions and find yourself in an unusual mountain paradise. Get lost in the mists as you feel the steam rise off the hot thermal springs, photograph the unusual colours and formations of the bubbling mud pools, and from a distance watch the spectacular natural show of the geysers as they shoot their water high into the air.
http://www.waimangu.co.nz/
http://www.hellsgate.co.nz
Great Lake Taupo
On top of another dormant volcano lie the remnants of a violent volcanic history, in the form of New Zealand’s largest lake, Lake Taupo. Drained by New Zealand’s largest river, the Waikato River, this mammoth body of water is the final result of 28 known volcanic eruptions and multiple different formations over 30,000 years. Though, looking at it you would never suspect its tumultuous past.
Perched on a mountain this lake is the perfect, peaceful getaway. Situated near some of the best ski mountains on the North Island, fed by three rivers and scores of fish, surrounded by scenic walks, spa resorts and vineyards, this is a playground the whole family can enjoy.
http://www.greatlaketaupo.com/
White Island Volcano
If you’d like to experience a live volcano then head north to the Bay of Plenty and join a tour of White Island. This is New Zealand’s only active volcano and while elsewhere on the North Island there may be telltale signs of volcanic activity, here there is blatant evidence. Before you’re even allowed on the island you are fitted with a helmet and gas mask!
Once you arrive on the island you can se the hyped-up geothermal activities, from hot pools and billowing steam to unique rock colours and sulphur crystals. Once you’ve hiked to the top you have the opportunity to peer inside the main crater from its ledge and watch the angry spitting and steaming and growling of the hot centre.
http://www.whiteisland.co.nz/index.html
Thermal Resort
On the other end of the volcanic scale we have the calming, natural thermal resorts. If hiking up and staring down into an angry mountain filled with lava holds no appeal for you, maybe a relaxing few days at a hot spa resort will do the trick. These resorts are built around the natural geothermic set up of the land. Bathe in hot pools, get a massage and sink into a hot, natural mud pool. The mud in these areas have purifying and moisturising qualities and have been rumoured to assist in some instances of healing.
These resorts are among the most relaxing and naturally tranquil resorts that you will find anywhere.
http://www.newzealand.com/int/plan/spashealth-resorts-and-thermal-bathing-pools/
Zorb
Just north of Rotorua, up a peaceful, grassy hill in the rolling green-lands, you can lock yourself in a giant plastic ball and roll all the way to the bottom of the hill. This is called “Zorbing”. Perhaps there were no cliffs or bridges to bungee jump off in the area, so the locals thought this would be just as fulfilling. And it is!
There are multiple variations to Zorbing. You can do it freestyle with water inside, strapped in dry and tumble head over heels, go down the straight, bumpy or zig-zag tracks, or even have a friend jump in with you. Of course, with Zorbing being so addictive you don’t have to make just one choice, just walk right back up the hill and give it another go in another variation!
Visit the Agrodome
A visit to New Zealand would not be complete without seeing a sheep, and while they may be sprinkled all across the countryside, there is no better place to get up close to this fluffy animal than at the Agrodome.
On the same road as the Zorb, about a twenty-minute walk south of it, you can come face-to-face with New Zealand’s farming history in a very interactive way. Learn how to sheer a sheep and how the wool is processed, watch a dog trial show as the dog leads the sheep and cows around the course, and taste-test local foods such as the unique kiwi fruit. You can take an organic farm tour among the animals or simply relax at the café and lookout over the scenery. This is definitely a family favourite and a unique look into how New Zealand was forged with the history of its farming.
Wellington History
For more of New Zealand’s history, be sure to visit the country’s capital, Wellington. Here you can pick from a plethora of museums and political monuments to get your history fix, among which not to be missed are the Museum of Wellington and the Te Papa Museum. Together these cover the natural, indigenous, political and modern history of the country. And be sure to make your way up to the Cable Car Museum and learn the history of local transport before riding back down in an original cable car.
Being a hub of activity and situated by the best wine country in New Zealand, it’s easy to forget that Wellington is the political capital and to lose yourself in some fine dining and a great night out in an electric city.
http://www.wellingtonnz.com/australia
Sky Tower
Likewise, while Auckland is the business capital of the nation, it should not be mistaken that there’s not much else to do there. This is a city that recognises the adventure roots of New Zealand and engages in adrenaline activities as much as a city can. Here, they went ahead and built one of the tallest buildings in the Southern Hemisphere and decided to “jump” off it. Sure, you can go up to see the extraordinary views of the city and harbours, eat from the divine cuisine in the revolving restaurant and even take the “Skywalk” around the outside pergola, but if you want to go that one step further, get yourself harnessed up and strapped in, and on the count of three jump off headlong into the concrete jungle!
http://www.skycityauckland.co.nz/Attractions/Skytower.html
Sail the Bay of Islands
Finally, get yourself lost in the Bay of Islands in the very north of the country. This is yet another very different, very beautiful, natural paradise of the country. Here you can race the dolphins, cruise the islands, take a walk in the forest or simply bask in the vastness of 90 Mile Beach. Here feel like you’re the only person on the edge of the world, or join some buddies and go four-wheel-driving on the sand dunes.
Take a day to visit Waitangi and the Treaty Ground where the first treaty was signed between the Maori and the British. Take a local tour, watch a cultural performance and visit Russell, the oldest settlement, first capital city and birthplace of the New Zealand we know today.