Discover the North Island of New Zealand
The North Island offers a great diversity of attractions. The landscape is dominated by volcanic cones, a number of active volcanoes, geysers and hot springs. You will also find the largest lake at Taupo and the large cities of Auckland and Wellington with modern high-rise buildings and a beautiful bay.
The area south of Auckland is hilly and a nice sight to see are the Waitomo Caves with stalactite caves. RV travel is excellent here and there are many impressive routes to follow from north to south or vice versa. The many national parks give you the opportunity to rest and enjoy a walk or the view.
The highlights of New Zealand's North Island
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Wellington
Today, Wellington is a vibrant, cultural and slightly mundane city where you should definitely spend more than one day. The city is located on Port Nicholson, one of the most beautiful natural harbors in the world. Wellington is the city in the extreme south of the North Island and is separated from the South Island by only the Cook Strait. New Zealand's capital is therefore located in the middle of the country, so to speak. The city is nicknamed "Windy City" because it can be quite windy here. The city has less than 400,000 inhabitants, which gives it a bit of an intimate feeling and a pleasant feel. The city's history goes back centuries, and according to Maori lore, Kupe, the great Polynesian explorer was the first to set foot in this area. For many centuries the Maori lived here, and it was not until 1840 that the first European settlers arrived here
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Taupo
Taupo is located on the north side of Lake Taupo in a picturesque setting. Lake Taupo is popular with anglers because of the trout that abound here. On the other side of the lake, you can see the outline of the three volcanoes in Tongariro National Park. The town of Taupo itself does not have that many attractions, but the surrounding area makes up for that doubly well. Taupo is a great base for that. Of interest in Taupo is the Taupo Regional Museum & Art Gallery, with exhibits on the history of the town and displays of Maori art. What Taupo is all about is the environment, which invites you to do all kinds of activities.
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Auckland
Auckland, with a population of over 1 million, is New Zealand's largest city and the main hub for air travel. The city lies on the slopes of the isthmus between the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea, on the North Island. Its residents are a colorful mix of nationalities who come from many corners of the world. The city center is located directly on the bay and consists of modern high-rise buildings and shopping centers. The restoration of historic parts of the city has created cozy shopping districts. In addition to the city's office buildings constructed of concrete and glass, other attractions can of course be found in and around the city center, think museums, art galleries and parks. Many attractions are located on the waterfront and around Albert Park, Victoria Park and the Domain parks.
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Bay of Islands
The Bay of Islands is one of New Zealand's most beautiful coastal areas and is world-renowned, especially for its excellent deep-sea fishing opportunities. This bay, with its jagged coastline of about eight hundred kilometers, containing scattered about 150 islands, is easily accessible and is a two-hour drive north of Auckland. The islets have stunning beaches and beautiful rock formations, and the area benefits from a wonderful subtropical climate.
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Waitomo
Waitomo literally means in the Maori language: water flowing through a cavern. The Waitomo Caves form a gigantic cave system, much of which has not even been discovered yet. Already found are the Ruakuri and Awanui Caves and the truly stunningly beautiful - and most famous - Glowworm Cave. These are all open to the public and you will go on a tour by boat past all kinds of stalactites and stalagmites. Keep in mind that there are lines for these tours in December and January, but don't skip Glowworm Cave because of this! Mother Nature has tried incredibly hard to make something beautiful here. Millions of glowworms cover the ceiling of this cave and it looks like the Milky Way has thundered out of the sky and stuck to this cave. Be sure to bring a warm sweater because it's pretty cold underground.
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New Plymouth
New Plymouth is "capital" and cultural center of the Taranaki region, and is famous for its parks and gardens (one-fifth of the city is made up of greenery), which is why it is also called "Garden City. Especially in spring when everything is in bloom, the city attracts many visitors. From late October to early November, the annual Taranaki Rhododendron Festival takes place and more than a hundred gardens can be visited. The town is sandwiched between the popular (surfing) beaches on the Tasman Sea, and the eternally snow-capped, Mount Egmont, also known as Mount Taranaki. The town is a great starting point for visiting the surrounding area including Mount Egmont National Park. But a number of attractions are also well worth a visit in town. About a ten-minute walk from the center is Pukekura Park, and is one of the oldest parks in New Zealand.
The benefits of campervan rental on North Island
Need to rent a campervan on the North Island in New Zealand? Take an unforgettable campervan trip on the North Island. Driving a campervan in New Zealand is very easy and comfortable for the whole family. Generally, you can park your campervan anywhere unless it is marked otherwise. There are plenty of accommodation options where you don't always need to book the pitches in advance but in high season it is wise to do so to be assured of a spot.
Why rent a campervan on North Island
Rent a campervan on North Island. Renting a campervan in New Zealand is great, especially if you want to enjoy the beautiful nature, taste the culture of New Zealand's North Island, do activities and just relax. With your campervan, you can completely customize your trip, so you can choose to spend an extra day in a National Park and enjoy the scenery. The campervan is your home during your tour of New Zealand!
Rent your campervan on the North Island with GoTravelhome
You can rent a campervan on the North Island at GoTravelhome. Configure your campervan trip in New Zealand yourself online or contact one of our staff and let us know your preferences. We have a lot of experience in the field of campervan travel and are happy to give you advice for your campervan trip. GoTravelhome is the provider if you want to rent a campervan in New Zealand.
Other destinations in New Zealand:
North Island
Explore New Zealand's North Island with its volcanic cones, active volcanoes, geysers, and the largest lake at Taupo. Auckland, the largest city, offers modern high-rises and a beautiful bay. The hilly area south of Auckland is home to the Waitomo Caves with stalactite caves. Travel by motorhome along impressive routes from north to south or vice versa, with opportunities to rest in the many national parks.
Sights on the North Island include: Wellington: A bustling, cultural city on Port Nicholson, known as the "Windy City. "Taupo: Located on Lake Taupo, a base for sport fishermen and with stunning views of the volcanoes in Tongariro National Park. Auckland: With over 1 million residents, the largest city, Auckland offers a mix of cultures, historic areas, and modern high-rises. Bay of Islands: A beautiful coastal area with excellent deep-sea fishing opportunities and a subtropical climate. Waitomo: Known for the impressive Glowworm Cave with millions of glowworms. New Plymouth: The cultural capital of the Taranaki region, known for its parks, gardens, and annual Taranaki Rhododendron Festival. Explore the diversity of the North Island by motorhome, enjoy breathtaking nature and cultural attractions.
Auckland
Auckland, with a population of over 1 million, is New Zealand's largest city and main air hub. Located between the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea, the city offers modern high-rises, historic shopping districts, museums, and parks, including lively High Street and scenic Albert Park. It is surrounded by water, making it a paradise for water sports enthusiasts. The Auckland War Memorial Museum and Sky Tower are must-visit attractions, along with the lively Waterfront, Harbour Bridge, and the trendy Ponsonby neighborhood. Auckland is known as the "City of Sails" because of the many sailing yachts in the harbor.
Wellington
Campervan rental in Wellington? This New Zealand capital, where Jucy offers a rental option, is a cultural center that has flourished since the late 20th century. With a population of less than 400,000, Wellington has a compact center with attractions within walking distance. From Mount Victoria you have a great view of the city. The city has a thriving cafe and coffee culture and a vibrant nightlife at Courtenay Place.
Highlights of Wellington:Te Papa - Museum of New Zealand: Cable Street houses this ambitious museum that highlights New Zealand's history, cultures and wildlife. Wellington Zoo:Founded in 1906, New Zealand's oldest zoo offers animals in natural settings. Zealandia: A 250-acre nature reserve with walking trails and a variety of bird species, including the Morepork and Kiwi. Night tours are also available.
South Island
Campervan rental on the South Island, New Zealand? Christchurch and Queenstown are two rental options to consider. The South Island, or Te Wai-pounamu, is larger and more diverse than the North Island, with pristine nature that has UNESCO World Heritage status. Here you'll find 4 of the top 10 most beautiful treks in the world and breathtaking landscapes, from golden beaches to jagged coastlines. Ideal for an RV tour with overnight stays in impressive locations.
South Island Highlights: Abel Tasman National Park: Explore this beautiful park via the Coastal Track, a 51 km hike along the ocean. Water cabs and kayak tours offer alternative ways to experience nature. Kaikoura: Known for whale watching cruises due to the deep ocean and meeting of warm and cold sea water. Christchurch and Akaroa Peninsula: Explore the city on foot or by bike, admiring sights such as the University of Canterbury and the neo-Gothic Christchurch Cathedral. Fjordland National Park: UNESCO World Heritage Site with breathtaking fjords, including Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound and Dusky Sound. Experience them by boat or walking (tramping). Queenstown: The adventure paradise on Lake Wakatipu, where bungee jumping was invented. Enjoy activities such as hang gliding, paragliding, skydiving, rafting and jet boating. In winter, you can ski at Coronet Peak or Remarkables.
Christchurch
Campervan hire in Christchurch, the largest city on New Zealand's South Island with a population of over 330,000. Founded in 1848, the city exudes an English atmosphere with Victorian and neo-Gothic architecture, and is also called the "garden city of the city." Explore easily on foot or bike, and free yellow buses take you to attractions. Attractions include the neo-Gothic cathedral, Christchurch Cathedral, and the University of Canterbury. Willowbank Wildlife Park offers a chance to see the Kiwi, the national symbol. An RV offers freedom and handiness to explore the city and its surroundings, with opportunities to stay overnight at camping sites and the flexibility to leave at any time.
Queenstown
Motorhome rental in Queenstown? Explore this vibrant town, the "center of extreme sports," located on Lake Wakatipu. Choose from rental companies such as Britz, Maui, Mighty, and Jucy. With about 15,000 residents, Queenstown is the center of adventure sports and offers numerous activities and attractions, including the Skyline Gondola, Kiwi & Birdlife Park, and Queenstown Gardens. Explore it on foot, starting at "The Mall," a pedestrian area with an international atmosphere.