5 Must-Do Tours in New Zealand’s North Island
5 Must-Do Tours in New Zealand’s North Island
When you’re backpacking around New Zealand, there are so many places to visit and activities to try that choosing what to book can be difficult. The North Island has everything from adrenaline-filled adventures and underground caves to famous film locations and spectacular coastal scenery.
We’ve picked five experiences worth considering for your itinerary.
They’re not the only things worth doing, of course, but they offer a great mix of adventure, scenery and memorable experiences.
Here are our five must-do tours and activities in New Zealand’s North Island.
1. Rotorua: Zorb, Raft and Luge
No trip to Rotorua would be complete without considering some of its adventure activities. If you enjoy trying something different and having a laugh with your travelling companions, this is a great place to start.
Zorbing
Imagine climbing inside a large inflatable ball and rolling down a purpose-built track. Zorbing is a wonderfully unusual experience, and the twists and turns can make it feel as though you’ve lost control — in the best possible way!
White-water rafting
Once you’ve finished rolling down the slopes, why not head for the river? White-water rafting gives you the chance to tackle rapids with an experienced guide and a team of fellow adventurers.
Check out this tour Raft, Karting & Zorb
Luge racing
If you still have energy left, try the luge. Race your mates and see who earns the bragging rights!
Combining several activities can make for a brilliant day out, but check whether suitable packages are available before booking. Compare the cost of the combination with booking activities separately, and check what transport or equipment is included.
Why we picked it: Rotorua is an excellent destination for backpackers who want a day packed with fun and adventure.
Explore our guide to things to do in Rotorua.
Check out this tour Raft, Karting & Zorb
2. Waitomo Caves: Glowworms and Underground Adventures
If exploring underground caves sounds appealing, Waitomo deserves a place on your North Island itinerary.
The region is famous for its limestone caves and glowworms. Inside, you can discover unusual rock formations, underground spaces and the tiny lights produced by the native glowworm, *Arachnocampa luminosa*.
Some guided experiences include a boat journey beneath the glowworms, while other tours offer more adventurous ways to explore the cave systems.
Depending on the operator, options may include walking tours, black-water rafting, abseiling or other caving adventures. These experiences vary in difficulty, so choose one that suits your interests and confidence.
Why we picked it: Waitomo offers something very different from New Zealand’s mountains, beaches and forests. Seeing glowworms in their natural environment can be a memorable part of your trip.
Check the current tour options, prices, duration and transport arrangements before booking. If you’re travelling without a car, make sure you can get to the caves and back to your accommodation.
Explore our guide things to do in Waitomo
book now or Book Waitomo tours
3. Hobbiton: Step into Middle-earth
What trip to New Zealand would be complete without considering a visit to the Shire?
If you’ve watched The Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit, you may already recognise some of the landscapes and locations that helped bring Middle-earth to life on screen.
The Hobbiton Movie Set near Matamata allows visitors to explore the film set on a guided tour. You can see the hobbit holes, wander through the carefully maintained landscape and hear more about how the location was used in the films.
Even if you’re not a devoted fan, it’s an opportunity to experience one of New Zealand’s best-known film locations.
Why we picked it: Hobbiton is a distinctive experience and a good addition to a trip that already includes outdoor activities and natural attractions.
Tours operate at scheduled times, so check official availability and ticket prices before you travel. If you’re using public transport, plan your journey carefully rather than assuming you can easily reach the set from the nearest town.
For film fans, this is one experience worth considering when planning a route through the central North Island.
We have loads of tours and combos available to give you that fix you have been craving.
4. Skydiving over Lake Taupō: One of the Best Things I’ve Ever Done
When in New Zealand, why not consider jumping out of a plane over Lake Taupō?
I did a tandem skydive here myself, and it remains one of the best things I have ever done.
The nerves and anticipation started building as the morning went on. We went in during the morning, with the jump taking place that afternoon, which gave us plenty of time to think about what we were about to do!
Then came the jump. The freefall was amazing. My instructor and cameraman were a couple of characters, and we had a great time playing about in the air. The whole experience was an incredible buzz.
And the fun didn’t end when we landed. There was a real sense of camaraderie afterwards, with everyone sharing the excitement and heading to the pub to celebrate. It was one of those experiences that brings a group of people together, even if they were nervous strangers beforehand.
For me, the combination of the build-up, the freefall, the people and the celebrations made the whole day unforgettable.
What is a tandem skydive like?
After doing a Bunjy jump in Auckland the Boss was less concerned about doing a skydive but Skydiving has to be one of the best things you can ever do.
There is something mind bendingly surreal about leaping from a plane thousands of feet above the ground but that is what makes it so special.
You will just never recreate the feeling that you have the first time you find yourself jumping out of a perfectly good plane and find yourself floating through the air. Yes that’s right, I said floating…
Book a tandem jump and you don’t have to go it alone. Instead soak up the tension in the plane with a few mates and share banta with the instructors, sweeeeeeett.
How it goes
The build-up can be intense but the banta in the plane on the way up helps..
Before you know it the door is open, your feet hang outside door and your instructor jumps over you, off you go.
It is a bit mental for a few seconds as you fall rapidly to terminal velocity but very soon you will feel like you are laying on a massive cushion with some bloke strapped to your back.
Some of you may be very familiar with this pose but for me it was highly unusual I can assure you.
The next minute and a half (Again a few of you may relate haha) you float about pulling lots of funny poses and playing with the rushing air all around you.
Your feet will fly upwards as the chute opens and you dangle your way down to the ground hoping it isn’t you that stacks it on the landing.
Skydiving is an absolutely brilliant experience and 100% makes the 5 Must book Tours in New Zealand – North Island
Even the most scared people cant help but smile, hug the rest of the crew, laugh and kiss the ground after a safe landing.
Get it done!
If you’re nervous about jumping, you certainly won’t be the only one. With a tandem skydive, you are attached to a qualified instructor who manages the jump and parachute procedure.
Why we picked it: This is an experience that can stay with you long after your trip has ended. I can honestly say it was one of the best things I have ever done.
Check the current operator, jump options, prices and weather arrangements before booking. Allow flexibility in your itinerary, as weather conditions can affect scheduled jumps.
You can also read more about the area in our guide to things to do in Taupō
5. Cape Reinga, Sandboarding and Ninety Mile Beach
For a North Island adventure that combines dramatic scenery with a few different activities, consider a trip to Cape Reinga, the Te Paki sand dunes and Ninety Mile Beach.
Cape Reinga, also known by its Māori name Te Rerenga Wairua, is a place of great cultural and spiritual significance to Māori. It is famous for its lighthouse, coastal views and the meeting of the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean.
It’s a memorable place to visit, whether you’re interested in the scenery, the history or the stories connected with the landscape. Please respect the cultural significance of the area and follow local guidance when visiting.
Sandboarding at Te Paki
Fancy trying something a little different? The sand dunes at Te Paki offer the opportunity to try sandboarding, subject to local conditions and the availability of suitable equipment.
Our crew loves snowboarding, so the idea of swapping snowy slopes for sand is particularly appealing. We haven’t tried sandboarding ourselves, but it looks like a fantastic adventure for anyone who enjoys board sports.
Check the current conditions and safety advice before taking part, and follow the instructions provided by local operators.
Ninety Mile Beach
Ninety Mile Beach is another famous part of the Far North. Despite its name, it is not literally 90 miles long.
The beach offers an impressive stretch of coastline, with wide-open views and a very different atmosphere from New Zealand’s busy towns and cities but be cautious, the sea and beach conditions can be dangerous.
Strong currents, changing tides and soft sand create risks, and vehicles can become stranded. Don’t assume that the beach is safe for swimming or that you can drive along it in an ordinary rental vehicle. If you visit as part of a tour, follow the operator’s safety advice.
Why combine all three?
Combining Cape Reinga, sandboarding and Ninety Mile Beach can make for a varied day out, with coastal scenery, cultural significance and an adventurous activity all in one trip.
Why we picked it:** It offers the chance to explore one of the North Island’s distinctive regions rather than spending your entire trip around the main cities.
Check the tour duration, departure point, inclusions and current availability before booking. If you’re travelling independently, remember that the Far North is a substantial journey from Auckland, so allow enough time to explore it properly.
Combining the 3 activities is surely a must and we have the perfect tour for you Click here to check it out.
Which North Island tours should you book?
These five experiences are a starting point rather than a checklist you must complete. Choose the activities that suit your interests, budget and available time.
Before booking, compare the total price, transport arrangements, inclusions and cancellation terms. A combination package can sometimes save money, but it is worth checking whether booking activities individually would cost less.
You can also balance paid experiences with free walks, beaches, viewpoints and time exploring towns. You don’t need to book a tour every day to enjoy New Zealand.
Plan your North Island adventure
From Rotorua’s adventure activities and Waitomo’s glowworms to Hobbiton, skydiving over Lake Taupō and exploring the Far North, the North Island has plenty to offer backpackers.
Choose the experiences that excite you most, check the latest details before booking, and leave yourself enough time to enjoy the journey as well as the destinations.
Have you tried any of these experiences, or is there another North Island tour you would recommend? Let us know!
