Things to Do in Northland, New Zealand: Our Personal Travel Tips & Highlights

What you need to know about the Northland

The Northland is a region at the very northern tip of the North Island of New Zealand.

It’s one of the warmest areas in all of New Zealand — perfect for sun worshippers. True to its climate, you’ll find countless beautiful beaches, palm trees, and lush jungle.

The Northland is quite sparsely populated — there are probably more cows here than people. The towns that do exist are lovely and idyllic, though. Just make sure you fill up on gas and stock up on groceries in time so you don’t get stranded in the middle of nowhere.

One important thing to know: the roads in the Northland are in terrible condition. It’s one of the financially weaker regions on the North Island, and massive potholes appear out of nowhere. That’s why you should absolutely avoid driving at night — we’re speaking from experience.

Also read all our tips for the North Island of New Zealand

Where is the Northland in New Zealand?

The Northland is the entire strip of land north of Auckland.

From Auckland to Cape Reinga, the northernmost point, it’s about five and a half hours by car. Given the rough road conditions, though, budget even more time to be safe.

The top things to do in Northland, New Zealand

Here are the five must-sees in New Zealand’s Northland that you simply can’t skip. Let’s go!

Ahipara and 90-Mile Beach

Ahipara is the last major town before you head toward Cape Reinga.

It’s a great base for a day trip to Cape Reinga, and we’d really recommend staying here — Ahipara is still more of a local favorite in the Northland. Most tourists base themselves in the Bay of Islands and join a bus tour to Cape Reinga from there.

Ahipara is also one of the best surf spots in the Northland. Our favorite beach is Shipwreck Bay — even if you don’t surf, it’s worth a visit.

Far more famous than Shipwreck Bay is 90-Mile Beach. There’s a slight naming error, though — the beach is “only” about 90 kilometers long (roughly 55 miles).

Cars are actually allowed on the beach, and many locals genuinely use 90-Mile Beach like a regular highway. That was a little mind-blowing to us at first.

Don’t try this in a regular rental car, though. Tourists get stuck in the sand here all the time, and when the tide comes in, your car simply gets swallowed by the sea.

You can, however, join a 4WD tour. These depart from Kaitaia, for example, about 15 minutes by car from Ahipara.

Kauri Coast

The west coast of the Northland is the only place where kauri trees still grow. Kauris are native to New Zealand — they can reach an incredible age and grow to an impressive size.

The most beautiful examples are in the Waipoua Kauri Forest and Trounson Kauri Park.

In Waipoua Forest you’ll find the two oldest kauris, Te Matua Ngahere and Tane Mahuta. In Trounson Park you can join nighttime guided tours and have a great chance of spotting kiwis in the wild.

Both forests make perfect stopovers on your way to or from the Northland.

Important: The kauris are endangered. Please disinfect your shoes before entering the forests to avoid introducing pests. Disinfectant is available at the entrance.

Cape Reinga

Cape Reinga is the northernmost point of the Northland and one of the great highlights of New Zealand. According to Māori belief, the souls of deceased Māori return to their ancestral homeland in Polynesia from this very spot.

From the Bay of Islands, Cape Reinga is still a good two and a half hours by car. Is it worth the drive?

Absolutely! It’s one of the most remote corners of New Zealand, and the journey itself is captivating as you pass through a wide variety of landscapes.

At the cape, a solitary lighthouse awaits you — from here you can see two bodies of water at once: the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea. When morning mist still hangs over the water, it makes for a seriously incredible photo.

About a ten-minute walk from the lighthouse there’s a parking lot, and from there you can also reach a beautiful beach called Spirits Bay.

Important: There’s nowhere to eat at Cape Reinga. Bring plenty of snacks and have a little picnic.

If you’d rather not drive all the way to Cape Reinga yourself, there are plenty of day tours departing from the Bay of Islands. A great bonus: the tours also include a stop at 90-Mile Beach for sandboarding.

Day trip to Cape Reinga from the Bay of Islands

Bay of Islands

Along with Cape Reinga, the Bay of Islands is for most visitors the main reason to make the trip to New Zealand’s Northland in the first place.

It’s a long, sweeping bay dotted with around 140 small, green islands scattered across the water like little dots on a map.

Pretty much every water activity you can think of is available here: sailing, jet boat tours, and even swimming with dolphins. The Bay of Islands is also one of the best diving spots in New Zealand.

The landmark of the bay is the dramatic rock formation known as Hole in the Rock. You simply have to see it!

We also love this region for the sheer number of genuinely beautiful places to stay and explore. The standouts are Paihia, Russell (New Zealand’s oldest town), and Kerikeri.

If you’re into history, the Waitangi Treaty Grounds are absolutely worth a visit — this is where New Zealand was officially founded.

Book a boat trip in the Bay of Islands (including Hole in the Rock)

Whangarei

Whangarei is the largest city in the Northland and a great stop if you want to sit in cafés, browse around, and go out to eat.

The heart of the city is the Town Basin, where most of the shops are. There’s a lovely harbor where you can admire some seriously impressive yachts and sailboats.

Scattered throughout the city center you’ll find sculptures tied to Māori culture. For even more cultural depth, we recommend a detour to the Hundertwasser Art Centre.

One thing you really shouldn’t miss: the Whangarei Falls. The water plunges nearly 26 meters into the pool below, and you can actually swim in it. Totally worth it!

Where to stay in New Zealand’s Northland

The Northland is quite large, so you’ll want to split your stay across more than one base — otherwise the driving times get seriously long.

Some attractions are also so remote that there’s no accommodation nearby. It’s worth thinking carefully about where to position yourself.

We recommend these four towns as overnight bases in the Northland:

• Ahipara (90-Mile Beach right on your doorstep and a great base for Cape Reinga)
• Russell or Paihia (both in the Bay of Islands and both beautiful)
• Whangarei (perfect for the drive back to Auckland)

Our hotel picks for Ahipara:
Gems Seaside Lodge — boutique hotel right on the water with stunning views

Endless Summer Lodge — great garden, cozy decor, right by the sea
Our hotel picks for Paihia:
Allegra House — views of the entire Bay of Islands right from your bed

Changing Tides B&B — quiet location and great ocean views

Pioneer Waterfront Apartments — centrally located studios with a pool and terrace
Our hotel picks for Russell:
Arcadia Lodge — beautifully and warmly decorated boutique hotel

The Duke of Marlborough — right in the center of Russell, directly on the waterfront

Eagles Nest — sleek design hotel with an infinity pool and seriously impressive views
Our hotel picks for Whangarei:
Glenbervie B&B — small guesthouse in a quiet, green setting

Parkhill Accommodation — no-frills decor, but a great central location

Practical travel tips for New Zealand’s Northland

Here are a few practical things to know before you go — this should make planning your visit to the Northland nice and easy.

For more general trip-planning advice, be sure to check out our New Zealand travel tips.

How many days should you budget for the Northland?

Plan for at least three to four days. A rough itinerary could look something like this:

• Day 1: Travel from Auckland, explore Ahipara and Shipwreck Bay
• Day 2: Day trip to Cape Reinga and 90-Mile Beach, then head to Paihia or Russell
• Day 3: Explore the Bay of Islands (a boat trip is a great choice)
• Day 4: Drive back toward Auckland via Whangarei

What’s the weather like in the Northland?

The Northland is one of the warmest and sunniest regions in all of New Zealand — it’s the closest part of the country to the equator. In summer you’ll get perfect beach weather here.

What are the road conditions like in the Northland?

The Northland is one of the poorer regions on New Zealand’s North Island, which means there’s little money for road maintenance.

Even on the main highway, massive potholes appear out of nowhere, or the road suddenly narrows because the forest is encroaching on one lane. Off the highway, roads are often heavily soiled from livestock farming, or you’re on gravel entirely.

Drive carefully and avoid nighttime driving during your New Zealand road trip — especially here.

How good is the infrastructure in the Northland?

A bit of both, honestly. There aren’t that many towns, but the ones that do exist always have a gas station, a supermarket, and a solid range of places to stay.

We mention this because in other parts of New Zealand we’ve often rolled into a town only to find no way to fill up or buy groceries. That’s not an issue in the Northland.

If you’re traveling New Zealand by campervan, the Northland is actually fantastic. There are loads of great campgrounds — some right on the beach.

Is the Northland safe?

Because the Northland is poorer than other parts of New Zealand, valuables are reportedly stolen from cars more often here. At least, that’s what other surfers told us.

That said, it’s also common practice to just leave your key sitting on your tire when you go surfing — which does make things pretty easy for thieves.

Lock your car normally, take your key with you, and you should be just fine.