Best of the Northland Region of New Zealand

New Zealand is a beautiful country, filled with diverse, rugged landscapes, endless beaches, and mountainous scenes, complete with glacier lakes and plenty of extinct volcanoes. It is the perfect place for an adventure-filled holiday, with plenty of hikes, activities, and excursions available for tourists from all over the world. The Northland region of New Zealand is particularly beautiful: one of the more tropical areas of the country, you can explore the beaches, blue seas, and marine life while here. This blog will be about the best of the Northland region of New Zealand - so that if you do decide to visit, you know exactly where to head!

Poor Knights Islands

For this incredible experience, you’ll need to head to Tutukaka. Tutukaka is a sheltered harbour that has beautiful white-sand beaches and incredible blue oceans. Off the shore of Tutukaka is the Poor Knights Islands, which is rated as one of the world’s top ten diving sites. Snorkel or dive into an incredible underwater world of fish and marine life, coral, and volcanic outcrops. You can even paddleboard over the top of the water. 

Cape Reinga

Cape Reinga is the northernmost point of New Zealand, and is a must-do for many when they visit the North Island. Witness where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean and marvel at this incredible natural phenomenon. Drive on an official beach highway at Ninety Mile Beach. It’s a seemingly never-ending stretch of white sand beach that you can easily cruise along. Or, head to the Te Paki Sand Dunes, which are the largest of their kind in the Southern Hemisphere. Climb up the steep incline to experience an exhilarating ride down to the bottom - it’s an adrenaline rush, that’s for sure! Cape Reinga is also a spiritually significant place for Māori people, so make sure to learn all about this while you’re here. 

Bay of Islands

No trip to the Northland region is complete without a visit to the Bay of Islands. This beautiful area is the perfect place for a relaxing few days. Learn about the iconic Hole in the Rock while taking a boat cruise between the islands. It’s a beautiful place and has a huge amount of activities available while you’re here, too. Why not try a scenic heli-flight, skydive, hike, horse riding, paddle boarding, sailing, kayaking, or even try swimming with dolphins? There are endless opportunities to explore new things while you’re at the Bay of Islands. 

Waipoua Forest

Waipoua Forest is one of Lonely Planet’s ‘Code Green: Experiences of a Lifetime’, and it’s clear to see why. It’s a beautiful ancient forest that’s both historically and culturally significant. Witness the Tāne Mahuta, which means the God of the Forest, New Zealand's largest Kauri tree. Take a tour of the forest with a local Māori guide and discover the significance this forest has for both the ecosystem and in the everyday lives of the Māori that live locally to here. 

Whangarei Falls

Another beautiful sight and experience in the Northland region are Whangarei Falls. Whangarei Falls is a 26-metre high waterfall that’s surrounded by native New Zealand bushland. Spend a morning here exploring one of the many hikes around the falls, before heading on to your next adventure. 

Waitangi Treaty Grounds

We couldn’t talk about the Northland region without mentioning the Treaty of Waitangi. The Waitangi Treaty Grounds are an incredibly important historic sight in New Zealand, where the founding document of New Zealand was founded in 1840; the Treaty of Waitangi. This immersive experience will help you understand the historical and cultural importance of the treaty and the events that happened around the signing of the document. With Māori warriors on-site, incredible exhibitions, a hangi meal, and so much more to be enjoyed while you’re here, it’s one of the best experiences you can have in the Northland region. 

New Zealand is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in the world, and the Northland region is no exception. One of the most ‘tropical’ areas of the island nation, the Northland region has incredibly diverse landscapes, all of which can be enjoyed on a holiday here. Snorkel through some incredible reef, hike through an ancient forest, and learn about the most important historical event in New Zealand’s history, all while staying in the Northland region.