Last Updated on April 29, 2020 by snaphappytravel
Listing the best 10 activities in Northland, New Zealand. Read on for the best tips from a local!
Today marks our 3-month anniversary in New Zealand. We’ve packed so much into these short 3 months that it feels like our life is on fast-forward. We started our adventure in New Zealand, in the lovely city of Auckland. Here, we spent a few days enjoying great barista coffee, unique restaurants and some very cool craft beer bars. From Auckland the drive to our new home in Bay of Islands is just over four hours and very scenic especially if you take the route via coastal Tutukaka.
The last couple of months, we’ve also been lucky enough to just about every activity in Northland. So, read on to find out more about the best 10 activities in Northland, New Zealand.
Read more: more of the best things to do in Northland
#1 Explore Kerikeri and surrounding area
We feel the best things to do in Kerikeri are Rainbow Falls, the Stone Store (the oldest stone building in New Zealand, which also houses the cutest cafe overlooking the river. And a visit to the bustling yet quirky Packhouse Market which is held every Saturday morning.
#2 Drive to Opito bay
In the nearby surrounding area we highly recommend Opito Bay we took a drive here yesterday and found the most epic hidden beach – a 15 minute walk through the rainforest across from Opito Bay will bring you to a gem of a beach – just follow the wooden signs. On this particular stretch of sand you’re not likely to come across another soul for hours. Our kind of place!
#3 Swim or surf at Matauri bay
Another fabulous beach in this area is Matauri Bay. A 30-minute drive from Kerikeri with the most epic road winding down. The view as you drive down is spectacular, just be careful not to take your eyes off the road.
Matauri Bay plays host to the Rainbow Warrior Memorial an unusual sculpture dedicated to the famous Rainbow Warrior ship – a Greenpeace protest ship which was blown up in Auckland Harbour in 1985. The wreck was moved to the waters off Matauri Bay (FYI – you can dive this wreck too). Walking to the memorial is a steep 10-minute climb but the 180-degree views of the bay is so worth your aching legs. However, it’s certainly one of the best 10 things to do in Northland, New Zealand!
Continue reading: the best beaches in Northland
#4 Hike through Puketi Kauri forest
The Puketi Kauri Forest is another great stop, only a 15 minute drive from Kerikeri – there are a variety of walks you can do here ranging from quick & easy to lengthy & more difficult. We did the Kauri Stump Walk – a beautiful wooded walkway through giant Kauri trees & less than 15-minutes round-trip. It is peaceful and typically doesn’t attract too many other tourists. You can camp here too if so inclined.
#5 Take a scenic drive to Mangonui
Further afield, the harbour-side town of Mangonui is pretty & picturesque, has the best Thai food in Northland and a sweet little cafe.
Next to Mangonui is the very pretty Cable Bay, where we’ve taken some epic sunset shots. Did you know – Cable Bay got it’s name because it was home to the Pacific cable which linked Australia by telegraph with New Zealand.
#6 Drive on 90 mile beach
Driving further North you will come across the well-travelled 90-mile beach. This beach is officially a highway, but according to the locals “is really only suitable for 4WD vehicles and is safe to drive only at specific times of the tides”. We drove in our non-4WD Audi for a little while and were fine, although we were very cautious of the tide and didn’t drive too far from an exit.
Tip – We’ve heard lots of horror stories, of cars sinking in the sand, and when the tide is out far enough you can see the cars half-submerged under the sand! The sunsets here are pretty epic too.
#7 Take photos at Cape Reinga
This is certainly one of the best activities in Northland. At the very tip of Northland is Cape Reinga, the northern-most point of New Zealand and the point where two oceans meet (the Tasman & Pacific). We haven’t made it to Cape Reinga yet, as we’d like to camp a few nights up there, so are waiting for the weather to improve.
#8 Take a bath at Ngawha hot springs
One of the most unique activities in Northland is Ngawha hot springs. The hotsprings are located in the centre of a geothermally active area, an area that produces a considerable amount of Northland’s electricity. – all while feeding over a dozen hot pools of all sorts of colours, element make-ups and temperatures.
Beware – it stinks and it’s a little run-down but that adds to the appeal of it. We met quite a few interesting characters here – one-dreadlocked ‘dude’ insisted on teaching us the Maori alphabet and another guy from London believes the hotsprings have healed him (2 years earlier he was completely paralysed).
#9 For something a little unusual – Kawiti Glow Worm caves
The Kawiti Glow Worm Caves are another top attraction in Northland, again we haven’t made the visit but have heard great things. Yes, it’s not as ‘touristic’ as its famous sibling the Waitomo Caves, but we prefer off-the-beaten path attractions, don’t you?
#10 Indulge yourself in Paihia
Paihia, as mentioned earlier is a bit of a ‘backpacker haven’, with an abundance of hostels & seasonal work. The town runs the length of a golden sandy beach has lots of great bars & restaurants – one of our favourites being El Cafe a mexican cafe with great prices. From here, you can catch the passenger ferry to Russell.
Take the ferry to Russell
Historic Russell was once known by the unflattering nickname of ‘Hell-hole of the Pacific”. It was the first permanent European settlement and sea port in New Zealand, so was once full of rowdy british sailors and prostitutes (hence, it’s nickname). Like Paihia it is a very popular stop with tourists, so justifiably is full of restaurants & tourist shops. Still, it is a very pretty town to spend the day, take lots of photos and have a good hearty lunch. We recommend getting a seat outside the ever-popular Duke of Marlborough.
And there you have it, that’s the best 10 activities in Northland, New Zealand. I hope you enjoyed reading our recommendations for this beautiful part of the world which we are lucky enough to call home. I’m sure I will be writing a follow-up to this post very soon, seeing as Summer is here and there are lots more beaches and attractions waiting for us to explore.
Have you been to Northland? Have I missed anything here? If you think so, pretty please let me know in the comment section below.
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I love NZ & Northland is so beautiful with lush forest, beautiful beaches & hot springs. Thanks so much for sharing!
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Puketi Kauri Forest is the place where i wanna go alone .. walk on the path alone aww thats feeling <3
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New Zealand has been on my bucket list since I was twelve years old. And I still haven’t made it to the other side of the globe. Th area you have moved to appears to be beautiful. I always like a good waterfall. It’s actually not a part of New Zealand I had read about before.
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New Zealand is amazing and I absolutely love it there. Every and is a photo-worthy moment and the Northland has sceneries of beautiful mountains, green and beaches! Thanks for sharing your experience with us and I wish to return one day! @ knycx.journeying
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So glad to hear you’re enjoying your time in NZ! We just got back from a cruise around the north and south, and just loved it! Can’t wait to get back, rent a car and dive further into the country. Kerikeri and Northland sound beautiful (Paihia was one of our cruise ports) – I would LOVE to get to Rainbow Falls and Puketi Kauri Forest. Kawiti Glow Worm Caves sounds amazing too – and I agree with you, I’m totally up for the more off the beaten path attractions than those mass tourism swarms to!
Looking forward to reading more form your time in NZ 🙂
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It’s amazing how three months feels like forever and no time at all. We just moved to Orlando and have been in town for just about a month and a half and it feels the same way. It’s funny how seriously we are taking seeing the sites (that don’t involve mice) and how we are finding places that people who have been here for decades have never heard of. I think there is a passion for exploration that took you to New Zealand and is helping you explore your new surroundings.
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Beaches, waterfalls, forests… What an amazing place to live!! It looks amazing. The rainbow falls are especially beautiful!
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this looks gorgeous! i cannot believe you can see where cars are sunked into the sand though – that is crazy! New Zealand is still on my wish list and this post only reinforces it 🙂
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I loved New Zealand but only got to the Southern Island! Your pictures have made me want to head back. I love your pink sky photos. Paintings of the sky I say!
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This is stunning .. There is some beautiful spots of New Zealand. Happy 3 months anniversary. It looks like your enjoy yourselves. 🙂
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I am a huge sucker for beautiful nature and outdoors activities so it’s a pretty big shock that I still haven’t made it to NZ. Kerikeri sounds like a lovely base for exploring much of what the north has to offer. The sunset at Cable Bay looks absolutely stunning, and I’d love to check out the hot springs (and really everything else too). Congrats on making the big move over there and hope you continue to love it!
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I miss NZ every time I read blogs about it. Now I see how many places is still to discover. Fascinating country.
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I’m so pleased that you mentioned the hot springs! When I was really little a relative bought me home a video of the hot springs and I was delighted with it. It looks like you’re having a fantastic time, I look forward to following your journey to see what I can do when I come to NZ
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Looks like you had fun. Such a beautiful place to visit, will surely add this on my bucket.
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I’ve been to the North Island but had no idea there was rainforest-like terrain like this! That waterfall is insane—looks like Hawaii!
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Such a pretty place, love all the nature (I am an outdoor freak). I have never been to New Zealand, but if I go one day, I wanna go to a place like this:)) Pretty pictures, especially the one with the balcony!
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Oh so beautiful!!!! Love to visit New Zealand one day and would love to stay at least a month:)
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We’ve been thinking about visiting New Zealand for years. The main reason that prevented us going there is the fact that everything is so expensive. $290 per week sounds reasonable… for New Zealand, but then comes the price of the car. Oh well, I just read about your adventures there for now.
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I agree, if you are just travelling here and not working the costs are very high. That’s why we chose to do a Working Holiday Visa as it enables us to do both. We were very lucky with our rent, but other towns like Queenstown are expensive but the wages are high and the day-to-day living costs inexpensive.
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I’ve been dreaming of visiting New Zealand for years! I love reading about the country and taking notes for when I finally get there. Seems I’ll have to add Northland to the list!
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Kerikeri is indeed a revelation. I love the sound of the name itself and the place looks absolutely blissful and doubly blessed by nature. The waterfalls are something that instantly drew my attention to and the next the rainforests would be lovely to take a walk there. But I can see that your home itself is in the lap of nature and you can view some amazing sunsets from your bedroom window itself! You are truly blessed.
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Thanks so much Sandy, we are indeed very lucky 🙂
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Looks like such a beautiful place. I wish to spend 3 months in NZ too just like you. I’ve heard the scenery there is magical and now I see why.
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This area is just another reason for me to go back to New Zealand! Your pictures make me want to get on a plane right now.
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Looks like you are having a wonderful time in New Zealand. We didn’t get that far north when we visited.8 years ago . we stayed with our very good friends in Christchurch and traveled to South Island.,We could have stayed for so much longer . But on holidays you have to just skim places and with NZ we wanted to spend time with our very good friends (He is a kiwi and she is from uk we knew them as their eldest daughter went to school with Bethany they are still good friends and we have kept in contact for over 20 years now )
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The South Island is very beautiful too, we are chasing the sunshine at the moment as it is very warm in the far North. It’s such a gorgeous country, we are very happy here!
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Hiya! I went diving at the Poor Knights Islands – one of Jacques Cousteau’s top ten sites 🙂 A lovely place in a fantastic country, wel jel.
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We are heading to New Zealand In April I will have to add Rainbow Falls into our Itinerary.
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Looks so beautiful! We did not get to explore the North Island as much as we wanted to when we visited, will have to next time!
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New Zealand is so fascinating .I wish I get a chance to visit soon. Thanks for sharing the post.
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