North Island Tour of New Zealand in 8 Days

The best way to start exploring is with the center of Auckland if your hotel is located in the Central Business District (CBD). Stroll around the CBD, starting from the top of Queen Street and making your way down to the harbor for a great sunset and some wine and oysters along the port. On your way, stop by Takutai Square, where you can find some cool clothing stores.

Head to Queens Wharf, where you will find dozens of small eateries and a great setting for an evening walk. Check out Britmoart, the renovated building next to the port where you can find several cool spots like Amano (Italian cuisine focusing on locally sourced ingredients) or The Shucker Brothers, a delicious oyster bar with an amazing view of the water.

If you are lucky enough to arrive on a weekend, you must book a ticket for a rugby game in Eden Park. We did this on our first night, watching the All Blacks versus the Springboks (any rugby lover will know this is major derby) and it was an amazing experience. You can grab snacks and drinks at the stadium and there are very cool hangouts nearby were all the locals meet right after the game for beers (The Portland Public House, Morningside Tavern, or The Beer Spot).

We decided to explore Waiheke Island—a famous spot less than an hour's ferry ride away from the CBD—reputed for its beautiful beaches and vineyards throughout the island. It was a beautiful sunny day, which made the experience even more enjoyable. We were with a small group of people, and we had a great guide/driver who picked us up from the ferry terminal and took us through all the different spots. We visited three vineyards, all scattered and with distinctive wine selections.

We started with Cable Bay. They carry wines from Waiheke Island, Marlborough, and Central Otago. They have a cellar area for tasting as well as a beautiful restaurant with a stunning outdoor verandah overlooking the coast. Then, we made our way to Onetangi Beach, where we stopped for lunch at Three Seven Two (recognized with multiple awards), located on the beachfront with an outdoor area perfect for a sunny afternoon. They promote seasonal and locally sourced ingredients, offering a variety of seafood, meat, and vegetarian dishes. I can still taste the delicious Dover sole I had that day.

Afterwards, we took a small walk around the beach nearby to digest before making our way to our second wine tasting in Stonyridge. We tasted four different wines there in a small tasting room among the olive trees. The setting is very unique and they have a beautiful restaurant as well, which can be a great option for lunch if you are not on a tight schedule.
We did one more stop on our way back to the ferry terminal, Mudbrick, which is located in the hills and offers a beautiful view. Our wine tasting was set in a greenhouse, which made it even more special, and they have a great shop where you can buy a few bottles to take home if your luggage allows it.

This was a full day, and you might want to rest after enjoying so much wine, so I suggest a quiet and peaceful night at the hotel. Take some time to relax at the pool or the spa back at the hotel and let the great day you just had sink in. If you stay at the So/Auckland, head to the rooftop for a stunning sunset view and a casual dinner.

Time to visit Auckland and its hidden gems. If you are staying in Auckland CBD, make your way to Wynyard Quarter. You can either walk or take a bus—the public transportation is very easy to master, and you can use your credit card directly by tapping it upon entering the bus. Wynyard Quarter is a modern part of the city that was newly refreshed, with a mix of contemporary art pieces, waterfront views with access to the port, and bars and restaurants.

The est way to discover the area is by following the art trail of Silo Park. It can be easily followed through Google Maps and is super interactive with several stops for taking pictures and learning about the different pieces. Throughout the walk, make a stop for a beer in any of the bars located on the waterfront, all with vibrant atmospheres (like The Conservatory or Wynyard Pavilion).

A must-stop for lunch is the Auckland Fish Market. It offers many stalls where you can purchase items to take home or to eat there as well, including fresh oysters and fish and chips. There is a great covered outdoor space with tables and a bar. Just be extra careful with the seagulls, as they can be impatient when they see food and any small piece dropped on the floor will end up in their mouths!

For the second part of the day, we visited Ponsonby. This trendy Auckland neighborhood is known for its boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. The best way to start discovering the area and admiring the striking Edwardian houses is by walking on the main street of Ponsonby Road by the flower shop and local grocer. Stroll your way to Ponsonby Central, located in the middle of the main road, to visit the market stalls and street food stands. This is more like an open food court with many different eateries and stores—the perfect spot for a small break, a dessert, or a drink. Among the dozens of options you will find there, the pizza at the award-winning Dante’s is delicious.

Continue walking on Ponsonby Road heading toward the Western Park. On the way, you must make a stop at the Island Gelato Company. For some souvenirs, explore The Poi Room gallery, where you can find local art and some great sculptures and souvenirs. If you are up for some shopping, the street is full of options, but I particularly love RUBY, where you can find great pieces at an affordable price.

Since there has already been a lot of walking today, chill and find a bench or, even better, lie on the grass of Western Park. It's the perfect resting spot on a sunny afternoon to read a book or just relax.

For dinner tonight, we are heading to Ahi, a unique dining destination in Auckland CBD listed among the World's 50 Best Discovery, offering a farm-to-table menu highlighting their own organic garden and local partnerships throughout the country. They proudly use Māori techniques in their cooking through their underground oven, and the best way to witness the chefs creating inspired dishes is really to sit at the chef’s counter. We decided to go for their set menu, which really reflects the identity of the restaurant, and it was a surprise from beginning to end, from the storytelling to the uniqueness of the products used and the bold flavors—a super experience.

For a nightcap, just five minutes' walking distance from Ahi, you will find Caretaker, an underground bar. A small jazz band plays on several days of the week, and the chill atmosphere with dark lighting makes for the perfect spot to end the night. What makes the experience different? They have no menu; they only have bartenders who will come to your table, ask you a few questions, and, based on your answers, bring you a drink. If it is not up to your taste, no worries, they change it right away, but for cocktail lovers, I really recommend the experience.

If it is your first time visiting New Zealand, you must see the geothermal park in Rotorua. We decided to organize a day trip from Auckland and made our way first to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. The ride takes approximatively two to three hours, so you must leave early, but the road is scenic with mind-blowing landscapes all around. In the cave, a local guide will walk you through the caves first and then take you on a boat ride where you will witness thousands of magical glowworms and learn about the history and nature behind the caves. The business is still family run and the stories shared by the local guides are insightful.

Head back on the road—the next stop is the Te Puia reserve, home of a geothermal park, Māori cultural center, and Kiwi bird center. When you enter the Te Puia reserve, you will instantly feel that the place has a soul with so much history. All the guides are very knowledgeable, and they are all cousins. This remains a family-run reserve to this day, which makes it even more meaningful as you really feel the passion throughout the tour.

You will first visit the Kiwi conservation center, when you can see the actual birds in their environment, and they will tell you a little more about what they do to protect them and keep their species alive. Before heading to the geyser, you will make a stop at the mud pool, where they will highlight its benefits and how the local culture uses mud in various aspects of their life. The highlight is the main geothermal geyser, which naturally erupts every 30 minutes or so. If you are lucky enough, you will arrive right on time and witness nature’s beauty.

The last spot is the Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, where you can see workers sculpting live, while your guide highlights different parts of the Māori history. There are several ateliers, including weaving, sculpting, and jewelry making. The gift shop is a must—I’m usually not a fan of spending a lot of money for nothing but trust me, you will find something to your liking in this shop! This ends your road trip for the day; your ride will head back to the city where you can relax for the rest of the day.

For dinner, if you feel like going out near your hotel in the CBD, head to Angus Steak House, which is walking distance from the So/Auckland and a great value for amazing, generously portioned local steaks in a casual environment. It was a great way to end a long day of making memories.

For me, today is the highlight of this trip. If you are a wine lover, you cannot visit New Zealand without discovering at least one of their many wine regions. Considering we had to fly back to Auckland for our final flight, we decided to go to Hawke’s Bay (Napier airport), which is the home of many renowned vineyards. We selected Craggy Range for our two-night stay, which houses several beautiful lodges among the vineyards and offers a stunning view of the river.

The flight from Auckland is around an hour, followed by a 20-minute drive to the vineyard, where you will be welcomed by an amazing grand entrance. Take the time to enjoy your lodge and relax before heading to the Craggy wine tasting, located at the entrance of the winery in the main building. This is the perfect way to discover the range of wines produced here, while the house sommelier shares insightful stories about the creation of the family-owned vineyard as well as the story behind each wine. After the tasting, take a walk through the vines and garden; the area is beautiful, facing the Te Mata peak.

To end the night beautifully, the on-site restaurant at Craggy is a must-try—a beautiful design with a set menu highlighting local gastronomy and, of course, Craggy wines.

The best way to discover Hawke’s Bay is really to ride around the vineyards on an e-bike. With the support of the estate team, we arranged for two e-bikes to be delivered directly at the lodge the night before. They came with a map of the area and different trails to explore depending on your time and preferences. The e-bike battery life is around eight hours, so be mindful of the time when planning your trip.

Considering we only had one full day, we wanted to make the best of it, so we decided to create our own itinerary following the map recommendations. We included a stop in the town to buy some local products like cheese, meat, and some vegetables to cook a nice homemade dinner at the lodge. The e-bikes have small bags on the side of the wheels where you can easily store your groceries or bottles if you decide to purchase a few.

All the wineries in the area are open to public all day long and they are used to having people just walk in for a tasting. To my surprise, the tastings were very affordable and the portions were very generous.

We started by hopping on the e-bike and making our way to the first stop, Te Mata Estate, around a 15-minute ride from Craggy. Te Mata is one of the oldest wineries in the area and it was also recommended by our sommelier.

Then, we headed to Hastings town, a good 30-minute ride away. Decibel Wines is located on the main street, and we had a great time with our host who was from Chile. It’s a modern underrated winery, the passion project of a former rock band manager, Daniel Brennan; super playful but with very good wines. Just a few steps away, you will find Cornucopia the Organic Shop, where we got our groceries, along with a great local butcher just across the street.

Then, it was time to sweat out all this wine and head to Askerne Winery, particularly known for their sweet wine selection, which I recommend. They have a small store where you can purchase food and tailor your own picnic box and sit outside. It's perfect for a quick break or lunch.

From there, you have two options: You can either go back to your lodge or continue for one last stop and make your way to the shore where Haumoana Beach is located. There are a few more wineries in that area (Elephant Hills or Te Awanga), but ensure you check the closing time before heading there. It’s a great spot for sunset as well.

When you're ready, make your way back to the lodge and enjoy the scenic view and quiet roads all the way. You will seldomly see a car, so if you are not riding that often, do not worry about it.

Tonight, it's time to relax, take a bath (the lodges offer amazing bathroom features with large tubs), enjoy a glass of wine, and cook a superb dinner with all the delicacies you purchased earlier.

We all wish we could live and stay in Craggy Range forever, however, it is not possible, and it is time to head back to Auckland for two more nights. Take the morning to enjoy the lodge and the estate and make your way to the airport in the early afternoon. Arrive in Auckland around 4 pm, with a few hours ahead of you for some free time in the hotel or shopping around town.

If you feel like it, head to the Auckland Sky Tower towards the end of the afternoon; purchase a ticket to witness the sunset over Auckland from the top of the tower. Otherwise, there is a great eatery, Depot, located at the bottom of Sky Tower, with delicious food and drinks. There is usually a long queue as it’s a well-known spot among locals.

We decided to try something different and went to the local comedy club for the 7 pm show. We booked our seats online and it was a cool experience. There is a small bar at the entrance where you can purchase food and drinks to enjoy during the two-hour show; we just had a great laugh throughout the night.

If you are up for it, further down on Queen Street, within a 10- to 15-minute walk, there is a cool spot called the Nightcar. It’s an underground bar/lounge/restaurant that serves late-night food, inspired by the French Concession in China. Service is very attentive, the food is really on point, and the drinks are just the cherry on top.

It went so fast and it's already our last day in Auckland! Let’s make the most of it and explore two different neighborhoods, starting with Parnell, which is famous for its historic charm and art galleries. The area looks like a village with specialty shops, cafes, pubs, and restaurants, and it is also known for its Saturday farmers market.

Along the way, stop at the Lamplight bookstore for some shopping, enjoy a delicious lunch at Rosie Café, walk through the Parnell Rose Garden, head to Passion for for some stationery, and the Fantail House for more shopping. While crossing the rose garden, you can find the Judges Bay, where you can relax and dip your feet in the water; it is a small hidden beach inside the park, and not touristy at all.

For our last afternoon, we wanted to see the beach one last time and that is the beauty of Auckland: an afternoon by the beach is possible within the city. Cross the bridge (it is just a bus ride away) and head towards Takapuna, home to the north shore’s most beautiful beach and a great view of Rangitoto Island.

There is a small restaurant with a great terrace overlooking the beach, Takapuna Beach Café & Store, perfect for a glass of wine with a book while enjoy the fresh air. Another great spot is Takapuna Surf Club, which has a great atmosphere and delicious pizza and is always packed. On that same street, you will find a lot of small stores where you can easily shop if you have a few things left to buy before flying out.

Here are a few recommendations for your last dinner in Auckland: Alma, a Spanish restaurant; Kingi, a restaurant highlighting local seafood; or Little Culprit for delicious fresh oysters. And it is on this last recommendation that we end our eight-day itinerary through the North Island of New Zealand.