This was our itinerary through the Northern Island of New Zealand; perfect for families!
The Northern Island of New Zealand has always been on our bucket list, and we wish we would have spent more time here. But during our 14 days we truly believe we have experienced the very best of the Northern Island. It is a wonderful place with a variety of landscapes and our kids learned so many different things! For example, about the agriculture, glowworms, geysers and the impressive Māori people.
Let us take you on a kid-friendly travel guide of New Zealand’s Northern Island.
This is a self-drive travel plan, so you will need a car to get from one place to the next.
We rented a small campervan which we booked a year in advance to safe costs. We were there in September and spring just started. This is low season in New Zealand, so we did not have to book anything in advance and the weather was quite pleasant for us, between 10-20 degrees.
As you know we like to combine activities in nature with more touristy activities, and we don’t care too much about luxurious holidays. Our children are homeschooled by us and along the way they learn everything in a playful way.
14 days travel guide through Northern Island with kids.
Overzicht
Day 1: Arrival in Auckland
Day 2: The Hobbiton Movieset Tours
Day 3: Waitomo
Day 4-6: Taupo
Day 7-8: Rotorua
Day 9: Karanghake Gorge
Day 10-11: Hot Water Beach
Day 12-13: Coromandel
Day 14: Departure
Day 1 – 2: Auckland/Matamata
Day 1: Arrival in Auckland
The very first day we like to take things slow, especially with kids. Take your time to pick up your vehicle, whether this is a campervan or rental car. After having picked up your car, you can get the groceries you might need.
We travelled in a rental campervan and cooked most of the meals ourselves. We used to purchase our groceries in advance for 3 days before the next visit to the grocery store. This gave us a little bit peace of mind, so we did not need to worry about groceries daily. We do like to get our bread at a local bakery.
Stay: Cambridge TOP 10 Holiday Park (2 nights total)
About Top10: Top10 can be found all around New Zealand and they have classic, superior or premium parks. If you purchase a membership for ＄55 (which is valid for 2 years), you will receive a 10% discount on each booking. Members also benefit from other add-ons, like unlimited free Wi-Fi, discount on partner activities and more. All Top 10 parks are very well maintained and provide all the facilities you need, like a camp kitchen, hot showers, laundry, kids playgrournd, etcetera.
Day 2: Visit to The Hobbiton Movieset Tours
On the second day you can visit the famous Hobbiton village! The village that was built for the movies of the ‘Lord of the Rings’ and ‘The Hobbit’.
Kids love this as they will also have the opportunity to step in a tiny Hobbit house and climb on the Hobbit bunk beds.
The whole set was built for the Lord of the Rings and removed completely. Only to be fully rebuilt for the Hobbiton trilogy. This time permanent. And until today the set continues to expand. The latest houses were added 2023.
Two houses can be entered and seen from the inside. Pretty impressive to see how much detailed work they have put into everything.
Make sure to reserve your slot in advance as it can get fully booked during high season.
Our twins where 7 at the time we visited. Before we went for this tour, we watched the first 10minutes of the first Lord of the Rings movie, just so they had an idea about what we were going to see. They loved both the movie and the movieset and still talk about this adventure.
Recommended tour: Hobitton Movieset tour
Costs: 120 dollar per adult (kids 0 – 10 free) or a family pass (2x adult + 2x youth) for 360 dollar
Day 3 - 4: Waitomo
Day 3 – Waitomo
At Waitomo you can discover the Waitomo caves and the glow worms in this area! These beautiful creatures are amazing. You can choose for a paid organised tour, but we have a free option for you.
During the organized tour you step in a boat to check out the glow worms in the cave. Costs are ＄75d (adult) or ＄34 (child).
The free option is doing the Ruakuri Bushwalk!
This was our preferred choice as it is a beautiful nature hike through the bush and into a cave. We first did this hike during daylight to familiarise ourselves with the track, which takes about 45 minutes. After dinner we took our flashlights and did the same hike again. It was amazing to see so many glow worms! You even walk through a cave and you can see them in their natural surroundings from real close. Make sure to wait until it gets really dark. The darker it gets; the more glow worms light up.
Stay:
- or RB Terraces which is a carpark among Waitomo’s most breathtaking limestone formations. This carpark can be found on Hipcamp via this link. We paid 15 dollars for the night and loved it!
Day 4 – 7: Taupo
Day 4 – Lake Taupo
Drive to the beautiful Lake Taupo and enjoy your time along the lake. Take a swim, do a picnic and check out the amazing views. Lake Taupo is stunning!
If the weather is good, we recommend renting some kayaks or book a boat tour, so you can go to Mine Bay and see the Māori carvings. Mine Bay is only accessible by boat and kids will definitely love the trip!
If you like McDonalds, then have lunch in Taupo! This McDonalds has the honour of being home to the only McDonald's location that includes a decommissioned DC3 airplane as part of the store. Kids can enjoy their Happy Meals in the plane.
Day 5 – Hot pools, hike and Huka Falls
Spend some time at Otumuheke Stream (Spa Park Hot Pools).
There is a beautiful park to relax and you can dip in the free natural hot pools.
If you bring your frisbee you can do the 18-hole disc golf, which is great.
From the hot pools you can choose to walk all the way up to Huka Falls. The walk takes around 45 minutes one-way (1,5hrs return). If this is too much, you can also drive to Huka Falls instead. The Huka falls are brilliant blue and gorgeous to look at.
Day 6 – Crators of the moon
If you want to learn more about the thermal activity, then Craters of the Moon is definitely a perfect place to explore. Craters of the Moon is a landscape of thermal activity that can be traced back over 700 years. The loop will take you about 40 minutes and you can decide to do an additional 20minute upper walkway to a lookout. This is a good spot to do some homeschooling for the kids, since they learn a lot about nature and geothermal.
They ask only a small admission fee of ＄10 per adult or ＄25 dollar for a family pass (2 adults + 2 kids).
Stay:
- of Whakaipō Bay Recreation Reserve, which has a free campground for self-contained vehicles. We stayed here as well and loved it!
Day 7 – 8: Rotorua
Day 7 – Agrodome experience
This is such a fun activity to do with kids! For over 40 years, visitors from all over the world come to the Agrodome to see the world-famous farm show starring a cast of talented animals. You can learn about all the different sheep, milk a cow, see the dogs show their skills and feed all the other animals during the tractor-trailer tour around the farm. Our favourite were the alpaca’s and white deer.
There is also a fun playground for kids outside the farm, and they have a Farmyard café as well! A perfect morning or afternoon to learn about a true New Zealand’s working farm.
Day 8 – Māori cultural experience
Rotorua stands as a vibrant hub of Māori culture in New Zealand. The city offers an immersive experience with its restored and preserved Māori villages, alongside a strong commitment to preserving and sharing the songs, stories, and ceremonies of the indigenous people. Exploring Māori culture in Rotorua was an essential and enriching experience for us and the kids.
You can visit different villages and all of them are very impressive. We decided to visit the https://www.mitai.co.nz/https://www.mitai.co.nz/ where we were introduced to the Māori culture. Especially seeing the haka from up close was a memorable experience, and the hangi food was pretty good.
Stay: Top 10 Rotorua Blue Lake
Day 9: Karanghake Gorge
Day 9 – Karanghake Gorge
The Karangahake Gorge region blends rich gold mining history with stunning natural scenery, all of which can be explored through a range of scenic walks. We were so happy that we took the time to visit and our kids loved the adventure.
We did the beautiful Windows Walk which takes about 1,5 hours round trip. This walk offers stunning scenery and fascinating mining remnants, making it an unforgettable experience. Be sure to bring a torch for exploring the old mine tunnels along the way. The walk features informative signage that adds to your journey, and for an even richer experience, you can use the self-guided mobile app. Simply download the free "My Parx" app on your mobile device and search for 'Karangahake' to discover historic images and stories from the past. The landscape you see today is the result of massive geological changes, later shaped by human hands. This remarkable place stands as a testament to the impact of mining technology and the wave of industrialization that transformed New Zealand in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Another great walk is the Rail Tunnel Loop which will take about 1,5hrs round trip. You will then walk through the kilometer long rail tunnel. Just be aware that this section of the road is shared with cyclist.
Stay: Dickie Flat DOC campground. We loved this relaxing site. Bring cash to pay directly at the ranger (＄30 for 2 adults +2 kids). There are nice hikes starting from this camp site as well.
Day 10 - 11: Hot Water Beach
Day 10: Hot Water Beach
Hot Water beach is the perfect escape for some family fun! Weather it is summer or winter time, do not skip this beach. This world-famous beach at the tip of the Coromandel Peninsula is a must-visit for families who love discovering hidden treasures. Here, you’ll find two natural volcanic hot water springs that warm the waters, but you will have to start digging first to get there.
Our advice would be to head to the beach 2 hours before low tide, grab a shovel, dig into the sand, and create your very own hot pool to relax in.
To make it easier for you, we have indicated in the picture below where you should start digging! If you walk on the sand with bare feet, you will feel the heat under your feet which is the exact spot for you digging adventure ;-)
This activity is the perfect blend of natural wonder and playful adventure, making it a memorable outing for the whole family!
Day 11: Cathedral Cove / New Chums Beach
Today you can explore Cathedral Cove at Coromandel Peninsula, which is an amazing destination for kids, offering a mix of adventure, exploration, and natural beauty that will spark their curiosity. The walk to the cove is an exciting journey with plenty of spots to explore along the way, including native bush, breathtaking views, and hidden coves. Once you reach the beach, children can splash in the clear waters, explore sea caves, and search for interesting shells and rock formations. The combination of sandy shores, gentle waves, and fascinating landscapes makes Cathedral Cove a natural playground that’s perfect for a day of family fun.
Another great beach is New Chums Beach, which is hidden away from the masses. Whangapoua is the gateway to the stunning New Chum Beach and offers just as much beauty.
To reach New Chum Beach, park at William Mangakahia Lagoon Reserve at the north end of Whangapoua Beach. Check the tide times before crossing the stream, then walk over the rocky boulders around the headland. Follow the path through the Nikau palm grove, and you'll arrive at the breathtaking Wainuiototo Bay.
Remember to stay on the track and beach to help protect the area, as Kauri (native tree) dieback disease is present. Enjoy this peaceful adventure and connect with nature!
Stay: Hot Water Beach Top 10 Holiday Park. From this site you can walk to the beach, making it the perfect place to stay! They will provide you free shovels as well if you are a Top 10 member 😉
Day 12 – 13: Coromandel
Day 12: Coromandel driving creek or zipline tour
A Driving Creek you can explore the beautiful nature and learn more about the environment. This is a truly unique experience, and you can choose to do the 1hour 15 minute railway tour or the 2 hours zipline tour!
We choose the zipline tour where a 15-minute old train ride brought us up high into the trees. The tour was much more the ziplining alone. It was very interesting, because the tour guides tell the stories of Barry Brickel and how his passion for pottery, engineering and conservation were influential in creating this authentic place. We also learned about the ancient Kauri trees and what happened to these trees in New Zealand when the settlers arrived (99% was logged ☹)
That is the reason why we include the big Kauri Tree Walk in this itinerary for tomorrow! We did not know anything about these trees before our visit to New Zealand and it was such a powerful moment to share with our kids. The next day we very super excited to see a very old remaining Kauri tree ourselves.
Day 13: Big Kauri Tree Walk
Walk this beautiful walk and come face to face with one of the last Kauri giants in Coromandel. This is such a powerful moment to share with kids, standing beneath this ancient tree, knowing that by the early 20th century, hundreds of thousands of hectares of Kauri forest had been decimated, and yet logging continued until the 1930s.
This was an interesting homeschooling program today, because we learned that it wasn’t until 1952 that the 9105-hectare Waipoua Sanctuary was finally protected, saving the few remaining giants. We talked about how long it takes for these incredible trees to grow—centuries!
But we also found hope in the new Kauri trees being planted, a reminder that nature heals, even if it takes time.
Depending on the season and weather, you will have plenty of time to enjoy town or the beach in the afternoon.
Day 14: Auckland
Day 14: Departure
Today is unfortunately time to leave the Northern Island of New Zealand.
There is so much more to explore, but we had the feeling we spent much longer then 14 days.
We hope you enjoy this journey! Have fun!
P.S. If you like it, you are welcome to follow our YouTube channel where we take you along our adventures!
Questions you might have when travelling the Northern Island of New Zealand itinerary with kids:
Is New Zealand’s Northern Island worth it when you travel with kids?
Yes!
Besides that the island is beautiful it gives kids so many opportunities to learn about nature, other cultures and the influence of colonialism. This makes it both a very enjoyable as well as informative holiday destination. So, for homeschooling parents this travel plan is a gem.
Is September a good time to travel in New Zealand’s northern island
Spring just started in september and it felt like the perfect time to travel to New Zealand with kids. Although we the weather wasn’t great every day, and we experienced rain a few times, we think September was nice. Camp sites were easy to find, activities weren’t fully booked and we were often completely alone when hiking in nature! That made it even more special.