Things To Do - North Island New Zealand

If at all possible, plan on spending some time in the North Island of New Zealand to get some insight into Maori culture and experience the many attractions. When you do head further south, try to find time for regions such as the Coromandel, Waitomo and the Coastal Bay of Plenty. Of course, you can't do everything. But here are a few options you may find interesting.

Take a historical tour of the north. Many of New Zealand's most important events took place in Northland, including the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi - a document which shaped much of New Zealand's constitution and which is still the subject of much debate today. You can visit the Waitangi National Reserve to find out much more about this treaty between the Maori people and the (British) Crown.

In Whangarei, the region's main centre, you will find the Northland Regional Museum and, of special interest, the Clapham Clock Museum. Much further north, at Houhora Heads, you'll find Wagener Museum. And in between, at Russell, is the recently revamped Duke of Marlborough - New Zealand's first 'pub'. Once you've quenched your thirst, you'll also find the interesting Captain Cook Memorial Museum at Russell. If museums aren't your style board the 'R. Tucker Thompson', a tall ship built in the style of the schooners that plied the Pacific 100 years ago. If all the history becomes too much, you'll find plenty of opportunity for fishing or simply relaxing on the beach in the 'winterless north'.

Explore The Coromandel Peninsula. This area is now used by New Zealander's and visitors alike as a wilderness of bush and beach, but its European history is intricately linked to gold. Indeed, mining continues to this day - often amid controversy. Waihi is the centre of the 'gold trail' and you'll even find a goldfields vintage railway nearby. An excellent walk in the region follows what was once a main railway route through the Karangahake Gorge. The walk is easy and one feature is that it takes you through a disused railway tunnel. The Coromandel has, in recent times, attracted many cottage artists. You will find plenty of interesting potteries, and art and craft galleries for a souvenir with character. Various Coromandel accommodation is available around the peninsula.

For something totally different, check out Te Puke and ride on a 'kiwi-kart' through Kiwifruit Country, where you can view the handling, packing and cool storage of New Zealand's most sought after fruit. You can also sample kiwifruit wine and other delights.

Do something out of this world. With Waitomo Adventures you can abseil into the deep Waitomo caves and see fossils, glow worms, and underground waterfalls. Less adventurous, but still unique, are the glow worm cave grotto, where you can drift through the darkness on a boat and view the glow worms, and Aranui cave, with its stalactites and stalagmites. At Waitomo you can also go horsetrekking, blackwater rafting (more underground adventure), or simply enjoy the old world charm of the Waitomo Caves Hotel.

Adrenaline junkies can go down hill fast in Rotorua. There are two thrilling luge rides to experience for a thrill before or after you discover the city's other attractions. Once you're in Rotorua, undoubtedly one of New Zealand's top tourist spots, you will immediately notice the smell of sulphur. This is caused by the region's most famous attraction - thermal activity. Whakarewarewa is the best known thermal area, while others worth visiting include Hell's Gate and Waimangu. It is also well worth visiting the Buried Village, covered when Mt Tarawera lost its cool. The other big drawcard in Rotorua is the Maori culture, and most of the Rotorua accommodation have Maori hangis (feasts cooked in the earth) and cultural performances.