North Island, New Zealand Vacation Packages

New Zealand’s North Island is the world’s 14^th largest island and is one of the most diverse and breathtaking places on the planet. Top attractions include stunning beaches, island sanctuaries and Māori historical sites.

Now, you can get there faster with new daily nonstop Delta® flights from Los Angeles (LAX) to Auckland International Airport (AKL) from October 28, 2023 - March 29, 2024, plus three-times-weekly service begins April 1, 2024.^†

^†Flight routes subject to change without notice.

Explore New Zealand’s North Island

Formed by volcanoes and flanked by natural harbors, Auckland is New Zealand’s biggest multicultural city and a gateway to epic attractions. Must-do experiences include Auckland’s oasis of food, music, arts and culture or wine tasting on Waiheke Island.

The city stretches from one side of the country to the other — from the Pacific Ocean to the Tasman Sea.

At the heart of New Zealand’s central volcanic plateau sits the largest freshwater lake in Australasia, home to the renowned Māori Rock Carvings.

Nestled between hills and a harbor, Wellington is famous for its vibrant, creative community and energetic personality.

Zealand’s most dynamic geothermal area is a volcanic wonderland of extraordinary attractions like the legendary geyser Te Puia.

Auckland Slide 1 of 4: The city stretches from one side of the country to the other — from the Pacific Ocean to the Tasman Sea.
Lake Taupō Slide 2 of 4: At the heart of New Zealand’s central volcanic plateau sits the largest freshwater lake in Australasia, home to the renowned Māori Rock Carvings.
Wellington Slide 3 of 4: Nestled between hills and a harbor, Wellington is famous for its vibrant, creative community and energetic personality.
Rotorua Slide 4 of 4: Zealand’s most dynamic geothermal area is a volcanic wonderland of extraordinary attractions like the legendary geyser Te Puia.

Delta Vacations Recommended Itinerary: North Island

BEST OF THE NORTH ISLAND

Explore all New Zealand's North Island has to offer with an 8-night stay. Rent a car for ease of traveling around the island. Visit between December and February, which is the high season, or experience fewer crowds and equally great weather during shoulder season from September to November or March to May.

Family:

DAYS 1 - 4: AUCKLAND

STAY: JW Marriott Auckland, a five-star hotel in close proximity to the Queen Street Shopping District and the Coast-to-Coast Walkway.

MUST SEE: Where The Lord of the Rings was filmed on the spellbinding set of Hobbiton™, complete with its Hobbit Holes, Party Tree and the Green Dragon™ Inn.

DON'T MISS: An outdoor adventure walking the trails of Tawharanui Regional Park or summiting the dormant volcano on nearby Rangitoto Island.

DO TRY: Hokey pokey, a creamy scoop of vanilla ice cream swirled with tiny balls of crunchy honeycomb.

DAYS 5 - 8: WELLINGTON

STAY: DoubleTree by Hilton Wellington in a spacious suite with chocolate chip cookies upon arrival.

MUST SEE: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa for an array of Maori art collections and exhibitions, including fun-filled discovery areas for kids.

DON'T MISS: Connecting with nature at Zealandia, a sanctuary home to dozens of rare species of native wildlife.

DO TRY: A picnic at Oriental Bay, Wellington's golden-sand, inner-city beach.

Adults:

DAYS 1 - 4: AUCKLAND

STAY: Park Hyatt Auckland, an upscale retreat in the heart of the city and home to a full-service spa.

MUST SEE: Hauraki Gulf, home to stunning coastlines, world-class vineyards, wildlife sanctuaries, pristine beaches and an active volcano.

DON'T MISS: Your choice of adventure on a day trip to Rotorua, including mountain biking, horseback riding, swimming, fishing, bungy jumping, zip lining, or soaking in a steaming, natural
mineral pool.

DO TRY: Roasted lamb at one of Auckland's excellent eateries in The Viaduct area, or taste kutai (green-lipped mussels) and rewena paraoa (potato bread) in Rotorua.

DAYS 5 - 8: WELLINGTON

STAY: InterContinental Wellington, a short walk to shopping and historical and cultural attractions.

MUST SEE: A sprawling view of New Zealand's capital from the Wellington Cable Car.

DON'T MISS: Walking the Wellington waterfront and shopping along the Golden Mile for fashion- forward labels and quaint boutiques.

DO TRY: A self-guided craft beer tour of three popular breweries within a half-mile of one another - Whistling Sisters, Fortune Favours and Hey Day.

This is just a taste of all you can see, do and try on New Zealand's North Island. Go ahead, start booking a vacation that fits your style perfectly with the freedom to choose from great hotels.

Whether you are a family, couple or friends vacationing together, check out more info below or call our vacation experts at 1-800-800-1504 for assistance and tips!

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North Island Activities

More than just a city, Auckland is a whole region full of excitement. Best of all, with so many experiences close by, it’s easy to hop from one adventure to the next. Go outdoors to discover a nature lover’s paradise. Water enthusiasts can go for a swim in a secluded cove, and dive or snorkel at Goat Island Marine Reserve.

Just south of Auckland is Rotorua. You can tour an authentic pre-European village or learn more about the Māori culture by trying a hangi feast (meat and root vegetables cooked in an underground pit). Indulge in a wellness getaway at a health spa, discover quaint seaside towns, or go on an epic bike ride over trails in magical forests.

In the middle of North Island is Taupō, a great lake for fishing and water sports, and the forests surrounding the lake offer many opportunities for hiking and mountain biking. Located on the southwestern tip of North Island, New Zealand’s capital, Wellington, is a compact city set along a picturesque harbor with a powerful mix of history and nature. Wellington’s Lyall Bay is the place to go for surfing, and Oriental Bay is a popular summer beach spot. Fun is easy to find too. Paddle or cycle along the harbor. Take a ferry to Kapiti Island nature reserve. And just minutes from the city center is the Seal Coast, home to a colony of New Zealand fur seals.

Shopping

Shopping in New Zealand is an exciting mix of local designers, popular global chain stores, luxury brands and a wide range of New Zealand-made jewelry, arts and crafts, wine and souvenirs. Popular items to take home include hand-carved pounamu greenstone, Manuka honey, sheepskin and possum merino products, and Kiwiana items like Buzzy Bee toys and classic New Zealand children’s books.

Auckland offers some of the best shopping in New Zealand. Browse popular shopping districts like High Street and Chancery, home to a world-class collection of boutique and designer stores. If you enjoy bustling market shopping, head over to the Matakana Country Market for handmade or home-grown arts, crafts and goods. Compact and charming, Wellington is full of boutiques, fashion hot spots and colorful markets.

Dining & Drinks

Eat and drink your way around North Island to discover unique freshly sourced dishes. Favorite local Kiwi recipes include roast lamb seasoned with rosemary and served with seasonal roasted vegetables. Traditional favorites are Manūka honey, kutai (green-lipped mussels) and rēwena parāoa (potato bread).

Auckland is a divine destination for foodies and wine connoisseurs. Make your way to Queen Street to enjoy a scoop of hokey pokey, a creamy vanilla ice cream with tiny balls of crunchy honeycomb. Hop on a ferry to visit Waiheke Island, known for its many wineries and vineyards, or the seaside village of Devonport for heavenly, handmade chocolates and truffles.

South of Auckland on the east coast is Hawke's Bay, a mecca for excellent food, wine and weekly farmer's markets. It is one region you won't go hungry in. Try fresh berry ice cream, fruit picking and truffle foraging.

On the southern tip of the North Island is Wellington, New Zealand’s culinary capital, known for its vibrant coffee known for its vibrant coffee, craft beer culture and award-winning eateries.

Getting to and around New Zealand’s North & South Islands

FLIGHTS
Our elevated vacation experiences include round-trip airfare to Auckland aboard Delta or a partner airline:

Seasonal service from Los Angeles (LAX) connecting in Sydney (SYD).^†
Nonstop daily service from Los Angeles (LAX), October 28, 2023 - March 31, 2024.^†
For assistance with booking flights between New Zealand's North Island and South Island or to/from Sydney, Australia, please call our vacation experts at 1-800-800-1504.

CAR RENTAL

Discover New Zealand at your own pace by renting a car, and to see both islands, take a scenic drive from Auckland to Wellington, then hop on a car ferry across Cook Strait to the South Island.

FERRY
Cook Strait is a bridgeless body of water between the North and the South Islands. Apart from air travel, the most popular way of getting between New Zealand’s North and South Islands is via ferry.

Regular passenger and vehicle Cook Strait ferry service operates several times a day between the North Island city of Wellington and the South Island town of Picton. The 3.5-hour journey is an unforgettable adventure with spectacular scenery.

Elsewhere around the country, you’ll find ferries traveling between outlying islands and smaller water taxis in some locations for quick and easy trips.

†Flight routings subject to change without notice.

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