The North Island has many superb physical features as well as
New Zealand's two major cities, Auckland, the 'City of Sails' and
the capital, Wellington. From island-studded bays and sailing, to
volcanic activity and geothermal wonders, wild rugged coastlines
and fascinating Maori culture and history, the North Island of New
Zealand has much to offer visitors.
The beautiful region in the far north is known as Northland and
includes the picturesque Coromandel Peninsula, reaching into the
sea between Auckland and the Bay of Plenty, with magnificent kauri
forests of enormous 3,000-year-old trees, stunning coastal scenery,
beaches and scenic bays, quaint seaside townships and mountain
ranges. The Bay of Islands is the most popular destination with
opportunities for sailing, diving, snorkelling and kayaking on the
clear blue waters around the islands. The top of the island tails
off into a rugged desolate finger of land with sand dunes and the
long white sandy stretch of Ninety Mile Beach along its west
coast.
At the heart of the North Island is the Central Plateau, the
centre of the country's volcanic activity. Volcanoes, bubbling mud
pools, hot springs, spouting geysers, steaming lakes and rivers are
strewn across the landscape. Rotorua, the Maori cultural heartland,
sits at the edge of the most concentrated area of activity and is
characterised by the unmistakable smell of sulphur. Lake Taupo,
formed by one of the greatest eruptions ever recorded, has
beautiful views across to the volcanic peaks of Tongariro National
Park, with excellent hiking, and is regarded as the trout fishing
capital of the world.
At the southern tip of the island lies the capital Wellington,
in a striking setting around a harbour and surrounded by mountains.
It is the centre of the country and a major travel crossroads
between North and South Island.
