Every semester, I hear about and sometimes join weekend road trips or day trips out of Auckland to other areas in the North Island.
If you are reading this, chances are you are also based in Auckland. Here are some of the most popular trips.
Weekend Trips
Northland
The entire area of New Zealand north of Auckland can be explored in a weekend.
| Duration | 2 nights (1 weekend) |
| Major Attractions | Cape Reinga (Northernmost point of New Zealand) Paihia Bay of Islands (some great kayaking here!) 90 Mile beach drive Te Paki sand dunes Other beaches |
| Other Attractions | Hauru Falls – near Paihia Abbey Caves Four Sisters (Kauri trees) – north of Paihia |
| Accommodation | Paihia – Hostel, AirBnB or campsite |
| Season | Year round |
Tongariro Alpine Crossing
This challenging day hike is widely considered a must-do trip for anyone visiting New Zealand and is suitable for a weekend.
| Duration | 2 nights (1 weekend) |
| Major Attractions | Tongariro Alpine Crossing hike |
| Other Attractions | Taranaki Falls |
| Accommodation | Tongariro area – AirBnB or campsite |
| Season | Summer recommended |
Tauranga, Rotorua & Taupo
All three of these towns can be visited in a single weekend, along with the Lord of the Rings set at Hobbiton and the Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland.
| Duration | 2-3 nights (1 weekend) |
| Major Attractions | Tauranga Mt. Maunganui Rotorua Hobbiton Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland Taupo |
| Other Attractions | Kerosene Creek Rainbow Mountain hike |
| Accommodation | Rotorua – AirBnB or hostel |
| Season | Year round |
Mt. Taranaki
This is the most challenging day hike on the North Island, and makes a good weekend trip. The total elevation gain is 1,500m from trailhead to summit – it is possible to stay on a mountain lodge 1/3 of the way up the night before the summit climb.
It is essential to complete this trip before the mountain snows over as it becomes a completely different climb – requiring ice gear and experience.
The Pouakai Circuit is another great trail in the area (and can be done year round), although this one is an overnight trip. I would highly recommend doing both hikes – one group I know of did so on a single 3-night journey, although it is probably more convenient to do them on separate trips.
| Duration | 1-3 nights (1 weekend) |
| Major Attractions | Mt. Taranaki hike Pouakai Circuit hike |
| Other Attractions | North Egmont Visitor Center walks Dawson Falls Visitor Center walks New Plymouth Paritutu Rock |
| Accommodation | Mt. Taranaki summit – Tahurangi Lodge ($40/night) Pouakai Circuit – multiple on-trail huts New Plymouth – AirBnB |
| Season | Summer Before the mountain snows over: Usually early-mid April |
Coromandel
This peninsula contains a huge amount of beaches including the famous Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach and can be explored in a weekend.
The Pinnacles hike can be done at the same time, however it is usually more convenient to do this on a separate weekend.
| Duration | 2-3 nights (1 weekend) |
| Major Attractions | Cathedral Cove Hot Water Beach Pinnacles hike |
| Other Attractions | New Plymouth Paritutu Rock Countless beaches |
| Accommodation | Hostel, campsite or AirBnB Pinnacles – Pinnacles hut |
| Season | Year round |
Day Trips
Piha
Usually one of the first experiences of the “real New Zealand” – relatively close to Auckland. Activities range from sunbathing and swimming to scrambling up the rocks on the large secondary beach to the south.
| Duration | Day trip |
| Major Attractions | Piha Beach Katikati Falls |
| Season | Year round |
Rangitoto Island
Only a ferry ride away from Auckland, this is usually a trip that happens in a large group at the beginning of the semester.
| Duration | Day trip |
| Major Attractions | Rangitoto Island Summit |
| Other Attractions | McKenzie Bay Boulder Bay Lava Caves |
| Season | Year round |
Justin Willis 