Places to Visit in NZ: North Island

Piha, Auckland

Piha is a seaside village, west of Auckland, on New Zealand’s North Island. Black-sand Piha Beach is known for its strong surf and rugged scenery. Lion Rock is a volcanic monolith with war memorials and Maori carvings. 

Waitakere Ranges

Only a 40-minute drive from the city centre, the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park is a place where pristine bush, thriving native wildlife and rugged black sand surf beaches come together. This stunning region includes more than 16,000 hectares of native rainforest and coastline, and natural treasures like the Karekare Falls.

Coromandel

The Coromandel, renowned for its pristine beaches, misty forests and laid-back vibe, is one of New Zealand's most popular holiday destinations.

With a mountainous interior cloaked in native rainforest and more than 400 kilometres of dazzling white sand beaches, it is rustic, unspoiled and relaxed. Activities and attractions are plentiful, from fishing and diving to hiking and cycling.