October 30, 2019
From the north to the south, the east and west, the Central North Island are where all the actions at.
It’s a hub for adventure, relaxation, exploration, and discovery where you can pick and choose a fantastic variety of NZ must-do experiences. You can jetboat white-water rapids, bike epic mountain tracks, hike through lush native forests and discover New Zealand’s largest lake – it’s all here for you to enjoy.
From the jewel that is Lake Taupō with its vast sparkling waters to legendary mountain ranges, ancient forests, mighty rivers with world-class trout fishing, and out of this world geothermal landscapes, the Central North Island is a sprawling wonderland to explore all year round on your New Zealand holiday.
So pack your bags and get your wanderlust ready – here are a few of our favourite itineraries for an unforgettable time in Central North Island.
Itinerary 1:
Just one day in Taupō? Here are must-dos you won’t want to miss – including where to stay and what to eat. It’s a hit list worthy of all the attention and adoration this central North Island gem has received from travelers from all across the globe.
Taupō is the perfect North Island pitstop if you only have one day to spare – with its easy to access central location, an abundance of NZ must-do activities, and beautiful natural wonders, there are plenty of reasons to love Taupō and why you’ll be planning your return before you even leave.
Do 3 unforgettable days of family fun over the school holidays sound like you? Because if you’re looking for a family-friendly holiday hotspot that caters to all age groups and is a sure-fire crowd-pleaser, then Taupō is the place to be.
Not too big and not too small, Taupō’s accessibility and size are just right – with plenty of things to do for kids of all ages to enjoy all year round in and around New Zealand’s largest lake. Whatever the weather, come rain or come shine, Taupō offers a variety of unforgettable activities both indoors and out for family holidaymakers to get amongst.
Itinerary 3:
Seven days in the North Island can be a wonderful whirlwind full of NZ must-dos with big-ticket items ticked off the bucket list as well as off the beaten track hidden gems.
Traveling from North to South and the best bits in between, this seven day North Island itinerary will weave its way from Auckland to Wellington on a trail of discovery through island getaways, Māori culture, majestic tree walks, jetboating through rapids, Hobbiton encounters, and city sights that all feature outstanding kiwi hospitality.
An action-packed adventure, otherworldly landscapes, history, culture, and world-class experiences in the great outdoors with the best of NZ on offer – this one-week North Island itinerary is the stuff that dreams are made of.
Located on the stunning shores of the Waikato River, Rapids Jet is easily located between Taupō and Rotorua off of State Highway 5. Just a quick 15-minute drive from Lake Taupō or an easy 1 hour from Rotorua, Rapids Jet is conveniently located and well indicated off the main highway.
You can also choose from a number of shuttle options if you don’t have a car with a door-to-door pickup service available as well as the Great Lake Explorer Hop on Hop off the bus all-day pass with a designated stop here at Rapids Jet. Haere mai, welcome all!
