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Swim with dolphins in the Bay of Islands.
Check out the thermal pools and extraordinary geothermal sights in Rotorua.
Sailing in Auckland Harbour.
Go wine tasting in Hawkes Bay.
Visit White Island, an active volcano in the Bay of Plenty.

New Zealand Holidays - North Island

New Zealand holidays in the North Island offer secluded golden beaches, stunning coastlines, amazing geothermal activity and a rich Maori culture. Enjoy the buzzing nightlife and entertainment of Auckland or the nation’s historic, cultural and artistic treasures in the capital city Wellington. If it’s beaches that you want New Zealand holidays in the North Island are perfect: head to the Coromandel Peninsula for endless white sand and surf beaches or the Northlands transparent waters are a favourite playground for lovers of anything aquatic. Absorb the splendour of Art Deco and Spanish Mission buildings and internationally renowned vineyards in Hawkes Bay or see the bubbling mud pools and geysers of steaming water at Rotorua.

Auckland Holidays

Auckland is situated on a narrow strip of land, flanked by two magnificent harbours to the east and west. The shallow Manukau Harbour opens out to the Tasman Sea to the west, while the Waitemata Harbour lies at the heart of the city centre and is Auckland's deepwater port. It has a vibrant waterfront that has flourished with the successful hosting of the 2002/2003 America's Cup, the international yachting event of the year, and the trendy restaurants and waterside cafes are a constant hive of activity.

Known as the 'City of Sails', with a larger boat-to-person ratio than anywhere else on earth, New Zealand holidays in Auckland are a paradise for sailing enthusiasts and every weekend the waters of the Hauraki Gulf come alive with a flotilla of colourful sails. The best way to experience the city is from the water, sailing around the attractive harbour or on a ferry cruise to one of the many stunning islands dotted about the Gulf.

Auckland is the largest and most cosmopolitan city in New Zealand and a major gateway to the rest of the country. Yet it is also one of the least densely populated in the world, covering an area twice the size of London but with barely a million inhabitants. It has a friendly small-town atmosphere and a relaxed pace of life.

Beyond the bustling downtown area, dominated by the southern hemisphere's tallest building, the Sky Tower, the city sprawls outwards, with low-slung buildings and wooden houses among leafy parks and walking tracks. The suburbs wind their way around picturesque bays and harbours and between volcanic hills that provide panoramic views over the city and mountains, encompassing numerous green urban parklands that are dotted with sheep.