New Zealand North Island: Culture, Scenic Walks, Wine Regions & Coastal Beauty

Wellington – Cable Car, Botanic Garden & Te Papa Museum

We went to windy Wellington, New Zealand’s vibrant capital, four times, and each visit has been a delight. The city’s charm never fades—its compact size makes it easy to explore, yet there’s always something new to discover. We love spending time at the bustling waterfront, where cozy cafes and lively restaurants line the shores. Cuba Street, with its quirky, bohemian vibe, is a must-see.

We began our New Zealand travel three times from Wellington. The town is easy to explore on foot. A must-do is a trip on the Wellington Cable Car to the top of the Botanic Garden, where you will have panoramic views of the city and harbour. Walk back to the city through the beautiful garden.

For us, a trip on the Wellington Cable Car is a must-do. We love the Cable Car ride to the Botanic Garden from where we have stunning views over the city. Walking through the lush garden down to the city is very relaxing.

The waterfront view and the museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa are must-dos in Wellington, you can easily spend a whole day there.

We love walking along the waterfront, and then enjoy a drink at one of the fantastic restaurants with a great view. The Te Papa Museum is always a highlight, to get an inside of the country’s history and culture.

We visited the ecosanctuary Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne and walked through and saw many rare native wildlife species. Wildlife sanctori, Wellington New Zealand

On one of our visit to Wellington we went to Zealandia a wildlife sanctuary where you can watch the native wildlife.

That is New Zealand, with friendly people everywhere.

New Zealand is a country full of find nice people.

Whanganui – River City, Heritage & Walks

Whanganui is a beautiful city.on the Whanganui River. It is famous for arts and architecture. We loved the town centre with its flowers. It has beautiful parks and walking trails along the river. If you like hiking, canoeing, playing golf and other sports, it was all of this.

We visited the picturesque river city of Whanganui, twice. We enjoyed the beautiful town centre, galleries, parks, and the mighty Wanganui river.

During our trips to New Zealand, we visited Whanganui twice. We went hiking and canoeing, played golf, walked along the mighty river and discovered the fantastic town centre.

The Whanganui River is New Zealand's third-longest and is significant to the Maori people. After extensive discussion, the river was granted its own legal identity, complete with the rights, duties, and liabilities of a legal person. New Zealand, North island

The Whanganui River in New Zealand is very important to the Māori people. It was legally recognised as a person, with the same rights and responsibilities. This idea later inspired India to give similar rights to the Ganges River.

The river and its unique fauna.
Wanganui, New Zealand

View of the Whanganui River and its unique fauna.

In 2007, we booked a canoe tour with the postman in Wanganui. He took us on his mail run up the river to the little hamlets and dropped us with the canoe upstream. Two hours later, he picked us up downstream. We enjoyed it a lot. New Zealand

In 2007, we booked a canoe tour with the postman in Whanganui. As part of his mail run, he took us upriver to small, remote hamlets and dropped us off with a canoe. We paddled downstream for two wonderful hours, enjoying the tranquil beauty of the river, before he picked us up again. It was a unique and memorable experience.

New Plymouth & Mount Taranaki – Art, Gardens & National Park

During our New Zealand trips, we explored the interesting New Plymouth. The scenic coastal walkway is just fantastic for walking, cycling, and enjoying stunning ocean views. The Govett-Brewster Art Gallery and Len Lye Centre, a contemporary art museum and cultural hub, are a must-see. Mount Taranaki (Mount Egmont) is awesome.

On our way to New Plymouth in 2017, we stopped at Tongaporutu and were lucky to have low tide, which allowed us to walk to the Three Sisters and Elephant Rock. New Zealand

We stopped in Tongaporutu in 2017 on our way to New Plymouth, and because of the low tide, we could walk to the Three Sisters and Elephant Rock.

When we were in New Plymouth, we enjoyed walking the 13.2 km Coastal Walkway, which has numerous access points. It is easy to do just parts of it.

We enjoyed hiking the 13.2 km Coastal Walkway in New Plymouth. The impressive Te Rewa Rewa Bridge is one of the numerous access points.

There are many pretty sculptures on the Coastal Walkway.Plymouth. New Zealand

The coastal walkway is wonderfully designed. There are numerous entry and exit points. During the walk, you will find enough places to rest and enjoy the stunning scenery. We loved the many beautiful sculptures on the way.

The Wind Wand is a 48-meter-long kinetic sculpture that illuminates at night. It was created by artist Len Lye and cost over $300,000 to build.

The Govett-Brewster Art Gallery is New Zealand's contemporary art museum and worth a visit when you're in the area. We loved it, it was great fun. New Zealand

The Govett-Brewster Art Gallery is New Zealand’s contemporary art museum and is worth a travel to when you’re in the area. We loved it; it was great fun.

Mount Taranaki volcano is part of the Egmont National Park. It is 2518 metres above sea level and the cone is almost symmetrical. New Zealand

Mount Taranaki (Mount Egmont) is the striking centrepiece of Egmont National Park. Rising 2,518 metres above sea level, its almost perfectly symmetrical volcanic cone is often considered one of the world’s most beautiful mountains. Having visited both, I still can’t decide which impressed me more—Mount Taranaki with its near-perfect shape or the rugged volcanic landscape of Mount Ruapehu. Each offers a unique and unforgettable North Island experience.

Coromandel Peninsula – Beaches, Kauri Forests & Hikes

The Coromandel Peninsula boasts beautiful beaches, stunning mountains and wonderful valleys. It is a popular tourist destination for hiking and all kinds of water sports.

We spent a week in Tairua, a small town on the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula. A little holiday paradise with a great choice of restaurants and cafés. A pleasant beach, numerous lovely walking trails, and a harbour where one can go windsurfing and kayaking. AirB&B, New Zealand

We spent a week in Tairua, a small town on the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula of New Zealand. It is a little holiday paradise with great choices of restaurants and cafés. There are beautiful beaches, many nice hiking trails, and also a harbour where you can windsurf and kayak.

We played a couple of times on the fantastic Tairua golf course. The 18-hole course is challenging, hilly, and has stunning views. After the game, we enjoyed drinks and a good meal with the friendly locals.

Coromandel's golden beaches are surrounded by misty forested mountains and lush valleys. New Zealand

The interior is a rugged and mountainous region that is covered with lush native forests. It is a fantastic area for hiking and you may see one of the last wild Kiwi birds.

We went on a glass-bottom boat cruise along the spectacular volcanic coastline from Whitianga. Coromandel peninsular, New Zealand

Then, we went on a glass-bottom boat cruise from Whitianga to explore the vibrant marine life and stunning coastal scenery.

Cathedral Cove, with its fabulous white sandy beaches, native New Zealand trees, and incredible rock formations, is a "must see" on the Coromandel Peninsula.New Zealand

The Cathedral Cove Is famous for the white sandy beaches and a famous natural rock arch. It is a popular spot to hike there. The walk takes about 30-45 minutes one way. A wonderful place to swim in the clear turquoise waters. In the view the big Te Hoho Rock.

Looking through the glass panels, we saw a wide variety of fish species.

We saw a wide variety of fish species through the glass panels at the marine reserve around the Cathedral Cove area. When we went outside the reserve, we saw significantly fewer fish.

There are three easy walks from Coromandel to view the magnificent Kauri trees, which are over 1000 years old.Coromandel Peninsular, New Zealand

There are three easy walks from Coromandel to view the magnificent Kauri trees, which are over 1000 years old: the Kauri Grove, 30 minutes each way; the Square Kauri for a quick look; and the Tree Long Bay Kauri Walk, about 2.5 km.

Napier & Hawke’s Bay – Art Deco, Wine & Coastal Walks

Napier is a beautiful city known for art deco and the wine-producing region of Hawkes Bay. The 3km Marine Parade along the black pebble beach is a paradise for family-friendly activities, including the National Aquarium of New Zealand, playgrounds, the Ocean Spa complex, a skate park, and much more. New Zealand

While Napier is known for Art Deco, it is also a major wine-producing region in Hawkes Bay. We walked the 3-kilometre along the black pebble beach it was beautiful. In Addition, there are also playgrounds, swimming pools and much more.

Following the 1931 earthquake, the Soundshell was built in 1935 to rise from the rubble and ashes to another stunning Art Deco building. Napier, New Zealand

The earthquake in 1931 destroyed many beautiful buildings. The city was rebuilt to its former glory. Another stunning Art Deco, was built the Soundshell, was built in 1935.

The impressive Temperance & General Building, completed in 1936, was Napier's largest commercial structure.

This beautiful Art Deco built after the earthquake is the ASB bank building.

Tom Parker, a 1936 Art-deco fountain that is illuminated after sunset, is another attraction on the Marine Parade.Napier New Zealand