8-day film tour of North Island, New Zealand
5 cities |
21 attraction(s) |
total distance 110
km
TIPS
Day1
Day2
Day3
Day4
Day5
Day6
Day7
Day8
Day1: Auckland
4 attraction(s) ·
19 km
1
One Tree Hill is located in Cornwall Park, about a 20-minute drive from the center of Auckland. It is named after a pine tree that used to stand near the top of the hill, but now only a memorial and the grave of Sir John Logan Campbell, the founding father of Auckland, remain. The park is known for its vast green meadows where you can often see sheep or cows grazing. In spring, there are also large cherry blossom displays. It is recommended to visit when you have plenty of time.
One Tree Hill is a volcanic remnant from an eruption about 30,000 years ago. Its peak, 182 meters high, offers a panoramic view of the entire Auckland region.
The name "One Tree Hill" came from the fact that there used to be a towering tree at the summit when Europeans arrived. However, the tree was cut down, and the name remained. The park is also known as Cornwall Park, named after one of Queen Elizabeth's sons, Cornwall.
Sir John Logan Campbell, revered as the founding father of Auckland, was honored with a bronze statue on Campbell Crescent in 1902. After his death, in accordance with his wishes, One Tree Hill was designated as a public park, belonging forever to the people of Auckland.
After the volcanic eruption, a circular crater was left on the mountain. Over time, the crater has become extremely smooth, covered with thick grass, resembling a large, green bowl.
The park is also home to many freely roaming sheep, providing a picturesque rural scene.
6
km
2
The One Tree Hill is the tallest and natural highest point among the many volcanic cones in Auckland. A volcanic cone is a hill formed by the accumulation of volcanic materials around the volcanic vent, which looks like a conical bowl from a distance. The bottom of the volcanic cone is now a lush green space, which is both beautiful and unique, difficult to find elsewhere. Standing on the summit, you can enjoy a 360-degree view of Auckland's scenery, including the Sky Tower, Mount Eden, and Rangitoto Island. If you don't want to spend money to go up the Sky Tower, this is the best place to enjoy Auckland and is especially suitable for photography, capturing panoramic views of the Sky Tower and the surrounding area.
5
km
3
The Sky Tower was built in 1996 and is the tallest building in the southern hemisphere, standing at 328 meters. It has multiple observation decks with high-powered telescopes for visitors to enjoy panoramic views of Auckland. There are also multilingual broadcasting services, interactive technological devices, and audiovisual exhibitions. The feeling of being on the top of the tower, overlooking Auckland, is truly enjoyable. With a ticket, visitors can access the main observation deck at 186 meters and the Sky Deck at 220 meters. To reach the top, you can take an elevator, and for those who are not afraid of heights, there is a glass elevator that allows you to admire the view as you ascend. From the tower, you can enjoy a 360-degree view of Auckland, with many claiming that the night view is even more beautiful than during the day. The observation decks have high-powered telescopes for visitors to view the panoramic scenery of Auckland, as well as multilingual broadcasting services, interactive technological devices, and audiovisual exhibitions. Both outer edges of the two observation decks have glass floors, allowing brave individuals to look down below. Additionally, there are two extreme activities on the tower - SkyWalk and SkyJump - which are only suitable for the daring. After sightseeing, there are several restaurants on the tower for visitors to try.
9
km
4
Mission Bay is one of the favorite beaches for Aucklanders and is also the most convenient beach to reach from the city center. You can truly experience the local lifestyle there. When the weather is nice, people lie on the beach in twos and threes, sunbathing, and sometimes seagulls come to steal food. If you see people lining up here, they must be buying Movenpick ice cream. I highly recommend trying the waffle cone ice cream here, it's the best I've ever had!
Day2: Auckland
4 attraction(s) ·
20 km
1
Auckland Museum is located in Auckland Domain, it is a comprehensive museum that collects historical and cultural artifacts. The museum is a Gothic-style building with three floors.
The first floor mainly showcases Māori culture, displaying unique Māori handicrafts, restored Māori meeting places, and exhibits of Māori daily necessities. It presents the ethnic art of Māori and Pacific peoples.
The second floor displays various animal and plant specimens, with the most notable being the remains of the extinct Moa bird.
The third floor showcases weapons used in two world wars, commemorating the fallen soldiers. The museum also memorializes Auckland soldiers, including 11,671 men and women killed in World War II. The marble walls of the Hall of Honours list the heroes of World War II, while only the deceased are listed for World War I. The globe in the World War II exhibition hall represents the victory in global warfare history, and behind the altar are three stained glass windows dedicated to nurses, women, the elderly, children, and those who stayed at home.
In front of the museum stands a grand memorial to fallen soldiers, where a solemn commemorative ceremony is held every April 25th.
One of New Zealand's most iconic historical buildings, it has a magnificent exterior. The exhibits feature traditional art and culture of Pacific indigenous people, allowing you to experience the unique ethnic charm, such as Māori totem sculptures, architecture, and various treasures.
It has the most comprehensive collection of Māori culture and New Zealand history. The spectacular daily Māori performances are a must-see attraction in Auckland! It offers the best views and architecture, overlooking Auckland Harbour Bridge, Sky Tower, and the container port. As a century-old building and a must-visit destination for visiting heads of state in New Zealand.
3
km
2
Auckland Art Gallery is the largest and oldest art gallery in New Zealand. It reopened in September 2011 after renovations, seamlessly combining classical and modern styles. It showcases over 15,000 artworks and regularly hosts various art activities. If you have some free time in the city center and don't know what to do, visiting here is a good way to pass the time. Free Wi-Fi is available for 30 minutes or 30MB. Please note that food and drinks are not allowed inside the gallery.
1
km
3
Built in 1929, located in the heart of Auckland on Queen Street, it is a very prominent and iconic building on Queen Street.
17
km
4
Devonport is located on a peninsula on the southeast corner of the North Shore. It is a wealthy area and a charming seaside village with beautiful beaches, boutique shops, art galleries, and Victorian architecture. Mount Victoria is the best viewpoint in Devonport, offering stunning views of downtown Auckland and the harbor. The red "mushrooms" on the mountain are actually ventilation shafts for drainage stations, adding a unique touch to the scenery. Additionally, North Head, managed by the Department of Conservation, is an important historic coastal fortress in New Zealand, featuring various military tunnels and gun batteries that are mostly open to the public. If you have extra time, you can enjoy an authentic Victorian-style afternoon tea at the Peace and Plenty Inn, where guests are provided with a range of Victorian hats to wear while they sip and savor.
Day3: Coromandel
2 attraction(s) ·
8 km
2
Hahei is a charming beach with tall New Zealand Christmas trees on either side and pink shells floating at the northern end.
The coastal islands form a natural breakwater, allowing visitors to swim, boat, and fish safely in the sea. The coastline extending northwards and the islands near the marine reserve make this a popular spot for diving and kayaking. The abundant coral reefs, caves, arches, and soft sediments provide an ideal habitat for various plants, fish, mollusks, and crustaceans.
At the southern end of Hahei Beach, you will find the Te Pare historic reserve, which is the site of an ancient Maori fortress (a fortified village). Follow the walking trail at the northern end of the beach for an hour to reach the top of the cliff, then descend to the picturesque Cathedral Cove.
A giant arch-shaped rock gate connects two tranquil bays through the white rocky promontory. This arch gives the entire beach a solemn atmosphere. The beach is covered with soft fine sand, and the New Zealand Christmas trees provide shade from the sun, making it an ideal picnic and swimming spot. On Cathedral Cove, there is a huge cone-shaped boulder called "Te Hoho" that has been sculpted by the sea breeze and waves for centuries, resembling the bow of a large ship slowly approaching the beach.
Day4: Matamata
1 attraction(s) ·
0 km
1
The Alexander family's cattle and sheep ranch outside of Matamata is the filming location for the hobbits' hometown, the Shire, in the movies "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit." It is now known as "Hobbiton." The film crew spent nine months building the movie sets, including a 1.5 km road, 37 hobbit holes, a mill by the lake, and a double-arched bridge. Visitors can now tour the 44 hobbit holes in the area and participate in sheep shearing demonstrations and feeding baby lambs. Tours are available seven days a week with local guides leading groups every 15 minutes.
Day5: Rotorua
3 attraction(s) ·
37 km
1
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland is a large geothermal park. The most famous attraction is the Lady Knox Geyser, which erupts a water column of 20-30 meters high. It can be seen from the nearby highway every day at 10 am.
32
km
2
Polynesian Spa is a leading international day spa located on Lake Rotorua in New Zealand, with a beautiful and peaceful environment where visitors can enjoy relaxing hot pools, luxurious hydrotherapy and massage treatments, and stunning lake views. The spa uses two unique hot mineral springs, one alkaline and one acidic, which many visitors have found to be effective in treating muscle problems, arthritis, and rheumatism, among other conditions. The Priest and Raetihi Springs are the most famous of these. The spa has been ranked among the top ten spa destinations in the world by the renowned travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler for several years and is definitely worth a visit. We look forward to seeing you here.
6
km
3
Lake Rotorua is the largest lake in a group of about 20 lakes in the central-northern part of the North Island of New Zealand, with an area of 80 square kilometers (31 square miles). It is a beautiful lake located on the outskirts of the city, and you can take a boat to visit the small islands in the lake. The best viewing spots include Grand Vue Rd, Kawaha Point, Rotorua 3010.
Day6: Rotorua
2 attraction(s) ·
17 km
1
Hells Gate Geothermal Park is the most active geothermal reserve in Rotorua. It covers over 20 hectares and features a 2.5-kilometer natural geothermal trail. The park is known for its diverse geothermal features, including steam vents and bubbling mud pools. It was also a filming location for the "Lord of the Rings" films, with steam vents, hot pools, sulfur crystals, and deposits scattered throughout. Visitors can walk along ancient Maori warrior trails and admire the Southern Hemisphere's largest hot waterfall, Kakahi Falls. Hells Gate is also famous for its unique geothermal mud baths, where visitors can immerse themselves in warm mud that tightens their skin before rinsing it off in sulfur pools sourced directly from the hot springs. The result is refreshed and rejuvenated skin.
17
km
2
Waireki Geothermal Reserve has an open-air museum showcasing Maori life and artifacts. However, there is a lesser-known Maori indigenous museum in the actual residential area next to Lake Rotorua, with beautiful scenery. Be careful as the square is filled with geothermal vents and avoid getting burned.
Day7: Wellington
3 attraction(s) ·
10 km
1
The Museum of New Zealand, also known as "Te Papa", is located on the convenient waterfront avenue of Wellington, the capital of New Zealand. It is voted as the most popular museum in the Southern Hemisphere and represents a national symbol of New Zealand's history and culture. With its extensive collection of artifacts presented to visitors through interactive high-tech means, it serves as the best gateway for international tourists to learn about New Zealand's history, geography, and culture.
4
km
2
Mount Victoria, also known as Tangi Te Keo in the Maori language, is located on the eastern side of Wellington, New Zealand. The mountain features a lookout called Mount Victoria Lookout, which offers a stunning view of Wellington's beautiful harbor, the southern ocean, and the entry of Cook Strait ferry. The mountain also preserves the office that was used by New Zealand Prime Minister Seddon in the early 20th century.
7
km
3
Weta Workshop is a globally leading film production company that has won the Academy Awards five times. It is based in Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, and was co-founded by Richard Taylor and director Peter Jackson of "The Lord of the Rings" fame. The studio is known for its character design, model props, and visual effects in well-known films such as "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, "The Hobbit" trilogy, "King Kong," "Avatar," and "The Chronicles of Narnia." The studio is open to the public, and visitors can be guided through the studio, including original prop models used in film production, detailed production process introductions, and the workplaces of technical personnel. The tour takes approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Day8: Wellington
2 attraction(s) ·
1 km
1
The Old Government Building, the largest wooden structure in the southern hemisphere, is located opposite the Parliament House. It has a magnificent exterior, spacious stairs, cast iron fireplaces, and interior decorations made of Kauri wood, making it an important part of New Zealand's architectural heritage. Inspired by Italian palaces, like many colonial buildings of the last century, the Old Government Building aims to showcase the power and stability of the expanding empire. During construction, New Zealand's finest indigenous wood, Kauri, was skillfully used in the interior decoration. As Kauri trees are now a protected species, this innovation in the field of architecture is unparalleled.
1
km
2
Wellington Parliament Building is the most magnificent wooden structure in the South Pacific. It was designed by the British architect Sir Basil Spence, and it resembles a beehive when viewed from afar. The building consists of a Gothic-style library, a Renaissance-style debating chamber, and a circular office building.
