North Island Cities, Locations & Attractions

North Island is one of main island of New Zealand. The North Island has a larger population than the South Island, Auckland is the country's largest city & capital as well.

North Island has Lakes & Rivers, Forest and National Parks, Bay & Coastal facility, Volcano, Caves and many more attractions and must visit places. 

About 77% of New Zealand's population lives in the North Island.

Main cities are:

• Auckland
• Palmerston North
• Wellington
• Rotorua
• Hamilton
• New Plymouth
• Napier-Hastings
• Whangarei
• Tauranga
• Kapiti

For more information about places to visit in North Island, do visit Freedom Tourism website

Click here for Holiday packages for North Island, New Zealand

Self Drive Holidays in New Zealand

Self driving holidays are one of the most relaxing ways of enjoying New Zealand's landscape. Many roads are scenic and traffic is low when compared to international standards. Although distances may seem short, however the roads often include hilly or winding terrain, which slow down your journey.
If you're used to driving in the city, you should take care when driving on the open country roads.

• All motorists drive on the left-hand side of the road and the unit is in Kilometers.

• There is no left turn rule as in North America.
· The speed limit on open roads is 100kmph.
· Drivers and passengers must wear seat belts at all times, in both front and rear seats.
· Make sure that you have plenty of sleep before a long drive. Take regular breaks - one every two hours and when you feel sleepy.
· Do not drink alcohol before driving in New Zealand - drinking and driving laws are strictly enforced

Self Drive Holidays
New Zealand is easy to drive around with many signposted touring routes.

• Traffic is light
• Well maintained roads
• Great scenery

Rental car
Multiple choices of late model vehicles from well-known companies - Budget, Hertz, Avis, Europcar and others.

Second driver rule:
• AT the time of hiring a vehicle the second driver fee applies ranging between $10 -$20.

Soiling charges:
• In New Zealand it is a reserve to right to charge $50-$80 soiling fee if the vehicle is not returned with the interior in a clean condition.

Accidents and Health Insurance
• With a little care and common sense, your visit to New Zealand should be accident-free.

• In New Zealand, you cannot sue anyone for compensatory damages if you are injured.

• You need to purchase your own travel and medical insurance.

• New Zealand's public and private medical/hospital facilities provide a high standard of treatment and service but it is important to note these services are not free to visitors, except as a result of an accident.

• Visitors bringing in a quantity of medication are advised to carry a doctor's certificate to avoid possible problems with New Zealand Customs. Doctor's prescriptions are needed to obtain certain drugs in

New Zealand.
• No vaccinations are required to enter New Zealand.

Visit - New Zealand Travel Information for more information on Self Drive Packages to New Zealand

White Heron Sanctuary Tours - Franz Josef - New Zealand

When you plan to visit Franz Josef do not forget to visit beautiful white heron at Waitangi roto Nature Reserve. It is a must visit place at Franz Josef, the best time to visit heron is during summer between September to early March. Enjoy your family holidays with white heron( kotuku), royal spoonbill and little shag, without this your holidays will be nearly incomplete, so don't forget to visit heron and yaa don't forget to click pictures for your memories at Franz Josef glacier visit.

Visit Information about White Heron Sanctuary Tours

Tour time: Around 2.5 Hours
Adults: $110 per person
Child: (12 years and under)$45
Minimum boatload 4 adults and maximum 12 adults
Tour Timings: 9am, 11am, 1pm and 3pm (For sufficient demand we can organize extra tours)

For more details and travel packages for Franz Josef, visit - FreedomTourism.com

Photo credits to - whiteherontours.co.nz

Explore Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo lies in New Zealand's central South Island & the heart of the Mackenzie Country. 

Lake Tekapo is the second-largest of three roughly parallel lakes running north–south. Lake Tekapo gets its intense milky-turquoise colour from the fine rock-flour (ground by glaciers) which is suspended in the water.

Church of Good Shepherd

The Church was built in 1935 as a place of worship for the pioneer families of the Mackenzie country. Located on the shores of Lake Tekapo, this church always attracts a crowd of tourists keen to capture this historic church


Glacier Boat Tour

The only tour of its kind in New Zealand. A memorable and amazing encounter on the terminal lake of New Zealand's largest glacier, the Tasman Glacier. View icebergs of all shapes and sizes that periodically tear away from the glacier face.


Mackenzie Alpine Horse Trekking

The Mackenzie Country's Lake Tekapo contains some of New Zealand's most picturesque and natural scenery. Teal blue lake water and chiselled mountains are amongst the Mackenzie's jewels.


Mt John Observatory

Stargazing and astrophotography with Earth and Sky in Lake Tekapo, New Zealand. We provide guided day and night sky tours at Mt John Observatory and Cowan's Hill.


Tekapo Springs Hot Pools

Tekapo Springs is a recreation facility set in the stunning setting of Mt John in Lake Tekapo. Tekapo Springs is dedicated to providing the ultimate experience for the whole family and to lift your spirits.

Explore Lake Tekapo for more details at Freedom Tourism

Hamilton City - New Zealand

Hamilton is New Zealand's largest inland city, located on the banks of the Waikato River, which is the country's longest river. Hamilton city has a rich history & contrasting splendors.

Hamilton city has spectacular tourist attractions & activities for travelers, ranging from Gardens, Villages & Air Balloon ride.

Lets find out few of them,

Hamilton Gardens

Explore the stunning Paradise Garden Collection, visit Te Parapara - New Zealand's first traditional Maori garden, picnic with the family or catch one of the many exciting events staged here each year.


Hobbiton Village

Discover the real Middle-Earth at the Hobbiton Movie Set near Matamata in the North Island of New Zealand. On the most picturesque private farmland you can visit the Hobbiton Movie Set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film trilogies in a fascinating two-hour guided tour.


Hot Air Ballooning

A hot air balloon ride over Waikato NZ is a most tranquil and sublime experience! Breathe in the still, crisp early morning air as your hot air balloon gently rises above sleepy Hamilton and then drifts out to the green pastures of the Waikato.

Find out more details about Hamilton New Zealand

Contact for New Zealand tour packages from India at kiwi@freedomtourism.com

Note: Images are copyright by their respective owners.

Most iconic landmarks - Cape Reinga

Cape Reinga (Te Rerenga Wairua) is one of the Far North region’s most iconic landmarks with its serene beauty. It is generally considered the separation marker between the Tasman Sea to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east. At the northernmost tip of the Cape is a gnarled pohutukawa tree, believed to be over 800 years old, and according to Maori oral history, the spirits of deceased Maori leap from this tree into the ocean to return to their ancestral homeland of Hawaiki.

Things to do

Te Paki Stream 

Te Paki Stream - Famous for its massive sand dunes and shallow driveable streambed, the stream runs through the 7 square kilometre sand dunes of the Te Paki Recreational Reserve.


Ninety Mile Beach Cape Reinga Tour

A visit to New Zealand is not complete without a journey to the very top of the North Island – Cape Reinga (Te Rerenga Wairua). Uncover the wild beauty of this vast and untouched region that is rich in Maori culture and tradition.

For more information please visit - Cape Reinga

Looking to visit Cape Reinga, check out the exclusive New Zealand Travel Packages from India

Mount Cook - the tallest mountain in New Zealand

Mount Cook Mackenzie is situated in the centre of New Zealand's majestic South Island. The region is renowned for its incredibly clear starry nights, brilliant sunny days, remarkable turquoise blue lakes, valleys of emerald green and snow-capped mountains.

Mt.Cook is also know as home of the highest mountains and the longest glaciers.

Places to visit in Mount Cook

Mount Cook National Park

Mount Cook National Park is located in the central part of the South Island, deep in the heart of the Southern Alps. Aoraki/Mount Cook village lies within the park with Twizel the nearest town outside.


Lake Pukaki

Lake Pukaki is a shimmering blue jewel set into a grand alpine playground - an iconic New Zealand landscape of high mountain peaks, glacier fed alpine lakes and golden tussocks stretched beneath an endless sky.


Things to Do in Mount Cook

Big Sky Stargazing

The Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve is a gold-rated reserve, meaning the darkness of our night skies is almost unbeatable.
Recommended Time 2 Hrs


Tasman Valley 4WD & ARGO Tours

A short walk to a vantage point overlooking the Tasman Glacier and its terminal lake provides one of the most spectacular photographic opportunities in the Aoraki Mount Cook National Park.
Recommended Time 2 Hrs


Kayaking Tasman Lake

At over 750 metres above sea level you can become part of the environment, paddle beneath towering glaciated mountains and view the majestic glaciers and summit of the mighty Aoraki Mount Cook. We must have sun cream, sun hat, sun glasses, wind shell, walking shoes, snacks, water and camera.
Recommended Time need 3 Hrs

For more travel information about Mount Cook visit - Mount Cook New Zealand

For tour booking & package information for Mount Cook, visit - New Zealand Tour Packages