North Island
HubThe North Island is beaches, bubbling geothermal valleys, volcanoes and New Zealand's two biggest cities. Most visitors fly into Auckland and drive south to Wellington over 10 days or more. November to April has the longest days.
Quick facts
- Classic route
- Auckland to Wellington, about 1,300 km over 10 days
- From our The 10-day North Island road trip guide
- Direct drive
- Auckland to Wellington about 641 km, 8 hours 15 minutes (estimate)
- From our Auckland to Wellington drive guide
- Best time
- November to April; December to February is busiest
- From our The 10-day North Island road trip guide
Plan it:The 10-day North Island road tripThermal Explorer road tripTwin Coast Discovery road tripAuckland to Wellington drive
North Island on Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Drive times are routing estimates without stops. Prices and rules were checked for each guide; follow the link for the official sources.
Official links for North Island
All useful linksNorthern Explorer (opens in a new tab)
The Auckland to Wellington scenic train, including stops near Tongariro and the Kapiti Coast.
Auckland Airport (opens in a new tab)
Flight status, parking, buses and how to get between terminals at the main gateway.
Wellington Airport (opens in a new tab)
Arrivals, buses and the short hop into the city from the airport.
Rotorua Airport (opens in a new tab)
Domestic flights into Rotorua, handy if you want to skip the drive from Auckland.
Hamilton Airport (opens in a new tab)
Waikato's airport, useful for Hobbiton, Waitomo and the central North Island.
Hawke's Bay Airport (opens in a new tab)
The Napier airport site for flights into Hawke's Bay.
New Plymouth Airport (opens in a new tab)
Flight information for Taranaki.
Palmerston North Airport (opens in a new tab)
The Manawat奴 airport, a practical alternative to flying into Wellington.
More North Island guides
North IslandAuckland to Wellington drive: the best stops and overnight options
North IslandThermal Explorer road trip: Auckland to Rotorua and Taup艒
NorthlandBay of Islands guide: cruises, Russell, Waitangi and where to base yourself
AucklandThe best day trips from Auckland: Hobbiton, Waitomo, the Coromandel and closer escapes
NorthlandCape Reinga and Ninety Mile Beach: getting there and tours
CoromandelCoromandel guide: Cathedral Cove, Hot Water Beach and the best road trip stops
Hawke's BayHawke's Bay guide: Art Deco Napier, wineries and bike trails
WaikatoHobbiton Movie Set tour: tickets, which tour to book and how to get there
WellingtonInterislander vs Bluebridge: which Cook Strait ferry should you book?
AucklandAuckland Airport to the city: buses, trains, taxis and rideshare compared
Rotorua