Auckland and Wellington are the island’s main cities and where you’ll find some of the best sightseeing attractions; however, it’s fair to say that there are places of interest across the length of North Island, with Rotorua, Hamilton, Tauranga, Whangarei and Wanganui all offering their own unique selections. If there is one attraction that visitors would be foolish to miss out on during their holiday, it would have to be the fascinating nature and culture park of Te Puia in Rotorua.

Auckland
No holiday on the North Island is complete without a trip to Auckland, New Zealand’s biggest and most populated city. Across the urban area, there’s a plethora of sightseeing attractions, including the American Express Viaduct Harbour, Cornwall Park and One Tree Hill, Mount Eden, the Sky Tower and the Stardome Observatory. Meanwhile, in districts such as Devonport, Parnell and Ponsonby, visitors are assured a variety of aesthetically pleasing sights in both the natural and manmade categories.

Bay of Islands Maritime and Historic Park
Covering an extensive area between Whangaroa in the north and Whangaruru in the south, this large natural expanse features a combination of protected reserves and areas of historical interest. Visitors can experience the park on foot by following any of the many trails available or by boat. There are facilities provided for camping overnight in the park.

Mount Edgecumbe
Located in the Kawerau area of the Bay of Plenty, Mount Edgecumbe is an 805-metre high inactive volcano (entirely extinct to be precise) that can be ascended by visitors in good health. The summit provides some stunning views over the surrounding areas. The mountain is considered by Maoris of the Ngatiawa tribe to be sacred and is used by them as a burial ground.

Te Puia
Arguably the North Island’s top visitor destination, Te Puia is a large park in Rotorua that offers an eclectic mix of fascinating geothermal attractions with cultural shows and exhibits. Seething mud pools and shooting geysers in the Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley are the highlights in the former category, while in the latter, the Maori Culture Performances and the New Zealand Maori Arts & Crafts Institute are the must-sees. 
Phone: +64 7 348 9047; www.nzmaori.co.nz/

Wellington
New Zealand’s capital is famed for its stunning natural beauty, a feature that was made good use of in the movies of the acclaimed Lord of the Rings trilogy. Some of the most scenic areas can be witnessed at locations such as Island Bay, the Hutt Valley and the Staglands Wildlife Reserve. For more urban-oriented attractions, the Parliament Grounds, the Dowse Art Museum, Thorndon and the Waterfront area are among the city’s must-sees.

White Island
Located in the Bay of Plenty and easily seen from within its immediate surroundings due to its height of 300 metres, White Island is an active volcano that forms part of a chain of volcanoes beginning at Ruapehu in the Tongariro National Park. The island, which still puffs out smoke from its top and various vapours from its fumaroles, can be visited by boat as part of a tour, or witnessed from above from a plane or helicopter.