20 Places Off the Beaten Track in the North Island

Last Updated: 12 April, 2024

Discover Something Special Away from the Tourist Crowds

The great thing about being a backpacker inNew Zealand is that we have the time to discover amazing parts of the country away from the tourist crowds. As one of our ‘inspirational travel quotes‘ says: “The traveller sees what he sees. The tourist sees what he has come to see.” So what are some of the best places off the beaten track in the North Island? Here is a list of the places you perhaps haven’t heard of in the North Island, but they are still likely to blow your mind. You have been warned.

More of a South Island sort of person? Visit 20 Places Off the Beaten Track in the South Island.

1. Waitomo’s Other Caves

Everyone goes to the Waitomo Caves to go tubing, abseiling and climbing with the glowworms, but there are a lot more caves that backpackers fail to discover. Ruakuri Walk has a fascinating walk past limestone outcrops, small caves, tunnels, and pretty waterfalls. Check out more hidden gems in Waitomo in 15 Free Things to Do in Waitomo.

Location: Waitomo, North Island

2. Waitakere Ranges

West Auckland has 16,000ha (39,537 acres) of native rainforest, beautiful waterfalls and sweeping beaches called the Waitakere Ranges. All this is nearby the popular surf beach Piha. Check out all the awesome bush walks and beaches in Waitakere Ranges – Guide for Backpackers.

Location: West Auckland, North Island

3. Karangahake Gorge

Delve into the dark railway tunnels of this historic gold mining location. Along with steel truss bridges, this walk is in the beautiful setting of Ohinemuri River gorge. Find this gem on the edge of the Coromandel region.

Location: Southern Coromandel, North Island

4. Waipu Caves

While making a trip up to the Far North, be sure to stop off at the Waipu Caves for glistening glowworms and looming stalactites. Find out more about Waipu in the 10 Brilliant Things to Do in Waipu & Bream Bay.

Location: Waipu, Northland

5. Volkner Rocks

They are so off the beaten track that you have to go scuba diving to see the best of them. Volkner Rocks are the three stacked rocks next to White Island off the coast of Whakatane. The marine reserve in the waters below is a top diving site. See more diving locations here: 7 Places to Scuba Dive in New Zealand.

Location: White Island, North Island

6. Tiritiri Matangi Island

On the Hauraki Gulf in Auckland, you can take a ferry to this nature reserve from downtown Auckland. See New Zealand’s endangered birds as you walk in the forests and along untouched beaches.

Location: Auckland Hauraki Gulf, North Island

7. Te Urewera

Everyone talks about the national parks of Tongariro, Fiordland, Aoraki Mt Cook, etc. But there are gems hidden away in the lesser-known national parks, such as Te Urewera. Here you can find impressive lakes, forest and stunning waterfalls that make up the Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk.

Location: East Cape, North Island

8. Tawharanui Marine Reserve

The Tawharanui Marine Reserve sits off the Tawharanui Peninsula. The area is known for attracting around 50 species of fish, as well as bottlenose dolphins and orcas.

Location: North Auckland, North Island

9. Rere Falls and Rere Rockslide

On one side, you have a wonderful waterfall, on the other is a natural rockslide. Get on a boogie board and slide! Find this awesome hidden gem near Gisborne.

Location: East Cape, North Island

10. Rangitikei Valley

The Rangitikei River is an isolated location for white water rafting. Explore the valley by horseback and walk atop of steep gorges and rolling hills.

Location: Manawatu-Whanganui Region, North Island

11. Doubtless Bay

Looking for safe uncrowded swimming beaches in Northland? Doubtless Bay has 60km (37 miles) of untouched coastline. You can snorkel, walk along the pohutukawa-fringed beaches, and watch the dolphins and orca out in the bay. A similar beach experience as the Bay of Islands without the crowds.

Location: Northeast of Kaitaia, North Island

12. Cape Kidnappers

The peninsula where Captain Cook’s cabin boy was stolen is the same place you can steal a look at one of the world’s largest gannet colonies. Learn more in our 8 Awesome Things to Do in Hastings.

Location: Hawke’s Bay, North Island

13. Mt Hikurangi

This mountain holds a lot of significance, as it is agreed as being the first point on the mainland to see the sunrise. Also, in Maori legend, the mountain is the resting place of the waka (canoe) of Maui who fished up the North Island. 4WD and walking tours take you up Mt Hikurangi. Find out more about climbing the mountain in Eastland Road Trip Itinerary: Gisborne to Opotiki.

Location: East Cape, North Island

14. Mokoia Island

In the centre of Lake Rotorua is the sacred Mokoia Island. Visiting Mokoia Island is a truly unique cultural experience, where you must take a boat cruise and be guided around the island. Discover native bush walks among wildlife, a dip in Hinemoa’s Pool, and take part in indigenous food tastings.

Location: Rotorua, North Island

15. Kapiti Island

Kapiti Island gets its fame from the delicious ice cream brand that goes by the same name. The actual island is a bird sanctuary, full of walking tracks and a great place to go kiwi spotting and kayaking. The marine life surrounding the island makes it ideal for scuba diving and fishing. Learn more in the 10 Must-Dos on the Kapiti Coast.

Location: Off the shore of Paraparaumu, North Island

16. Aorangi Forest

As seen in the Lord of the Rings, the Putangirua Pinnacles are a must-visit. Rain and flood erosion has formed these impressive stone pillars. The leaning rock formation Kupe’s Sail is also worth checking out. See more like this in the 10 Damn Good Things to Do in Wairarapa.

Location: Wairarapa, North Island

17. Cape Palliser

The southern tip of the North Island is the home of the much-needed lighthouse (there were around 20 shipwrecks there in the 19th century). To get to the lighthouse you must endure a 250-step climb. Also, find the North Island’s largest fur seal colony at the Cape.

Location: South of Aorangi forest, North Island

18. Blackhead Beach

Not only is this a beautiful long stretch of beach, often with good surfing conditions, but Blackhead is at one end of the Te Angiangi Marine Reserve. At low tide, a large bed is exposed with marine life, such as pink coralline seaweeds, Neptune’s necklace (a type of seaweed that looks like a necklace), and patches of seagrass. This, in turn, attracts fish and shellfish easy to find in the rock pools.

Location: Hawke’s Bay, North Island

19. Paihia’s Mangrove Forest

Up the Waitangi River in Paihia is a forest growing from the water. You can either take a boardwalk through the forest on the Paihia to Haruru Falls walk or kayak through it while challenging yourself to not crash into every tree trunk along the way.

Location: Bay of Islands, North Island

20. White Island

[Update: Following a major eruption, tours on White Island have been suspended until further notice.]

New Zealand’s active marine volcano lies 49km (30 miles) off the coast Whakatane. On a clear day, you can see the smoke from White Island’s constant volcanic activity from the mainland. Backpackers can visit the island by taking a boat tour and walk its inner crater.

Location: Whakatane, North Island

If You Like This Article, Then You Might Like…

Plus, have you planned your route around New Zealand yet? Check out the following itineraries for places to visit between the places off the beaten track on the North Island!

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
Adventure Mark (Health and Safety Audit - Updated [2025])
Work Safe NZ (Adventure Activities Guidelines - Updated [2025])
Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2025])
AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2025])
NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2025])
Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2025])
Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2025])
Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2025])

Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

Don Benny V. & DOC

This article was supplied by the Department of Conservation (DOC) and reviewed and published by Don Benny.

The DOC is the government agency charged with conserving New Zealand’s natural and historic heritage.

Don is a seasoned travel editor with a deep passion for exploring New Zealand, Asia and the Pacific. Having explored much of New Zealand’s North Island first-hand, from the cultural heart of Rotorua to the wine country of Wairarapa and the capital charm of Wellington, he brings local insight and a traveller’s eye to every piece he writes. Don Benny’s travel advice is shaped by real experiences, and he loves helping visitors uncover both iconic highlights and hidden gems throughout Aotearoa.

About Don About Our Team