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A driving tour is the perfect way to see New Zealand’s spectacular North Island, from the hot springs of Rotorua to the wine country of Wairarapa. New Zealand’s North Island is packed with intriguing sights, from the cosmopolitan city of Auckland to Rotorua’s bubbling hot springs to picturesque wine country and the wonderfully walkable capital of Wellington. Fortunately, the island is compact, roughly 515 miles from top to tip. Touring by car is an ideal way to take in the cities, countryside, culture, and cuisine, all at your own pace. Whether you relish spur-of-the-moment adventure or prefer a pre-planned itinerary, your Carlson Wagonlit Travel expert can help you find a fitting tour. Renting a car from Avis, for example, gives you maximum freedom and flexibility. “Choosing to take a vacation in New Zealand by rental car offers many opportunities that you just won’t get any other way,” says John Devaney, marketing manager for Avis Budget Group. “It means that you can visit the parts of the country off the main track, which you might not see with an organized tour.” Qantas Vacations offers another easy option: Its self-drive tour packages come complete with car rental, lodging passes, admission to some attractions, and lots of helpful travel tips. “I do recommend driving, particularly on the North Island,” says Rachel Brown, a New Zealand specialist at Carlson Wagonlit Travel in Onalaska, Wis. Brown should know: She and her husband drove from Auckland to Rotorua on their honeymoon. “We found the roads easy to drive, and the farm country was like home.” Cosmopolitan Auckland Your trip begins in Auckland, the “City of Sails” and the gateway for international flights. Be sure to scope out the lay of the land from the 360-degree observation room perched high up in the Sky Tower. At 1,076 feet, it’s the highest tower in the southern hemisphere, and the views are breathtaking. Once you have your bearings, pick up your rental car and check out Auckland’s more distant attractions. A scenic waterfront road leads to Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World, where you’ll see king penguins and their fluffy chicks. Then head further along the coast-hugging road to the Arataki Visitor Centre, which houses fascinating woodcarvings done by local Maori, New Zealand’s indigenous people. On the Beach After Auckland, head north to the Bay of Islands’ beaches for fun in the sun. “The Bay of Islands is awesome,” comments Stacy Van Wyk, a Carlson Wagonlit Travel expert in Costa Mesa, Calif. “They have great beaches. It’s closer to the equator, so the water is warmer.” “Everything here is about active pursuits,” says Van Wyk. The options are numerous: Play golf. Take an old-fashioned steamboat ride. Swim with dolphins. Go deep-sea fishing. Sample the fresh-caught fish and kumara (sweet potato) chips. Paihia, the area’s main resort town, offers a variety of lodging to use as your base. Thermal Wonderland Wisps of sulphuric steam will signal your approach to the center of the North Island, which is one of the most active geothermal regions on earth. Along the way to the famous Maori cultural center of Rotorua, you’ll also pass emu farms and fields of kiwi plants pruned to look like grape vines. “In Rotorua, you get to see the culture of the native people,” notes Brown. Watch a Maori dance performance, then enjoy a traditional hangi, a feast cooked on hot stones buried in the ground similar to a Hawaiian luau. About half an hour south, you’ll find the colorful Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, where the Lady Knox Geyser sends up a fountain of steam every morning at 10:15 sharp. It’s more predictable than Yellowstone’s Old Faithful, for good reason. The park ranger adds a handful of soap powder to break the surface tension, causing the on-time eruption. Be sure to hike through the steaming thermal grounds to see the yellow-green Devil’s Bath, orange-rimmed Champagne Pool, and gurgling gray mud of the Devil’s Ink Pots. If all these hot springs put you in the mood for a relaxing mineral bath, you’re in luck. Lake Taupo is just down the road, and the town of Taupo boasts a complex of therapeutic thermal pools open to the public. Wine Country to Wellington On the way to the capital city of Wellington, located at the North Island’s southern tip, you’ll travel past dozens of picture-perfect vineyards. Plan to spend a night in the Wairarapa, a grape-growing region known for Pinot Noir. Wairarapa’s rural retreats include the town of Martinborough and the charming Victorian village of Greytown. Drop the car at your B&B or hotel and walk to one of the excellent restaurants to sample first-rate local wines with dinner. Once you reach Wellington, just 90 minutes away, you’ll discover a wonderfully friendly city built along the harbor. Ride the cable car up to the hilltop district of Kelburn and stroll back down through the Botanic Garden. The marvelous Te Papa, New Zealand’s national museum, is a must. Five floors of interactive exhibits tell the country’s history and showcase its artistic treasures. Foodies will love this city. Its 400-plus restaurants and cafés serve fresh seafood, New Zealand specialties such as lamb and venison, and all manner of taste-tempting ethnic cuisine. It’s so easy to get around Wellington, you may decide to turn in your rental car. Better yet, why not extend your vacation, drive aboard the ferry, and tour the gorgeous South Island?
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