Find things to do in the central North Island

Te Puia, Rotorua. 

GET MORE TRAVEL INSPIRATION AND GREAT MEMBER DEALS WITH OUR MONTHLY AA TRAVELLER NEWSLETTER: SIGN UP HERE!
Find out more

Activities

Five fun things to do in Ruapehu

From exploring the Tongariro National Park to venturing up the majestic maunga, there are plenty of activities to enjoy in the Ruapehu region.  Read the story . . . 

Find out more

Activities

Helm your own Doughboat on Lake Taupō

One of the latest and most striking additions to the Taupō waterfront are Doughboats – inflatable doughnut-shaped boats with room for up to six people to cruise the inner reaches of the Great Lake. Read the story . . . 

Find out more

Things to do

Must-Do's: Central and Lower North Island Travel Guide

From The Coromandel, Bay of Plenty and Eastland, to Waikato, Rotorua, Hawke's Bay and Wellington, our Central and Lower North Island Must-Do's guide includes all the information you need to plan your next road trip. Read the full guide here, for free! Read the story . . . 

Find out more

Heritage and history

Find archaeological relics at the Buried Village

Discover New Zealand’s most famous archaeological site at the Buried Village in Rotorua.   Read the story . . . 

Find out more

Heritage and history

Whanganui: colourful and creative

From clay to canvas; artworks, artefacts and molten glass, Whanganui is bursting with creative colour.  Read the story . . . 

Find out more

Get outdoors

New Plymouth: mountains and masterpieces

The wavy stainless steel exterior of the Len Lye Centre shimmers and plays; people walk close and back off and look up and laugh at their mangled reflections. It is instantly fun. Read the story . . . 

Find out more

Heritage and history

Cruise the Whanganui River on a heritage vessel

Take a leisurely trip up the Whanganui River on one of two historic boat cruises – the MV Wairua or New Zealand's only coal-powered paddle steamer, the Waimarie. Read the story . . . 

Find out more

Activities

Five picks for a weekend in Rotorua

There's plenty to keep you busy for a weekend escape in Rotorua. Read the story . . . 

Find out more

Activities

Ride from the mountains to the sea

Beginning on the slopes of Mount Ruapehu and winding for 231km to the wild west coast at Whanganui, the Mountains to Sea Cycle trail is one of the North Island’s most dramatic rides.  Read the story . . . 

Find out more

Road trips

The Forgotten World Highway

There are no traffic jams here. The road from Stratford to Taumaranui is not called the Forgotten World Highway for nothing. Read the story . . . 

Find out more

Get outdoors

Loved by the locals: Palmerston North

Come for the coffee, stay for the food and while you're here check out a local's picks for the best things to see and do in Palmerston North. Read the story . . . 

Find out more

Activities

Skydive over Taupō: the skydiving capital of the world

See the largest commercial drop zone in the world from the angle you're really meant to... Read the story . . . 

Show me all places to go
Summer Must-Do's
Must-Do's
We Love You New Zealand
Things to do