New Zealand North Island Tours & Holidays

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises). 

However, we continue to strongly recommend  that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Learn more about Intrepid's COVID-19 policy

Auckland is the major international airport for New Zealand's North Island. If you are flying to the North Island from the South Island or vice versa, there are flights between different North Island and South Island airports. Car rental desks are available at Auckland Airport and many companies also have an office in the North Island's towns. Vehicle ferry services which also take foot passengers travel between Wellington in the North Island and Picton in the South Island daily. The trip across the Cook Strait takes three-and-a-half hours. 

Most people travel by car or join a tour to get around the North Island of New Zealand. Buses travel between some towns but schedules can be limited. 

The North Island's weather is changeable. You could feel like you're freezing in summer or find yourself strolling around in shorts and a t-shirt in winter. Or piling on warm clothes because the temperature has dipped towards zero degrees at pretty much any time of year. The North Island is generally busier during the Australian and New Zealand school holidays but not excessively so. 

In short, pretty much everything. Bring clothes you can layer plus a jumper or jacket, wet weather gear, a hat and a beanie. And don't be surprised if you end up wearing all these things on the same day. If you're dining out or hitting the bars in Wellington or Auckland, some smart casual clothes are a must. 

The North Island is a fairly casual place, especially if you're basing yourself in one of the smaller regional areas like Hawke's Bay. However, people tend to dress up if they are 'hitting the town' at night in Auckland and the New Zealand capital.  Smart casual is the norm at most restaurants, aside from the signature 'date night' ones like Hippopotamus in Wellington where people tend to dress up more. 

There is good WiFi coverage in all of the North Island's major towns. If you are visiting some of the more remote locations in the North Island, coverage can be patchy at times. 

There is good mobile phone coverage in all of the North Island's major towns. If you are visiting some of the more remote locations in the North Island, coverage can be patchy at times. 

Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. However, we’re always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

Learn more about Accessible Travel with Intrepid