"The Big Fish - New Zealands North Island" Top 5 Page for this destination North Island by Bernd_L

North Island Travel Guide: 5,050 reviews and 12,212 photos

A green paradise - ferns on every corner

When we visited New Zealand in January 2006 we had to decide, where to go because our vacation time was limited and we were not able to see all the interesting places, this fantastic country offers. After reading some travel guides (and pages on VT of course) we went for the North Island, because in my opinion there's a bigger varity of attractions.

Onemana beach on Coromandel peninsula

The main part of New Zealands population lives on this island - most of them in the two biggest urbanizations Auckland and Wellington. But outside of this urban areas you'll find a rural and almost empty country, the nature paradies which is the reason for so many travellers to visit New Zealand. Maybe the nature experience is somehow more gigantic on the South Island but if you want to see some interesting cities and some culture as well then go North.

The Big Fish - New Zealands North Island - North Island

But what has this all to do with a big fish? Well a legend of the maoris, the native population of New Zealand, tells a story about two demigods who caught a big fish while they were out on the sea in there canoe. The canoe and the fish have been transformed into the two big islands of New Zealand. And if you look on a map and have a bit imaginative power you can see the fish with Northland as its tail and the bay of Wellington as its mouth.

Pros and Cons

Pros:A lush paradise with an interesting culture
Cons:A looooooooong flight from Europe
In a nutshell:A one in a lifetime experience to be on the other side of the globe.

Last visit to North Island: Jan 2006
Intro Updated Aug 9, 2006
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Reviews (25)

Take a boat to Cathedral Cove Things to Do (16)

On the east side of Coromandel peninsula there are a lot of nice beaches. At one of the more famous you'll find a grotto... more travel advice

Wellington and its cable car - North Island

See New Zealands capital Wellington Things to Do (16)

New Zealands capital Wellington is a city with a special charm. In many ways it reminded me of San Francisco - it's also... more travel advice

Sky Tower - Aucklands landmark - North Island

Visit Auckland Things to Do (16)

Situated on an isthmus between the main part of the North Island and Northland the city of Auckland stretches from the... more travel advice

interrupt your road trip and stay for a night - North Island

interrupt your road trip and stay for a... Hotels (5)

On our way to the Coromandel peninsula we stayed one night at this motel. It's not a fancy one but the rooms were clean... more travel advice

Off The Beaten Path (3)
See All Matarangi Beach

Restaurants (1)
Stellar restaurant and bar, Wanganui

Comments (7)

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hunterV Jun 26, 2010 at 10:42 PM

Hallo, Bernd! Thanks for your nice virtual tour! <><><><><
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jumpingnorman Aug 6, 2009 at 9:40 AM

I love this picture of the green ferns!!! awesome - you take great photos --- and the Huka Falls look so nice, blue and refreshing...awesome pages on a place that I am hoping to visit someday, Norman :)
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Jim_Eliason Jul 2, 2008 at 6:23 AM

Great tips!
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cachaseiro Dec 9, 2007 at 11:35 AM

great tips and photos.
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Nemorino Sep 15, 2006 at 12:36 AM

Happy birthday, Bernd! Glad you had such a great trip to New Zealand. This is a very informative and interesting page with fine photos. I had no idea there was so much thermal activity over there. And I never knew the meaning of the name Rotorua, LOL.
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HORSCHECK Aug 30, 2006 at 9:47 AM

Bernd, fabulous page with brilliant photos. I especially like your photos of the tram and the cable car. Perhaps I should add New Zealand to my must-visit list. :-)
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Morepork Aug 9, 2006 at 3:37 AM

Good report on our North Isd. Pleased you enjoyed our land. Try the South isd. next time - it's really different.