Exploring New Zealand’s North Island: Week 1 Travel Diary

SueQ Travel
Sep 23
4 min read

Updated: Oct 28

New Zealand Stole My Heart

New Zealand North Island travel week 1: I left Charleston on Monday, August 18th, and after a long flight, I arrived in Auckland, New Zealand. I picked up my rental van, joined by another traveler, and we set off to what would be our home base for the next three weeks. Honestly, I don’t think either of us were ready for the adventure ahead. Every moment, every view, every turn was pure magic.

Our base was the small town of Mangakino, population around 800. It’s one of those places where everyone seems to know everyone, and there’s a quiet charm in its simplicity. The “downtown” area, just a five-minute walk from our place, had everything we needed—a grocery store, a chicken shop, another small grab-and-go food place, a pharmacy, an op shop, a laundromat, and a cozy little cafe. Perfect for getting settled in.

A short walk up the street was the Mago Club, open to visitors. To have an alcoholic drink, we had to become temporary members for just $2. We walked away feeling like honorary locals, which is the kind of small, quirky New Zealand charm I instantly fell in love with.

From Mangakino, we explored nearly the entire North Island, but even after three weeks, I feel like we only scratched the surface. There is so much more to see, and I can’t wait to return.

Our first day was full of small discoveries. We visited the grocery store, where I introduced my travel companion to crumpets and TimTams—both quickly became favorites. Our first night was an adventure in itself as we learned how the heating in the home worked. After freezing through the night in a sweatshirt, warm leggings, and socks, a neighbor came to our rescue the next day and showed us the ropes. She even helped us get a heated blanket, which felt like a tiny slice of heaven.

Breakfast the next morning was at the local cafe. Walking in, a man greeted us, saying, “You must be the Canadians!” We laughed and corrected him, “Nope.” Then he guessed, “The Americans?” and we said, “Yes!” He explained he knew because he had just been golfing with the husband of our next-door neighbor. We spent the next few minutes chatting with him, picking up helpful tips and hearing the story of how tightly knit small-town life can be.

One of our first excursions was to Blue Springs. Parking at the Leslie Road entrance, we took a short walk into what is truly a magical spectacle. The water is crystal clear, fed by underground springs, and you can see trout swimming in perfect clarity. The walk can take hours if you do the whole loop, but we did an out-and-back in about an hour and a half. The gentle hills, the sun-dappled forests, and the turquoise waters made every step feel cinematic.

Our next stop was Rotorua, a geothermal wonderland. We took the Skyline gondola to the top and enjoyed a sumptuous lunch at Stratosfare, a buffet with spectacular views of Rotorua Lake. Afterward, we indulged in a wine tasting and some souvenir shopping before spontaneously deciding to try the luge track. To our surprise, someone handed us two free tickets! We flew down the hill, lifted back up by a ski lift, and had one of those laugh-until-your-cheeks-hurt moments.

Rotorua is unlike anywhere else. The city is peppered with natural thermal pools, steaming vents, and bubbling mud pots. It’s wild to think that homes and everyday life coexist alongside these geothermal wonders. That evening, we finished with the Redwoods Treewalk, a series of elevated walkways through giant redwoods. Experiencing it at night, lit with subtle lights, felt like wandering through a fairy tale.

August 21st was spent on a farm, a true highlight. The drive there was breathtaking, with rolling green hills stretching as far as the eye could see. Angie, the farm owner, welcomed us warmly. We fed animals, hung out with Scottish Highland cows, and even met a newborn lamb, born the night before. On the way back, we stopped countless times to capture the stunning landscapes—every turn was more picturesque than the last.

Our last day before the rest of the travelers arrived, August 22nd, was spent in Taupō. This lakeside town is known for its stunning views of Lake Taupō, the largest lake in New Zealand, formed in a volcanic caldera. We wandered the town, shopped for unique finds, and had breakfast at the charming Garden Cafe, where the food was as delightful as the ambiance.

New Zealand has a way of making you feel small in the best possible way. The landscapes, the warmth of the people, and the little unexpected adventures at every turn make it an impossible place not to fall in love with. And this was only the beginning.