The North Island: geothermal, coastal and culturally rich
The North Island is warmer, greener and busier than the south, with most of the country's population and a very different set of highlights: geothermal valleys, Māori culture, volcanic plateau, surf coast and wine country.
What it's known for
- Rotorua and Taupō's geothermal landscapes and lake country
- Māori culture, history and living tradition throughout the island
- The volcanic plateau and its alpine crossing
- Northland's subtropical bays and the Treaty grounds
- Coromandel and Bay of Plenty beaches
- Hawke's Bay, Waiheke and Wairarapa wine regions
Getting around
- Auckland is the main international gateway; Wellington links to the ferry
- Distances are shorter than the South Island but traffic is heavier
- Many highlights sit two to four hours apart by road
- Private transfers and touring days connect them without a rental car
A week in the North Island covers the classic run: Auckland, the Waikato, Rotorua and Taupō, with a detour to the coast or the Bay of Islands if you have longer. Ten days lets you reach Wellington by road and see the middle of the island properly.
The driving is easier than the south but not effortless — Auckland traffic, winding rural highways and long stretches of state highway are all part of it. Most of our North Island work is exactly these legs, driven so visitors can look out the window instead of at the road.
We also run day trips from Auckland and the other main centres, which suits visitors who prefer to keep one base rather than repack every night.
Towns and cities we drive in North Island
Travelling it without a rental car
Highway 1 Tours & Transfers runs private vehicles with local drivers right across New Zealand — single transfers, full touring days, or a driver who stays with you for the whole trip. You get a fixed price agreed before you travel, no left-hand-side driving to learn, and someone who knows the roads and the weather.
Common questions
Keep exploring
Other services we offer
A private transfer is only part of what we do. The same NZTA-licensed drivers and vehicles cover tours, hourly hire, airport and cruise work, corporate travel and group bookings throughout New Zealand.
Private, luxury & multi-day travel
Private touring, chauffeur hire, honeymoon travel and a driver for your whole New Zealand trip.
Explore private travelArriving in New Zealand
First-time visitor guides to landing at Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown, Wellington and Dunedin.
Read the arrival guidesIsland & region guides
What each part of New Zealand is known for, how long the drives really take, and how to travel it without a rental car.
Explore destinationsVisiting New Zealand
Driving on the left, kilometres to miles, money and tipping, the seasons, and travelling without a rental car.
Read visitor infoAirport shuttle alternative
Private airport transfers instead of a shared shuttle — your group alone, direct to the terminal, price agreed first.
Compare the optionsCity taxi, upgraded
A fixed-price private car instead of the taxi rank — city-by-city guides across New Zealand.
See your citySuburb airport transfers
Local detail on the run to Auckland, Christchurch or Wellington Airport from your own suburb.
Find your suburbPrivate day tours & sightseeing
Keep the same driver for the day and shape the route around what you'd like to see nationwide.
See private toursBy-the-hour driver hire
A driver and vehicle held for a block of time — best when your travel starts and finishes in the same town.
Book hourly hireAirport transfers
Flight-tracked pickups and drop-offs at every main New Zealand airport, door to door.
Airport transfersCruise port transfers & shore days
Met at the terminal in Auckland, Tauranga, Akaroa or Picton — back on board well before all-aboard time.
Cruise transfersSki field transfers
Winter-ready vehicles and alpine drivers for Queenstown, Wānaka, Mt Hutt and Ruapehu — gear included.
Ski transfersCorporate & executive travel
Business accounts, client and staff runs, event movements and consolidated invoicing.
Talk to usGroups, fleets & rental car alternative
Multiple vehicles on one booking for larger parties, or a driven alternative to hiring a car.
Rental car alternativeWhat transfers and taxis cost
Plain answers on what moves the price of an airport run in New Zealand, and how a fixed total compares with a meter.
Fares & costsWeddings, balls & big occasions
Private transport for weddings, school balls, corporate events, funerals, large groups and accessible travel.
Occasion transportConcerts & event transport
Ride there and ride home for the big nights — concerts, festivals and events across New Zealand.
Event transport
Please note: by-the-hour driver hire is only suitable when your travel starts and finishes in the same town. If you're finishing somewhere else, book a private transfer or a day trip so your fare covers the driver's travel.