6 Best things to see & do in New Zealand’s North Island

The world-famous volcanic town of Rotorua, on New Zealand’s North Island, is a hellish paradise of mud pools, hot springs and geysers spouting scalding water into the air.

And the Pohotu Geyser is its star attraction.

The largest geyser in the southern hemisphere, it reliably ‘erupts’ up to twenty times per day, sending hissing (and rather smelly) jets of sulphurous steam and dirt up to 30m (100 feet) into the air.

The Te Puia reserve is also home to 500-plus hot springs and over 50 other geysers.

The prevailing limestone rock in this famous cavern system, just south of Auckland on New Zealand’s northern island, formed 30 million years ago when it was under the surface of the ocean. The subsequent caves were carved out by the action of water once it had been forced above the water line.

Today the caves are famously home to thousands and thousands of glow worms – actually a species of fungus gnat.

They attach themselves to the cave ceiling, dangling on sticky spider-like threads to capture any passing critters.

To attract prey, they produce bright blue-green bioluminescence that shines in an otherwise inky blackness. The mesmerising effect is a glittering sky of coloured stars.

This beautiful wildlife-filled bay is home to common dolphins, orcas, humpback whales, penguins and fur seals.

Sensitively-run snorkel tours depart daily from November to April on purpose-built dolphin viewing vessels equipped swim bars to hold on in the water; dolphins swim alongside you as you’re pulled along.

New Zealand sits on a geothermal fault line, making it prime country for bubbling, geothermal hot springs ­known in Maori as waiariki. Although found across both islands, the Central Plateau region of the North Island, underlain by the Taupo Volcanic Zone, is particularly good, especially near Rotorua.

Rotorua Golf Club – or to give it its proper name, Arikikapakapa (after the reserve where it is located) is one of New Zealand’s most individual courses. It is built on a unique landscape whose predominant features include bubbling mud pools, sulphur mounds, warm water streams and – next to the 14th hole – a huge thermal crater.

Not only are you playing around some interesting geological features, but the porous pumice stone drains water very quickly, and the par-70 links-style course is back on its feet in no time, even after a heavy downpour.

A major refurb in the 1990s resulted in reconstructed greens at the century-plus-old course and a redesigned par 3 14th – even if the par 3 9th is the most famous (it has featured on a Kiwi postage stamp).

The toughest test is the long par four 3rd, where you drive just short of a hot creek and then fire your longish second into a raised green that slopes viciously to the left. Avoid the thermal trouble and your reward on the 18th is a stunning view from the elevated tee box across the thermal reserve.

Set on a rugged stretch of land wedged in a sheep station and a range of mighty cliffs, this golf course was designed to be New Zealand’s version of Pebble Beach.

It’s beautifully positioned and the back nine – laid out along several fingers of land separated by deep gullies that fall into the sea below – is easily one of the most dramatic stretches of holes you’ll ever play. Along the par-5 15th – the aptly named Pirate’s Plank – is the sign everyone should pay heed to: ‘Danger: Cliffs.’ Go left and long and the ball has a long fall before reaching the water.

And don’t let the simplicity of the place fool you: a huge amount of care and attention has gone into its design.