On the North Island, bustling cities form the portal to improbably diverse natural landscapes. From the north Auckland<\/a> you are in half an hour in the native rainforest of the magical Waitakere Ranges<\/strong> and sails or kayaks in no time between whales, penguins, dolphins and marlins in Bay of Islands’<\/strong> clear blue waters. Northeast beckons Coromandel<\/strong>, a hippie-like peninsula where kaurie trees grow, you stay overnight in a ‘bach’ and on Hot Water Beach<\/strong> you can dig your own spa. Slightly lower await the clouds and steam-shrouded streets of Rotorua<\/strong>, a city adorned by the Maori<\/a> with their art, culture and history.<\/p>\n The geothermal centre of the island is Tongariro National Park<\/strong>, a spectacular area where emerald lakes, ancient lava flows, steaming craters, colorful silica terraces and peculiar alpine gardens compete for attention. On the East Coast, in Hawkes Bay <\/a>you can enjoy abundant wine tastings in a sun-drenched backdrop of beautiful landscapes and stunning architecture. Along the West Coast, the long and powerful waves invite you to surf mecca Raglan<\/strong> and the epic barrels in the bays of Taranaki<\/strong> scream to be ridden.<\/p>\n