http://www.lastminute.com/site/find/World/Australasia/New-Zealand/North-Island.rssen-gbInfo on lastminute.com's North Island offeringshttp://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification ]]> ]]> ]]> ]]> ]]> ]]> Car Hire in Auckland Airport]]> Car Hire in Auckland Downtown]]> Car Hire in Wellington Airport]]> Car Hire in Wellington Ferry Port]]> Car Hire in Rotorua Airport]]> Car Hire in Wellington Downtown]]> Mount Ruapehu is familiar to more people than know it - it was used as Mount Doom in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy. The ultimate landmark of Middle Earth is in reality a still-active - and just as awe-inspiring - volcano. It smokes and bubbles in the centre of Tongariro National Park, an area of incredible natural beauty, a holy space for the Maoris and home to "the best one-day walk in the world".]]> Te Papa is one of the few museums in the world that can claim to have been built from scratch in the last decade. Opened in 1998, New Zealand's National Museum is widely regarded as one of the finest in the world.]]> Rotorua has been described as one of the geothermal wonders of the world. Centuries of intense volcanic activity has created the ideal environment for hot springs, bubbling mud pools and some spectacular geysers. The whole area is blessed with a variety of wildly coloured pools, lakes and spooky-looking mineral deposits, with various main centres such as Wai-o-tapu, Te Whakarewarewa and Hell's Gate.]]> A delightful mixture of indigenous art - Maori and settlers' - with a sprinkling of the international, the Auckland Art Gallery is a great success. Tall white neo-classical walls house the renovated interior and a series of pleasantly-sized galleries, showing off both the permanent collection and visiting exhibitions.]]> There are two great vantage points from which to admire the metropolis of Auckland and the array of islands and beaches that surround it. One of them is Mount Victoria, standing north of the main city and set in the rich suburb of Devonport, where many of the wealthiest Aucklands have city homes, the other is Mount Eden. The best thing about them both, at least for the more idle of us, is that you can drive all the way to the top.]]> Sky Tower is New Zealand's leading man-made wonder. At 328 metres (over 1000 feet) it is the tallest structure in the southern hemisphere. Tall and very thin, on windy days it can sway up to one metre from side to side. Visitors can take a lift to the very top, or even jump - certainly not for the faint-hearted!]]> Rainbow's End prides itself on being "New Zealand's largest and friendliest Theme Park". This huge family attraction was built in 1982 and features all the thrilling rides that you would expect.]]> Rather more than a war memorial, this grand neo-classical museum, looking out on to the sweeping lawns of The Domain (Auckland's main park) makes a great introduction to Maori culture, New Zealand's natural environment and the New Zealand people in general. Indeed it is often simply called Auckland Museum, and offers comprehensive, often interactive displays and a vigorous programme of visiting exhibitions.]]> For sheer beauty, the Bay of Islands wins the day for North Island coastal scenery. In the far north of the island, it is a giant bay peppered with 150 islands which, miraculously, have escaped development. Beware, though, tourists come to the mainland in their masses - although this means there are activities and amusements galore.]]> Originally modelled on Leipzig's Gewandhaus, Auckland's Town Hall is the city's most important (and impressive) heritage building. Designed by architects J J & E Clarke, it was officially opened in 1911. It now forms one of the four constituent parts of The Edge centre, alongside the Civic Theatre, Aotea Centre and Aotea Square, Auckland's artistic powerhouse.]]>