We Love You New Zealand! Spring-Summer 2022

There’s a unique atmosphere in Hanmer Springs; a laid-back, relaxed vibe that makes visitors feel like a weight has been lifted from their shoulders. Just 90 minutes from Christchurch but a world away from the hustle and bustle, this special part of the country is home to some of New Zealand’s most breath-taking scenery. Get amongst nature and fill your lungs with fresh air, enjoy lazy days in some of the region’s world-class boutique accommodation spots, or treat yourself to a rejuvenating trip to the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa. visithanmersprings.co.nz

HURUNUI, NORTH CANTERBURY

It is said that travel is one of the greatest human freedoms and now that winter is over, we need to grab every opportunity with both hands and get back out there! While the kids holler from the back seat, ‘Are we there yet?’, we can finally say, ‘Yes!’ So, scrunch those puffer jackets into their carry bags, tuck your thermals to the back of the drawer and retire those gummies to the rack.

Editor’s letter

We are ready to go. We are ready to zipline through green leafy treetops, ready to whizz along on e-bikes up big hills and be happy about it. Ready to drive through easy open plains, hotfoot it along sunbaked golden sands with chilly bin in hand then race into the ocean’s refreshing salty water.

Take those trips, make the most of your time. A day here, a weekend there. We need it, we deserve it. Meet up with friends to do those walks you have had on your bucket list forever. We don’t choose what inspires us, it finds us and awakens something inside. So, use this magazine to see what makes you want to pack a bag and hit the road. Our time is precious, our homeland incredible and your heart deserves the leap of joy that discovering new places gives.

Maddie Long, Editor

BEST OF FRIENDS

Think of ‘We Love You New Zealand’ as a call of support, of camaraderie; the title of a theme song we all know the words to and sing loudly on our road trips. It’s what the country would tattoo on its sun-kissed arm or wear emblazoned on its cotton t-shirt. We Love You New Zealand! Be encouraged to get to know it, to embrace it fully and to be its best friend.

Tasman Valley, Aoraki Mt Cook, Canterbury © Lee Cook

Chic & Unique Culture Club

ISBN > 978-1-98-852353-8

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Published in November 2022 by AA Tourism Publishing Ltd

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Editor: Madeleine Long

Designers: David Walker Bell, Caroline Cameron-Blackgrove

Cover image: Dark Sky Project, Tekapō © Rachel Gillespie

Activation

Like a shaken-up can of soda just waiting for the ring to be pulled... Here are some ways to use up pent-up energy and provide a little pep-in-your-step, too.

Night ski © Coronet Peak

LEFT: Kaituna River, Rotorua © Destination Rotorua BELOW: Snorkelling near Goat Island, Auckland © Camilla Rutherford

BOTTOM: Cayoning near Queenstown © Destination Queenstown

RERE ROCKSLIDE –

GISBORNE Choose your mode: for superfast, a bodyboard is key. The old faithful tyre is an oldie but a goodie and the blow-up mattress is great for a duo run. The inflatable dingy is slow but makes for a softer landing and can be loaded up to transport your whole gang down this slippery rockface.

SLEDGING ON THE KAITUNA RIVER –

ROTORUA This one is not for the faint-hearted. But, if you are over 15 years old, can swim well and could run the 100m without having a coronary, then you are deemed fit to hop onto your purpose-built sledge. Bump and grind through the white waters of the Kaituna River with your pack of fellow nutters.

GIBBSTON VALLEY CANYONING –

QUEENSTOWN For ages 10 plus, this is the maxed-out version of a water park. Get kitted up in your helmet, harness and wetsuit and start traversing the stony rock faces. Plunge into the churning pools and abseil through the cascading waterfalls. You’ll be wet, hungry and exhausted but nothing else is quite like it.

WAIMARINO ADVENTURE PARK –

TAURANGA Enjoy launching the person who pushed ahead of you in the queue way off into the stratosphere when

you leap down onto ‘The Blob’ inflatable cushion out on the lake. But beware… you are next to be catapulted into the water. They also have a rock-climbing wall, warm pools, a hydro slide, Tarzan swings, pedalos, a floating trampoline, kayaks, paddleboards, a gladiator pole, volleyball and a low ropes course.

SNORKELLING AT GOAT ISLAND MARINE RESERVE – TE HĀWERE-AMAKI/GOAT ISLAND – LEIGH

Goat Island was established in 1975 as New Zealand's first marine reserve. It is now a rich ecological area teeming with fish and all you have to do to see them up close and personal is don your togs and hop in. For the full immersive experience, hire some snorkel gear nearby.

LIVING AT POOR KNIGHTS – TUTUKĀKĀ

This subtropical reef system presents a stunning diversity of sea life and can be dived all year round. Beneath the waters you’ll also find the world’s largest sea cave, Rikoriko, reputed to have hidden a marauding Japanese submarine during World War II.

WHITE-WATER RAFTING

TOUR –

WAITOMO CAVES An incredibly fun, jam-packed four hours of abseiling, black-water rafting, caving and climbing. You do get a tea break though. And drifting along in an inner tube, gazing up at glowworms is a special experience to be cherished.

SEA KAYAKING – ABEL TASMAN NATIONAL

–

MURCHISON

While there are a multitude of places to try, rafting in the breathtaking Buller Gorge is a choice pick. Smash through the legendary Earthquake Rapids, the section of the Buller River with the most white water.

PARK Rent your own or book a guided tour from Kaiteriteri Beach. Exploring the crystalclear waters and golden sand coastline will make you feel like a castaway, with plenty of coves, lagoons and interesting nooks and crannies to explore. You may even luck in and encounter dolphins, penguins and seals.

ABOVE: Sea Kayaking – Abel Tasman National Park © AbelTasman.com

Some like it hot!

FEELIN’ HOT HOT HOT!

HOT POOLS

MT MAUNGANUI HOT POOLS, BAY OF PLENTY After a trek up The Mount nothing could be better than an afternoon soak in the hot pools. The perfect hangout place on a girls’ weekend as they offer spa treatments that won’t break the bank. Also great for the kids if it is not beach weather.

HANMER SPRINGS, HURUNUI has an epic range of pools on offer, from rainbow, rock and sulphur to cascade and aqua therapy. The water slides are great fun and will tire the kids out nicely. Discover little pockets you can sneak off to and escape the hustle and bustle.

TEKAPŌ SPRINGS, CANTERBURY Pools are set out in a terrace formation overlooking the lake and mountain landscape – a glorious place to kick back and relax on a sun lounger while taking in

© Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa, Canterbury

the scenery. Perfect for families looking to keep little ones busy in the Aqua Play Area and the older kids can have a diving competition into the deep pool. Most spectacularly, you can indulge in the guided Tekapō Star Gazing Experience here also after dark.

WAIRĀKEI TERRACES, TAUPŌ

grown-up only experience? Soak away in the geothermal waters and appreciate the tranquillity. Spa treatments are available.

ONSEN RETREAT & DAY SPA, QUEENSTOWN

If it is luxe you want, then look no further. The ultimate in relaxation and refreshment, offering spa treatments set to the backdrop of Queenstown’s rugged mountain ranges. With both indoor and outdoor private bathing in pools for up to four people, you can share the experience with your mates or keep it more intimate.

HOT WATER BEACHES AND WILD SPRINGS

HOT WATER BEACH, COROMANDEL Found on the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula, just a 30-minute drive from Whitianga. Pack a shovel, rock up and keep an eye out for the mass gathering – that’s where the warm stuff is.

KEROSENE CREEK, ROTORUA

Located a 35-minute drive south of Rotorua, the track there can be rough but stick with it until you come across other cars parked right by the creek. The smell of the

undergrowth along the creek edge produces the kerosene smell, hence the name, but don’t let that put you off. The water is nice and hot while the creek bed is mostly sandy, so it is pleasant underfoot. Little pools have been created by previous swimmers out of rocks next to the 2-metre waterfall. Set off exploring along the creek if it is busy, there are plenty of little pockets to call your own.

HANMER SPRINGS, HURUNUI

Aside from the official park there is a hidden spot in the bush where you can hop off your bike and take a dip. Cow Stream Hot Springs can be found just off the Edwards

Valley Track. Alternatively take a 10-minute detour off the St James Cycle Trail between Scotties Hut and the St James Homestead.

WELCOME FLAT, WESTLAND

This one is for the active bunnies out there who like to work for their rewards. Follow the Copland Track for seven hours until you come to a Department of Conservation (DOC) hut and campsite – these spots need to be booked via the DOC website. The pools are a short walk from the hut and the views are something else.

ABOVE: Hot Water Beach, Coromandel © Matt Crawford

There’s a unique atmosphere in Hanmer Springs; a laid-back, relaxed vibe that makes visitors feel like a weight has been lifted from their shoulders. Just 90 minutes from Christchurch but a world away from the hustle and bustle, this special part of the country is home to some of New Zealand’s most breath-taking scenery. Get amongst nature and fill your lungs with fresh air, enjoy lazy days in some of the region’s world-class boutique accommodation spots, or treat yourself to a rejuvenating trip to the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa. visithanmersprings.co.nz

HURUNUI, NORTH CANTERBURY

Summer Stays

BEST FOR

Views

MOONLIGHT PEAK –Carrington, Wairarapa This sleek, fit-for-two architecturally designed cabin is perched

high up in the Tararua Ranges, providing 360-degree views. It’s hard to imagine getting tired of being submerged in the cedar hot tub at sunset, sipping a tipple between sighs of contentment.

Located a 20-minute drive from Carterton and a one hour and 30-minute drive from Wellington.

MANUTUKE ECO RETREAT –Gisborne, Tairāwhiti Gisborne

Once you arrive at the safari-style tent, take another few steps along a private jetty stretching out over the wetland lake and sink into an idyllically placed beanbag. When you find the energy to move from your reclined position, stand-up paddleboards and a two-person kayak will entertain. At the end of the day, drift off to sleep under the star-studded night sky to the sound of water lapping.

This eco retreat is a 15-minute drive from Gisborne.

Escape from the daily grind with one of these spirit-lifting glamping spots, cottages and tiny retreats, designed to connect you with nature and each other.

BEST FOR

Couples

FOX HUT – Punakāiki, West Coast Fox Hut rests high on a clifftop with native bush framing views of the expansive swelling ocean. Modelled on a goldminer’s cottage, its recycled timber-lined walls and rich velvet armchairs ooze with character. Farewell the sun, as it drops back below the horizon, from the wood-fired hot tub.

Located between Greymouth and Westport, it’s a seven-minute drive from Punakāiki’s Pancake Rocks.

UNDERHILL VALLEY –HAMILTON, WAIKATO Steal your loved one away to this cosy nook straight from the pages of a storybook. Peeking out from rolling hills of the Waikato, this beautifully handcrafted space features rustic native timbers and ironwork, bursting with charm. Fling open the huge timber doors to reveal a picturesque pond. In summer, gather under the stars with a glass of wine or snuggle around the old coal range as the nights draw in and tuck into your eighth meal of the day.

A 45-minute drive from Matamata; a 30-minute drive from Raglan. The Waitomo Caves are an hour south.

KARAKA CABIN – Upper Papamoa Hills, Bay of Plenty

Showering next to the enormous picture window that perfectly frames the incredible views across farmland and bush towards Tauranga Harbour will spoil regular showering forever. Expect pruned fingers, as you’ll be hopping straight into the deep stone outdoor bath.

Grab front row seats for the sun’s rise and set, cosy up under the stars by the outdoor brazier or roll your bed out onto the deck to stargaze in comfort!

A 30-minute drive from Tauranga; a 25-minute drive from Mt Maunganui and 15 minutes to Welcome Bay and Te Puke.

TOP AND LEFT: Moonlight Peak

TOP RIGHT: Underhill Valley

ALL © Brook Sabin

SHEPHERD’S REST – Motueka, Nelson Tasman Created out of locally milled and rescued timber from a disused hop kiln, you’ll find this sweet bijou cottage on the dramatic Baton Run Farm in the valley next to the Kahurangi National Park.

Take a short 10-minute walk to a great swimming hole then it’s back to the double, outdoor baths and mugs of hot coffee, to be enjoyed next to the chiminea.

A 50-minute drive from Motueka and just over one hour from Nelson.

THE WHARE – Christchurch, Canterbury Formerly a farm worker’s hut in the 1900s, this space has been sympathetically renovated remaining full of character and curiosities as historic items and memorabilia add to the décor and groomed gardens give the polish.

Overlooking cultivated fields, on a clear day you’ll have distant views across to the Southern Alps.

A 20-minute drive from Christchurch.

BEST FOR

Families

HIGHFIELD FOREST & RIVER RETREATS – Kauri Coast, Northland These sister sites are on the same farm so you can tee up your trip with your kin. Both tents are paired with tiny cottages, nestled in a lush glade concealing private outdoor baths amongst mature native bush. By day you’ll hear water trickling over the river rocks; at night the call of the morepork and occasional kiwi take over.

On the Kauri Coast, it’s a 25-minute drive from Dargaville; two hours and thirty minutes from Auckland.

NINO & COE – Hastings, Hawke’s Bay Two unique hybrid tents here have been designed and crafted to unfold, opening to the great outdoors. Each has a canvas roof and timber walls that can just as easily close back up to create a cosy cabin feel with a fire to snuggle beside.

Set on a working farm, the huts sit next to a beautiful clear stream with safe swimming. Large willow trees overhang the water offering shade while the native bush attracts tūī and kingfisher.

A 25-minute drive from Hastings and Havelock North.

KAWAKAWA STATION – Cape Palliser, South Wairarapa If you are looking for a classic glamping

set-up, then look no further.

The fabulous bell tent and small hut set sleep up to five guests. The vast property is surrounded by hills with a winding, rocky riverbed cutting through its middle.

By day, the kids can fossick about in the nearby stream or meet the farm animals, whilst having a full digital detox. As the days draws to a close, they’ll enjoy outdoor bath time under a multitude of stars.

A two-hour drive from Wellington city. One hour from Martinborough; one hour and 30 minutes from Masterton.

HONEYWELL HUT – Motueka,

Nelson Tasman If you ever wanted to experience a little house on the prairie, this rustic cabin is the one. It’s set on an expansive sheep and beef farm so there’s lots of room to ‘von Trapp it’. Wander the paddocks, experience lovely walks and hit the mountain bike tracks before delving into the river to cool off. Then it’s off to bed in bunks befitting Snow White’s digs.

A happy stop off between Abel Tasman National Park and the West Coast; just 50 minutes’ drive from Motueka and a little over an hour from Nelson.

MAIN: Shepherd’s Rest @ Canopy Camping INSET: Nino & Coe @ Richard Brimer

Dog-friendly

HAWKHILL COTTAGE – Napier, Hawke’s Bay

The terracotta tiles, whitewashed walls, olive groves and tall cypress trees all bring a Tuscan flavour to this stay. Alfresco dining can be enjoyed with eastern views over the Ahuriri Lagoon, out towards Napier and the Pacific Ocean beyond, framed by lavender gardens. In the evening, settle in for late night chats with your dog by your side and the far-off twinkling lights of Napier as your backdrop.

A 15-minute drive from central Napier.

RINGA KAHA CABIN – Raurimu, National Park Village, Ruapehu

The timber-lined walls and wood burner make for a cosy skiers’ retreat over winter but come summer this lodge flips to enchant summer visitors. A great base for walks in the Tongariro National Park, handy for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, plus there are plenty of mountain biking trails to tackle nearby.

A 15-minute drive from Whakapapa Village and five minutes north of National Park Village on the Central Plateau.

Canterbury Wake up in this 110-year-old chic yet rustic woolshed with views over the South Canterbury plains and the ocean twinkling in the distance. Coffee in hand and dog by your side, take a stroll down to greet the cattle; you may even see a visiting wallaby hopping by. Lavender sunsets sweep across the landscape signalling the start to family board games, or a relax under the stars in the outdoor bath.

A two hour and 40-minute drive from Christchurch, 35 minutes from Timaru and 15 minutes from Waimate.

MT MICHAEL WOOLSHED – Waimate, South

BEST FOR

Groups of friends

HAWKHILL COTTAGE – Napier, Hawke’s Bay Leave no one behind. This inclusive site sleeps 11 humans and there is room for your dog and horse, too. A quintessential Hawke’s Bay sheep and beef farm with rolling green hills, you’ll find the camp set up in a sheltered and picturesque corner of the property. Enjoy lazy summer afternoons swinging in the shade in hammocks while the kids explore.

A one hour and 15-minute drive from Havelock North.

CAMP KĒKERENGŪ – Kaikōura, North Canterbury For the perfect pitch you can’t go far wrong with this off-grid camp, perched on the clifftop overlooking the Kaikōura coast.

Sleeping up to 10 guests, it’s the perfect spot for the gang to catch up and reignite old rivalries over a game of cricket or petanque.

A three-hour drive from Christchurch, halfway between Blenheim and Kaikōura.

A one hour and 35-minute drive from Christchurch and a 35-minute drive from Akaroa.

TOP: Camp Kēkerengū © Dan Kerins

BOTTOM: Makoura River Retreat © Canopy Camping OPPOSITE: Mt Michael Woolshed @ Lisa Sun

MORE FABULOUS FINDS

LAVERICKS

BAY CAMP – Banks Peninsula The views around Banks Peninsula are renowned for their epic beauty but Lavericks Bay is especially stunning. This sunny site can accommodate seven guests over summer (it varies over winter) and is just a 15-minute meander down to a private beach.

Memories are made with card games at sundown, toasting marshmallows by campfire light and the four-person hot tub for soaking up the stars.

RURU ROOM – Port Charles, Waikato

WAI DOME O – Waitomo Caves, Waitomo

KAHIKATEA FARM –Whakatāne, Bay of Plenty

TE TUHI HUT – Kinloch, Taupō

MAKOURA RIVER RETREAT – Feilding, Manawatū

LITTLE ROCK – Darfield, Mid Canterbury

SHORTLANDS SHED, NOBBLER CREEK – Naseby, Central Otago

Sunshine,Lollipops & Rainbows

NORTH ISLAND

MANGAWHAI ACTIVITY ZONE

(MAZ)

– NORTHLAND FREE

Travelling on a budget with kids in tow? Here are our top picks for a family of four to visit, for no more than $65. FREE

With a playground, skate park, pump track and flying fox that runs along the edge of the native bush, this facility is also full of walks and bike tracks. You can grab a coffee from the on-site kiosk and sit back as the kids have a blast.

TI POINT REPTILE PARK –LEIGH, AUCKLAND With expansive ocean views, this small park houses the country’s

largest and most diverse collection of reptiles including American alligators, gentle giant tortoises, turtles, iguanas and the famed tuatara.

SHEEPWORLD – WARKWORTH, AUCKLAND Don’t be fooled into thinking this is just a field full of sheep. You’ll be greeted by the

sight of bright pink sheep in the front paddocks, the shearers put on a hilarious demo show and everyone gets the chance to feed a hungry little wiggling lamb. After you have patted all the fuzzy farmyard friends, take a stroll to visit eels for feeding time.

LEFT: Silo Park, Auckland © Tātaki Auckland Unlimited BELOW: © Fun Zone – Whitianga, Coromandel

WENDERHOLM REGIONAL PARK – WAIWERA, AUCKLAND

FREE

with swings and sculptures that can be climbed on and into, with a basketball court nearby too. In the summer months, enjoy the free open-air cinema and music sessions. Along the North Wharf, you will also find interactive public artworks and electric bikes and scooters for hire.

gallery – Exsite. Jam-packed with interactive, science-based activities: play a tune on the Musical Pipes, get the machine moving by connecting gears on the giant Gear Wall, or tell a colourful story at the Colour Our World activity table.

An ideal place to catch up with friends and family. Set up for the day on the flat grassy area, perfect for a game of cricket and a picnic. Climb the ancient pōhutukawa trees, take a paddle in the estuary or hit the usually calm beach, ideal for little swimmers. With heaps of walks and the historic Couldrey House to visit, you’d best get there early to fit it all in.

SILO PARK AND WYNYARD QUARTER – AUCKLAND CBD FREE

Well-designed spaces include a water play area (to get a little wet), splashing pool (to get a lot wet) and a playground

FUN ZONE – WHITIANGA, COROMANDEL Out in the fresh air, there’s a whole heap of activities to experience here. The kids can choose from archery, kidz quads, soccer golf, paintball target shooting and outdoor lazer tag.

FREE FREE FREE

WAIKATO MUSEUM –HAMILTON Your budding Elon Musk will love the new science

EXTREME EDGE – HAMILTON

The crazy coloured and themed indoor climbing walls have varying challenge levels for climbers aged three and up. A perfect rainy-day activity.

TE AWA RIVER RIDE –NGĀRUAWĀHIA TO FONTERRA

TE RAPA, WAIKATO FREE Peddle along the wide open paths for this 10km stretch, through lush countryside and

giant pine trees, before letting off any leftover steam at the purpose-built sprawling bike skills park.

MIND JUNCTION – TAUPŌ

From mirror and optical illusions to space, magnets and sound experiments, the Discovery Centre is ideal for inquisitive minds. Figure out the giant maze, get in a round or two of mini-golf, or hang out at the awe-inspiring Lego display.

HUKA PRAWN PARK – TAUPŌ

Open on the weekends, this riverside park stretches over six hectares providing prawnthemed fun around every corner. It’s best to visit on a warmer day and pack a towel to get the most out of their water-based activities: they have water cannons, paddleboards, pedalos, swan boats, water weights and bikes to name a few.

BURIED VILLAGE OF TE WAIROA – LAKE TARAWERA

This is New Zealand's most visited archaeological site, where stories of the 1886 Mt Tarawera eruption come to life with a new virtual reality experience. Check out the award-winning Museum of Te Wairoa exhibition and the collection of 130-year-old excavated taonga.

NATIONAL ARMY MUSEUM, WAIOURU The Kids HQ is a new interactive play area for families, located within the museum. Children can play in a space which takes them on a journey from palisades to pill boxes, as well as a number of hands-on activities including puzzles and a store full of authentic army uniforms from different periods to dress up in.

SOUTH ISLAND

OHAU POINT SEAL COLONY

– KAIKŌURA FREE With easy access to view the seals, you won’t be able to contain your squeals of delight as the tiny young seal pups playfully climb in and out of the water and onto the rocks.

MARGARET MAHY PLAYGROUND –CHRISTCHURCH FREE

Whoever designed this place really knows what kids want. Spread over more than two hectares of land, it is one of the biggest playgrounds in the southern hemisphere. This goldstandard playground has it all, from a giant family-sized slide to tunnels, climbing walls and towers, a flying fox and sandpit. It’s also worth checking out the Instagramable giant swing (aka #chchswing) across the road for older kids.

CHILDREN’S BAY RHINO WALK

– AKAROA FREE Perfect for

families, this 4km return walk is accessed from the picnic spot at Children’s Bay. The sometimesmuddy trail winds its way through the native mānuka with plenty of birdsong to keep you company and is broken up by various sculptures to pique your interest.

NEW ZEALAND MUSEUM OF TOYS AND COLLECTIBLES –CHRISTCHURCH

Unlike many museums, the ‘look with your eyes and not your hands’ rule does not apply; all toys that are here are to be played with. The broad range of toys and collectibles is ever-changing and increasing with each incoming generation’s contribution.

TEKAPŌ ICE SKATING –TEKAPŌ Wear a few pairs of pants for a soft landing at this full-sized, outdoor scenic skating rink. Skates and helmet are included in the ticket price and little penguin buddies are available to help keep novice skaters upright and on their feet.

TOP LEFT: Margaret Mahy Playground, Christchurch

© AATP

CENTRE LEFT: © Huka Pawn Park, Taupō

LEFT: Tekapō ice skating © ChristchurchNZ

RIGHT: Seal pup, Ohau Stream, Kaikōura © Neil Protheroe

Teenage Dreams

MANGAWHAI BOWL JAM –NORTHLAND

Gather around the skate bowl and bear witness to some of the best tricks, flips and ollies going. The Bowl Jam annual skating comp sees some incredibly talented skaters throw their board in the ring, under the encouragement of a fully supportive crowd.

EDMONDS BAKING SCHOOL

– AUCKLAND Your teen will satisfy that ravenous appetite while learning a life skill, and with many classes to choose from and cakes to make they’ll be begging to go back to this school.

ARCHIE BROTHERS –NEWMARKET, AUCKLAND Roll up for this insanely cool, circusthemed entertainment hub. The

burgers in bright pink buns, fries that come riding on their own ferris wheel and drinks topped with candy floss will be demolished before you even hit the bumper cars, bowling and arcade.

SPOOKERS – KINGSEAT, AUCKLAND Technically they won’t be moaning, they’ll be screaming, but then laughing… maybe. Professional ghouls and terrifying tormentors will chase your beloveds through this house of horrors and out the other end to you. Unless, of course, you want to go in with them?

TOP LEFT & RIGHT: 3D Trick Museum, Rotorua © the7thsister

Create some memories you will want to look back on. This list offers you family time with minimal – perhaps even zero – moaning involved.

ACTIVATION

THE MOUNT – MT

MAUNGANUI, TAURANGA The Mount’s surfy vibe with its mix of buzzing cafés and cool beachy shops make it the perfect place to loosen the reins and give your teens a bit of freedom to roam.

WHAKAREWAREWA E-BIKE TRAIL – ROTORUA Race up the hills as if you are on the flats… zero whining guaranteed! E-biking on this trail is a new venture and because teens are eating machines, you can preorder a picnic hamper to enjoy along the way.

3D TRICK ART GALLERY –ROTORUA Keep your phone at the ready to take some hilarious family snaps. Mind-bogglingly created, these trick paintings and installations will produce side-splittingly funny results.

RIDING THE NEW TRACKS AT

THE SKYLINE LUGING –ROTORUA One run is never enough. Luckily there are three new ones to challenge even the most experienced riders. These new tracks boast multiple corkscrew turns, panoramic views of the city and four newly lit tunnels, perfect for night luging too.

TANDEM RAIL BIKING –GISBORNE If you really want to put your relationship to the test, then get on a tandem bike. You may argue over who is doing all the work, but there’s no risk of getting lost and having to ask for directions.

MAIN IMAGE & LEFT: Archie Brothers, Auckland © Tātaki Auckland Unlimited

STINGRAYS – TATAPOURI, GISBORNE There will be plenty of squeals of fear and joy in equal measure when you meet these majestic beings in their natural habitat. Guided trips run from January to March due to the need for optimum conditions and warmer waters, for both you and the stingrays.

MUSEUM OF NEW ZEALAND TE PAPA

TONGAREWA –WELLINGTON A major draw to Te Papa is still the heartwrenching Gallipoli exhibition with realistic scenes and largerthan-life soldier figures created by Wētā Workshop.

CABLE BAY ADVENTURE PARK SKYWIRE EXPERIENCE

– NELSON If you are looking to bond a family, what better way than to be strapped in all together and launched over the treetops? They can’t say you aren’t fun anymore now, can they? You get a bonus ride backwards to the start afterwards, too.

UNDERWORLD ADVENTURES

– CHARLESTON How wet do you want to get? Choose from the Glowworm Cave Tour if you are after a slight dampening or the Underworld Rafting tour if you prefer a good old soak. Both offer spectacular trips through these magical ancient caves.

PARASAILING – QUEENSTOWN What goes up must come down, and the folks in charge will try

and give your toes a wee dip in the waters of Lake Wakatipu after reaching the maximum height of 600 feet in the air. They can fly up to three people at a time.

AJ HACKETT BUNGY –

QUEENSTOWN Even if you are dead set against trying to detach your retinas, you will enjoy the friendly vibe down at the Kawarau Bridge site while you watch other people get a dunking.

AXE

THROWING – AUCKLAND

& WELLINGTON The Sweet Axe Throwing Company offers folk the chance to make like a viking and chop that target. If you are 12 and over then you can have a pop at this heart-in-yourmouth activity.

ABOVE: Stingrays – Tatapouri, Gisborne

© Tairāwhiti Gisborne

TOP: Cable Bay Adventure Park Skywire, Nelson

© George Guille

NATIONAL AQUARIUM OF NZ

Discover an exciting world above and below the water! Visit Penguin Cove, see sharks and stingrays swim over you in the oceanarium and spot kiwi and tuatara. nationalaquarium.co.nz

PAR2 MINI GOLF

Par2 is fun for everyone! Choose from two 18-hole courses with unique features or enjoy a round on both. Open daily with extended summer hours! par2golf.co.nz

KENNEDY PARK RESORT

With a range of accommodation options, there’s fun right on your doorstep with a heated pool, jumping pillow and more to keep the kids entertained for hours! kennedypark.co.nz

FARADAY MUSEUM OF TECHNOLOGY

MTG HAWKE’S BAY

Vroom vroom! Scan this QR code to book your Napier escape now! 100 Marine Parade | 0800 84 74 88 | napiernz.com

Visit our free award-winning museum. Explore artefacts in the Taonga Māori Gallery. Discover the story of the region’s recovery following the 1931 earthquake. mtghawkesbay.com

BAY SKATE

Let the good times roll at our world class skate park. BYO wheels or hire from the huge equipment range for a ride in the park or a roll along Marine Parade. bayskate.nz

Local chat

Aidan Schurr, General Manager at Underworld Adventures, Charleston has lived overseas for almost 20 years and coming back to the West Coast has been a metaphorical and literal breath of fresh air.

‘It’s through the eyes of our visitors that we get an appreciation for just how special and unique the natural environment is here,’ says Aidan. ‘There’s really nowhere else in the country you can see quite the combination of dramatic landscapes, prolific wildlife and lush subtropical rainforest.’

WHERE WOULD YOU TAKE A VISITOR YOU’RE TRYING TO IMPRESS? I love to ‘wow’ visitors by sharing some of our amazing food. Westport certainly impresses there. During the day, it’s all about our spectacular views, so it’s a road trip to Cape Foulwind, Charleston (including the amazing Nile River Canyon where our cave tours are based) and on to Punakāiki, making sure to allow plenty of time for frequent photo stops!

ALL IMAGES: © Pat Wall / Richard Rossiter, Underworld Adventure, Charleston

WHAT IS A GREAT PLACE FOR FAMILIES TO CHECK OUT? You can’t go past a stunning bike or walk along part of the new Kawatiri Coastal Trail from Cape Foulwind to the Seal Colony and Tauranga Bay. They’ll see everything from rolling farmland to mature forest, coastal cliffs and more. They’re finishing off more and more sections of this incredible trail as we speak, and it’s due to be fully completed in mid-2023. Once done, it will be a family-friendly Grade 2 trail, spanning 55km from Westport to the goldfields of Charleston and beyond.

THE PERFECT SPOT TO SIP YOUR COFFEE AND ADMIRE THE VIEW IS... Well, I might be a

little bit biased in this, but I’d say the views from our café here in Charleston are pretty stunning!

WHERE IS A PLACE RICH IN LOCAL HISTORY?

The tiny settlement of Denniston, near Westport, sits over 500 metres above the Tasman Sea. This spectacular location was host to what was once dubbed the ‘eighth wonder of the world’: a 1670-metrelong incline coal railway with a gradient of nearly 45° in places. The reconstructions and interpretation boards up there offer a fantastic insight into life

on the Denniston Plateau. It’s a place I love to revisit with my kids, and well worth the drive.

ALL IMAGES: © Pat Wall / Richard Rossiter, Underworld Adventure, Charleston

Back to nature

Grass under bare feet, slowing down your pace and taking time to be present – here’s to soaking up the wonders of the natural world.

Perpetual Guardian Planetarium, Otago Museum © DunedinNZ

Hunter Gaterer

New Zealand is the land of milk and honey… and wine, oysters, mussels, cheese, avocados, whitebait – the list is endless. And life really is too short to eat mediocre anything, so we have compiled a list of the gold standard, crème de la crème, pick of the bunch for you to eat your way through as a modern-day hunter gatherer.

OYSTERS

Love them or hate them, these little doses of vitamin-sea drive their fans wild; helicopters have been known to airlift the worldclass Bluff oysters to waiting fans. Bluffies are grown slowly in the cold waters of Fouveax Strait, harvested down south and sold during the annual season from March to August. The crystal clean coastal waters of the Bay of Islands make ideal conditions for farms to flourish and, further down the coastline, the Mahurangi River is home to a healthy collective of Pacific oyster farms, too. Available all year except for January till

March when they are in their growth/recovery stage. Over the wintertime they are crisp, plump and meaty but from October till Christmas, they become fat and creamy.

The Kaipara Harbour on the north-west coast and Clevedon on the east coast of the North Island are also bountiful and produce high-quality beauties. Flip to the northern end of the South Island to the Marlborough Sounds’ Okiwi Bay where farmers have harvested since 1850s. Many farmers operate from these waters; their oysters have a subtle and slightly salty taste.

LEFT: Mussels in Marlborough Sounds

WHITEBAIT

With concerns around species of whitebait becoming endangered, new regulations aim to improve the fisheries sustainability by reducing pressure on them. A great way to sample some responsibly is on the west coast of the South Island, the heart of whitebait country. Westport’s busy main street becomes the home to their annual Whitebait Festival, where you’ll be opened to a world beyond the classic breadand-butter fritter.

AVOCADOS

Katikati in the Bay of Plenty has been home to the humble avocado since Arthur Honeyfield planted his first orchard back in 1968, before avocado toast was even a glimmer in anyone’s eye. The region now has over 500 orchards and so, naturally,

an avocado, food and wine festival happens here. With cooking demonstrations, live entertainment and of course plenty of dishes to indulge in, you wouldn’t want to miss this one usually held in January.

MUSSELS

It’s hard to get any closer or fresher than a local mussel farm in the middle of the Marlborough Sounds. The threehour Greenshell Mussel cruise will set you up nicely with freshly steamed mussels paired with a glass of Marlborough sauvignon blanc, the perfect match for the stunning backdrop you take in along the way. Mussels are harvested year-round in all coastal areas of New Zealand but most are grown in farms in the Marlborough Sounds, The Coromandel, Golden Bay and Stewart Island.

LOWER RIGHT: Cheesemonger, Art Centre, Christchurch

© Art Centre

BELOW: Julians Berry Farm in Whakatāne © Strike Photography

LEFT: Crayfish dish, Kaikōura © Adobe Stock

Pāua meat is tasty in a fritter or cooked in a buttery creamy chowder, served with rēwena bread. It’s not for everyone but if you love it, you’re best to enjoy this treat in the northernmost parts of the North Island where pāua stocks are more sustainable.

SCALLOPS

Found most places in New Zealand but scallops prefer the warmer waters of The Coromandel and Northland. One of the best ways to enjoy a

sweet scallop, fresh from its fanshaped shell, is at the annual Whitianga Scallop Festival in September, where you will find ways to cook them that you didn’t even dream of.

CRAYFISH

The Bay of Islands, the Coromandel Peninsula and the east coast of the South Island are popular sources for these critters, but the crayfish capital is Kaikōura, with some of the best crayfish in the world. Join them in celebration at their annual Crayfest, when over 25 eateries across the region serve a variety of crayfish-themed dishes.

CHEESE

All this dairy needs somewhere to go. The country is abundant with fresh fromage, from the soft and gooey to the beautifully aged and smoked, some produced straight on the farm while others foster age-old techniques from our European friends. Google search ‘Cheese Shops in New Zealand’ and you’ll be driving around forever to try and cover them all. Or check out the South Island Cheese Festival in Kaikōura and have them all come to you.

PEANUT BUTTER

If you can’t get enough of the nutty stuff then Pic’s Peanut Butter World is a must-visit. There’s an option here to be guided through the process and

the kids can even make their own peanut butter. On your 50-minute tour you’ll get to taste all of Pic’s nut butters and jellies and the best part – it’s all free!

BLUEBERRIES

There is an abundance of pick-your-own blueberry farms across New Zealand and although the global food market does provide throughout the year, it is inevitably more sustainable, better for local businesses and just more fun to gather your own. In the Auckland region, Pōkeno and the Āwhitu Peninsula are top locations; in the Waikato, Ngātea and Ōhaupō offer some choice juicy blues. They’re also grown in Manawatū, Wellington, Christchurch and in Southland.

STRAWBERRIES

Over the early summer months, the country is awash with strawberries. Buy from the gate or pick your own in the Auckland region (Riverhead, Helensville, Takānini and Matakana) in the Waikato (Ruakura, Hamilton and Morrinsville), in the sunshine of Manawatū and Whanganui and also in Levin and Horowhenua. Whakanewha, Havelock North and Wānaka also receive their fair share of bounty, during the harvesting months of November to March. The Waimate Strawberry Fare in Timaru in December is the place to be if you still can’t get enough of them.

Local chat

Rebecka Bjelfvenstam Keeling is the founder, grower and guardian of Slow Blooms, a pick-your-own flower farm just outside of Matakana, North Auckland. She holds workshops and tours, sharing the fun of growing, harvesting and arranging your own flowers.

As well as the Slow Blooms pick-your-own flower experience, there’s a herbal tea garden, where visitors can put together their own teas and tinctures.

WHERE WOULD YOU TAKE A VISITOR YOU ARE TRYING TO IMPRESS? If they’re a foodie, then definitely to the Matakana Village Farmers’ Market. I would get them a fish taco from Laughing Heart and a crepe from Bon Appetite Creperie. Then we’d pick up some bread rolls, a few delicious cheeses from Whangaripo Buffalo, a bottle of Lothlorien feijoa wine and hit Tawharanui Beach for the afternoon.

WHAT IS A TOURIST ATTRACTION THAT LOCALS VISIT? Everybody loves Charlies Gelato! They create awardwinning ice cream and sorbetto, and sell quality produce in their shop. The local kids love it.

WHERE IS YOUR SPECIAL PLACE TO VISIT? The Secret Garden Sculptural Habitat in Protea Patch is pretty special. It’s a magical little walk around beautiful trees, ponds and artworks.

WHERE DO YOU GO TO TAKE TIME OUT? To get away from it all, I take my pony for a ride along one of the horsefriendly beaches in the area, like Algies Bay or along the Omaha Estuary. We jump some driftwood and have a splash around in the water.

ALL IMAGES: © Slow Blooms

Bountifulgift s

If you are greenfingered, or have glorious aspirations to be, this is for you: 12 FREE GARDENS to boost your inspiration and enthusiasm.

NORTH ISLAND

KERIKERI MISSION STATION

Here 200 years of cultivation have come to fruition. These heritage gardens with their country roses, cottage garden flowerbeds encircling the homestead and a 100-year-old mulberry tree are all part of New Zealand’s oldest European garden.

BOTANICA WHANGĀREI This gem of a garden is deceptively bigger than you’d think. With a fernery of natives housed in

three shade houses, a small outdoor section, a room specialising in desert succulents and a conservatory housing beautiful floral displays, you’ll need some time to enjoy it in full. Have a seat, linger and enjoy the tranquillity and peacefulness of these well laid out gardens; if it’s a chat you are after, the staff here really know their stuff.

DOMAIN WINTERGARDENS, AUCKLAND DOMAIN Botany was all the rage in the Victorian era and glasshouse envy was real. The Domain Wintergardens will transport you back to a

time of fainting couches and velvet drapes, while the rare and spectacular plants will make you feel like Alice in Wonderland. The two massive, barrel-vaulted glasshouses face out on to a shaded courtyard and sunken pool. One house is heated and shows off lush tropical plants; the other displays temperate plants changing with the seasons.

AUCKLAND BOTANICAL GARDENS

She’s big and she’s beautiful! This Manurewa-based garden covers a staggering 64 hectares and has an eclectic offering: the purists will enjoy the Rose Garden and the Native Forest with a 2-hour loop track, while the Children’s and the Edible gardens will really get you thinking outside of the planter.

Get some globetrotting in with these themed gardens spanning a wide variety of cultural influences and time periods: from the Italian Renaissance, Tudor and English gardens to the Chinese, Indian and Japanese-themed gardens. They have recently revealed a fabulous new Egyptian-themed temple instalment, based on the Middle Kingdom period of 2040 BCE to 1782 BCE.

HAMILTON GARDENS

BASON BOTANIC GARDENS, WHANGANUI

You’ll know you are in the right place with the distinctive steel and glass archway welcoming you in. The architecturally designed conservatories were built using recycled bricks from a city theatre and now stage tropical plants, begonias and a collection of cooler climate orchids. Check out the very cool brick barbecues; they look almost too nice to use. From July to October the ‘Spring Garden’ is flush with daffodils, magnolias, rhododendrons and azaleas.

ABOVE: Rhododendron, Pukekura Park, New Plymouth © Adobe Stock

TOP: Ancient Egyptian garden © Hamilton Gardens

RIGHT: Auckland Botanical Gardens © Auckland Gardens

LEFT: Surrealist garden, Hamilton Gardens © Camilla Rutherford

PUKEKURA PARK, NEW

PLYMOUTH

This scenic sanctuary can trace its genealogy back to over 100 years ago when it was founded from 2000 trees gifted from Christchurch. Deep deposits of volcanic ash (courtesy of Mt Taranaki) combined with even rainfall, mild winters and warm summer temperatures assist with the flourish of features this park can boast. A beautiful lake, formal gardens, bush walks, children play areas, fernery and display houses span a whopping 52 hectares. Boating on the fern-fringed lake is a romantic perk.

WELLINGTON BOTANIC GARDEN

This central city garden was established in 1868. A mass of 30,000 tulips forms the ultimate springtime extravaganza and in summer the award-winning Lady Norwood Rose Garden is definitely one to be sniffed, with 106 beds bursting with colour and ruffles. The Begonia House displays tropical and temperate plants and a display of seasonal orchids. The giant water lily, Victoria amazonica, can be found here too; you’ll be fighting the urge to hop on one.

SOUTH ISLAND

MIYAZU GARDEN, NELSON

Designed to celebrate Nelson’s sister city relationship with Miyazu in Japan, the gardens first impression is one of tranquillity. Meander through pavilions and pergolas and along the crafted pathways that connect ornate pools. Spaces are unified with plantings of New Zealand native plants and Japanese species, with cherry, wisteria and iris complementing flax, hebe and beech.

CHRISTCHURCH BOTANIC GARDENS

The glorious Christchurch Botanic Gardens is situated right in the heart

of the city teaming up with the poetic Avon River. Welltended, century-old trees are superior and rule alongside rhododendron and shrub borders, while an excellent formal rose garden featuring mostly hybrid tea roses are at their best in December. On a cold day you can keep cosy in the tropical plant conservatory with the ferns and cacti.

TIMARU BOTANIC GARDENS

These gardens are full of surprises, housing endangered plants from around the world, a woodland garden with collections of maples and a formal rose garden, plus heritage buildings and structures dotted throughout. At the heart, you’ll find a large stretch of water in the form of two ponds where the bird life waits patiently for their next visitors.

DUNEDIN BOTANIC GARDEN

As New Zealand’s first botanic garden established over 155 years ago, it’s had a good head start. If you can’t go past the classic beauties, then the extensive Rose Garden and the internationally recognised Camellia Collection are great places to start. The Rhododendron Dell covers four hectares and contains over 3000 rhododendrons. Leith Stream and Lindsay Creek run through the middle dividing the garden, creating two split levels to discover.

LEFT: Pukekura Park, New Plymouth © Adobe Stock

BELOW: Dunedin Botanic Garden © DunedinNZ BOTTOM: Christchurch Botanic Gardens

© Welcome Aboard Tours

Outtof is world

MATARIKI is the Māori name for the cluster of stars also known as the Pleiades or the Seven Sisters. It rises in midwinter and for many, it heralds the start of a new year.

To infinity... and beyond!

Or at least as long as the weather holds up. Thanks to New Zealand’s relatively low levels of light pollution, on a clear night you are likely to see constellations, planets and zillions of stars. Download an app for a personal, private tour of the skies, or opt for time with experts to get a better understanding of what you’re looking at.

NORTH ISLAND

STARDOME OBSERVATORY AND PLANETARIUM –

AUCKLAND Even the

most fidgety of kids will be mesmerised by a film shown at the Stardome theatre, with a vast array to choose from for all ages and interest levels. Sit back and relax as you are guided through the night sky from the comfort of your seat by their knowledgeable staff but be warned: this is a very relaxing experience and you may nod off. Once you are back up on your feet check out their exhibits and cool artefacts on display, with real space suits and even a giant conversion scale to see how much you’d weigh on another celestial orb.

This is a little gem during the school holidays as they have special activities running throughout and the beautiful Cornwall Park and playground next door mean that you can make a day of it.

SPACE PLACE AT CARTER

OBSERVATORY – WELLINGTON

The Space Place blends stories from Māori culture with modern day science and discovery via the full-dome planetarium films, and through the interactive galleries and multimedia exhibits. Learn about New Zealand’s contribution to astronomy and space sciences

and at night, when the weather is clear, take a look through the historic Thomas Cooke telescope.

ROCKET LAB – MĀHIA Ready for the final countdown? You can watch brand new satellites blast off into space from our very own native shores courtesy of Rocket Lab, New Zealand’s only rocket-launching company. Grab your binoculars and head down to Blucks Pit Road on the Māhia Peninsula then get ready for take off. Their upcoming launch schedule can be checked out on Facebook or the Rocket Lab website.

SOUTH ISLAND

DARK SKY PROJECT – TEKAPŌ

Tekapō has become a real hub for space nuts and you can really immerse yourself in the world of astronomy with one of the many experiences on offer through the Dark Sky Project.

The Dark Sky Experience takes place at the Dark Sky Project Base and is suitable for the whole family. If you are a fairweather explorer then this indoor astronomy tour will suit you down to the ground.

The Crater Experience is the ideal introductory stargazing experience in Tekapō, as it is nestled in a purpose-built crater, sheltered from the wind, cold and light pollution. Guides use

PERPETUAL GUARDIAN PLANETARIUM

– OTAGO

MUSEUM Space, aliens, dinosaurs and stars – sounds like the line-up for an epic Hollywood sci-fi movie. Get comfy and sit back to enjoy the ride as you are guided, via their entertaining 3D films, through the galaxy and beyond to discover what has been, what is to come and what may still be out there.

handheld lasers to show you the best of the evolving night sky, and you can use their 14-inch telescopes to see for yourselves what they’re talking about.

If your budget allows and you are feeling a little more intrepid, then wrap up warm to embark on the Summit mountaintop stargazing experience from the top of Mt John. Home to the world-renowned astronomical research centre, you’ll gaze through the 16-inch optical telescopes to take in the incredible Milky Way, far off planets, star clusters, solar systems and galaxies.

STAR GAZING – TEKAPŌ

SPRINGS

In Tekapō, inflatable pool lilos are best used at night. You’ll get easy sky-viewing by floating on yours in the 38°C hot pools with the guides poolside telling stories and answering questions. If the weather is not suitable for outdoor stargazing, technology steps in to save the day with an indoor virtual reality tour of Lake Tekapō’s night sky instead. Save your neck the work and enjoy the 360-degree images of the stars, and custom-drawn artwork to bring the constellations to life with a fusion of science and storytelling.

Chic & unique

If, when you hear ‘breaking the mould’ and ‘thinking outside of the box’, you raise your hands in celebration then these travel ideas are 100% for you. Turn the page to add to your bucket list.

Mt Heale Hut, Great Barrier Island

© Tātaki Auckland Unlimited

Get

Made by you

1CUSTOMISE YOUR OWN FRAGRANCE – MILLER ROAD FRAGRANCE, AUCKLAND & QUEENSTOWN

In the words of Christian Dior, ‘long after one has forgotten what a woman wore, the memory of her perfume lingers.’ Create your own signature memory-maker at a perfume workshop. With 60 perfumery materials to choose from and expert insights into making a balanced fragrance, you will learn how to construct a scent and can take a bottle of it home.

2BLEND

YOUR OWN WINE – MATAKANA

ESTATE, AUCKLAND Step into the shoes of a viticulturist as you swirl and pour your way to creating a personalised wine. You will be taught the intricacies of winemaking and learn the basic steps to blending before being set free, armed with flasks and measuring cylinders to play and mix your way to a sumptuous red or pinot gris.

In the South Island? Check out Framingham Wines’ sauvignon blanc blending experience.

your hands into the mix and learn something new with these seven practical experiences from across the country to turn your creativity to.

MAKE

YOUR OWN ARTISAN GIN –ALEMBICS,

WAIHEKE ISLAND, AUCKLAND A gin immersion course is an excellent way to learn about making gin and extend your skills in blending and tasting. Explore, smell and taste the array of botanicals used in artisan crafted gins and experiment with blending, using a range of essences.

4CREATE YOUR OWN SKINCARE

PRODUCT

– THE HERB GARDEN, ASHHURST, MANAWATŪWHANGANUI This handson workshop provides the opportunity to create your own natural skincare product to take home. You’ll learn about the active ingredients, how herbal extracts are made and get familiar with the properties of nutrient rich oils and essential oils.

5

CREATE YOUR OWN BONE CARVING –NELSON BONE CARVING STUDIO, NELSON Turn your hand to this traditional methodology under the guidance of tutors. You’ll follow step-by-step processes to make a keepsake that even the artistically challenged can be proud of.

thrives and lasts, now that’s a challenge. You’ll select from the large array of humidity-loving plants, a variety of glass vessels and a selection of sands to create layers – and be guided through the best ways to help your mini-ecosystem sustain its glory and flourish. They also offer courses in making wreaths using succulents, creating a lithops garden and rolling mossy kokedamas.

In the North Island? Check out Squirrel Tree in Matakana for their workshops.

7

FORGE YOUR OWN KNIFE – GERALDINE, SOUTH CANTERBURY

In the North Island? Kowhai Forge, south of Cambridge also offers one-day knife-making classes.

6

MAKE YOUR OWN TERRARIUM –NODE, LYTTELTON, CANTERBURY Anyone can create a terrarium, but one that

This fun, two-day workshop offers the chance to make something by your own design, to suit your own hand. Blending skills from blade smithing, blade grinding and timber work for the handles, you’ll come away with a piece to treasure.

Haul of Fame

AUCKLAND Commercial Bay Fresh faced and packed to the brim, shoppers can swing straight in from the ferry terminal or Britomart Station and wander through ultramodern laneways to seek favourite stores and discover new ones to crush on. With three floors of gorgeous to explore, you’ll need extra time stamina here. Set to ultra-glam mode at Dior, Kate Sylvester, Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger. Accessory mecca awaits at Kate Spade, Nicole Rebstock, Deadly Ponies, Yu Mei, Furla, Wittner and Scarpa. For activewear, run into Lululemon, Lorna Jane, Edmund Hillary, Icebreaker and SOLECT. The abundance of boutique stores means happy shoppers can dip in and out of health and beauty, kids wear, homeware and gift stores all day. Spending $50 here gets you two hours free valet parking.

A driving force behind any great shopping venture is, of course, food and drink! No need to break the spending flow as this centre’s innovative design provides drink stations, sweet treats and fresh, fast eats throughout the precinct so you can eat, shop, eat, shop and be very merry. Top tip: find time to gift yourself an indulgent ‘choctail’ (a hot cocoa served in edible biscuit cups) at Honest Chocolat.

Top dining room experiences in which to decompress after hours are Ahi, Origine, Gotchu and PONI, while a great tipple to ‘cheers to your successful day!’ can be found at The Lodge & Bar and at Reign & Pour.

Ponsonby Central Ponsonby’s hearth can be found here, with an eclectic, international mix of high-end street-style food and little galleries and boutiques

focusing on Kiwi labels. You’ll be treated to something new and fresh every visit, as this precinct celebrates pop-up stores that rotate throughout the year.

More shopping magnets:

• Nuffield Street, Newmarket, Auckland • The Base, Hamilton • Bayfair, Mt Maunganui

WELLINGTON

Old Bank Arcade, Lambton Quay This beauty is literally a cornerstone landmark in the capital. Gracefully retaining the grandeur from its days as the Bank of New Zealand, it now welcomes the pitter-patter of shoppers’ heels over its tiled floors.

Here, you’ll find boutiques including Ruby, Kathryn Wilson, Milli & Co, Sills & Co and the excellent shoe store, I Love Paris, all shining bright in their glass-fronted, old school arcade stores.

CHRISTCHURCH

The Tannery This handsome collection of red brick buildings on the banks of the Heathcote River in Woolston gives industrial era vibes while housing something very modern inside.

It’s a bustling hive of creativity and hospitality showcasing top New Zealand labels such as Karen Walker, Trelise Cooper and Stolen Girlfriends Clubplus Status Anxiety, Noa Noa, Kilt, Nom*D, Kowtow and Elk. Menswear has a strong

representation here, too which feels fitting for the Peaky Blinders-esque tone of the place.

Some great vintage pieces can be found in Wear Else, Recycle Boutique and natural treasures from Good Folks. Browse

Uncommon Shop and Fashion Society and, for art pieces, the very colourful and cool Hapa.

Drop your stash back to the car (free parking here) before tucking into some kai. There are plenty of choices.

The Crossing Tall, sleek and modern, this has turned up the volume on Christchurch’s shopping game, creating an accessible hub with broad walkways and pristine shopfronts. Here you’ll find Seed Heritage, Witchery and Rodd & Gunn, Juliette Hogan, Workshop, Andrea Biani and Belleza; check out the fabulous Perriam, a luxury brand of New Zealand made merino clothing for man, woman and child.

More top shopping:

• The Precinct, Wānaka

• Wall Street, Dunedin

• O’Connells, Queenstown

LEFT: © Commercial Bay

ABOVE: The Tannery © Nancy Zhou

RIGHT: Ponsonby Central © Tātaki Auckland Unlimited

Things To Do in the Dark

While these activities run in the daylight hours, visiting them at nighttime is a whole new experience. Turn the page for deep, dark details...

AUCKLAND

WAR MEMORIAL MUSEUM –AUCKLAND DOMAIN, AUCKLAND Check out Auckland Museum’s Twilight Tuesdays, open until 8.30pm. Explore the galleries and enjoy dining at the Tuitui Bistro for a date night

BIOLUMINESCENCE KAYAK

TOUR – AUCKLAND Watch the dark ocean come alive with light and life as you gently brush your hand though the water to awaken the bioluminescence. This is nature at its finest, so it is dependent on the algae being timely and cooperative.

KIWI SPOTTING –TĀWHARANUI, AUCKLAND

This one may be a given as you’d be hard pushed to see a kiwi in their natural habitat during the daytime. Tāwharanui Regional Park’s Open Sanctuary is located on a remote peninsula in the Hauraki Gulf (about 1.5 hours out of Auckland’s CBD) and happens to be the perfect place for kiwi and other native birds such as kererū, tui and ruru to roam. Kiwiness Tours runs guided walks at night to help you see our national treasures.

AUCKLAND

LANTERN

FESTIVAL

– AUCKLAND Light up your life by sharing in the annual Chinese New Year celebrations. Wander through the Manukau Sports

OPPOSITE: North Island kiwi © Adobe Stock

BOTH ABOVE: Lantern Festival at Albert Park © Todd Eyre

Bowl following the colourful hues of spectacular creations that glow into the night. It does get busy with up to 200,000 visitors but it’s well worth it. Just make sure you decorate your kids in plenty of glow sticks so you don’t lose them.

ROTOKARE BY NIGHT –TARANAKI Transform the way you see and hear in this reserve, as you are guided into the dark to explore native forests after

sundown. Meet beady-eyed ruru, hear scuttling wēta on the forest and a multitude of others from forest to stream.

LIGHTS OUT AT JUMP –

AUCKLAND Wildly popular with the young at heart, this place is even more awesome at night. Their Lights Out sessions run every few months and it’s a whole new experience. For two hours the lights go down and the music goes up. With DJs, laser lights, trampolines underfoot plus a

café, those aged 8-16 years love this experience.

NIGHT RIDING AT RAINBOW’S END – MANUKAU, AUCKLAND

Over the winter months when the skies get dark, the streetscapes of the Kidz Kingdom and the Gold Rush Town are illuminated by thousands of fairy lights. Wander though the park on their familyfriendly Twilight Ride evenings or, for the older daredevils, there are the Night Ride evenings for ages 13 and over. Don’t worry, there are still all the usual favourites such as the Fear Fall and Stratosphere to lose your lunch over.

– REDWOODS, ROTORUA

The daytime walk is a lot of fun, but there is something more magical about visiting at night. These magnificent trees come to life, glowing amongst the coloured lights, and giant lanterns help guide you as you travel along the bridges and through the treetops.

TWILIGHT PADDLEBOARDING IN A GLOWWORM CAVE

–ROTORUA Enjoy paddling the Rotorua lakes as the sun sets then, as night falls, you’ll paddle your way into secret glowworm caves.

GEYSER BY NIGHT – TE PUIA,

ROTORUA Engage all of your senses under the stars by trying

the guided night trail here. This 90-minute/3km-long tour is a totally new way to discover the geothermal valley, plus the centre is also part of a kiwi conservation scheme.

NIGHT VISIT TO ZEALANDIA – WELLINGTON

Explore the sanctuary by torchlight and listen out for the distinctive sounds of New Zealand’s native forest. Discovering rare and endangered species, some which only come out at night, you’ll see wētā, glowworms and tuatara and, if you are super lucky, you may see some of the 150 little spotted kiwi who live here.

HOT-AIR BALLOONING

BY NIGHT – SELWYN, CANTERBURY The Hororātā

REDWOODS TREEWALK/ NIGHTLIGHTS

©

Glow Festival hosts a gathering of hot-air balloons radiating through the night’s sky, glowing in unison to music. There is also a healthy representation of Selwyn’s superb local food and wine on offer.

NIGHT RIDING AT CHRISTCHURCH ADVENTURE PARK – CRACROFT, CHRISTCHURCH

Don your head torch, flick on your bike lights and strap on your helmet for this next level in mountain biking. This downhill adventure park runs night rides over the winter months on Wednesdays and Fridays (weather dependent). Open till 8pm, you’ll be able to grab a bite to eat in the café and make a night of it.

SKYLINE

LUGING IN THE NIGHT – ROTORUA AND

QUEENSTOWN It’s best to book a few runs here, as one is never enough. Both locations have a variety of tracks so you can build up your downhill speedster rating, and Rotorua has opened three new ones to master.

ONSEN HOT POOLS AND RETREAT – QUEENSTOWN

Whether you opt for an outdoor tub or a pool with a retractable roof, you’ll get an epic view of the starscape from these bubbling pools of joy. Open until late to anyone over 12 years old, you’ll feel rejuvenated to take on the next day’s activities.

GLOW-IN-THE-DARK STANDUP PADDLEBOARDING –AKAROA

The craze for stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) came and stayed. Beautiful to do on a clear bluebird day but heading out at night will really float your boat. Book yourself onto a NightSUP tour where you’ll be kitted out with an LED board and depart at dusk to paddle before a dazzling sunset. As night descends with the sinking sun, the marine life beneath is illuminated.

GLOWWORM TOUR, THE BROOK WAIMĀRAMA SANCTUARY- NELSON

Hooting rurus signal nightfall as you’re drawn in by the glowing bioluminescence points of light generated by the Sanctuary glow worms, living in the sheltered banks of the Sanctuary pathways.

LEFT: Geyser By Night – Te Puia, Rotorua

© Destination Rotorua

BELOW: © Onsen Hot Pools, Queenstown

BOTTOM: Night riding, Rotorua

Skyline Luge

unique

THE STAYDIUM – EDEN PARK, AUCKLAND Grab yourself a beer, hop into bed and celebrate your team scoring… along with the other 50,000 fans at Eden Park Stadium. This is glamping on another level, with domes pitched overlooking all the onfield action. Two campsites are available next to each other so you and your mates can make a big night of it.

YELLOW SUBMARINE –MARTON, MANAWATŪWHANGANUI If you had a choice of staying in a concrete block motel with views of a rail track or living in a yellow submarine, what would it be? Get on board the Beatlemania as you step into this subnautical wonder, suspended among redwood trees. Deceptively spacious, it’s able to sleep your fab four; you’ll be glad you found this place for a hard day’s night!

AREA 51 FUTURO HOUSE –ŌHOKA, CANTERBURY Step on board the groovy 1974 Futuro house, one of only 50 in the world and fully furnished with retro designer pieces. This Tardis of a craft is huge inside and can house enough of your species for a decent intergalactic invasion. The outer space is pretty neat too, with a pool, spa, sauna and outdoor shower. Located 25 minutes outside of Christchurch CBD, they even offer free pickups in a TESLA.

THE COLONIAL WAGON, KAIKŌURA Make yourself

at home on the range in this colonial-style covered wagon. It sleeps up to four guests and has a mountain range as the backdrop; it’s your very own little house on the prairie. With animals to feed close by, the kids will love this one! They have another five ‘wacky stays’ to check out here also.

THE JAILHOUSE –CHRISTCHURCH Get locked up for your own good. Formerly Addington Prison (running from 1874 to 1999) the Jailhouse has been operating as a backpackers’ hostel since 2006. Sensibly located in the bustling Christchurch suburb of Addington with plenty of cafés and bars around, so it’s not too far to get frog-marched home after lights out.

FAIRYTALE TREEHOUSE, WHANGĀREI Slip into your very own fairytale as you closet yourself away from the

world and into this delightful treetop fantasy land. Cleverly constructed within tree boughs, this elevated cottage will have you re-enacting Snow White or the Hobbit in no time!

SKYLARK CABIN – TWIZEL

For something away from the maddening crowd try this architecturally designed dwelling. Featuring a giant circular skylight above the master bed, you’ll be able to cosy up, lay back and drift off while gazing up at the starry night sky.

THE VULCAN HOTEL – ST BATHANS, CENTRAL

OTAGO

If you love that feeling of your hair standing up on end, stay here, the hotel heralded as New Zealand’s most haunted. See if you can catch out Rose who has taken up residence in the room of her demise and likes to play with electrical devices to spook you out.

Wanderlust

AOTEA – GREAT BARRIER ISLAND, AUCKLAND Great Barrier Island, in the outer Hauraki Gulf, is an off-grid home to a community which appreciates the natural environment. You’ll find soulelevating views, hot springs, night skies littered with stars and white-sand beaches stretching out lazily.

MILFORD SOUND –FIORDLAND Sensational views are pretty much promised here and the upside of all the rain (bring a raincoat) are the bountiful cascading waterfalls.

ABEL TASMAN Golden sandy bays, water as clear as gin and walking trails to reconnect you with nature. Sea kayaking will give you the most immersive experience: stop at the Tonga Marine Reserve where the seals will be struggling to peel themselves off the warm rocks. Pack your snorkel and mask to best view shoals of fish weaving around the kelp.

TONGARIRO ALPINE

CROSSING The volcanic surface of Mt Tongariro will make you feel as though you have touched down on Mars. And the views... oh the views! When you think that you have seen the best bit, it’s actually just around the next corner. The emerald lakes are breathtaking and worth the effort.

COAST TO COAST

ON THE TRANZALPINE Curl up by the window and gaze out as the world slides by. Rolling between Christchurch and Greymouth, the TranzAlpine train winds between the coasts over the Southern Alps. For an even more awe-inspiring experience, travel over the winter months to relish snow-capped peaks.

THE CATLINS Offering up a rugged and untouched beauty, from the rushing waters of

McLean, Matai or Purakaunui falls to the tips of Slope or Nugget Point, through to the wild breaks on Kaka Point and Porpoise Bay, making your way through The Catlins is incredibly rewarding.

BAY OF ISLANDS Dreamy bays with turquoise water lapping at golden sands, summer boating between the islands, catching a glimpse of dolphins. Many would argue the best of the Bay of Islands is found out on the water.

Cultue club

Film fanatic, wine connoisseur, art enthusiast, history buff... all these things take time and patience to achieve. We’ve honed in on the best and brightest to help you fast-track a little and max-out on your time.

Dunedin street art by Tyler Kennedy Stent © DunedinNZ

As seen on screen

New Zealand is Middle-earth as far as the wider world is concerned and many come here seeking out Hobbiton as a shrine to J.R.R. Tolkien’s genius. But what other films have been made in Aotearoa? And where? Check out nine of the top filming locations in Aotearoa.

1MT TARANAKI IN THE

LAST SAMURAI Most of the filming occurred near New Plymouth/Taranaki. A Japanese village was constructed for filming on the hillsides of the Uruti Valley, with Mt Taranaki body doubling for Mt Fuji.

Super fans check out: Pukekura Park, Lake Mangamāhoe and Port Taranaki.

2CENTRAL OTAGO IN

MISSION:

IMPOSSIBLE

– FALLOUT The sixth offering from the series was filmed around Milford Sound, Queenstown and Lake Wanaka.

Super fans check out: Nevis Valley located in Remarkables Conservation Area, Rees Valley close to Paradise and Mt Earnslaw located in Mt Aspiring National Park.

3PARADISE IN X-MEN

ORIGINS: WOLVERINE

Yes! It is a real place on Earth and you’ll find it at the end of the QueenstownGlenorchy Road in the Southern Lakes region.

Super fans check out: Stirling Falls and Deer Park Heights – this is on private land, so you’ll need to buy a ticket online for your vehicle to enter.

4CATHEDRAL COVE IN THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA – PRINCE

CASPIAN From Hahei Beach on the Coromandel Peninsula you can walk to the stunning Cathedral Cove. New Zealand

was the favoured location for this movie trilogy so there is an abundance of places to visit.

Super fans check out: Paradise (see X-Men), Flock Hill, Canterbury, the Elephant Rocks, Waitaki and Purakaunui Falls located in The Catlins.

5MILFORD

SOUND IN

ALIEN: COVENANT The Alien series director, Ridley Scott, uses the other-worldly qualities of Milford Sound to portray life on the moody alien planet for this instalment in the series. Amazingly, he loved this place on its off day, feeling inspired by misty climate and the torrential rains that gave way to impromptu waterfalls.

Super fans check out: Eglinton Valley and Mitre Peak.

BELOW: Milford Sound cruise © Real Journeys BOTTOM: Cathedral Cove Coromandel © Adobe Stock

TRY TO SPOT

HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE

This one-ofa-kind from writer/director/ producer Taika Waititi has become a Kiwi classic. Try and spot where the Pūhoi Valley, the Waitākere Ranges, Central Plateau and The Coromandel are featured.

SWEET TOOTH

This dystopian Netflix series has filmed two seasons in New Zealand to date. The first, filmed during 2020, was between Auckland, the Waikato and the South Island. Here are some places to keep an eye out for: Auckland Botanic Gardens, Hūnua Falls, Rainbow’s End, Glenbrook Vintage Railway and the Adrenalin Forest Auckland located in Bombay.

LEFT: Burt Munro Challenge, Southland © Great South

BELOW: Weta Cave, Wellington © WellingtonNZ

BOTTOM: Glenbrook Railway Station, Waiuku © Adobe Stock

6ORETI BEACH IN THE WORLD’S FASTEST

INDIAN Found just a few kilometres outside of Invercargill, the vast expanse of sand, surf and sunshine made

himself and is also the setting for the dinosaur stampede scene. Skull Island was actually located on a large-scale set built above Shelly Bay, on the Miramar Peninsula.

and the other in Awakino, Northern Taranaki. Underwater sequences were filmed in the Bay of Islands.

9KAITOKE REGIONAL PARK IN THE LORD OF

Wings & Wheel s

Whether you are a train enthusiast, car fanatic or love to feel the wind beneath your wings –New Zealand hosts some top attractions to rev your gears and make your imagination take flight.

CLASSIC FLYERS AVIATION MUSEUM – MT MAUNGANUI

Weave between the array of classic aircraft and through the five display areas where a portion of these beautifully maintained planes are suspended ‘in flight’ from the ceiling. Memorabilia, uniforms and hand-crafted dioramas depict action battle scenes, while the pilots’ personal accounts are recalled.

GLENBROOK VINTAGE RAILWAY – WAIUKU, AUCKLAND Stepping back in time through a gust of steam, both diesel and steam trains

chug in and out of this nostalgic station, treating passengers to views across the rural Waiuku landscape on day excursions. Every detail has been thoughtfully covered from cardboard tickets collected by your friendly conductor to the beautifully restored and maintained carriages boasting fine brass, leather and wood finishes.

HAMILTON DOWNS MOTORSPORT – TE KAUWHATA, WAIKATO Start your engines! Race your mates on the go-karts or master a V8 muscle car. The Wet Skid Pan

experience gives you an opportunity to hone your skidding skills in a safe environment; the Track Cruises option lets you speed in your own car around a motorsport circuit at up to 120km per hour, behind a safety car. If you are happier for someone else to take the wheel, take the ‘We Drive’ experience in a Lexus or a Lamborghini.

THE MUSEUM OF TRANSPORT AND TECHNOLOGY (MOTAT) – WESTERN SPRINGS,

AUCKLAND This one’s for the petrol heads, tech enthusiasts, history buffs and future thinkers alike. MOTAT features both temporary and permanent displays; there is always something new and fresh afoot. See how an engine works, how accessible vehicles change lives and take a ride on the free tram to the Aviation Display Hall to see the polished collection of recreational, military, top dressing and commercial aircraft.

NELSON CLASSIC CAR MUSEUM –ANNESBROOK, NELSON

You can shift into cruise control as you coast through this polished exhibition. The Nelson Classic Car Museum is the best place to see more than 150 cars in immaculate condition, from a 1908 Renault AX

ABOVE & LEFT: © The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) – Western Springs, Auckland

to the classics of the 1950s including Vauxhalls, Triumphs and Cadillacs, through to the exquisite Jaguar and Ferrari. Whether you are nostalgic about classic beauties or adding to your dream drive wish list, this place is sure to get your gears moving.

OMAKA AVIATION HERITAGE

CENTRE - BLENHEIM If it says Sir Peter Jackson on the label, it must be worth seeing! The film director has generously donated his collection, which just happens to be the largest personal collection of WWI and WWII aircraft and memorabilia in the world. Aircraft and artefacts are set in contextual battle scenes alongside lifelike mannequins and dioramas from Weta Workshops and Wingnut Studios. The mixture of original, flyable, and static replica aircraft along with the rarity and beauty of these machines can be appreciated by all, not just aviation enthusiasts.

INVERCARGILL

This is a worldclass example of ‘if you love something take care of it and buy lots of it!’ Bill Richardson’s staggering collection holds over 300 exhibits including a good volume of construction and commercial vehicles. Bill’s favourite, the bright red 1940 Dodge RX70 Airflow Texaco Tanker, is one of only

three remaining and the only operational one left on earth. If you are a Ford fan, then this immaculate collection will have you grinning from ear to ear with turn of the century early Fords such as the Model C, F, K and N, plus a whole set of the famous Model Ts in various forms. The good times keep rolling with the glamour of the Thunderbird, Fairlane and Galaxy models.

ABOVE & BELOW: © Bill Richardson Transport World, Invercargill

TOP: Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, Blenheim © Johnny Hendrikus

BILL RICHARDSON TRANSPORT WORLD –

Explore all that Taranaki has to offer. Vibrant, contemporary, and buzzing with loads of things to do, see, eat, and experience, Taranaki is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, foodies, families, and arts- and culture-lovers. Head to taranaki.co.nz/visit to start planning your ultimate Taranaki experience today.

Pouākai Crossing

Chaddy’s Charters

Hiding in Plain Sight

Hit the streets to find some of New Zealand’s most talented artists; use the ‘Street Art’ app to search for works close by.

Bowie on Ghunznee Street by @hallofxoe

Hiding in Plain Sight Hiding in Plain Sight

Wakefield Street by Chris Finlayson

HidingPlain

200 High Street by @jacobyikes

TOP LEFT: Bowie on Ghunznee Street, Wellington

© Celeste Fontein

CENTRE LEFT: Wakefield Street, Nelson © Oliver Weber

BOTTOM LEFT: Salt District, Christchurch Miles Holden

TOP RIGHT: 200 High Street, Christchurch © Miles Holden

BOTTOM RIGHT: Aquanaut, Dunedin © DunedinNZ

@aatraveller and follow the artists for more.

AUCKLAND

• Te Tōangaroa on Tangihua Street, CBD by ! tech_x and @h_i_n_e_x

HAMILTON

• ‘Love’ on Barton Street by @rachel.kiddie.mcclure

• ‘Vision’ on Barton Street by Paul Be

PALMERTSON NORTH

• ‘Good Earth Matters’ on Queen Street by @gembol and @swiftmatis

MT MAUNGANUI

• Black and White Mural on Steeple Lane by @crackedink

• End of Steeple Lane by @jasmine.kroeze

TAUPŌ

• Aquanaut by @milarky

• Pinky Promise by @artbygemini

• Wingspan by @tane_lawless

WHANGANUI

• Wāhine by @jacob_chrisohoou_artist

• Hangar’s Home by @swiftmantis

WELLINGTON

• Red Dragon on Cable Street by @tw.ei

• Bowie on Ghunznee Street by @hallofxoe

NELSON

• Wakefield Street by Chris Finlayson

• YMCA mural by @hannah.starnes

CHRISTCHURCH

• SALT District 8011 by @dcypher_dtrcbs

Aquanaut by @milarky

If you spot some of these works then tag us

Matakana Coast Weekend Road Trip:

FRIDAY

Aim to head north from Auckland on SH 1 before Friday midday if you can. Just as you come out of the tunnels follow signs for Pūhoi on your left. This quaint little village was settled by early Bohemians who got a bit of a shock when they turned up to farm their land to find it was thick native bush. It took them one year to clear one acre and they survived it thanks to the hospitality and help of local Māori. Pop into the historic Pūhoi pub for a bite to eat while the kids check out the riverside rope swing. When you are well fed and watered, gather some last-minute supplies from the Pūhoi Store and head back off up SH 1 until you reach the Honey Centre. Visit the busy bees and grab some

TOP: Pūhoi township © Adobe Stock

MAIN IMAGE: Tāwharanui Regional Park © Tātaki Auckland Unlimited

TOP RIGHT: Seafood dish, Matakana • RIGHT: Matakana Market Kitchen. BOTH: © Thomas Klockseth

beautiful honey themed goodies to add to your basket before you drop into Warkworth. This historic riverside town offers a healthy helping of quality eateries, enough so you’ll find something you like but not so many you can’t decide. The Bridgehouse and the Warkworth Hotel both happen to be places of historic interest and are a handy 5-minute walk apart so maybe try out both. If craft beer, steam punk and live music nights are your vibe then the Tahi Bar (near the Warkworth Hotel) was made for you.

SATURDAY

Coffee and brioche at Pete and Mary’s are essential before collecting your picnic lunch from expert food curators, Village Picnic, who create bespoke or even mystery picnics from fresh and local produce. The Matakana Farmers’ Market and Village are must do locations especially for foodies keen on discovering new inspirational ingredients, there’s plenty to sample and savour.

Now to hit the beaches! Even in the cooler seasons the golden sands of Omaha can entice you to dip your toes into crystal-clear waters. Nearby Tāwharanui Regional Park is a very badly kept secret. Not only is it a fantastic spot for surfing and body boarding, there are ecology trails and native birds

aplenty. Kiwiness Tours will help you find the latter on one of their evening kiwi walks.

A late afternoon stop-off at the Sawmill Brewery and Smoko Room will be in order to help recharge your batteries before carrying on up to the Leigh Sawmill Café. Check out their website for the banging live music nights, some of which are family friendly. You can grab some mouthwatering gourmet pizzas before the gig.

SUNDAY

Up bright and early and ready for an adventure? Try a swim or snorkel just up the road at Goat Island Marine Reserve. For the late starters, head back for breakfast at the Matakana Market Kitchen, where you can’t go wrong with their Welsh Rarebit and or Cheesy Bacon Hotcakes.

The Matakana Country Market, on Sunday mornings at Country Park, is where you can pick up hand-made treasures. Little kids will love the miniature train with its tiny dog driver and the playground, too. Hire some bikes from here if the weather is nice and hit the cycle trails or, for a flatter experience, drive to Point Wells. The General Store there has excellent fish and chips.

If the weather is good, head over to Brick Bay and have a leisurely swan around the outdoor sculpture trail. If the

weather is not so great, the nearby Sculptureum has an indoor gallery as well as an outdoor trail.

If you are after a quiet evening, then Matakana Cinemas are a good option. They’re lovely, comfortable cinemas with interesting décor, including a ceiling covered in thousands of yellow paper roses. For a noisier option, the Matakana Village Pub across the road hosts occasional live open mic nights.

MONDAY

Snells Beach for breakfast by the waterfront at the Bayview Bistro is the perfect start, or grab an avocado hash-stack at

Little and Local. Near the end of the Mahurangi East Peninsula lies Scandrett Regional Park; the kids will love exploring the historic farm buildings, climbing pōhutukawa trees, paddling in clear waters and investigating the rock pools at low tide. Follow the trail over Mullet Point and down to Martins Bay, another safe, sandy beach with all-tide swimming, awesome playground and plenty of shade. Alternatively, check out the bay and historical homestead down at Scotts Landing. On the way back stop in with a carrot in hand to feed the adorable donkey family at the Highfield Reserve just off Mahurangi East Road in Algies Bay.

After all that walking you may need a little pick-me-up so stop in at Charlies Gelato on Sharp Road to sample some of their 40 different flavours and, in the summer months, grab some strawberries; they are the best. Wander around the gardens, pay a visit to Slow Blooms to pick your own flowers to take home, as well as some other locally made produce from Charlies Pantry.

A neat way to avoid some of the legendary traffic you may face on the way home is to swing by the Parry Kauri Forest and stroll around the upgraded purposebuilt track. The local district museum is right there, too, and has outdoor exhibits to explore and have a giggle at. See army huts built to house US Marine Corp soldiers who came to the Warkworth area in 1942 for training, the old Warkworth jail, a pair of stocks, a long drop, a traditional phone box and the old Mahurangi East Post Office here.

ABOVE: Sculptureum, North Auckland © Tātaki Auckland Unlimited

LEFT: Brick Bay, North Auckland © Tātaki Auckland Unlimited

BELOW: The Sawmill Brewery and Smoko Room © Camilla Rutherford

Last word

These pages provide the inspiration. For nitty-gritty practical advice, turn to We Love You New Zealand’s sibling publications. A suite of guides covering New Zealand’s regions, North Island and South Island Road Trip itineraries, Travelling New Zealand with Pets, Walking Must Do’s and Cycling Must Do’s can be found online or pick up a hard copy from an AA Centre.

Devils Punchbowl Waterfall, Arthur’s Pass © Julian Apse