The summer vacation spots that keep kiwis coming back

As fun as exploring new places can be, sometimes you just need to sneak out somewhere where you know you’ll have a good time. Somewhere for sure that ticks all the boxes for the holidays because it’s been there before, maybe even over and over again.

Whether it’s the family bachelorette party, a favorite campground, the laid-back seaside town you might end up moving to one day, or a secret slice of this earthly paradise that could have been tailored to your needs and desires, the vacation spots reassuring and familiar may just be what we need at the end of the year. Especially after a year like this.

With this in mind, we asked the Stuff Travel neighborhood community to share the summer vacation spots that keep them coming back. Here is just a selection.

The little-explored upper reaches of Ninety Mile Beach

Hopefully one of New Zealand’s best known beaches will be crowded in the summer, and it is possible. But if you know where to turn, you’re almost guaranteed a private piece of white-sand paradise.

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Wellington’s Michelle McCashin loves to go there for her summer vacation, but she stays away from “the touristy part.”

“You have to drive on very high forest roads. There is no one there. We camped in a meadow behind the dunes. It was lush (with) dragonflies and dune flowers. “

You will need a 4WD to get there, he notes, as forest roads “are bumpy and bumpy.”

She recommends drinking “lots” of water, keeping an eye out for katipō spiders in the dunes, and watching out for the “deadly current.” All earthly paradises have their minor flaws, after all.

“I would happily live there for the rest of my days,” McCashin said.

Opononi and Ōmāpere

These twin cities of Northland have gone unnoticed since the famous bottlenose dolphin Opo passed away, but chances are still high that you might spot dolphins and orcas while swimming, strolling or sandboarding along this stunning stretch of coastline. Although we cannot promise that they will be as accommodating as the Opo in letting the children have a Whale rider moment and ride on his back.

But it does not matter. With a long beach lined with pohutukawa, North Head’s giant sand dunes to boogie down, and several coastal and forest hikes to do, there’s so much more to keep you busy. Deep sea sport fishing is also popular in the area and can be arranged with a trip to the Opononi Pier.

Aucklander Kerry Smith, whose family vacationed in the joint cities for years, described them as a great place to get away from it all.

In addition to taking a water taxi to the sand dunes from the pier, Smith recommends paying Tāne Mahuta, New Zealand’s largest known living kauri tree, a visit to the nearby Waipoua Forest, or taking the Hokianga car ferry from Rawene to Narrows, from where you can continue to Ninety Mile Beach and Cape Reinga.

Western Coromandel Peninsula

Often overlooked in favor of the sandier east coast of the peninsula, the west of the Coromandel Peninsula, with its picturesque pebble bays, has long been a favorite of alternative lifestyles and those who they prefer to spend a vacation in peace.

Ian and Jo Dickey from Tauranga say it is a family favorite and much underrated, less crowded than the surf beaches “on the other side” and “still picturesque and unspoiled”.

“The journey down the coast from Thames to Coromandel Town is beautiful at Christmas when the pohutukawa are in bloom. Windy trail but makes you take it easy and appreciate the views! “

They recommend a stop for coffee and ice cream at Waimou Beach Cafe and taking the time to explore the “hidden gems” along the main road, such as the Waimou Kauri Grove Walk (which takes you to one of the most popular kauri stalls). impressive of the peninsula). Rapaura Water Gardens and the Thornton Bay Sand.

“On the Thames itself, The Wharf Coffee House & Bar is worth stopping by for some great coffee or fish and chips fresh from the ship, eaten on the quaint and historic pier …

“Coromandel Town has more lodging options and attractions, such as the Driving Creek Railroad and zip line, plus quaint shops, cafes and restaurants, and oyster and mussel farms.”

New Plymouth

Aucklander Linda Hohaia and her family spend two weeks in New Plymouth in the summer and still can’t quite fit in with what they want to do.

Blessed with sunny weather, beautiful parks, and a backyard with Mount Taranaki and a number of uncrowded black sand surf beaches, it’s a perfect summer playground for those who don’t want to have to choose between mountains and the sea. And Culture.

Home to New Zealand’s only contemporary art museum, the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery / Len Lye Center, also hosts the free Festival of Lights during the summer.

For six weeks, Pukekura Park, a year-round must-see, becomes a wonderland of multi-colored light installations by artists from around the world. This summer’s works include mischievous animated monkeys, an airborne manta ray that flaps its fins “in a wavy ballet” and “UV spaghetti.” The festival also includes an open-air cinema and a full calendar of events, including performances by artists like The Warratahs and Reb Fountain, dance and aerobatics performances, and yoga sessions with laughter.

The park is the place to be on New Year’s Eve, when you can party with performances by musicians like Sola Rosa, attend a silent disco (there are versions for adults and children) and participate in the countdown (there are versions for adults and children). children). of that too).

Elaine Dixon of Tauranga acknowledges that the entire Taranaki region is “very underrated” with “so much to see and do.” She recommends heading to the award-winning Salt Restaurant on the boardwalk between Monday and Thursday for a “first-class” three-course meal for $ 49.

Hohaia’s best foodie photos include The Federal Store and Chaos Cafe.

Castlepoint

Shaped like the ruins of ancient castle battlements, this small seaside town feels like it’s at the end of the world despite being about a two-hour drive from Wellington.

Upper Hutt’s Tim Skinner keeps coming back outside of the busy Christmas and New Years period for the two very different beaches (one for surfing and one for safe and secure swimming), lagoon (another safe option for swimming), classic beam headlamp , caves, sand dunes, rock pools, walks, camping and classic Kiwi pub.

The 30-minute return hike across the reef to the cliff-top lighthouse dotted with fossilized shells is a must. But the long cut, through pine trees above the lagoon and along the edge of the scenic reserve, is just as impressive, if not more so. You can even come across endangered New Zealand fur seals.

Golf, tennis, and fishing are among the activities on offer ((the area is famous for its crayfish and pāua), or you can drive to Riversdale Beach – a four-kilometer stretch of sand and good waves that also it is a secret dive spot.

Whatever you do, enjoy a drink and fish and chips at the historic Whakataki Hotel.

Golden Bay

A nauseous car ride separates Motueka and Kaiteriteri, north of Nelson, from Golden Bay, but those who make the trip are rewarded with lots of glistening sand and the joy of spending time in LA’s bohemian communities. bay.

Along with the long sandy bay, famous for its scallops, the Te Waikoropupū Springs, the largest cold water springs in the southern hemisphere, are among the top attractions. And rightly so, they contain some of the clearest waters ever measured.

Farewell Spit, a 34 kilometer long internationally important wetland and bird sanctuary, is also found on many itineraries, although you can only visit with Farewell Spit Eco Tours, which will take you to the northernmost point of the South Island, Corporal Farewell.

On the west coast, a 20-minute walk will take you to the wild, often windswept Wharariki Beach, which, with its striking sea arches and rock formations, competes with Golden Bay for the title of the most spectacular coastal strip. region of.

Waterfalls, nature walks, and handicraft shops are also a specialty of the region and fans of salmon should try lunch or dinner at Anatoki Salmon.

Greta Martin from Christchurch has been on vacation in Golden Bay for almost 50 years and is still madly in love with the area. It was lost this year due to the pandemic, but will return in February.

“I can’t wait to get back there,” he said.

Tekapo lake

With a lake pale turquoise by “rock flour” on the glacier floor and surrounded by the Southern Alps and pastel-colored lupins in summer, it is no wonder that Lake Tekapo appears in a host of images of Instagram travel influencers.

However pretty it is though, there are a lot of rough and tumble. Which, in the summer, includes speedboat rides, stand-up paddle boarding, mountain biking, horseback riding, and exploring the backcountry by 4WD.

Hikers have many options to choose from with trails around the lake and through the foothills of the Alps, and there is a lakeside golf course with sublime views of the wider Mackenzie Basin.

After sunset, most visitors make the most of a stay at an International Dark Sky Reserve, heading to Mount John for a guided tour of the night sky at the observatory or simply to look up.

Garry Wood of New Plymouth and his wife return for their 44th wedding anniversary in February, possibly with a plump, juicy specimen from the nearby salmon farm.

“Just driving through the mountains is what I like the most. I hope the lupins haven’t stopped blooming then. “

Your next stop will be Cromwell, where Wood said there is “so much to see and do” including the old town, the car museum, golf, and “lots of apricots and cherries … so I’m looking forward to it.”