The \u201cmeeting place by the sea\u201d, Maraetai is the starting point for an epic five-day kayak trip. Take the trip south of Auckland and prepare for adventure, with great hikes in nearby Beachlands and Omana Regional Park. Insider tip: Take a casual stroll with the kids around the Maratei Beach Path, check out the playground, and finish up with fish and chips on Maraetai Wharf.<\/p>\n
![\"Pohutakawa](\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-www-wotif-com\/2020\/08\/f6fb3a0c-maraetai.jpg\")
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2. Hokitika Beach, West Coast<\/a><\/h2>\nPacking your camera is a must when you\u2019re going to see NZ\u2019s highest mountain, Aoraki Mount Cook. Watching the sunset (or waking up to catch the sunrise) will give you some serious Insta fodder. Spend a day with your special someone or kids searching the beach for pounamu. Insider tip: Scarfs are a MUST in winter, as the chilly wind can get pretty wild.<\/p>\n
3. Coromandel Peninsula<\/a><\/h2>\nPristine white sand greets you on the Coromandel peninsula \u2013 more than 400km of it. Rustic, untouched and dreamy, Coromandel offers plenty to do, from shopping to diving, from fishing to hot springs. Insider tip: Make sure you visit Donut Island too \u2013 an old volcano crater filled with turquoise water.<\/p>\n
![\"Hoho](\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-www-wotif-com\/2020\/08\/f8818b2a-coromandel.jpg\")
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4. Moeraki, Otago<\/a><\/h2>\nThe massive Moeraki Boulders, which are almost two metres high, draw tourists from all over to Koekohe Beach, a five-minute drive from Moeraki village. When night falls, Oamaru is the spot to watch, as adorable blue penguins waddle ashore just a few metres from you. Magic.<\/p>\n
5. Piha Beach, Auckland<\/a><\/h2>\nCheck out the dramatic black sands at Piha Beach! Piha is a hit with surfers and home to the Piha Surf Academy. Leave a full day for a rainforest walk or, if you\u2019re brave, try abseiling down the Piha Canyon.<\/p>\n
![\"Lion](\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-www-wotif-com\/2020\/08\/b2769c8e-piha.jpg\")
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6. Raglan, Waikato<\/a><\/h2>\nCaffeine junkies, Raglan has got you covered, with the local brew \u2013 the famous Raglan Roast coffee \u2013 roasted daily on site. In fact, your palette will be in overdrive, with so many tasty treats to discover \u2013 we\u2019re talking chocolate, sushi, bakeries and more. Raglan is also a dream spot for vegans, people who go gluten-free and omnivores seeking ethical meat. Keen surfer? Then you already know how great the left-hand break at Manu Bay is.<\/p>\n
7. Kekerengu, Canterbury<\/a><\/h2>\nSitting on the north-east coast of the South Island, Kekerengu is a sweet and underrated spot. It also offers easy access to the incredible Black Pebble Beach. The water can be a bit cold, but that just makes it all the more invigorating.<\/p>\n
8. Waiheke Island<\/a><\/h2>\nWaiheke Island is gorgeous all year round, but in summer it\u2019s packed with swimmers and surfers. It\u2019s also a popular spot for foodies and great for sampling some wines at the local vineyards. Take the ferry from Auckland \u2013 you can bring your car or bike too \u2013 and explore at your own pace. Insider tip: Head east to Stony Batter walkway for some underground tunnels from World War II.<\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-www-wotif-com\/2020\/08\/bf23193a-waiheke.jpg\")
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9. Bluff, Southland<\/a><\/h2>\nIf we could only give you one reason to visit the most southern part of the South Island, it\u2019d be this \u2013 Bluff oysters! Slowly grown in the cool Foveaux Strait, Bluff oysters have their own incredible, unique flavour. Visit in May to check out the famous Bluff Oyster and Food Festival as well. Make sure you also swing by Stirling Point to see the signpost that shows the distances to some of the world\u2019s most famous big cities. Seriously, if you don\u2019t take a jumping snap here, did you even go?<\/p>\n
10. Mount Maunganui, Bay of Plenty<\/a><\/h2>\nSurfers, Mount Maunganui Main Beach is for you. In fact, Mount Maunganui is even home to the Surf Museum, so you can learn your history and catch a break. More of a land-based human? Relax on the pristine white sand beach or take one of the walking tracks up Mount Maunganui for a panoramic view. Insider tip: The Gourmet Night Market is a foodie\u2019s dream come true.<\/p>\n<\/i> PLAN YOUR NEXT GETAWAY <\/a>\n
Pristine white sand greets you on the Coromandel peninsula \u2013 more than 400km of it. Rustic, untouched and dreamy, Coromandel offers plenty to do, from shopping to diving, from fishing to hot springs. Insider tip: Make sure you visit Donut Island too \u2013 an old volcano crater filled with turquoise water.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
4. Moeraki, Otago<\/a><\/h2>\nThe massive Moeraki Boulders, which are almost two metres high, draw tourists from all over to Koekohe Beach, a five-minute drive from Moeraki village. When night falls, Oamaru is the spot to watch, as adorable blue penguins waddle ashore just a few metres from you. Magic.<\/p>\n
5. Piha Beach, Auckland<\/a><\/h2>\nCheck out the dramatic black sands at Piha Beach! Piha is a hit with surfers and home to the Piha Surf Academy. Leave a full day for a rainforest walk or, if you\u2019re brave, try abseiling down the Piha Canyon.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
6. Raglan, Waikato<\/a><\/h2>\nCaffeine junkies, Raglan has got you covered, with the local brew \u2013 the famous Raglan Roast coffee \u2013 roasted daily on site. In fact, your palette will be in overdrive, with so many tasty treats to discover \u2013 we\u2019re talking chocolate, sushi, bakeries and more. Raglan is also a dream spot for vegans, people who go gluten-free and omnivores seeking ethical meat. Keen surfer? Then you already know how great the left-hand break at Manu Bay is.<\/p>\n
7. Kekerengu, Canterbury<\/a><\/h2>\nSitting on the north-east coast of the South Island, Kekerengu is a sweet and underrated spot. It also offers easy access to the incredible Black Pebble Beach. The water can be a bit cold, but that just makes it all the more invigorating.<\/p>\n
8. Waiheke Island<\/a><\/h2>\nWaiheke Island is gorgeous all year round, but in summer it\u2019s packed with swimmers and surfers. It\u2019s also a popular spot for foodies and great for sampling some wines at the local vineyards. Take the ferry from Auckland \u2013 you can bring your car or bike too \u2013 and explore at your own pace. Insider tip: Head east to Stony Batter walkway for some underground tunnels from World War II.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
9. Bluff, Southland<\/a><\/h2>\nIf we could only give you one reason to visit the most southern part of the South Island, it\u2019d be this \u2013 Bluff oysters! Slowly grown in the cool Foveaux Strait, Bluff oysters have their own incredible, unique flavour. Visit in May to check out the famous Bluff Oyster and Food Festival as well. Make sure you also swing by Stirling Point to see the signpost that shows the distances to some of the world\u2019s most famous big cities. Seriously, if you don\u2019t take a jumping snap here, did you even go?<\/p>\n
10. Mount Maunganui, Bay of Plenty<\/a><\/h2>\nSurfers, Mount Maunganui Main Beach is for you. In fact, Mount Maunganui is even home to the Surf Museum, so you can learn your history and catch a break. More of a land-based human? Relax on the pristine white sand beach or take one of the walking tracks up Mount Maunganui for a panoramic view. Insider tip: The Gourmet Night Market is a foodie\u2019s dream come true.<\/p>\n<\/i> PLAN YOUR NEXT GETAWAY <\/a>\n
Check out the dramatic black sands at Piha Beach! Piha is a hit with surfers and home to the Piha Surf Academy. Leave a full day for a rainforest walk or, if you\u2019re brave, try abseiling down the Piha Canyon.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
6. Raglan, Waikato<\/a><\/h2>\nCaffeine junkies, Raglan has got you covered, with the local brew \u2013 the famous Raglan Roast coffee \u2013 roasted daily on site. In fact, your palette will be in overdrive, with so many tasty treats to discover \u2013 we\u2019re talking chocolate, sushi, bakeries and more. Raglan is also a dream spot for vegans, people who go gluten-free and omnivores seeking ethical meat. Keen surfer? Then you already know how great the left-hand break at Manu Bay is.<\/p>\n
7. Kekerengu, Canterbury<\/a><\/h2>\nSitting on the north-east coast of the South Island, Kekerengu is a sweet and underrated spot. It also offers easy access to the incredible Black Pebble Beach. The water can be a bit cold, but that just makes it all the more invigorating.<\/p>\n
8. Waiheke Island<\/a><\/h2>\nWaiheke Island is gorgeous all year round, but in summer it\u2019s packed with swimmers and surfers. It\u2019s also a popular spot for foodies and great for sampling some wines at the local vineyards. Take the ferry from Auckland \u2013 you can bring your car or bike too \u2013 and explore at your own pace. Insider tip: Head east to Stony Batter walkway for some underground tunnels from World War II.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
9. Bluff, Southland<\/a><\/h2>\nIf we could only give you one reason to visit the most southern part of the South Island, it\u2019d be this \u2013 Bluff oysters! Slowly grown in the cool Foveaux Strait, Bluff oysters have their own incredible, unique flavour. Visit in May to check out the famous Bluff Oyster and Food Festival as well. Make sure you also swing by Stirling Point to see the signpost that shows the distances to some of the world\u2019s most famous big cities. Seriously, if you don\u2019t take a jumping snap here, did you even go?<\/p>\n
10. Mount Maunganui, Bay of Plenty<\/a><\/h2>\nSurfers, Mount Maunganui Main Beach is for you. In fact, Mount Maunganui is even home to the Surf Museum, so you can learn your history and catch a break. More of a land-based human? Relax on the pristine white sand beach or take one of the walking tracks up Mount Maunganui for a panoramic view. Insider tip: The Gourmet Night Market is a foodie\u2019s dream come true.<\/p>\n<\/i> PLAN YOUR NEXT GETAWAY <\/a>\n
Sitting on the north-east coast of the South Island, Kekerengu is a sweet and underrated spot. It also offers easy access to the incredible Black Pebble Beach. The water can be a bit cold, but that just makes it all the more invigorating.<\/p>\n
8. Waiheke Island<\/a><\/h2>\nWaiheke Island is gorgeous all year round, but in summer it\u2019s packed with swimmers and surfers. It\u2019s also a popular spot for foodies and great for sampling some wines at the local vineyards. Take the ferry from Auckland \u2013 you can bring your car or bike too \u2013 and explore at your own pace. Insider tip: Head east to Stony Batter walkway for some underground tunnels from World War II.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
9. Bluff, Southland<\/a><\/h2>\nIf we could only give you one reason to visit the most southern part of the South Island, it\u2019d be this \u2013 Bluff oysters! Slowly grown in the cool Foveaux Strait, Bluff oysters have their own incredible, unique flavour. Visit in May to check out the famous Bluff Oyster and Food Festival as well. Make sure you also swing by Stirling Point to see the signpost that shows the distances to some of the world\u2019s most famous big cities. Seriously, if you don\u2019t take a jumping snap here, did you even go?<\/p>\n
10. Mount Maunganui, Bay of Plenty<\/a><\/h2>\nSurfers, Mount Maunganui Main Beach is for you. In fact, Mount Maunganui is even home to the Surf Museum, so you can learn your history and catch a break. More of a land-based human? Relax on the pristine white sand beach or take one of the walking tracks up Mount Maunganui for a panoramic view. Insider tip: The Gourmet Night Market is a foodie\u2019s dream come true.<\/p>\n<\/i> PLAN YOUR NEXT GETAWAY <\/a>\n
<\/p>\nIf we could only give you one reason to visit the most southern part of the South Island, it\u2019d be this \u2013 Bluff oysters! Slowly grown in the cool Foveaux Strait, Bluff oysters have their own incredible, unique flavour. Visit in May to check out the famous Bluff Oyster and Food Festival as well. Make sure you also swing by Stirling Point to see the signpost that shows the distances to some of the world\u2019s most famous big cities. Seriously, if you don\u2019t take a jumping snap here, did you even go?<\/p>\n