It’s been a while since I last crossed the ‘dutch’ to New Zealand so when my wife suggested a 10-day adventure around the North Island, I leapt at the chance.
After a typically comfortable and attentive flight with Air New Zealand (one of my faves), we landed in Auckland where we planned to spend a couple of days before heading off on a road trip.
We stayed at the Grand Millennium Hotel, which provided us with a great location to explore the city’s arts district and Albert Park.
It was also just a short downhill stroll to the harbour that reminds me of a mini-Sydney because of all the restaurants and bars that you can hang out in and just watch the world pass (or sail) by.
We also got to experience the Britomart complex, a nine-block community of new and restored heritage buildings full of more restaurants, bars and shops. This seemed to be where Aucklanders go in their lunch break, joining the tourists just hanging out and enjoying the vibe of the city.
Having thoroughly explored Auckland, our next adventure was to take our hire car and board the SeaLink ferry, which afforded us great views as we looked back at the city on a beautiful sunny day (we duly christened the vehicle ‘Bryan’ because of the ferry….).
Our destination was Waiheke Island which, as many people have discovered, lies just off the coast and is renowned for its wineries. Poor old Bryan was probably going to be idle for the next couple of days.
First up was Goldie Estate (main image), established in 1978 and the oldest winery on the island. The rosé in particular was delicious and the cheese platter was scrumptious. There were also some great views to be had and it really set the tone for our island visit.
Despite some inclement weather, we managed to squeeze in several wineries, including Man O’ War and the Waiheke Distillery. However, the standout was Mudbrick (above), which had been recommended by a friend and delivered in spades, diamonds and hearts!
It was quite simply one of the best meals I’ve had in ages and combined with the wine, the views and the attentive, friendly service, was a real highlight of the trip.
Three nights on the island came and went so we packed up Bryan and set off for the Coromandel, one of the must-see areas in the whole of New Zealand. Famous for its fantastic beaches and seaside vibe, it is one of the top holiday destinations for Kiwis and overseas visitors alike.
We based ourselves in Whitianga and found this seaside location to be ideal, with a plethora of restaurants, bars and all the shops you could need on a self-catering holiday. I had one of the best Indian meals in recent memory at Clove and the ubiquitous Irish pub Grace O’Malleys offered a very lively atmosphere.
Top of any must-do activities in this region is a visit to Cathedral Cove. Sadly the torrential rain that had devastated the area before we arrived had made the walking trail unsafe and it was temporarily closed. Problem? No problem.
An industrious bit of research by my tour companion revealed an ingenious water taxi from neighbouring Hahei Beach that not only carries you to the Cove but deposits you directly on the sand. So it was we enjoyed a glorious couple of hours here, marvelling at what nature has created….although just like with the Twelve Apostles, you do wonder if the roof of the Cathedral might come crashing down one day.
It was high time Bryan earned his keep so we set off on a drive to explore the peninsula.
First stop was Coromandel itself, a quaint and slightly old-fashioned town frequented by numerous artists. Here we wandered craft shops and boutiques while soaking in the small town atmosphere.
Turning south we hugged the coastline, with the Firth of Thames on one side and the Coromandel Forest Park on the other. Traffic in these parts is practically non-existent and although the road can be a but windy in places, it’s a fun place to drive…the trick is keeping your eye on the bitumen with views as good as these.
On a whim I gunned Bryan down a steep, winding track just to see what was at the end of it. Thus we discovered a delightful stretch of sand inhabited by just two ladies and a dog. This is the kind of experience you can have in the Coromandel.
It was time to head west and prepare for our return flight from Auckland…but not before one last stop on our North Island adventure.
My wife is a keen gardener so when I heard about the famous Hamilton Gardens we decided this had to be the finale to our trip. It did not disappoint.
Here you will find 18 themed gardens, each one dedicated to an idea, a country or a whim. Here you’ll find yourself walking through an Egyptian, Chinese or English-style garden, marvelling at the different plants and architectural features in each. Little wonder this ranks among the top three things to do in New Zealand.
As for Hamilton itself, we found a couple of really good restaurants in Victoria Street that you can chill out at and have a good feed (The Bank & the Hamilton Hotel).
The mighty Waikato River runs through the centre of Hamilton and if you time it right, it’s also where the Chiefs rugby union team play, so no doubt it gets very popular when they’re in town.
Sadly, our time in New Zealand came to an end. We had to return Bryan back to Auckland and catch our flight home, but the trip reinforced how varied and how close such an enjoyable adventure can be.
As travel continues to be affected by conflicts happening in the Middle East and Europe, a short trip across the Tasman might be the best and safest bet for your next getaway.
