Weekend Trips And Getaways From Auckland

While there are many awe-inspiring escapes within the confines of Auckland, it’s equally as well placed for a number of weekend getaways. For as little as taking Friday afternoon off work, you can get two whole days of joy away from the city – think sailing over the country’s biggest lake, or marvelling at art deco architecture in Hawkes Bay. Hop in the car, hit the road, and take your Friday drinks with a side of fresh countryside air.

Taupō

The real drawcard in Taupō is its lake; the largest in New Zealand, and a truly spectacular sight. Crystal-clear blue waters are bordered by magnificent cliffs and, in some places, the lake seems so deep you could be left wondering what hides in its inky depths – local Māori certainly did, which is where cultural legend the Loch Ness monster-esque taniwha originates from.

Napier

In the wake of a devastating earthquake in the 1930s, Napier was largely rebuilt. The result is an Art Deco-rich city that feels incongruous from the rest of the country’s architecture, but works so beautifully in this seaside setting. Retro facades aside, the city has a thoroughly modern interior, staking its claim as a dining hub in New Zealand. Should all that building ogling get too much, the beautiful beaches are the perfect place to soak up some rays.

Tauranga

The city base perched just behind the harbour from the pristine beaches of Mount Maunganui and Papamoa, Tauranga is a flourishing port town. A growth in population in recent years has afforded the town some serious new restaurant openings, helping to create a vibrant cultural scene in this picture-perfect beach destination.

Food and Wine Tasting Tour

Activities, Tours

This bucolic area of the country has much to offer in the way of edible and quaffable delights. Sample the best of them on this food and wine tour. Departing from the city centre, you’ll be taken to some of the area’s finest independent producers, sampling foods like bespoke cheeses and salamis, and beverages like locally brewed cider and wine from an award-winning vineyard. Your knowledgeable guide will transport you between destinations, filling you in on notable facts and local history as you go along, and having you back in time for a sunset swim.

Coromandel

This much-lauded peninsula is often pinpointed as being home to some of the country’s best beaches – and the masses certainly aren’t wrong. With white sand and crystal-clear water, alongside hidden bays and the infamous Cathedral Cove (you may recognise it from the Chronicles of Narnia films), Coromandel is a destination that epitomises why New Zealand is so often seen as a heaven on earth.

Coromandel Coastal Walkway Day Tour

Tours, Activities

Wind your way through the gravel lanes of the Coromandel Peninsula as your driver deftly navigates these tricky stretches of road to deliver you to some of the most picturesque areas in the area. Dropping you off at Stony Bay, you’ll then traverse the 10km (6mi) coastal path to Fletcher Bay – taking you past crystal clear waters, through lush bushland and with views over to Great Barrier Island, this is a hike you won’t soon forget. Your driver will meet you at the other end, dropping you back to Coromandel Town for a well-deserved sunset drink.

Bay of Islands

Comprising 140 islands amongst glassy waters, the Bay of Islands is an otherworldly idyll at the top of the North Island. The two main towns in the area are Paihia, and the historical port and whaling town of Russell, which was once referred to as the “Hell Hole of the Pacific”. History buffs should forego the former for the latter, which is filled with colonial houses and some of the oldest structures in New Zealand.