A road trip. It has that ring to it that tickles memories of those carefree days when we'd pile into a car older than ourselves and head off "on a mission" with the coast as our ultimate destination. Once there, we'd throw ourselves into the frothing surf before flopping down on the sand for the day. Ah, the pleasure of leisure.
Escaping from the city for a day trip still refreshes and energises me and if it involves great food, even better. My recent sojourn to the holiday-makers' town of Waihi Beach rocked my world. It's a less than two-hour drive from Auckland; through Paeroa with its Harmony free-range pork butchery and opshops brimming with bargains, then through the gorge that follows a river so inviting you'll want to stop for a swim, before hitting Waihi town, then out the other side until you reach the turn off to Waihi Beach. This small settlement stretches along a white sandy beach so stunning it'll take your breath away. But it's the stretch of Wilson Rd known as "The Village" that will really surprise you - it's crammed with foodie discoveries to replenish and nourish you, whatever your taste.
THE SECRET GARDEN
We stumbled upon the sub-tropical oasis that is The Secret Garden, a cafe created to transport you to the eastern serenity of Bali with its tinkling water features, giant fig and fruit trees, Balinese statues peering with their calm eyes and shaded wooden gazebos to sit in. Serving organic coffee and simple, yet scrummy light meals, fresh fruit smoothies and health juices, it was hard to tear ourselves away.
• The Secret Garden cafe and shop, 17 Wilson Rd, ph (07) 863 4311, waihibeachsecret.co.nz
THE DELI
Small but perfectly formed, The Deli is perched at one end of the busy stretch of Wilson Rd. It's owned by Nicky Mowat, a food professional for more than 20 years who has cooked alongside the likes of Peter Gordon, at Wellington's Sugar Club, and owned her own seafood restaurant in Akaroa. Nicky was originally a bach owner in Waihi Beach before deciding to make it her permanent residence. She and husband Paul Weaver saw the need for seasonal, local deli food to go, so they started up their shop and now locals can call in for their organic ham carved fresh off the bone, chutneys and relishes, expertly made Allpress coffee and exceptionally good pies - the chicken with wholegrain mustard was one of the best I've eaten; punchy with a white wine sauce and packed full of chicken.
