In response to our SoFloat competition, readers share their favourite relaxing holiday spots and cherished memories from those places ...
*****
My secret favourite holiday spot is Waimahana, a small bay in the Whangaroa Harbour on the East Coast of Northland. To get there is a feat in itself. The road in there is HORRENDOUS ... it's like a goat track. Only whanau from there make the trek in the summer to holiday there.
Waimahana, a small bay in Whangaroa Harbour on the East Coast of Northland. Photo / Phoebe Davis
Once you get over the road there are million dollar views. The bay is just so special and absolutely beautiful. The mokopuna (grandchildren) love it there. We spend our time there visiting loved ones at the cemetry on the hill above the beach, as well as gathering seafood, relaxing on the beach, fishing on the rocks. We set up our tents on whanau land and spend quality whanau time together. There is no phone or Wi-Fi coverage so your holiday has begun once you arrive in this wonderful bay — Waimahana — which means Warm Waters.
This time of year people start asking "what are you doing for Christmas, where are you going for Christmas..?" And I smile and say ... "I'm going to this fabulous little hideaway, with a deck overlooking the water, comfy king sized bedroom with its own deck, solar heated pool, Weber barbecue, fridge full of yummy food and a delicious bottle of wine. Where is it ... ? Very close by actually, I won't be spending hours in traffic this Christmas ... I'm staying home!" This is our sixth Christmas in New Zealand, and our fifth Christmas in our very own piece of paradise. So many magical memories. The very best are when my UK family come over to join us for a Kiwi Christmas BBQ. New Zealand is full of stunning places to visit and it's great to travel ... but it's also great to stop and relax and appreciate what we have on our very own doorsteps ... at home! Instant relaxation.
My favourite holiday place is not a secret. It is Whangamata. Fabulous beach, good town, great golf course and sun. I have had about 15 summer holidays there. The first time was 1967 when two great friends, Jock Mcnaught and Russell Lill, and I drove to Whangamata from Wellington (we had arrived on the overnight ferry from Christchurch). We arrived at 5am and went to sleep on the beach. We were around the corner from the main beach and surf club and when we awoke we wondered where all the people were. When we walked around the corner there were thousands of people enjoying the surf and sand. We spent the whole day there and got very sunburnt. That night Jock went to the surf club, and Russell and I slept in my Volkswagen beetle. Since then, from about 2000, my wife, daughter and I have had great times with friends, eating, swimming and sunbathing at New Zealand's best beach.
Jim Center
*****
My best holiday was in Matarangi — about six families all with young kids. We sat on the deck in the dark watching the city kids (from Auckland) running around the neighbourhood playing spotlight. The "big" kids looked after the little kids and the game went on for about 90 minutes. All we could see was flashes of lights and the sounds of "shush" and the odd giggle. It was so nice to know the kids were having fun and feeling a little risqué. The neighbour came over and told them to be quiet as their (older) kids were sleeping in the tent (it was only 9.30pm). It was explained that it was holidays and that this was a game that our kids couldn't play at home. The sounds of enjoyment made us all smile - the legend of the night still lives on.
Michelle Mills
*****
Pararaha Valley, Waitakere Regional Park. Photo / Paul Taylor
My favourite spot may not now be a secret for very long: the Pararaha Valley camping spot in Auckland's Waitakere Regional Park. An easy and relaxing walk along the beach from Karekare, through the historic railway tunnel, past the abandoned steam boiler and over the black sand dunes. Follow the track over the wetlands, with lots of wildfowl. Follow the stream up the valley and shallow stream crossing to the campsite and shelter where the tuis play. After setting up camp, follow and explore up the stream, you will get your feet wet as there is no formed track. See the old kauri log jam and find the beautiful swimming water holes and a refreshing shower under one of the many waterfalls.
My favourite secret spot to spend a relaxing NZ summer is Hatepe — a small lakeside town of approximately 100 baches located between Taupo and Turangi. My favourite memory from Hatepe is endless days spent on the glassy lake with family and friends — waterskiing, wakeboarding, biscuiting and of course fishing for trout.
Rosa Hanna
*****
Marsden Bay near Whangarei is an absolute summer playground — surf at Ruakaka, kayak across the Harbour to McLeod Bay or walk one of the trails at Whangarei Heads for some of the best views in Northland. My favourite is the Te Whara-Bream Head Summit which is a hard slog but well worth the effort for the picture perfect coastal views and 360-degree vista at the top. The track leads back down past a WWII naval station and right to Ocean Beach too — the perfect place to stop for a congratulatory swim.
My favourite secret spot to relax in New Zealand over summer is Hihi Beach near Mangonui in the Far North. Down a no exit road, with a simple sign on the road saying Hihi Motor Camp is all that will alert unknowing people to Hihi from the main road. Drive down Hihi Road for five minutes and awaiting you will be the most amazing bay with estuary to Mangonui Harbour looking out to Karikari Penninsula, golden sands and cliffs, a camping ground, and about 50 houses dotted around the peninsula. The beach is safe for swimming, child and dog friendly, and there are lots of mussels, walks and the snapper fishing is great. Over summer you will be hard pushed NOT to see dolphins visiting the bay and a longstanding local family usually put a floating jetty up for families to swim to and jump off/lounge on. I have been there for most summers over the past 15 years as our friends grew up there and have a bach. Amazing spot. Which I am now sharing. Shhh don't tell everyone! My best holiday memory from Hihi is our friend's wedding at their bach — which was supposed to be at the lookout at the peninsula but, alas, a cyclone hit so the vows took place in the marquee. Special day with special people. It's definitely a place that has lasting memories and will be in my heart for a long time.
Rochelle Bekker
*****
Algies Bay. Photo / Cheryl Clarke
We spent many lovely summers holidaying at little-known Algies Bay, a beautiful beach community just north of Auckland. In fact, it is so good that we moved there permanently last year! New Zealand has lots of great coastal spots but Algies Bay is special because nearly every bach/house there has a view over idyllic Kawau Bay, looking towards Kawau Island and out to Little Barrier Island. Plus there is great fishing and it is only one hour's drive north of Auckland.
Congratulations to competition winners Phoebe Davis and Fran Lowery and thanks to everyone who entered. We'll be sharing more of your summer secrets and holiday memories next week.
