Showing off the best of our nation

Te Whau winery restaurant on Waiheke Island would be on Carla Edlin's itinerary if she was showing visitors around the Hauraki Gulf. Picture / Carolyn Robertson

Stunning scenery and tasty food are among the main things New Zealanders enjoy sharing with overseas visitors.

There's plenty of both on offer among the entries in our competition to find the perfect day out for a friend or relative wanting to see a slice of New Zealand.

Anyone visiting Ross Osborne in Whangarei will wake to the sound of tui in the totara and a view of the kauri in the Parahaki Reserve. After breakfast on the deck they head to the Tutukaka Coast to enjoy a walk along magnificent Whale Bay.

"There is a sense of timelessness on this bush-fringed beach with crystal-clear water - an unspoiled piece of paradise. There might be time for a mid-morning coffee at the Snapper Rock Cafe at Tutukaka on the way back into Whangarei.

"Strolling around the waterfront of the Town Basin provides the opportunity to visit an art gallery or perhaps purchase an exquisite local handmade glass treasure. It's time for pizza at Revas, a restaurant known to the many international yachties who visit Whangarei. We will enjoy this alfresco, with the backdrop of the moored yachts.

"Perhaps later in the afternoon we will launch the boat near Whangarei Heads, only 40 minutes from home, and pick up a snapper inside the harbour or around the corner past Smugglers Cove. And then it is home again, all before 6pm.

"While I prepare the fish, my wife will take our visitors to the Longview Estate to find one of Mario Vuletich's fine wines to accompany the snapper they caught when we dine on the deck ... a real taste of Northland."

John Gardner lives in Christchurch and his secret treat for overseas guests is a tour of Banks Peninsula. "Leave Christchurch early and drive up Dyers Pass Rd to the crater rim, stopping to look at the Southern Alps lit up by the early sun, then down into Governors Bay and around the head of the harbour to Purau.

"Take to the backcountry in a 4WD out of Purau over the ridge and into Port Levy. The views are stunning - magnificent seascapes framed by the rugged volcanic mountains. Look out for the wildlife but ensure you aren't distracted and inadvertently plunge off the road.

"Head on to Pigeon Bay and then further up to the Akaroa crater rim. Next head down into Akaroa or take a trip to Okains Bay, the area's best swimming beach and the site of an intriguing heritage museum.

"In Akaroa, walk along the wharf, buy fish straight off the boat, take in a dolphin cruise, or visit the Gardens of Tane. Lunch has to be fish and chips on the promenade. Then a leisurely drive around to the Barrys Bay cheese factory.

"Next is a stop at the Hilltop pub for a last view of Akaroa. Halt at Little River for a latte, the art gallery and some craft shopping. Complete the trip by travelling past Lakes Forsyth and Ellesmere, diverting back to the Port Hills via Gebbes Pass in time for a magnificent late evening sunset over the Canterbury Plains."

Hanne Martin is taking her Aunt Lisa, who lives in Invercargill, for some sightseeing in Auckland. "Pick her up at 9am, after the morning rush hour. Up One Tree Hill for a general overview of the Auckland isthmus with its many volcanoes. Then head east through the suburbs to St Heliers, cruise along the waterfront, point out Rangitoto and have coffee at the cafe by Kelly Tarlton's.

"Mosey through the Domain, stopping to admire the view, and drive past the hospitals. Then a drive slowly down through the CBD. Across the harbour bridge to the North Shore, up through Orewa and on to Warkworth for lunch at the Bridge Hotel by the river. Cruise across to State Highway 16 for a look at rural North Auckland and a slow cruise through Helensville.

"Pop out to Muriwai to see the gannet colony. Then take the scenic drive to admire the Waitakere Ranges, drive up to Pukematekeo for another high lookout right across Auckland.

"If Aunt Lisa is up to it, we'll walk the gentle bush track next to the Arataki Centre. Home through Titirangi and Great North Rd to the Northwestern Motorway, watching the Auckland afternoon rush hour heading west as we go to town.

"We'll finish off with a lovely meal at the Orbit restaurant with the Auckland night lights sparkling at our feet."

Gemma Rann starts her tour with a morning walk along Takapuna Beach.

"Then off to any one of the local cafes for a typical Kiwi brunch of bacon, eggs, hollandaise sauce and ciabatta bread.

"Off to the Auckland Museum next to catch a traditional Maori show and then to the Sky Tower to see the amazing views, followed by a Sky Tower bungy jump.

"Then to Western Springs armed with fish and chips - wrapped in newspaper of course - to relax and feed the ducks and maybe even enjoy a snooze in the sun.

"The evening would be a fab food and wine selection at La Zeppa (got to go to Victoria Park market) and catching a show at the old Civic."

Margi Keys would give her visitors a taste of New Zealand by going tramping up Castle Rock on the Coromandel Peninsula.

"We'd take the 309 road near Whitianga, then climb to the summit. I would point out the native tree species and the beautiful fungi. It takes an hour or more to get to the top, depending on my visitors' fitness and interest. The last part of the ascent is quite exciting, being almost vertical, but there are plenty of hand and foot holds.

"We'd admire the fabulous 360-degree view while drinking a cuppa from a flask and eating scroggin. We'd be able to see Coromandel township, the Hauraki Gulf, the northern part of the peninsula, Whangapoua and Great Barrier Island, Kuaotunu and the Mercury Islands, and the southern part of the peninsula. The descent would be relatively quick.

"Next we'd head for Hotwater Beach with spades and togs, timing it to arrive an hour before low tide. We'd dig ourselves a hot pool and soak there for an hour. After this, visit the local art gallery and drive back to Luna Cafe in Hahei for food.

"Last we'd go for drive up to the lookout on Shakespeare Cliff between Cooks Beach and Flaxmill Bay, and talk about James Cook anchoring the Endeavour in November 1769 to observe the transit of the planet Mercury."

Carla Edlin wants to take her guests out on the Hauraki Gulf after enjoying scrambled eggs with manuka-smoked salmon and truffle oil at SPQR and picking up a selection of Auckland's best sausages at Loaves & Fishes on Jervois Rd.

"Now we're off with Fullers, sailing to Rangitoto where we climb to the summit. On the way down the caves are a must.

"Back on the ferry to Waiheke Island, where we hire scooters to explore all the fabulous beaches. We can stop for a few wine tastings, finally ending up at Te Whau Winery Restaurant.

"Dinner and accommodation is at the Te Whau Lodge, where Gene and Liz will provide fabulous hospitality and wonderful food. In an ideal world the ABs will be playing that night and will spank the home nation of our guests. Before bed the sausages (bought earlier in the day) will be snuck into Gene's willing hands and, just like magic, will be served up for brekkie the following morning."

Carol Kingham says that living in Rotorua she is never short of things to do when people from overseas pay a visit.

"Our favourite outing was an adventure day with our nephew from London. First stop was the Agrodome for a leap in the Swoop. Strapped into a sling, lifted up by crane, let go to fall 100m at 130km/h. Then a quick sprint round the pond in the Agrojet.

"After that it's a drive through the Waikato to Arapuni hydro dam, 15km east of Putaruru. When the dam was built in the late 1920s, access for the workers was across a swing bridge over the Waikato River. At 54m above the river, 152m long, and with a slope of 8m, it's a test of nerves just stepping on to the bridge.

"From there it was down State Highway 1 to the Taupo bungy 47m above the Waikato River on a cantilevered platform. Our visitor said he could have sandpapered a table with his tongue, it was that dry before he jumped.

"Up State Highway 5 to the Aratiatia rapids. Twice a day the spillgate is opened to show the rapids at full power. Our goal was the Aratiatia jet. The best time to go is after the spillgate opens and the water powers down the Waikato River. Even a spraying with icy water didn't dampen the thrill of the jetboat idling in the full flow of the rapids downriver."

Shirley Cooper says living in the Royal Oak area of Auckland means she is spoiled for choice as to where to take visitors. "But we've developed a set pattern, depending on time available. First, a drive to the top of One Tree Hill and then a trip through beautiful Cornwall Park.

"Then on to Parnell to the magnificent Anglican Cathedral followed by the trendy shops on Parnell Rd. We have our picnic lunch on the seats overlooking the harbour at the Dove Meyer Robinson Park, followed by a stroll around the adjoining Parnell Rose gardens. We then drive along Tamaki Drive, where Kelly Tarlton's is on offer, or a drive up to the Savage Memorial, or just a sit in the sunshine at Mission Bay to enjoy the beach, views and people.

"By mid-afternoon we've reached St Heliers where we can relax with a coffee at one of the many roadside cafes. And we can always detour to the Auckland Domain and the museum on the way home."

Emma Pond has a "tried and true routine which always impresses. It starts in Kingsland with coffee and cake.

"Then it's up Maungawhau (Mt Eden), where the 360-degree view and the breeze combine to blow out any lingering jetlag cobwebs. The panorama of Auckland with its volcanic cones, twin harbours, bright lights and busy roads gives a good feel of what it's like living here.

"Then into the car for a drive out west into the Waitakere ranges, twisting and braking all the way down to Karekare beach. There we all take off our shoes and socks, hop across the stream and through the dunes until we get to the green black misty beauty of the wild beach.

"On the way back to town we stop off at the Nikau Cafe, with its stunning views over Auckland and delicious menu. Fortified, we head back into the centre of things to the Viaduct, where, from the comfort of one of the many bars, we while away the rest of the day telling each other which of the fancy yachts we would like to sail away in, and where to."

* More entries in the competition will feature next week. The best two will earn luxury weekends for two, organised by Boutique Lodgings of New Zealand, at Pukematu Lodge near Russell or Colleith Lodge on the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula. For further information about the lodges go to www.lodgings.co.nz