Treasure to be found in dunes of Mangawhai

New Zealand is full of secret, magical places - lonely bays, magnificent mountain-tops, bubbling springs, clear lakes, pristine rivers and glorious forest glades - known only to a lucky few.

But lots of Travel readers have been happy to share their special spots and participate in our New Zealand Magic Competition.

The two best entries will earn their writers a luxury weekend for two at Umoya Lodge and Vintners Haven and all will go in a draw for copies of Boutique Lodgings of New Zealand.

Here's a selection of the magical places on offer.

Mangawhai Spit, Northland

I like to walk to the Mangawhai spit from the Pacific Road car-park. It takes about an hour but I walk on almost deserted golden sand and the fathom-deep blue of the Pacific washes my feet.

I make towards the sanctuary, a place where birds that are endangered can be seen, the smart New Zealand dotterel running with an agility that reminds me of commuters racing for the underground.

During the nesting season I have to keep outside the perimeter of the Department of Conservation fencing. It's just a few stakes with a plastic bandage running from stick to stick. Enough to remind me that within this area the fairy tern will be trying to scrape some sand into a poor semblance of a nest to lay its well-camouflaged eggs.

If I walk around the edge of the refuge and across the moonscape sandhills I will come to the estuary. Across the water is the beach settlement of Mangawhai Heads.

It is easy to get from the boat ramp to the spit by dinghy. But for me the excitement is the walk and the anticipation that today I may see a fairy tern, a bird who has a tenuous grasp on remaining with us. There are only about 28 left. A treasure hidden within the dunes.

- RAE MCGREGOR

Pupu Springs, Golden Bay

Drink in the blazing sunshine, intense blue sky and perfect weather of the remarkable and relatively untouched Golden Bay region at the top of the South Island. Situated en route from Nelson to Golden Bay is Pupu Springs, 8km from the town of Takaka. This is a special place that always wows visitors looking for something different. It's the largest fresh-water spring in New Zealand, surrounded by native bush. It is unrivalled as a tourist spot, not only for the beauty of the scenery or the serenity that surrounds you as the sun glistens off the spring water but for the cool interactiveness with the spring itself.

The purest freshest spring New Zealand water is so clear that you're compelled by the force of nature to dip your hand in to drink from it. Then take your time to walk around the water's edge, or really get to know the spring and wade bravely barefoot through the spring waters.

The freshness of the water as the spring is replenished from deep in the earth means the pure water is ice-like ... brrr. Certainly breathtaking, but absolutely gorgeous on the hot days that settle over Golden Bay in summer.

- LLOYD WONG

Nikau Cave, Waikato

My favourite place is Nikau Cave, part of a 445ha farm property owned by Phillip and Anne Woodward.

Access is through Pukekawa and Glen Murray. Turn right at the television tower then go 18km into the hinterland to a place called Wakaretu, roughly midway between Port Waikato and Raglan. For variety you can return by the picturesque coast road to Port Waikato. Visitors need to ring first (09) 233 3199 to arrange a time and a guide.

Nikau Cave suits a day trip, or you can stay overnight in a self-contained chalet or park your campervan.

Phillip gives you the onceover, makes sure you leave watches and videos behind, ensures you are not wearing excess clothing and issues torches and hard-hats. The first part of the walk is through 1.5ha of magnificent gardens, then down a steep hill to the cave entrance. After 30m of walking through a stream and rocks - with stalactites and stalagmites - you come to a narrow hole and slide down about 2m to a small stream-bed in a tunnel about 7m long. You crawl snakelike along this until you can become upright and the real visions ahead unfold.

This is really spectacular limestone country, with many colonies of glow-worms. The stalactite formations are incredible, culminating in a marble plateau which defies description (this is the only part of the trip where artificial lights have been used to best demonstrate the beauty of the scene).

The distance travelled underground is about 1km and a reasonable level of fitness is required. Egress is up a long wooden ladder to a farm track and an easy walk back to your vehicle.

- BOB AND LEONIE MANSON

Ti Point, Northland

Ti Point is the most magnificent spot I have ever discovered, a place of diverse natural beauty that magically dissolves any trace of concern in life.

Just 90 minutes from Auckland and only a few kilometres from the quaint Leigh township, Ti Point promises nature's finest gifts - pounding waves, fresh ocean air, a sheer rock face and the silent charm of pohutukawa.

Three years ago, a friend took me there. It was the best gift a friend could bestow.

From the moment we pulled into the small gravel car park, alongside a few fishermen perched on the old wharf, I felt the city fall away.

Picnic in hand, we started off. Meandering through native bush, brushing aside overhanging punga and listening to tui among the flax, I was amazed at how wild and untouched the track was, even though many must have come before me.

Once out of the bush, the 30-minute walk trails along coastal farmland, complete with stiles to climb and sheep to respect. Small openings in the trees lead to tiny alcoves on the water's edge, private pebbled beaches made for two.

Finally, a steep climb up the grassy ridge hill and - wham - it hits you. The most majestic view of a vast ocean and full-bodied waves crashing on the platform of rock below. To the right, a beautifully formed rock face yearns to be climbed. Beneath its towering presence is the perfect picnic spot, naturally formed pews amid rock pools that are home to mysterious sea life.

To this day, Ti Point possesses the same enchanted beauty I felt on my first visit. And each time I go there, I discover something new, the joy of nature's ever changing ways.

Ti Point was a gift my friend shared with me. Now it is my present to you.

- AMANDA KYNE