By Bec Milligan.
Image Credit: Edgewater Resort
There’s nothing better than a long weekend, especially if you can get away for a mini holiday.
Luckily, New Zealand is full of places worth escaping to; whether you’re after a slow coastal weekend, a wine region road trip or something a little more adventurous, there’s no shortage of options.
If you’re looking for some inspiration, this guide covers the best long weekend getaways across the North and South Islands, so no matter where you’re based, you’ll find something worth booking!
Jump to: Auckland, Waiheke Island, Rotorua, Hawke's Bay, Wellington, Queenstown, Wanaka, Christchurch, Marlborough
If you’re based on the North Island, you’re in luck; the region has so much variety when it comes to long weekend getaways.
You can easily escape to a volcanic wonderland, a world-class wine region or a buzzing capital city with one of the best cafe cultures in the country.
Auckland often gets dismissed as a city you just fly in and out of, but spend a long weekend here and you’ll quickly change your mind.
The Waitematā Harbour is beautiful, the food scene is exceptional and the mix of volcanic landscapes, beaches and urban energy is amazing. Boredom is not an option.
Image Credit: The Hotel Britomart
Stay: The Hotel Britomart is New Zealand’s first and only five-star Green Star hotel, with beautifully designed rooms, a strong focus on sustainability and an outstanding seafood restaurant, Kingi, right on the doorstep. For something more intimate, Hotel Fitzroy is a ten-room boutique retreat with thoughtfully decorated rooms, a cosy library, in-room breakfast service and complimentary afternoon high tea.
Do: Take the ferry to Devonport and walk up North Head for panoramic views over the Hauraki Gulf. Explore the Waitematā waterfront from Britomart to the Viaduct, stopping at the galleries and bars along the way. Hike up one of Auckland’s volcanic cones; Maungawhau (Mount Eden) gives you the best view of the city.
Eat: Ahi is one of Auckland’s finest restaurants, with a garden-to-table menu from chef Ben Bayly that showcases the very best of New Zealand produce. For something more casual, Depot is a beloved Auckland institution; make sure you order the sugar pie!
Image Credit: Depot
Waiheke Island is just a 35-minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland and feels worlds away from the city.
Known locally as “The Rock”, it has a sub-tropical climate perfect for growing grapes, more than 90 kilometres of beaches and a food and wine scene that draws visitors from all over the North Island.
Image Credit: Mudbrick Vineyard and Restaurant
Stay: Mudbrick Vineyard and Restaurant has a wonderful collection of accommodation options set among its famous vineyard and gardens, from the self-contained Lodge with 360-degree views to fairytale luxury cottages and a clifftop Owner’s Retreat with a spa pool and sauna. All come with sweeping views over the Hauraki Gulf and direct access to the restaurant and cellar door.
Do: Spend a day visiting the island’s cellar doors; Tantalus Estate, Cable Bay and Man O’War are our favourites. Walk or cycle to Onetangi Beach, the island’s longest stretch of sand, for a swim and a lazy afternoon in the sun.
Eat: The Oyster Inn is one of Waiheke’s most beloved restaurants, known for its warm, relaxed atmosphere. Fresh local oysters, mac ‘n’ cheese and excellent wine are all on the menu. If you don’t end up staying at Mudbrick, at least visit the restaurant for an exquisite fine dining experience.
Image Credit: The Oyster Inn
Rotorua, about three hours south of Auckland, is one of the most distinctive destinations in New Zealand; perfect for a long weekend getaway.
Geothermal steam rises from the ground, the earth smells faintly of sulphur and the Māori cultural heritage here is deeper and more accessible than anywhere else in the country.
Image Credit: Solitaire Lodge
Stay: Regent of Rotorua is a boutique hotel in the heart of the city with superb on-site dining and a warm, welcoming atmosphere that sets it apart from the larger chain hotels in town. And on the outskirts of town, Solitaire Lodge is a small luxury lodge with breathtaking views of Lake Tarawera and no shortage of activities: thermal springs, rainbow trout fishing, kayaking and more.
Do: Visit Te Puia to see Pōhutu Geyser: New Zealand’s largest active geyser that erupts up to 20 times a day, shooting boiling water up to 30 metres into the air. It’s incredible. Stroll through The Redwoods Treewalk, located in the towering Whakarewarewa Forest, for a beautiful and surprisingly peaceful experience. Take a guided tour of Hobbiton Movie Set. It’s about an hour from Rotorua but is absolutely worth the detour.
Eat: Atticus Finch on “Eat Streat” has a playful, speakeasy atmosphere. Expect generous portions and unusual but delicious cocktails. For something more refined, the restaurant at Regent of Rotorua serves an excellent degustation menu built around local seasonal produce.
Image Credit: Hobbiton Movie Set
Hawke’s Bay – about four hours south of Auckland – is New Zealand’s second-largest wine region.
The twin cities of Napier and Hastings sit at its heart, with Napier’s extraordinary Art Deco architecture making it one of the most visually distinctive cities in the country.
Image Credit: Craggy Range Winery
Stay: The Crown Hotel in Napier is a beautifully restored Art Deco property right in the heart of the city with elegant rooms and a courtyard bar. Craggy Range Winery has a small collection of stunning vineyard cottages and river lodges; perfect for those wanting a relaxing long weekend.
Do: Cycle the winery trail through the Havelock North and Bridge Pa Triangle wine districts; it’s flat, scenic and the best way to visit multiple cellar doors in a day. Walk up Te Mata Peak for one of the most dramatic views on the North Island.
Eat: St Georges in Havelock North is a standout fine dining experience, with award winning chef Francky Godinho drawing almost entirely on produce grown in his own on-site organic garden. For brunch, Mister D in Napier is a local institution known for its fresh-baked doughnuts with injectable fillings and a brilliant all-day menu.
Image Credit: St Georges
Wellington is New Zealand’s compact, coffee-obsessed capital and one of the most walkable and liveable cities in the country.
It has a disproportionate number of great restaurants, bars and galleries for its size, and the waterfront setting and surrounding hills give it a beauty that larger cities often lack.
Image Credit: QT Wellington
Stay: QT Wellington is a modern hotel on the waterfront with bold interiors and an excellent restaurant. For something more boujee, The Bolton Hotel is a great accommodation option in the city centre with spacious rooms (that range from elegant studios to apartment-style suites) and a quiet, sophisticated atmosphere.
Do: Visit Te Papa Tongarewa, the national museum of New Zealand, to soak up a bit of culture. Take the cable car up to the Botanic Garden and walk back down through the gardens into the city. Wander the Cuba Street precinct, the soul of Wellington’s creative scene bursting with cafes, record shops and street art.
Eat: Loretta is known for their delectable Mediterranean-inspired menu, designed to share. They also do a mean brunch on the weekends. For a truly special dinner, Rita is a two-hatted gem with just 30 seats and a three-course set menu that changes every single day; you won’t know what you’re getting until you arrive.
Image Credit: Te Papa Tongarewa
New Zealand’s South Island is one of the most breathtaking places on earth.
The landscapes are dramatic, the food and wine scene has grown enormously in recent years and the range of experiences – from adventure sports to vineyard lunches – makes it a remarkable place to spend a long weekend.
Queenstown needs little introduction. The adventure capital sits on the shores of Lake Wakatipu surrounded by the Remarkables mountain range that delivers world-class skiing in winter and equally world-class hiking, cycling and wine in summer.
Image Credit: Rosewood Matakauri
Stay: Rosewood Matakauri is a stunning luxury lodge on the shores of Lake Wakatipu with floor-to-ceiling mountain views, a beautiful spa and exceptional food. For something more central, Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel is a five-star property just five minutes from town, with stylish mountain-view rooms and a complimentary canapés hour each evening.
Do: In winter, ski or snowboard at Coronet Peak or The Remarkables; both offer incredible terrain for all ability levels. In summer, the Queenstown Trail is a stunning multi-day cycling route through the Gibbston Valley wine country.
Eat: Sherwood Restaurant is Queenstown’s only two-hat awarded restaurant, with a menu built around South Island produce and a beautiful kitchen garden. Botswana Butchery, renowned for its meat and seafood, has a warm and welcoming atmosphere and great lake views.
Image Credit: Coronet Peak
Wanaka is about an hour’s drive northeast from Queenstown.
And while the lake is just as beautiful and the mountains are just as dramatic, the town has a warm, laidback vibe that Queenstown can sometimes lack.
If you’re wanting a peaceful, slow-paced long weekend getaway, look no further than Wanaka.
Image Credit: Whare Kea Lodge
Stay: Whare Kea Lodge is a stunning six-bedroom lakeside property available for exclusive use, making it perfect for groups or families wanting a truly private retreat on the shores of Lake Wānaka. For a more traditional hotel experience, Edgewater Resort boasts thoughtfully designed rooms, an excellent restaurant that opens at 7am daily, and stunning views of Lake Wānaka.
Do: Walk the Rob Roy Glacier Track in the Mount Aspiring National Park; the views of the glacier are extraordinary. Visit Puzzling World, a quirky Wanaka institution that’s been entertaining visitors with illusion rooms and a giant maze since 1973.
Eat: Kika is a celebrated two-hatted restaurant with a casual atmosphere and globally inspired menu. We recommend ordering the “Just Feed Me” and the kitchen will bring you their favourite dishes. Sofi on the lakefront is a lovely spot for a long, leisurely lunch. Their menu captures the spirit of Mediterranean dining with local seasonal produce.
Image Credit: Kika
Christchurch has undergone a remarkable transformation since the devastating 2011 earthquakes and the rebuilt city is genuinely exciting to explore.
New architecture, a thriving arts scene, excellent restaurants and the beautiful Port Hills on its doorstep make it one of the most interesting cities in New Zealand to visit right now.
Image Credit: Hotel Montreal
Stay: The George is a long-standing Christchurch institution on the edge of Hagley Park with beautiful rooms, outstanding service and a highly-regarded restaurant. Hotel Montreal is located in the city centre and has that blissful home away from home feeling.
Do: Visit the Christchurch Botanic Gardens; they’re among the best in the Southern Hemisphere and strolling through the park is the perfect way to spend a morning. Take a gondola ride up to the Port Hills for spectacular views over the city and out to the Southern Alps.
Eat: Gatherings, led by Chef Alex Davies, is one of the city’s most celebrated restaurants. The menu changes weekly but is always delightful. Hello Sunday is one of Christchurch’s most beloved brunch spots, set in a beautifully converted historic post office. Make sure you order the Blueberry Cheesecake Waffle!
Image Credit: Hello Sunday
Marlborough produces roughly three quarters of New Zealand’s wine and is the birthplace of the bold, aromatic Sauvignon Blanc style that took the world by storm.
The region sits at the top of the South Island, with the sunny, vine-covered Wairau Valley around Blenheim on one side and the breathtaking coastal waterways of the Marlborough Sounds on the other.
Image Credit: Furneaux Lodge
Stay: The Marlborough is a luxury boutique property set among the vines outside Blenheim with elegant rooms, gorgeous gardens and an outstanding restaurant. The family-owned and operated Furneaux Lodge offers contemporary suites and family-friendly cottages, all of which come with sea views.
Do: Cycle the Queen Charlotte Track along the Marlborough Sounds; it’s a multi-day trail but individual sections work well as day rides. Visit the cellar doors of the Wairau Valley; Cloudy Bay, Dog Point and Fromm are all worth a stop.
Eat: Number 11, Wairau River’s cellar door restaurant, is exceptional with a menu thoughtfully crafted to share and a beautiful vine-lined outdoor terrace. Frank’s Oyster Bar and Eatery is a lively spot with a New York bar feel and a sharing menu built around local produce and seafood.
Image Credit: Frank's Oyster Bar and Eatery
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