Head to New Zealand's northernmost region for lots of fun, fantastic food and incredible views

The endless golden sands and blue seas of the Far North provide the perfect summer retreat for ‘townies' intent on escaping suburbia during the summer holidays.

Days fishing, diving or simply soaking up the sun and splashing in sparkling waters before returning to the bach for barbecues and cold beers encapsulate everything that is special about the Kiwi lifestyle.

But with the winter blues already upon us, the region provides an opportunity to find some respite from the icy blasts that bite harder and harder the further south you travel.

Despite its claim to being the ‘winterless' north, the locals can't do much about the rain that comes their way between the months of June and August. But with temperatures sitting around 14 to 17 degrees, they can pretty much guarantee you won't freeze your socks off while you're there. This makes it possible to comfortably enjoy any number
of the activities - indoors and outdoors - on offer in the Bay of Islands and beyond.

For our long weekend, we chose as our first stop the Carrington Resort, a Heritage Hotels property on the stunning Karikari Peninsula, 30km north-east of Kaitaia.

Breathtaking views

Our leisurely drive from Auckland took around five-and-a-half hours with coffee breaks, but any creeping weariness from the trip was immediately blown away by the breathtaking views to the Pacific as we approached the estate's magnificent colonial-style lodge.

Once settled in our room - Carrington Resort features lodge rooms and superbly furnished self-contained villas - we didn't have to venture very far to settle into a world of natural beauty, relaxation and luxury.

Dad was quick to retrieve the golf clubs from the back of the car and take advantage of the championship golf course - set on 1200 hectares that share the estate's panoramic views across regenerated natural wetlands to the peninsula's pristine white sands. The previous day's downpour meant carts weren't permitted, but the walk wasn't onerous amid such glorious surrounds and the course got a massive thumbs up - despite a scorecard that was little too far in the red to shout about.

While ‘Tiger' played his round, Mum chose a massage, with the kids happy to chill out with board games and puzzles for an hour or so in front of a welcoming fire in the lodge's elegantly appointed library. For the more adventurous, horse riding in such a sublime location is recommended, as is the Olympic-class skeet and clay pigeon range.

A stroll to the Karikari Estate Winery, with 40 hectares of vines including syrahs, cab savs and malbec producing a fabulous selection of reds, was a must. We followed that with an invigorating trip to the water's edge as our day drew to a close.

See travellers' pics through Flickr

 

Culinary delights

There are many other leisure pursuits on offer, but as night fell the restaurant beckoned. Executive chef Scott Fraser didn't disappoint with food grown on and around Carrington Resort - Black Angus beef, native eel, honey, vegetables and fresh herbs. He showcased other abundant produce from the Far North as well, including scallops from the beds
at Karikari Beach. Of course, these culinary delights were complemented by Karikari Estate's award-winning wines.

It was with a heavy heart that we headed down State Highway 10 after an equally sumptuous breakfast the next morning.

After a stop for the famous fish and chips of Mangonui, we were soon in Paihia and trying to decide whether our full stomachs would cope with an adrenaline-pumping jetboat trip out to the Hole in the Rock.

We settled into our spacious and modern accommodation at the Waterfront Suites - a name that can be taken literally as the clever design meant our two-bedroom apartment
felt as if it was actually overlapping the ocean's edge. This feature provided one of the highlights of our trip, the large picture window allowing for unfettered and truly amazing views of an electrical storm that lit up the Bay of Islands in spectacular fashion later in the evening.

What more could you ask for? A fine dinner at the nearby Salt Brasserie - run by former Kauri Cliffs chef Neil Brazier - followed by coffee, chocolates purchased from the local French deli and a lightning show watched from the comfort of the couch.

Paihia presents so much in terms of activities and, despite a plea from the girls to go dolphin watching, we gave ourselves a history lesson by following up a short ferry ride to Russell, New Zealand's first capital, with a visit to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Afterwards, we reluctantly began the journey back to Auckland.

The time went by too quickly, so the Hole in the Rock jetboat trip will have to wait, but
it certainly won't be long before we pay another visit to our friends in the north.

By Chris Baldock

To Go

Air New Zealand flies daily to Kaitaia and Kerikeri via Auckland. Visit www.airnewzealand.co.nz.

Carrington Resort features both one-bedroom lodge rooms and three-bedroom self-contained villas. Visit www.heritagehotels.co.nz.

The Waterfront Suites in Paihia features one, two and three-bedroom suites with ocean views. Visit www.thewaterfrontpaihia.co.nz.