TEEN PICKS

HONOUR MITCHELL: TEEN GETAWAYS

In the midst of all the negative consequences of Covid-19 (including no international travel!) we Kiwis have sure found many positives right in our own backyard. One of these is getting to explore New Zealand.

We live in such a beautiful country, and the borders closing gives us a chance to really discover the “land of the long white cloud”. From stunning beaches to sweat-wicking but breath-taking tramps, New Zealand is a place you can count on for every adventure you could possibly think of!

Below are a few of my favourite places for a quick summer getaway or perhaps a longer vacation.

Omaha/Matakana Omaha is definitely a great weekend getaway. Pack up the family and with good traffic you can be there in an hour! Of course the main attraction is the beach - lying in the sun with the calming sea is the perfect antidote to crazy, Auckland traffic. If you wake up early enough, make sure you watch the sunrise over the glistening waters, so pretty! Just a short bike ride away from Omaha is oob Organic where you can grab some real fruit ice cream - the ideal treat on a hot afternoon. And a hop, skip and jump away is Matakana, where you can go to the markets or have brunch at a quaint cafe. The choice is yours!

Mt Maunganui Mt Maunganui (the Mount) is one of my favourite places to vacation. It has everything; the dining, the shops, the lifestyle, and most importantly the beach! The Mount is about a three hour car ride from Auckland, which isn’t too bad for a long weekend excursion. From climbing up Mount Maunganui (enjoy the panoramic view by the way) to shopping down Maunganui Road, you’ll never be bored. I love Nine Lives for vintage shopping and Mount BookWorm for second hand books. Hungry? Try Barrio Brothers for a delicious Mexican lunch and my go-to for dinner is No.8 - outstanding Asian fusion.

Napier Napier (Hawkes Bay) is a bit further from Auckland with a total driving time of five hours. Nevertheless, it’s worth it. With Napier being the art deco capital of NZ, the architecture alone is enough to keep you captivated. You can also visit the aquarium to see diverse sea life and possibly feed some penguins. And if you are looking for a killer brunch spot make sure to pop into Ajuna cafe; the staff are so friendly and the food is amazing! Our family stayed just outside Napier in Te Awanga where the water is such a spectacular shade of turquoise it felt like being in a Mamma Mia movie! (HONOUR MITCHELL)  PN