Top 10 Weekend Getaways from Auckland
Discover 10 of the best weekend getaways from Auckland in this handy Auckland travel guide. Uncover magical coastlines, dense native bush and beautiful waterfalls on any of these weekend trips from Auckland.
Auckland city may have its perks of world‑class food, rough west coast beaches and dense native rainforests, but sometimes you just need to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. One of the best things about Auckland is how quickly you can swap city life for beaches, forests, vineyards, hot pools, or quiet country towns. Within a few hours’ drive, you can be surfing on the west coast, hiking through native bush, sipping wine in rolling countryside, or unwinding beside a turquoise bay.
Whether you’re craving a romantic retreat, a family‑friendly adventure, or a spontaneous road trip with friends, these Top 10 Weekend Getaways from Auckland offer the perfect mix of relaxation, scenery, and unforgettable experiences. Think of this as your shortcut to planning the perfect mini‑holiday where no flights are required.
Mangawhai
Magical Mangawhai is a beautiful coastal town north of Auckland. Favoured for it’s surf beaches, golf courses and gorgeous coastline – You will be left wondering why you didn’t make the road trip from Auckland sooner.
Mangawhai from Auckland: 1.5 hour drive
Getting to Mangawhai from Auckland is as simple as jumping on state highway 1 and heading north until you meet the Mangawhai turn off. However, during summer Mangawhai is teeming with city slickers wanting a slice of the peaceful beach life so traffic can be hectic in the area either side of long weekends and holiday periods. Time your journey well to make the most of your weekend getaway in Mangawhai so you don’t spend most of your time off in traffic.
Accommodation in Mangawhai
A weekend in Magical Mangawhai calls for magical accommodation. Through Canopy Camping we found this adorable ‘Tin Shed’ located only a short drive from Mangawhai township. Dogs are welcome which meant we were able to bring our furry best friend with us which made our weekend getaway even better. This purpose built cabin features a queen bed, kitchen with gas stove, full bathroom and outdoor bath. This amazing accommodation in Mangawhai is situated on a 50-acre farm so if it’s privacy you want, then its privacy you get!
Weekend Markets in MangawhaI
Mangawhai isn’t only known for its coast line and sand dunes, every weekend Mangawhai hosts two markets – one behind the the tavern and the other at Mangawhai school. Both Mangawhai markets supply fresh food, hand made goods and great coffee.
Mangawhai Golf Courses
Mangawhai has two wonderful golf courses to choose from. Te Arai Links is a prestigious golf course that has visitors from around the world coming to play at, even if you aren’t a big fan of the sport you can enjoy a meal at Ric’s Restaurant then enjoy a free round of putting on the green in front of the restaurant.
Mangawhai Golf Club is a short drive from Mangawhai Heads and is loved by golfers for its terrain and natural landscape that is incorporated into the course. The Mangawhai Golf Club café is open to the public which serves incredible Thai food for lunch and dinner.
Mangawhai Coastal Walk
The Mangawhai coastal walk is an incredibly popular hiking trail in Mangawhai that winds its way from Mangawhai Heads beach, around the cliff tops and to a secluded rocky bay. The Mangawhai coastal walk takes just over 1 hour each way; 6 kilometers in total. The walkway crosses private land so always stick to the path, it is possible to walk back from the rocky bay along the beach but only at low tide. Take plenty of water with you as a lot of the track is not shaded.
Coromandel
The Coromandel has long been a beloved road trip destination from Auckland, with many amazing white sand beaches and boutique shops to satisfy everyone’s holiday desires.
Coromandel from Auckland: 2.5 hour drive
A road trip from Auckland to Coromandel includes plenty of scenic stopping locations. Stop off for a feed in Pokeno for some famous Pokeno bacon and take a break in Thames for unique boutique second hand shopping. The road trip from Auckland to Coromandel doesn’t have to be a grueling drive, just make sure you have some music downloaded as you will lose reception the further you go up State Highway 25.
Accommodation in Coromandel
At LoveYaGuts Travel we love unique accommodation and Coromandel is no exception to the rule. Hush Boutique is a quiet haven perfect for couples wanting a relaxing weekend getaway from Auckland. Individual log cabins are dotted throughout the native bush that encompass the property, and a shared outdoor kitchen sits pride of place in the heart of it all. Enjoy some peace and quiet on your own deck or socialize with other guests on the lawn and share in a few outdoor games.
Best Beaches in the Coromandel
Coromandel has numerous beautiful white sand beaches to choose from, from the less than busy Opito Bay, to the incredibly popular New Chums Beach. Opito Bay is surrounded by gorgeous Pohutukawa trees that bloom red during summer, that also provide adequate shade and shelter if you happen to forget your beach umbrella. New Chums Beach has flooded Instagram with the incredible cliff top views that overlook the beach.
Waiau Falls, Coromandel
Waiau Falls is a small but wonderful waterfall along 309 Road. The walk to the swimming pond is a short distance but it is quite rocky so stable walking shoes are probably needed. The water is icy fresh and make sure you keep an eye out for our native eels!
Tairua
Tairua sits on the east coast of the north Island between Hahei and Whangamata; which means Tairua is the perfect road trip destination if you wish to visit any of these neighbouring coastal towns!
Tairua from Auckland: 2 Hour Drive
The scenic 2 hour drive to Tairua from Auckland makes the journey worth while. Drive through dense native bush or take a pit stop at any of the small towns along the way.
Accommodation in Tairua
The best accommodation in Tairua I can recommend is through Canopy Camping. Their website plays host to many boutique accommodation options around New Zealand, and in Tairua you can discover the gorgeous Serenity Hideaway. Nestled in the corner of an 80-acre lifestyle property, Serenity Retreat hosts two separate accommodation options on a farm of friendly horses, a donkey and pig duo, highland cows and a overly friendly Bob the Goat.
If you love animals more than beach side towns then I highly recommend visiting Serenity Retreat for one of your weekend getaways from Auckland.
Best Things to do in Tairua
Other than spending time with Bob the Goat at Serenity Hideaway, there are many other amazing things to do in Tairua. Chuck on your hiking shoes and climb Mount Paku for incredible sunrise or sunset views, have a well deserved dip at Tairua Beach or head across the river to Pauanui to climb Mt Pauanui and enjoy their surf beach.
If you whish to go further afield, take a trip to Whitianga to their Lost Springs Hot Pools. These adult only hot springs is a tropical holiday nestled in the quiet beachside town of Whitianga. Indulge in pool side cocktails or treat yourself to a massage and poolside meal.
Cathedral Cove
One of the best things to do while visiting anywhere around this region is taking a visit to Cathedral Cove. Cathedral Cove is a breathtaking beach and marine reserve between Hahei and Whitianga. Access is only accessible on foot or if you are lucky enough to have a boat. The crystal clear waters and pristine white sand beach brings in thousands of visitor during peak summer season, so plan ahead to make sure you don’t get caughht in the busy holiday rush.
Waihi Beach
If you’re looking for weekend getaways from Auckland where your main goal is to reset and recharge then look no further than the beautiful beach side town of Waihi Beach. This beautiful coastal town is flourishing with amazing food, boutique shopping and great coffee, a perfect location to leave all your worries behind and bask in the sunshine.
Waihi Beach from Auckland: 2 Hour Drive
The 2 hour drive from Auckland to Waihi Beach includes the breathtaking drive through Karangahake Gorge. If you plan your journey right you may be able to fit in a hike through this historic gorge. Learn about the history of goldmining in the area and discover tunnels, old machinery and peaceful waterfalls amongst the beauty of Karangahake Gorge.
The Secret Garden
If you’re looking for great food and even better margaritas then look no further than The Secret Garden at Waihi Beach. This restaurant in Waihi serves Mexican street food for affordable prices along with a range of cocktails, or if it’s too early in the day you can treat yourself to a smoothy, plant based ingredient options are also available.
Raglan
Raglan may be a small west coast town on the north island, but it is known around the world for its incredible surf beaches.
Raglan from Auckland: 2 Hour Drive
Head south on State Highway 1 and just before you hit Hamilton, turn off towards Whatawhata to continue your journey towards this wild west coast town. The road winds through dense bush and scenic drops before ending at the understated town of Raglan.
Bridal Veil Falls
Bridal Veil Falls is one of the most impressive waterfalls in the north island and is one of the best things to do in Raglan. Only a 15 minute drive from Raglan, this 55-meter high waterfall features a popular walking track and large veiwing deck at the bottom. Native bush encompasses this surging waterfall before it plummets into the pool below. The walk to the bottom platform is relatively easy but you still need good stability as you will be walking down a wooden stairway.
Hike Mt Pirongia
Weekend getaways from Auckland can’t exclude many of the incredible hikes that are on offer around the north island. Mt Pirongia sits south of Raglan and is a great place to explore the native forests of the west coast, with 11 different hiking trails ranging from under an hour to multi day hiking trails, you will no doubt find a track that suits your adventurous desires.
Hamilton
Hamilton from Auckland: 1.5 Hours
Hamilton may be another bustling city a relatively short drive from Auckland, but it has a lot to offer in the way of family friendly activities that you can’t get in the big smoke. Driving to Hamilton from Auckland has been made easier in recent years thanks to the Waikato Expressway, so grab yourself an early morning coffee and jump on the motoway and don’t get off until you see signs for Hamilton.
Hamilton Gardens
Hamilton Gardens is a fantastic family friendly activity in Hamilton; explore the 18 extraordinary gardens with differing themes from cultures to time periods. Hamilton Gardens ticket prices start at $20 for adults and increase with a variety of different ticket options on offer as well as annual passes. Hamilton Garden is one of the best things to do in the Waikato if you have a young family or want to grab some fresh pictures for your instagram feed.
Zealong Tea Estate
Zealong Tea Estate is an award-winning, organic tea farm 20 minutes north of Hamilton. This luxury experience in Hamilton fuses art, tea and serene views with world class hospitality, stop in for a quick shop at their tea store or book in for a lunch or high tea and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere in the Zealong Tea rooms.
Mt Maunganui
Mt Maunganui from Auckland: 3 Hours
Mt Maunganui is a relatively easy drive from Auckland, you can take the route that leads you through the Karangahake Gorge for a scenic tour down the coast, or shoot through the middle of the north island to climb the Kaimai range and enjoy a short stop at McLaren Falls. Either way your drive to Mt Maunganui from Auckland will be a scenic one!
Baypark Speedway
Whether you’re into demolition derby’s or music festivals, Baypark Speedway plays host for all large events in the Mt Maunganui and Tauranga area. Chek out the schedule to plan your next night out watching midget racing or dancing along to live music.
Best Beaches in Mt Maunganui
From Maunganui beach down to Papamoa beach, the coastline of Mt Maunganui down to Maketu is one large amazing beach. Surfers favour Maunganui beach for its endless waves and close proximity to great cafes and restaurants, but if you’re wanting a quieter and more family friendly beach holiday then head down towards Papamoa Beach.
Hiking Mt Maunganui
Mount Maunganui is the impressive mountain that overlooks the beach, providing breath taking views across the ocean and beyond, and prior to January 22nd 2026 it was one of the best things to do in the region. However, at the time of writing this (12th February 2026) the mountain is closed for all recreational activities. We tragically had a large slip on the mountain which claimed 6 lives, due to this and the destabilized ground making the area unsafe, the mountain is closed until further notice. If you want to check if Mt Maunganui is open for hiking then click here for the Council Website for updates.
Rotorua
One of the best and most well known weekend getaways from Auckland is of course Rotorua. Loved for being a family-friendly holiday destination for all its great adventure activities.
Rotorua from Auckland: 2.5 Hours
My favourite part of the road trip from Auckland to Rotorua is driving through Fitzgerald Glade. This straight section of State Highway 5 is surrounded by native trees that reach over and across the road creating a marvelous canopy of greenery. Within Fitzgerald Galde you can stop off at Ronnies Cafe for a short break and say hello to any of the farm animal they have out the back.
Adventure Activities in Rotorua
Rotorua is an incredibly popular holiday destination for tourists and locals, favoured for its adrenalin activities and accessibility to amazing bush walks and native flora. Choose between taking the Rotorua Skyline to incredible views that overlook the town, to then sending yourself down the side of the mountain in a luge, or throw yourself into a zorb where you are then launched down a hill and end in a dizzying pile of wobbly legs at the bottom. These amazing activities in Rotorua will have you coming back for more:
- Rotorua Skyline and Luge
- Velocity Valley
Redwoods Forest Rotorua
The Redwoods Forest in Rotorua is a famous forest sitting on the outskirts of Rotorua township. Explore the giant Redwoods that reach over 75-meteres tall either from walking any of the many paths along the forest floor, or strap yourself in for an incredible tree top hike with zip lines. The Redwoods Forest welcomes mountain bikers, day walkers and even horseback riding, but you must stick to the dedicated path for each activity.
Waikite Hot Springs
One of the best things to do in Rotorua is experience any of their many thermal hot pools. The best and most affordable hot springs in Rotorua are at Waikite Valley, these hot springs have a variety of different temperature communal pools to enjoy, or if you’re feeling a little romantic or just love your privacy you can book yourself a private spa to enjoy for an hour.
Rotorua White Water Rafting
If activities at the Rotorua Skyline or Velocity Valley don’t quite get your blood pumping then white water rafting might just do it. The Kaituna River in Rotorua has the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world. Not only do you get to test your balance and breathing skills while taking this white water rafting journey in Rotorua, but the guides are well educated in the surrouding area and history so yu get an informative tour before you are thrown through the rapids.
Whakatane
Whakatane has been my families holiday destination since before I was born, heading down every year to see the extended family over the holidays has made me well versed in the hidden gems and great things to do in Whakatane.
Whakatane from Auckland: 4 Hours
I have taken the road trip from Auckland to Whakatane so many times I could probably do it blind folded. A road rip from Auckland to Whakatane is a holiday in itself; stop off at Matamata to visit Hobbiton, or have a break atop Kaimai Range at the awesome McLaren Falls. Either way the 4 hour journey doesn’t have to just be filled with winding roads and a terrible playlist.
Braemar Springs
If you’re looking for a scenic place to swim in Whakatane than look no further than Braemar Springs. These fresh water springs sit amongst a clearing in farmland with an incredible backdrop of Mount Edgecumbe. A hidden gem from Whakatane, Braemar Springs are a 30 minute drive from Whakatane township making it a great family-friendly activity in Whakatane.
Awakeri Hot Springs
If it’s hot water you’re looking for then it’s Awakeri Hot Springs you need. Awakeri Hot Springs have been around for longer than I’ve been alive and is a basic yet great facility. With one large hot pool varying in depth on either side, with a cooler children’s pool next to it, Awakeri Hot Springs also offer various accommodation options from cabins to camping plots. So if you want to experience a bit of outdoor living while visiting Whakatane then Awakeri is your place to be.
Whakatane Golf Club
There this a little bit of a theme with these weekend getaways from Auckland; since my husband has become a bit of a fan of golf we (he) tends to gravitate towards any golf clubs that are in the area of our holiday location of choice. So of course I had to join him on the course by driving the cart around! The Whakatane Golf Course is a 7 minute drive from the township sitting between Thornton and Whakatane, the course is surrounded by nothing but trees and the sound of birds chirping, and if you listen closely you may even be able to hear the waves crashing on the beach nearby.
Tarawera Falls
Tarawera Falls is an hour inland from Whakatane but it is well worth the drive. Fresh water runs from the lake atop Mt Tarawera and surges through a hole in the side of the cliff face. You can’t really swim at Tarawera falls due to the amount of boulders and rock fall that has happened in the area, but it is still an incredible picnic location and a great starting point for a hike to Tarawera lake.
Great Places to Eat in Whakatane
I cover the best places to eat in Whakatane more extensively in my Whakatane Travel Guide, but I shall list them below to save you from the extra click.
- The Wagon (Fish and Chips)
- Cadera (Mexican)
- Spice Junction (Indian)
- Cobb & Co (Family)
- The Craic (Irish Pub)
- The Comm (Pub)
- Detour Bar (Family)
- Gibbos (Fish & Chips)
Taupo
Taupo from Auckland: 3.5 Hours
Taupo is the last on this list of weekend getaways from Auckland, because in my opinion if I’m travelling any further south than Taupo then I better be going for longer than a weekend.
Lake Taupo
The largest fresh water lake in New Zealand is lake Taupo, here you can experience relaxing or adrenalin based activities. Take a scenic cruise to the Lake Taupo Maori rock carvings or enjoy a spot of stand up paddle boarding around the lakes edge.
Huka Falls
Huka Falls is a powerful waterfall which features water surging through a narrow gorge before dropping 11 meters over a cliff, making it a great picnic spot to stop off at for your next road trip to Taupo.
Discount Codes
A list of the best weekend getaways from Auckland isn’t complete without sharing some money savings tips with you.
Cheaper Food
If you have never heard of First Table before, then now is the best time to sign up! First Table is a website that started as an incentive to get people out to restaurants earlier; filling tables at otherwise undesirable times (like 5pm) and getting people to try new places, all for 50% off your meal! Over the years it has grown and evolved into allowing the restaurants to dictate more dining times and dinner options. The short of it is, if you want 50% off your next meal then click this link to get $5 credit off your first booking and choose from any of the participating restaurants!
More Weekend Getaways from Auckland
I haven’t been everywhere in the north island, and even if I have I couldn’t possible write one article on every single one of them. Check below for more ideas of weekend trips from Auckland:
- Kawau Island
- Waiheke Island
- Paihia
- Russell
- Tutukaka
