10 Best New Zealand Towns For A Weekend Trip
New Zealand, also known by its indigenous Māori name of Aotearoa, is an oceanic island nation southeast of Australia. Some know it for exotic landscapes; however, there is incredible diversity in its land and seascapes. Picture lush subtropical beach towns, sporty ski towns high in the mountains, and towns at the heart of perhaps Oceania’s premier wine country region. And yes, all these towns make for incredibly satisfying weekend trips!
Whether you’re more in the mood to hit the ski slopes, chill at the beach, or simply savor the vineyard views with a good glass of Sauvignon Blanc in hand, here are ten of the best New Zealand towns for a weekend trip.
Russell
Situated along the Bay of Islands near the north end of Aotearoa’s North Island, the town of Russell (also known as Kororāreka) was founded in 1843, and it soon became a rowdy maritime village where whalers, merchants, and escaped convicts from Australia crossed paths. To learn more of this town’s backstory, go to the Russell Museum and discover a treasure trove of historic artefacts, models of the great ships that reached this shore, and exhibits showcasing the region’s Māori heritage. And to experience a tall ship yourself, book a sailing expedition on the R. Tucker Thompson that’s modeled after a traditional 19th-century vessel.
Back at shore, Russell also has plenty of beaches to explore and enjoy. Hit Long Beach near the central village for a family-friendly beach with placid, gentle waves, and go north to reach Tapeka Point with its dramatic bluffs that drop to reveal a secluded cove and pleasant swimming beach. Right by this beach sits Tapeka del Mar, a lovely holiday home that provides nearly effortless beach access.
Coromandel
Across the Hauraki Gulf from Auckland lies the idyllic town of Coromandel on the Coromandel Peninsula. Around here, you will find some of New Zealand’s most spectacularly beautiful beaches, including the sheltered cove at Oamaru Bay and the great paddling conditions at Long Bay. Farther out, the Coromandel has the dreamy Cathedral Cove, a remarkably gorgeous beach with soft white sand, stunning emerald waters, and perfect conditions for swimming, kayaking, snorkeling, and diving.
If you prefer exploring on dry land, the Coromandel Walkway and Mountain Bike Track offers trails that sport incredible panoramic views that can be enjoyed on two feet or two wheels. Or, book a tee time at Golf Club Coromandel for up to 18 holes of golf. Once you’re ready to call it a day, check into the Buffalo Lodge for a beautiful boutique inn that feels secluded yet is only about a five-minute drive from the heart of town.
Whakatāne
On the east end of the North Island’s Bay of Plenty, Whakatāne is one of New Zealand’s sunniest towns with plenty of breathtaking coastal scenery. A little ways offshore lies Moutohorā (or Whale Island), an eroded volcano cone that now serves as a wildlife refuge that fur seals, blue penguins, kiwi birds, and other native animals call home. (The island is accessible via authorized tours.) Back on the North Island, Ōhope Beach is a 10 kilometre-long white sandy beach that’s great for ocean fishing, kayaking, and surfing. And to the northwest of Ōhope Beach, Kohi Point Scenic Reserve has the Ngā Tapuwae o Toi offering incredible bushwalks through pristine forests and panoramic views of the coast below.
If you like mountain biking, then you may fall in love with Whakatāne thanks to its plethora of bike paths, including those at Ōhope Scenic Reserve (via Burma Road), Whirinaki Forest Mountain Bike Track, and Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park. Whatever you choose to do in and around Whakatāne, retreat to Tuscany Villas for a cozy family-run motel with all the refined creature comforts you want and a prime location near the central business district (CBD).
Tīrau
About 55 kilometres (or 34 miles) southeast of Hamilton lies Tīrau, a town that may be best known for its corrugated iron buildings. Fortunately, the visitor information centre is where you will find the sheep and dog-shaped iron structures to use as a playful backdrop for your Instagram and TikTok content. Near the visitor centre, you will also find delectable local cafes and eateries like The Honey Shop, The Black Oven, and The Baker where you can sample Tīrau’s culinary creativity.
Just outside of town, Tīrau opens up to some incredible wilderness offering many exciting outdoor adventures. Grab your bike and hit the Waikato River Trails for an amazing journey through mature forests and charming farms alongside New Zealand’s longest river. Or, if you prefer a more easygoing bushwalk, take the Te Waihou Walkway to reach the Blue Spring and its internationally acclaimed pure waters. Back in town, Tirau Golf Club offers up to 18 holes of play for golfers at all levels. And a short drive northeast, Okoroire Hot Springs Hotel has welcomed guests to the area since 1889 and continues to offer comfortable accommodations alongside soothing natural hot springs to soak your troubles away.
Feilding
Tucked in the North Island’s Manawatū-Whanganui region, Feilding is a traditional farm town that happily provides a warm country welcome to visitors. Every Friday, Feilding Saleyards offers guided tours of this local institution, where livestock auctions have been occurring since the 1880s. Just a short stroll from the Saleyards, The Coach House Museum showcases over 140 years of rural New Zealand heritage with a collection that includes a carefully preserved 1894 cottage, a 1900 hawkers van, and an intricately restored vintage blacksmith shop.
A short drive outside town, you can find even more history at Mt. Lees Reserve, a former farm owned by the local politician Ormond Wilson that suddenly graced the world stage in 1966, when United States President Lyndon B. Johnson paid a visit to drum up support for the Vietnam War. (Fortunately, this farm has since transitioned into a public park conducive to tranquil bushwalks.) Also nearby is Almadale Scenic Reserve, another delightful park with walking tracks and campsites. Meanwhile, back in town, South Street West is a snazzy motel with sleek and stylish studio and apartment units providing as much room as you need (or simply want).
Martinborough
About 82 kilometres (or 51 miles) northeast of Wellington, Martinborough anchors the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail and houses over 20 wineries crafting some incredible world-class wines. From the village square, it’s an easy walk or bike ride to the family-owned Ata Rangi and Schubert wineries to try their respective (and organic) takes on Pinot Noir. You can also hop over to Cambridge Road to try their innovative biodynamic wines, as well as Poppies for their lively Chardonnays, Rieslings, Gewürztraminers, and Rosés.
Since Martinborough makes many fantastic wines, it’s also a delectable town to dine out. Do a beautiful winery dinner at The Runholder (which is on Te Kairanga Wines’ vineyard), chow down on house-made pizzas at Colombo, and enjoy a sustainable farm-to-table feast at Karahui Wine Bar & Restaurant. And for the full wine country vacation experience, book a stay at the beautiful Brackenridge Country Retreat & Spa.
Picton
Set in the heart of the Marlborough Sounds of New Zealand’s South Island, Picton offers plenty to do on land and water. If you’re up to explore on land, try navigating the Queen Charlotte Trail on bike or on foot to reach thick beech forests and stunning sound views. In town, stop at Edwin Fox Maritime Museum to learn more about Picton’s special role in South Island and overall New Zealand history and maritime development. And from town, you can take a water taxi (or your own boat) to Kaipūpū Sanctuary to wander the fern forests and spot local wildlife like fur seals, penguins, and geckos.
For a different kind of experience at sea, head over to Bob's Bay Reserve and its sandy beach for swimming, paddling, birdwatching, and sunbathing. Or, if you’re already exploring on the Queen Charlotte Trail, make a stop at Governors Bay for a lovely golden sand beach with clear turquoise sea water. Once you’re done, check into the Sennen House and stay at a well-preserved historic bed-and-breakfast with apartment-style studio rooms and suites.
Akaroa
Perched on the South Island’s Banks Peninsula, around 82 kilometres south of Christchurch, Akaroa seamlessly blends French flair and flavour with authentically Aotearoa aesthetics and hospitality. If you wonder why Akaroa’s streets have French names, check out the Akaroa Museum to tour the historic Langlois-Eteveneaux cottage and learn about French colonists’ attempts to establish a settlement here in the 1830s, and get to know the backstory of the Ngāi Tahu Māori people who fought to stay in their native land. And for a deeper exploration of Māori history and culture, go south to Ōnuku to walk around this historic village, see where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840 (and where the Crown formally apologized for injustices against the Māori people in 1998), and admire the enduring beauty and warmth of this special community.
Back in Akaroa’s main village, you can still taste some French accents at fine local restaurants like The Little Bistro, The Brasserie Kitchen and Bar, and Ma Maison. In addition, you can stop at the Pot Pourri gift shop to grab some of their signature fudge, and you can go to the Barrys Bay factory shop to pick up some of their fine artisan cheeses. Finally, check into La Rochelle Motel for a serene garden refuge.
Glenorchy
With gorgeous natural scenery that’s starred in films like Narnia, Mission Impossible 6, Wolverine, and The Lord of the Rings trilogy, you too might feel a little extra inspired when visiting Glenorchy. If you are curious to see exactly where these and other films and TV shows were filmed, do a movie tour with local outfits like Southern Trails and Aston Martin Touring NZ. If you prefer to go your own way, take your pick of local backcountry hiking trails to natural landmarks like Mt. Judah at Whakaari Conservation Area and Glenorchy Lagoon.
When you really want to get out there and experience the South Island at its most ruggedly beautiful state, take a tour with Dart River Adventures, which offers everything from wilderness jet experiences to kayak and helicopter tours. For something even more daring, go with Mountain Hut NZ for heli-skiing, heli-biking, and overnight glamping tours that feel out of this world. Or, if you can use some more creature comforts, book a stay at The Headwaters for an award-winning eco lodge with posh chalets and delectable on-site dining.
Arrowtown
Arrowtown was established in 1862 as a gold mining town. And though the gold mines got mined out by the mid-20th century, Mother Nature’s treasure trove eventually opened up to a new era of prosperity. Go to the Lakes District Museum & Gallery to dig deep into Arrowtown’s past, walk the remains of the original frontier village, and embark on a chronological journey from its 1860s heyday as a gold mining hub to its transition to ecotourism and winter sports. Speaking of winter sports, Arrowtown now shines as a ski town. A short drive from town, you will find Coronet Peak with its solid mix of beginner-friendly and advanced runs, along with The Remarkables with its remarkably photogenic mountains and views of Lake Wakatipu below.
Down the mountains, there’s more to explore around Arrowtown. Do an easy stroll or bike ride on the tree-lined Arrow River Bridges Trail, or opt for a more advanced hike or ride on the Lake Hayes Loop Trail or the Coronet Loop Trail. If you hear the call of tee time, book an outing at one or both of Millbrook’s championship-calibre 18-hole golf courses. Even if you don’t fancy a golf day, the Millbrook resort also has the region’s finest luxury accommodations, a full-service spa, ample restaurants, and plenty more amenities for the perfect long weekend.
Discover Paradise for a Weekend (or Longer) in New Zealand
When you can use a pleasant weekend trip, New Zealand has you covered with options for exciting excursions and relaxing retreats. For a truly remarkable ski trip, head to Arrowtown and go for the gold. If you’d rather kick back at the beach, the stunning shores of Picton and Coromandel have you covered. Or, for an all-around wilderness adventure, go to Glenorchy to experience the kind of place envisioned in fairy tales. Whenever you can use a weekend away from the ordinary, these New Zealand towns always go above and beyond.
