Discover the best close-to-home travel experiences with us on Stuff Travel.
There’s nothing like a cheeky weekend away to lift your spirits after an energy-sapping week. Whether you’re returning to a place of happy memories, revisiting somewhere you haven’t had the chance to explore fully, or venturing into the great unknown, short breaks are all about squeezing as much pleasure as possible into every waking hour.
Auckland getaway: Mangawhai
Denise Piper/Stuff
Mangawhai Heads used to be a small community but the scenic beach and estuary attracts plenty of Aucklanders. A walker, foodie, swimmer and surfer’s paradise less than two hours from Auckland, “magical Mangawhai” offers similar hedonistic treasures to nearby Matakana – with thinner crowds and largely lower price tags.