Escape to Northland for the perfect weekend roadie. There are so many amazing stops along the way, you’ll be spoilt for choice.

• Looking for beach action? There’s nothing nicer than wrapping up warm, grabbing yourself a coffee and taking a beautiful morning stroll on Mangawhai beach.
• Keen to stretch those legs? Hike the Te Whara Track, an ancient Maori trail through incredible coastal forests from Urquharts Bay to Ocean Beach. You’ll be gobsmacked at the panoramic views from Cape Brett to Cape Rodney. 
• Matapouri Bay is beautiful any time of the year with its white sand coastal beach and restful estuary. Some say you can swim all year on its stunning shores but take a wetsuit if you’re planning a dip!
• Learning about the historical events of the Treaty makes so much more sense when you see the grounds where it happened, and visit the beautifully- curated museum at Waitangi. Set on expansive, fascinating grounds you can also take a six kilometre walk to spectacular Haruru Falls. 
• Pack your golf clubs and head to the jaw-dropping Kauri Cliffs course with spectacular views and plunging cliffs down to the sea.
• Pack a picnic and park up near the pure white sand of the Kai Iwi lakes, or hike to Pine Beach or Promenade Point.
• For the ultimate Northland experience, drive a far north as you can go - to Cape Reinga.* See the two oceans collide and have a picnic at Tapotupotu Bay,  five kilometres before you reach the Cape.

*Note: Cape Reinga is due to open Friday 29 May, but make sure you double check the Doc site to confirm this before you set off.

Image courtesy of Tourism New Zealand