With the temperature heating up and more than our fair share of public holidays to enjoy, it's a good time to start planning short getaways to really get into the swing of Summer. New Zealand's Far North has some of the best beaches and the best weather in the country, as well as lots of accommodation options that range from the budget and family friendly to luxury and beyond.
A beautiful way to spend a few days in the Far North is to use the beautiful town of Keri Keri as a base, and Heron Hill is amongst its finest places to stay.
A luxurious bed and breakfast, it is situated in lush, subtropical gardens with spectacular views of the Kerikeri Inlet, providing the ultimate relaxing retreat from your busy life. The area has some great restaurants and cafes, but a fabulous option is to eat in at Heron Hill, which offers a gorgeous dining room or outdoor area where you can enjoy the weather along with great cuisine prepared by the host Keith Pasley, a well known Bay of Islands chef, with stunning Northland wines selected to complement. The home's beautiful edible garden provides seasonal vegetables and herbs for use in the kitchen and guests are more than encouraged to pick fresh figs, grapes and peaches during their stay. They even serve their own quince paste, plum chutney and homemade lemonade with Kaffir lime when in season, so you'll never go thirsty! Breakfast is served daily on the sandstone terrace overlooking the water, whilst dinner is available by arrangement. Requests can be as low key as smoked fish and salad for two or a five course formal affair for twelve, whatever your requirements may be.
Only five minutes' drive from Keri Keri village, Heron Hill is the perfect spot for that romantic getaway or celebration only a few hours' drive from Auckland.
Editorial by Helene Ravlich