Top weekend family boat & trailer destinations: Port Jackson, Coromandel Peninsula

Weekend asked Nicky Sinden, host of TV show ADOS Addicted to Fishing to name her favourite weekend destinations with boat and trailer that offered something for everyone in the family. The location needed a boat ramp for easy access to that awesome fishing spot, along with a rich mix of great attractions nearby that combined together made for a great weekend away.

Port Jackson beach

Located right near the tip of Coromandel Peninsula, Port Jackson is quite the drive, but totally worth the effort. The long unsealed Port Jackson Road from Colville always makes me appreciate the responsive handling of my Ford Everest, especially while towing. I love the scenic coastal route, fringed with pohutukawa. The fishing is amazing, especially around the famous Port Jackson Reef, with plenty of kingfish to be had. Check out the episode we filmed which featured Port Jackson: 'Ados Addicted to Fishing Season 1, Episode 12 on YouTube.

There are a couple of places off SH25 where you can launch your boat, but the Port Jackson DOC Campsite is a great option. It offers good access to the tidal beach, parking, and handy facilities to clean fish and I like to wash my 750 Game King Extreme Boat.

Coromandel Pies

While you're passing through Coromandel Township look out for the little red shed on Wharf Rd and grab a pie from Coro Pies. Kiwi breakfast (cheese, egg, caramelized onion and mince) is always excellent at any time of day.

Smoking permitted!

Of course you can't beat fresh caught fish but it's good to change things up on the way home. Any seafood lover will bow down to the skills of the team at the The Coromandel Smoking Co in Coromandel Township. Your taste buds will thank you for the glorious flavour sensation of fresh seafood smoked daily to order using natural Manuka. Try the smoked scallops and roe, and you won't regret it.

Loop the loop

Walkers or experienced mountain bikers can complete the loop connecting the two road ends at the top of the Peninsula via the Coromandel Walkway. The walking track is an easy level 7, over 10km with spectacular views. The 8km bike trail is steeper and definitely more challenging, so it's recommended for advanced riders.

Driving Creek Railway and Potteries

Driving Creek Railway is an all-ages favourite, built by one of Coromandel's great eccentrics. If you're travelling with kids, train spotters or ceramic enthusiasts, it's hard to go past. Panoramic views and sculptures reward the passengers on
New Zealand's only narrow gauge railway track. It does pay to book.

Music

The winding roads up the Coromandel Peninsula require music to keep you alert as well as put you in a space to enjoy the majestic coastal scenery. I throw on some Shapeshifter and wind down with Tahuna Breaks heading South. It's all right there using Spotify through Ford's SYNC3.

WIN! Your ultimate weekend road trip in a new Ford Everest

Design your ultimate weekend

road trip with a fishing angle, and you could win your perfect weekend away, with up to $1,500 to spend, driving a brand new Ford Everest. Your road trip will be a breeze as the Ford Everest's intuitive technology and capability moves you seamlessly from the inner-city to the open road and beyond.

How to enter:

To enter, tell us what your ultimate weekend road trip would look like:

1.Where you'd go to fish
2.What you'd do nearby
3. Where you'd eat
4. Who you'd take
5. What music you'd listen to

The winning entry will be judged on originality and creativity.

To be in the draw to win, go to www.nzherald.co.nz/FordEverest Show us the best weekend road trip, and you could soon be taking to the road for a weekend in a sleek, new, rugged, yet refined Ford Everest.

Competition terms and conditions are available on the NZ Herald website. Entrants must be 18 years or older and have a full, valid, clean and current New Zealand drivers' licence. Deadline for entry is midnight, Monday 27 March 2017. The winner will be announced 1 April 2017.

- A Weekend & Ford Promotion