Winner can lie back in luxury

On to Muriwai for a peep at the gannet colony and a stroll along its remarkable glittering black sand, while we admire the hang-gliders and kite racers. - Roy Wade's second prize-winning entry

A tempting outing that takes overseas visitors on tours of the bush, beaches, craft shops and cafes around Whangarei has won Ross Osborne a luxury weekend at Russell's Pukematu Lodge.

Osborne's entry took first place in our contest to find the best idea for showing a visitor a slice of New Zealand in a day.

Second place went to Roy Wade, whose day trip focused on the amazing variety of beaches - roaring surf, gentle water, black and golden sand - at Auckland's east and west coasts.

For his effort Wade will spend a weekend at Colleith Lodge, overlooking Tairua, on the eastern side of the Coromandel Peninsula.

There were so many entries in the competition, and the standard was so high, that Boutique Lodgings of New Zealand, who provided the prizes, has decided to acknowledge three runners-up as well.

Copies of their book, Boutique Lodgings of NZ, will go to: June Close, from Morrinsville, who described a history-focused trip to the neighbouring town of Paeroa; to Barbara McGillivray, who proved there's a lot more to her home town of Whangamata than its magnificent beach; and Dianne Hawken, of Leigh, whose entry showed off the sea-life, parks and potteries of the Kowhai Coast.

Hawken's itinerary begins with an early-morning walk "down to the quaint fishing wharf at Leigh with its fishing trawlers and small boats. We wander along the bush-lined coastline, accompanied by the occasional cumbersome flapping of kereru and the song of tui.

"At Goat Island Marine Park we board the glass-bottom boat to view the myriad of fish, including snapper, red moki, stingray and blue maomao. If we are lucky, dolphins will join us. For a really close encounter, try snorkelling or diving.

"We stop at one of the two farmers' markets in Matakana, if it is a Saturday, and taste some organic produce, chat to the friendly locals and buy some Kiwi crafts. For lunch there are an abundance of cafes and vineyards to choose from but we opt for the lush ferns and palms at the Mariposa Palm Cafe at Point Wells. Our next treasure to share is Tawharanui Regional Park, where the Pacific Ocean laps the long, white sand beach lined with pohutukawa and green hills; ambling through the native bush and its puriri grove is tranquil and regenerating.

"On our return Morris and James give us visual delight with their creative, colourful pottery. The Ascension vineyard restaurant is the choice for dinner, with its fine cuisine and award-winning wines, an upbeat ending to a truly New Zealand experience."

But if fish and cafes aren't your scene then Beverley Woo, of Hamilton, suggests hopping into the car and heading for the Waitomo Caves.

"Make sure you visit the Glowworm Cave. Your visitors will be amazed at the star-studded roof, as the boat silently glides through the subterranean wonderland. They will marvel at the stalactites and stalagmites, and the acoustics of the cavernous underground cathedral. There are other examples of limestone caves in the area, as well as bush walks and picnic spots.

"Be prepared for a narrow, winding, hilly road as you head further west through bush, past a scattering of farms and strange limestone outcrops. The next point of interest is the Mangapohue Natural Bridge, where a stream and erosion has carved out a huge cavern, leaving a bridge of land towering above.

"A few kilometres further on are the spectacular Marakopa Falls, a 10-minute walk through native bush. Continue along the country road to Marakopa itself, where there is little else apart from a few baches and a camping ground. Walk along the edge of the estuary over black sand to the ocean beach, where the Tasman Sea rolls in. It is a rugged coastline dominated by rocks and cliffs eroded by wind and sea.

"It is worth travelling up the coast, through more hills, to the seaside town of Kawhia. Stop for fish and chips and watch the sun sink over the Aotea Harbour, before heading back to Hamilton. It is a long day out, but the remoteness and the varied scenery create a huge impression."

Yvonne Schreurs of Pukekohe loves to share the sights of the Franklin district.

"Our day would start with a visit to the Waipipi Bird Park, on Waipipi Wharf Rd, just out of Waiuku. We would then head up the Manukau Peninsula for a walk at the regional park and to enjoy the unspoiled beaches bordering the Manukau Harbour.

"After that physical exercise we would have to pop in to the Awhitu Winery for a few of Wendy and Dave's samples and to buy a few for the collection. We then drive through the market gardens around Pukekohe, show off the world-renowned racetrack and check the view from the top of Pukekohe Hill, before heading out over the Tuakau bridge towards clean, green, quiet Pukekawa.

"We drive down Mercer Ferry Rd to Pokeno where we stop for a refreshing icecream and browse through the mohair shop and antique shop, and have a chat to the friendly locals.

"There is a little pioneer cemetery on Helenslee Rd in Pokeno that my visitors love to see. I tell them about our history, including the Land Wars, before we head to Miranda via Kellyville Rd and walk through a field to show them a stockade where the British troops fought from.

"Then a trip to Miranda Hot Springs to relax in the hot mineral pools and enjoy lamb chops cooked on the barbecue and salad made from vegetables grown locally, and unwind at the end of enjoyable day."

Mary Wark also lives in Franklin but she polishes up the grunty Holden V8 and heads north to Mangawhai and the Matakohe Museum.

"Luckily, the rooster gives us an early-morning call so we can get through the bustle of Auckland City. Our visitors love the view of the harbour as we cross over the bridge. We stop briefly at Kaiwaka to select wonderful fresh cheeses and then cruise through the countryside to the divine delights of the Smashed Pipi cafe at Mangawhai.

Our visitors are entranced by the crafts for sale at the gallery, the pipi fritter is great and the salads are truly fresh.

"If we had the weekend, we would go on to Russell via the Russell Forest road, and then over to the Hokianga to stay at Omapere. But we have only a day, so we are soon travelling back to the Matakohe Museum. This may seem like a rush, but there are no children in the car and our driver loves a good excuse to show off the Holden's paces through the hills.

"Anyway, our visitors are overwhelmed by the museum and do not realise that they spent two hours there. They have never seen such a collection of kauri memorabilia in one place. What a day."

Karen Irwin starts her tour of her home area of Bream Bay at dawn "standing on the cool white sands of Ruakaka Beach, while the sun rises up above Mt Manaia splintering its light over the Hen and Chickens - at low tide so that an early-morning swim could be combined with a tuatua hunt. A walk along the river and through the controlled bird sanctuary to look at the new chicks would take us home.

"Then it's off to the Waipu Golf Course for a quick nine holes, stopping only to admire the stupendous views and a passing pod of dolphins. Lunch is fresh, crisp fish and chips eaten at Waipu Beach. We watch the surfers can off and are tempted into another swim.

"Where to now? Piroa Falls. A small but attractive fall with the added bonus of a cooling bush walk and occasional cliff-jumpers for entertainment. Afternoon tea is coffee at Artform Gallery and Restaurant. Then there's just enough time to catch the last show at the Marsden Oil Refinery. The video, scale model, history and interesting facts - did you know oil provides the fizz in your soda? - shouldn't be missed.

"Back home there's tuatua fritters mixed to my secret recipe and a bottle of White Diamond from yesterday's visit to the Longview Estate Winery.

"To finish the perfect day, night fishing for kahawai, an evening skinny-dip and a walk in the moonlight."

Wendy Davenhill's home town is the tourist playground of Rotorua so she knows all the sights.

"First stop is Whakarewarewa for an insight into Maori village life, traditional arts and crafts and one of Rotorua's geothermal wonderlands. The Redwood Forest Park, a popular nature playground for locals, is an opportunity to point out native flora, including the iconic New Zealand silver fern. The Buried Village is reached via a scenic drive past the Blue and Green Lakes. Excavations show early Maori and settler life in Te Wairoa village, silenced by the 1886 eruption of Mt Tarawera. We walk past streams and rainbow trout to the magnificent Te Wairoa falls that plunge 30m to the bush-clad valley floor.

"Our lunch stop is the lake-edge Landing Cafe with its great food and a view to die for - the imposing volcano rising out of Lake Tarawera, its tranquil face belying the havoc it wreaked 120 years ago that destroyed the famed Pink and White Terraces.

"Back to the city for a visit to the picturesque Government Gardens, museum and Bath House tour. Then it's off to Lake Rotorua to board Mokoia Island Cruises' paddleboat for the Sacred Island guided nature trek, indigenous food-tasting and cultural experience. The twinkling lights of Rotorua city welcome us back to shore and its time to find a place to dine and enjoy a well-earned rest."

Sandi Wong offers guests a trip round the highlights of Wellington.

"Firstly a stroll down Cuba St for a touch of culture, followed by a swim at Freyberg Pool, then iced coffee and wedges at the Parade Cafe. Frisbee on the beach at Oriental Parade and a walk around the town belt. A drive round to the Chocolate Fish Cafe and around the bays, a movie at Readings, a stroll down Courtenay Place and dinner at Fidel's."

There's always something happening on the Bull family's sheep and cattle farm at Waingaro.

"We might look in at the shearing sheds where shearers mow through the fleeces of ewes - resigned to their fate - with the grace of long practice. We could watch the topdressing plane powdering the hills with lime, admire the dogs mustering sheep, or get our thrills from riding in the four-wheel-drive ute up steep hillsides to feed-out hay.

"Afterwards we'd take the horses on a trek across the farm and explore the bush. By then it would be lunchtime so I'd serve whitebait fritters, curried greenshell mussels or pan-fried flounder with lemon and parsley butter.

"Or perhaps we could go to Raglan to eat the delicious fish and chips at the Marlin Cafe and Grill by the wharf. If we are too replete to swim or go surfing, we could hire kayaks to paddle around the edge of Raglan Harbour, or go paragliding from a hilltop to Wainui Beach.

"After that excitement, we might enjoy a drink on the terrace of the Harbourview Hotel before viewing the work of local artists at the Artisan Centre. If we stay in Raglan we could dine in the old kauri cottage at the excellent Vinnies.

"If we head for home we could stop on the way to soak in the hot pools at Waingaro Springs and then have a dinner of roasted leg of hogget, kumara, pumpkin and fresh salad with pinot noir or sauvignon blanc, followed by a dessert made with feijoas or kiwifruit."

* Boutique Lodgings represents more than 220 luxury lodges around the country. You'll find further details about Pukematu Lodge and Colleith Lodge on the
Boutique Lodgings website.