Kerikeri eat, play, explore
Work your way through these suggestions and you're certain to have a fantastic stay in the friendly, artistic Northland centre of Kerikeri.
Drink
Kerikeri has an excellent selection of local wineries and boutique breweries to discover. For wine tasting, start with Marsden Estate or Sovrano Estate. Favourite local breweries include Kainui Brew Co. and PhatHouse Brewing Co. In Kerikeri township, Rocksalt Bar & Restaurant is popular for catching up with friends, casual dining and live events. For a quiet drink in a riverside setting, try The Plough and Feather near the Stone Store.
Eat
With its subtropical climate and long horticultural history, Kerikeri has attracted a wealth of talented and innovative chefs. For breakfast, try The Village Café or the family-friendly Rusty Tractor. For morning or afternoon tea, check out Rainbow Falls Tea House or Honey House Café. Popular upmarket restaurants for lunch and dinner include Māha Restaurant, Marsden Estate and Sovrano Estate. And don't forget to give your sweet tooth an outing with hand-made chocolate and sweet treats at Makana Confections.
Play
There's no shortage of fun things to see and do around Kerikeri. Start with a visit to the 27m high Rainbow Falls or walk the Kerikeri River trail. Visit The Parrot Place, home to 300 birds and subtropical gardens. Check out the historic Stone Store and Kemp House at Kororipo Heritage Park. Take a food and wine tour with a local guide or visit some of the numerous galleries and artist studios.
Relax
Wave your stress goodbye when you land at Kerikeri airport. Options for relaxation include a luxurious treatment at one of Kerikeri's popular day spas, rolling out a few asanas at a local yoga studio or packing a picnic basket for a few hours of dreaming and dozing beneath a shady riverside tree. You could also float across the pool at Rainbow Falls and sit on the rocks behind the waterfall or slowly sip a cool craft beer beside the river at The Plough and Feather.
Explore
A rental car is a must in Kerikeri, so that you can take a day trip north to beautiful Doubtless Bay or west to the historic Hokianga Harbour and Waipoua Forest. Shorter-range journeys include a visit to the magnificent Puketi Forest, just west of Waipapa, and the many tourist attractions at Waitangi, Paihia and Russell. And if you're heading further south, be sure to stop in Kawakawa at the famous public toilets designed by Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser.