Michelle’s guidebook
Food scene
The service & food is fantastic and they are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner later in the week. People travel for the mushrooms! It's located across from the pony club and a walk around the reserve, a nice way to walk off a hearty brunch! It's very popular so may pay to book.
23 locals recommend
Black Cottage Cafe
308 Coatesville Riverhead HwyThe service & food is fantastic and they are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner later in the week. People travel for the mushrooms! It's located across from the pony club and a walk around the reserve, a nice way to walk off a hearty brunch! It's very popular so may pay to book.
This is the perfect place for a long lunch when you want to treat yourself. Grand & historic, you'll feel like you could be in an English county.
35 locals recommend
The Hunting Lodge Winery & Restaurant
307 Waikoukou Valley RdThis is the perfect place for a long lunch when you want to treat yourself. Grand & historic, you'll feel like you could be in an English county.
Lovely village
Riverhead is home to lovely cafes, the famous Hellertau Brewery and equally famous institution the Riverhead Tavern. It's also the home to the Riverhead forrest great for walks & mountain biking
11 locals recommend
Riverhead
Riverhead is home to lovely cafes, the famous Hellertau Brewery and equally famous institution the Riverhead Tavern. It's also the home to the Riverhead forrest great for walks & mountain biking
Shopping & entertainment
Westfield Albany is your go-to for shopping for essentials whether it's food or retail. There's also a cinema with Gold Class for the romantics
117 locals recommend
Westfield Albany
219 Don McKinnon DrWestfield Albany is your go-to for shopping for essentials whether it's food or retail. There's also a cinema with Gold Class for the romantics
Neighbourhoods
Only 20 mins away, Kumeu is a rural town with lovely cafes and vineyards & orchards in the surrounding area. It's a great place to stop for an ice-cream & a pie :-) Kumeu River Winery is mentioned in this guide
11 locals recommend
Kumeu
Only 20 mins away, Kumeu is a rural town with lovely cafes and vineyards & orchards in the surrounding area. It's a great place to stop for an ice-cream & a pie :-) Kumeu River Winery is mentioned in this guide
Sightseeing
Long Bay Beach is over the motorway on the East Coast but only 20 mins away if you want to feel the sea air and feel the sand in your toes. Maybe even enjoy a picnic!
45 locals recommend
Long Bay Beach
Long Bay Beach is over the motorway on the East Coast but only 20 mins away if you want to feel the sea air and feel the sand in your toes. Maybe even enjoy a picnic!
Muriwai is famous for its black sand and moody west coast beach spirit. You can walk for miles or arrange a horseback ride. There is a good cafe there as well if you want a morning beach walk followed by breakfast. 35 mins away
89 locals recommend
Muriwai Beach
458 Motutara RdMuriwai is famous for its black sand and moody west coast beach spirit. You can walk for miles or arrange a horseback ride. There is a good cafe there as well if you want a morning beach walk followed by breakfast. 35 mins away
Vineyard
One of my favourite chardonnays! Kumeu River is probably the best wine producer out this way. They do tastings and have a restaurant for that special and possibly romantic occasion. Only 20 mins away.
24 locals recommend
Kumeu River Wines
550 State Hwy 16One of my favourite chardonnays! Kumeu River is probably the best wine producer out this way. They do tastings and have a restaurant for that special and possibly romantic occasion. Only 20 mins away.
A lovely vineyard with cellar door and Jazz on Sundays with a relaxed vibe - enjoy a platter and wine in their lovely outdoor area at a table or reclined on the grass.
19 locals recommend
Coopers Creek Vineyard
601 State Hwy 16A lovely vineyard with cellar door and Jazz on Sundays with a relaxed vibe - enjoy a platter and wine in their lovely outdoor area at a table or reclined on the grass.
Farmers Markets
Renowned for wonderful produce and a great start to the day with interesting vendors and quality products. Sundays October - March each year. Get there by 9am for the good stuff! 5 mins from The Loft
14 locals recommend
Coatesville Market
Mahoenui Valley RoadRenowned for wonderful produce and a great start to the day with interesting vendors and quality products. Sundays October - March each year. Get there by 9am for the good stuff! 5 mins from The Loft
The farmers market is just one part of the wonderful Hobsonville Point area. Fantastic cafe - Fabric - & Asian fusion restaurant as well as the famous Brewery and restaurant Little Creatures. It also has a beautiful walk all around the point through native bush, heritage garden, art installations and coastal scenery. You can walk it easily or take a bike. 23 mins away
25 locals recommend
Catalina Bay Farmers Market
Hudson Bay Road ExtensionThe farmers market is just one part of the wonderful Hobsonville Point area. Fantastic cafe - Fabric - & Asian fusion restaurant as well as the famous Brewery and restaurant Little Creatures. It also has a beautiful walk all around the point through native bush, heritage garden, art installations and coastal scenery. You can walk it easily or take a bike. 23 mins away