Your Local Guide
Explore Wainui and beyond: Local Attractions & Activities.
Everything below is drawn from what we send every guest — the places we'd actually recommend within Auckland and surrounds.
Golf at the doorstep
Wainui Golf Course & The View Restaurant
A 1.1km drive (or a short walk!)
O'Grady Lodge borders the fairways of the Wainui Golf Course, an 18-hole championship layout that beautifully navigates the valley's natural contours.
We are incredibly excited that this course is the newly confirmed home of the New Zealand Women's Open. Starting in March 2027, Wainui will host this premier globally televised event, bringing world-class international golf—headlined by Olympic champion and local icon Dame Lydia Ko—to our doorstep. As this is the start of a four-year agreement running through to 2030, O'Grady Lodge is perfectly positioned as the closest boutique accommodation for spectators and golf enthusiasts attending the tournament.
Even if you aren't playing a round, the clubhouse is well worth a visit. The View Restaurant offers casual, elevated dining. Walking over for a post-round craft beer and a wood-fired pizza while taking in the panoramic views of the greens is a must-do during your stay.
Photo Credit: Ricky Robinson
A 1-hour drive north
If you are planning a dedicated golf retreat, O'Grady Lodge serves as an excellent base to explore further afield. Just an hour north lies one of the Southern Hemisphere’s most celebrated golfing destinations. Set along pure white-sand coastline, Te Arai Links offers two world-class championship links courses alongside exceptional on-site dining.
Orewa: dining and boutiques
The Fat Oyster Bar & Eatery
www.thefatoyster.co.nz, A 15-minute drive
Located in the heart of coastal Orewa, Island is a thoughtfully curated fashion and beauty boutique. They offer a sophisticated edit of premium New Zealand brands like Karen Walker, Lollys Laundry, and Saben, ensuring a world-class shopping experience with a local touch.
An upscale yet relaxed beachside bar and eatery on the Hibiscus Coast Highway. Fresh oysters, and classic international comfort food with a Kiwi twist, just minutes from the beach.
Puff Cafe
A 15-minute drive
A beloved local. Hidden down a quiet side street just off the main drag, this outstanding family-run gem serves bold, supreme-bean coffee and an exceptional breakfast and lunch menu. Don't miss their legendary, fluffy date scones topped with raspberry whipped butter.
A 15-minute drive
A 15-minute drive
Modern Asian fusion meets coastal dining. Head to beachfront Orewa for sharing plates packed with vibrant Southeast Asian flavours, fresh seafood, and excellent cocktails.
Romeo Panetteria
A 15-minute drive
The best fresh bread and pastries around! A brilliant local bakery offering freshly baked, sourdough goods. Stop in to grab a premium pastry, fresh bread, or savoury treat to enjoy back at your suite with a cup of coffee on the balcony. @romeo_panetteria
A stylish boutique destination on the Hibiscus Coast, perfect for picking up an elegant new piece for your wardrobe or finding a beautiful gift while exploring the local coastal shops.
A 15-minute drive
Nature & Coastline
O'Grady Lodge is completely enveloped by native bush, designed as a quiet, restorative retreat. When you are ready to venture out, some of the most rewarding Auckland nature walks and stunning Hibiscus Coast beaches are just a short drive from your suite.
A 15-minute drive
If you want to immerse yourself further in native flora without traveling far, this reserve in Orewa is a hidden gem. The well-formed tracks gently climb through regenerating native forest, allowing you to walk among towering, centuries-old Kauri trees. It is a serene, quiet escape that perfectly mirrors the tranquility of the lodge.
Orewa Beach & Te Ara Tahuna Pathway
A 15-minute drive
A visit to the area isn't complete without seeing the sweeping golden sands of Orewa, one of the most accessible and vibrant Hibiscus Coast beaches. For a flat, easy stroll, join the Te Ara Tahuna Pathway, a scenic 7.6km sealed loop that circles the tidal Ōrewa Estuary. You can grab a coffee from the nearby Estuary Arts Centre and watch the paddle boarders, kite surfers, and native birdlife.
Wenderholm Regional Park
A 20-minute drive
Located where the Pūhoi River meets the Hauraki Gulf, this was Auckland's very first regional park. It offers a spectacular mix of sheltered ocean beach, tidal estuary, and coastal forest. For a highly rewarding Auckland nature walk, take the Maungatauhoro Te Hikoi track through the headland forest for panoramic views, or enjoy the peaceful, flat Te Akeake Walk right along the sandspit. It is an exceptional spot to pack a picnic and relax under the mature pōhutukawa trees.
Matakana coast: art and nature
Brick Bay Wines & Sculpture Trail
www.brickbay.co.nz, 17 Arabella Lane, Snells Beach.
An elegant boutique vineyard featuring a spectacular 2km outdoor sculpture trail winding through native bush, vineyards, and lakes. After exploring the world-class installations, The Glass House restaurant—strikingly cantilevered over the water—offers wine tastings and seasonal platters.
Sculptureum
www.sculptureum.nz, 40 Omaha Flats Road, Matakana.
A remarkable art experience featuring three sculpture gardens and six indoor galleries. It is a stunning, whimsical exploration of international and local art, perfectly complemented by a reservation at their award-winning on-site dining venue, Rothko Restaurant.
Matakana Village & Farmers Market
Saturdays 8am–1pm, 2 Matakana Valley Road.
We highly recommend making the scenic drive to Matakana on a Saturday morning. The famous weekend market is a showcase of local talent—featuring artisan cheeses, organic produce, handcrafted chocolates, local seafood, and regional flavours.
Wild places nearby
Tāwharanui Regional Park
www.aucklandnz.com, 1181 Takatu Road, Tāwharanui Peninsula.
A spectacular 588-hectare coastal reserve boasting pristine white-sand beaches, rolling pastures, and a protected sanctuary for native birdlife. Behind its 2.5km pest-proof fence, you can spot rare species like the North Island brown kiwi and takahē.
Shakespear Regional Park
www.aucklandnz.com, 11507 Whangaparaoa Road, Army Bay.
A must-do for sweeping cliff-top views of the Hauraki Gulf. Walk the picturesque trails and spot native birds like the Tūī and Kererū thriving in their natural habitat just a short drive from the lodge.
Heading west: vineyards and breweries
The Hunting Lodge
www.thehuntinglodge.com, 307 Waikoukou Valley Road, Waimauku
If you're heading west, this historic 80-acre estate features an exceptional cellar door, a beautiful outdoor courtyard, and an innovative restaurant. It is a stunning setting to sample award-winning boutique wines surrounded by picturesque vineyards.
Hallertau Brewery
www.hallertau.co.nz, 1171 Coatesville-Riverhead Hwy, Riverhead.
A West Auckland staple since 2008. Relax in their lush, open-air biergarten with a tasting paddle of fresh, small-batch cold brews. Hallertau pairs their exceptional craft beer with elevated, wood-fired pizzas, sharing plates, and live weekend music.