Boy do Kiwi’s love the silly season. It means trips to the beach, extended hours of sunshine, gorging yourself on delicious food and spending time at away with family and friends.

But summer isn’t summer without a few of our favourite things…

I scream you scream; we all scream for ice-cream!

Who doesn’t love to indulge their sweet tooth with this irresistible iced treat? Check out our top five places to grab an ice-cream, gelato or sorbet this summer!

1. Duck Island (Hamilton)

Duck Island are known for their out of the box flavours and charmingly quirky parlour. At the NZ Ice-cream Awards in 2020, they won the Peoples Choice award with their nostalgic idea for Fairy Bread flavoured ice-cream. You can also sink your teeth into Peanut Butter Cookie Dough, Lolly Cake and all your classic kiwi favourites!

2. Giapo (Auckland)

Giapo – their motto is simple, ‘Normal ice-cream is boring’ and they aren’t kidding! With premium flavours and specially matched edible toppings, you must stop by Giapo and taste test their melt in the mouth creations.

3. Patties & Cream (Dunedin)

Pattis & Cream – Ice cream and burgers and drinks oh my! Pattis is every Dunedinites first choice when seeking out these sweet and salty treats and you’ll find Betty the Bedford serving up exceptional flavours every weekend on the Esplanade at St Clair Beach.

4. Rollickin Gelato (Christchurch)

Rollickin Gelato – with two shops in the Garden City you are spoilt for choice. Rollickin started out with humble beginnings at the Christchurch Farmers Market and quickly won the hearts of many Cantabrians. They love to experiment with flavour concoctions that leave you wanting to try each and every one of their whips!

5. Mrs Ferg Gelateria (Queenstown)

Mrs Ferg Gelateria (Queenstown) – yes, you read right! Mrs Ferg Gelateria is part of the Ferg & Co Family, famously known for Queenstown’s Ferg Burger. With over 50 gelato and sorbet flavours, you’re spoilt for choice.

Oh, I do love to be by the seaside!

Swimming beaches, surfing beaches, fishing beaches, wild and thunderous beaches… New Zealand has them all! Check out our top five below:

St Clair, Dunedin

There is so much to love about St Clair, from being famed as having Aotearoa’s most consistent surf break attracting surfers from all over, to the promenade lined with eateries and bars and the occasional visitor’s sea lions, seals and penguins!

Sumner Beach, Christchurch

A bohemian paradise full of café’s, restaurants, funky shops, an esplanade to stroll down and a safe swimming beach to take a splash at! Take a stroll down the Esplanade, climb Cave Rock or even learn to surf or paddle board.

Mission Bay, Auckland

Boasting stunning views of Rangitoto Island (New Zealand’s youngest volcano) this gorgeous golden sandy beach is a welcome escape away from the hustle of the city. Summer is the perfect time to visit with a plethora of thriving cafes and restaurants and you’ll get to see the Pohutakawa Trees in full bloom!

Hokitika Beach, West Coast

Welcome to the Wild West, kiwi style! This stunning beach is layered with black sand and a treasure trove of pebbles, driftwood, rocks, and you may even be lucky enough to find some jade/pounamu. Watch the sun disappear into the ocean, marvel at the clearest night skies you’ve ever seen and if you love to fish, cast your line – you might just catch a bite!

Paihia Town Beach (Bay of Islands)

Why wouldn’t you visit when it’s a short walk from Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands. Perfect for a dip, or sunbathing on the pristine golden sand, you can spend a full day here and feel like you’re in a tropical paradise. If relaxing all day isn’t so much your style, grab a kayak, jump on a boat or hire some snorkelling gear and head out and find the Bay’s secret treasures.

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