If you were any closer to the beach than then Opunake Beach Holiday Park then you better hope your tent floats. This Taranaki campground is literally located on the foreshore and the only thing interrupting your view out across the sea will be walkers taking a stroll along the beach under the setting sun. The kids will be kept busy with the playground on site and plenty of cabins if you don't feel like "roughing it" under the stars.

For adventure seekers that are cruising the Surf Highway in Taranaki looking for accommodation then you shouldn't pass up a chance to stay at the Wavehaven. As the name suggests, it is your home away from home when you are looking for a place to shack up between surfs. Oakura is only a couple of minutes away which provides some of the best surf breaks in New Zealand. Refuel by cooking in their kitchen then soothe the muscles in their outdoor sauna.

Seaspray House is a hostel with a difference. They believe that having no TV makes travellers more inclined to chat to one another while relaxing after a day of sight-seeing. And they are right on the money. Their open plan living is a great place to meet other travellers which you can plan your next adventure with along the West Coast. It's right next to the sea and the coastal pathway which makes it ideal for exploring New Plymouth.

If you are asked to name the most luxurious lodges in New Zealand then Huka Lodge will be right near the top of that list. Located along the burbling shoreline of the Waikato River, and just upstream from the almighty Huka Falls, this is the place to go to be pampered. When you're staying there you can choose to dine in over 20 sublime indoor and outdoor private dining areas for the ultimate romantic setting.

If you are a snow bunny then staying at the Chateau is the perfect place to wake up each morning and return to every evening to rest those weary legs. Sit down next to the roaring fires and have a cold beer while you share war stories from your day on the slope. And when the weather packs it in then you can splash out with a spot of high tea or massage.

When you stay at a Top 10 holiday resort in New Zealand then you know your kids are going to have a great time. The Taupo Top 10 Holiday Resort is no exception with their GIGANTIC "jumping pillow", heated swimming pool, adventure playground, two tennis courts, pedal go-karts and so much more. This is one of the best campgrounds in Taupo and will a trip away with the family, friends or your local sports team.

Even though Kinloch is only a 15 min drive away from Taupo, it feels like a lifetime. It’s the perfect small town retreat to relax in with the lake ready to do your toes into. Waking up in Twynham B&B, enjoying a freshly cooked breakfast made-to-order, then going for a hike, swim, kayak or a fly fishing trip is what I call a special weekend.

Usually luxury and budget don't go in the same sentence together, but that's exactly what you get at this Taupo backpackers. Base Taupo is located in downtown Taupo which is perfect for all those looking for a rip-roaring good time at the local bars or adventure activities which Taupo is so well known for. Their local onsite bar, Elements, goes off every night of the week with specials for those tight on cash.

Located in the heart of the CBD, Gourmet Stay is the perfect boutique hotel in Wellington to stay for a weekend on any budget. Choose from rooms with shared bathrooms or go all out with your own deck and hot tub! And if you can't be bothered walking the 5 mins to the rest of the cafes and restaurants then just dine in the amazing Frederick Street Cafe which is just downstairs. They serve some of the best coffee in the Capital.

If you want one of the best B&B in Wellington then the Evans Bay Homestay easily fits that bill. Pulling open the curtains to peer out across Wellington Harbour to the hills and ocean is a sight to be seen. It's perfectly located so that it's still only a short 20 min stroll (or 5 min drive) into the CBD while feeling like a world away.

There aren't many Backpacker in the world, let alone the world, that can lay claim to being fit for the Queen. Downtown Backpackers can do just that, sort of. In 1953 the Queen and her entourage stayed here when it was known as the Historic Hotel Waterloo. The beautiful decor remains the same and this is one of Wellington's best located backpackers right opposite the ferry and train stations.

Luxury doesn't come much nicer than at Greenmantle Estate Lodge on the Kapiti Coast. There are six exquisite suites that have all been designed with a different theme or feature in mind. Sit in comfort amongst the surrounding bush, relax in a gigantic double-spa bath or take high tea in your own sitting room.

The InterContinental Wellington Hotel is the choice for the discerning traveller with the budget to afford it. No detail is overlooked and no problem too small for the staff to deal with. The restaurants are second-to-none as our their facilities including the spa, pool, and fitness centre. You might also be lucky enough to stay here when the many myriad of film stars and international sports teams are in the city as it's often their hotel of choice.

Going to the Black and White cafe for a Sunday brunch is like heading over to a friends place, but with much nicer food. Sitting out on the deck in the sunshine sheltered from the winds is the prime spot. While the tomato and avocado filler with a perfectly poached egg is definitely my pick from the brunch list.

For a new Sunday brunch cafe you should pack the family in the car for a short drive out to Cow Ree. This cute little cafe is packed full of character and will be sure to please with their menu. If someone has a sweet tooth then go for the hot cakes stack complete with pistachio nut crumble and of course lashings of cream and maple syrup.

If you are looking for a Sunday brunch cafe before or after a stroll along the beach then you have to check out Headlands. Located just up the short hill from the water is this fine dining cafe and restaurant. It's the little things that make it stand out such as using smoked streaky bacon instead of plain old pork strips you can buy from the supermarket.

When you want a little spice added to your Sunday brunch cafe in Taranaki then Star Anise cafe might just be the place to do it. Their distinctly North African twists on Kiwi classics like eggs benedict, burgers and steak sandwiches are for everyone. Wash it all down with your favourite coffee or go all out and try their sweet mint tea. It's a lip-smacker.

You don't have to be a guest of the Hilton to dine at Bistro Lago and experience some of the finest dining in the central North Island. With a menu created by Master Chef Simon Gault, you can be guaranteed the Sunday breakfast brunch here will please the taste buds. Not to mention leave you feeling pleasantly stuffed.

While the Mousetrap is famous for the dinner buffets over the weekend, it's important not to forget about their brunch buffets too! Pick and choose from the array of cooked selection, homemade muesli and of course a few cheeky pastries too. Finish your morning with the locally roasted Volcanic coffee to perk you up.

If you are playing around at Wairakei Resort then you are going to need a big brunch. Luckily the Pavilion Restaurant onsite is considered one of the best breakfast brunch cafes in Taupo. They use lots of fresh local NZ produced food which just seem to make it that little bit tastier.

If you have travelled in Europe then you understand their brunches are a little different to the way Kiwis usually like to have their brunch. I'm not saying that's a bad thing because in fact, Salute Deli actually does their brunch in that particular style, and it's amazing. Plus anywhere that serves coffee as good as that deserves to be on any Sunday breakfast list.

If you want a Sunday breakfast buffet in Wellington with a view then you have to check out Whitby's Restaurant and Bar on the 17th floor of the James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor. If you are distracted by the buffet, which includes personal chefs cooking made-to-order options, then you could sit here for hours overlooking the magnificent Wellington harbour.

Brunch cafes in Wellington are pretty much dominated by Hotel restaurants. This means they are often overlooked. However the Vivant! restaurant in the Ibis Hotel shouldn't be. They have a wide selection of fresh fruit, a fully stocked cooked breakfast section with all the favourites, fresh juices and tasty coffee.

The Grill restaurant is well known for it's chocolate buffet which is held once a year, but they also do a great breakfast buffet for Sunday brunch. Pick from the cooked selection, grab a glass of fresh juice and a coffee, then order your eggs exactly how you want them from the chef, before taking a seat. Then see how many times you can go back and forth before bursting.

The Portlander is part of Rydges Hotel but this fact is usually overlooked due to its popularity with diners in Wellington. Those looking for buffet brunch cafes in Wellington should definitely add it to the list. With towering eggs benedict, perfectly made barista coffee, fresh juices, seasonal fruit platters and hearty mueslis, you can't go wrong.

If you like buffet brunch cafes in Wellington that include homemade muesli, freshly baked muffins. scones and pastries, and roasted coffee, then pop in to Soho Brown's. It's quirky and cosy inside with recipes posted around the walls (try the carrot cake one) and beautiful paintings. And if you can't stomach all the options then you can always just choose from their cabinets or off their a la carte menus.