How to hold on to summer

We know winter is just around the corner but eke out those summer vibes with some weekend escapes, writes Brook Sabin.

For most the dreaded A word is here – autumn. But all is not lost if you’re longing for a little late-summer break. You could be snorkelling in subtropical seas, biking through breathtaking mountains, picnicking with llamas or tucked away in a little luxury tree hut.

Here are five quick trips to squeeze the last out of summer:

1. Poor Knights

It may seem a bit like a paradox, but late summer storms create perfect conditions for New Zealand’s best snorkel trip.

The Poor Knights – off the coast of Tutukaka in Northland – feed off a tropical current which flows off the coast of Australia, and towards New Zealand. Every time a tropical storm barrels down, the warm current is blown into the islands, meaning the sea temperature increases and visibility improves after the storm settles.

At the islands, you can see more than 120 species of fish, including some tropical varieties that you won’t find anywhere else in New Zealand. It’s an eye-opening adventure for anyone who thought you needed to go overseas for some serious snorkelling.

2. Riding the dunes

New Zealand’s most famous spot for sandboarding – riding down sand dunes on a bodyboard – is all the way up in Cape Reinga. But you don’t need to make the long trip there to enjoy it.

Mangawhai sits just an hour and a half north of Auckland, and as well as a surf beach, chic cafes and stunning coastal walks it also has sand dunes perfect for sandboarding, hidden away to the left of the main surf beach.

3. Llama picnic in Hanmer Springs

You see a lot in Hanmer: people walking from their hotels to the hot springs in their bathrobes or bikinis, even a horse and cart trotting down the main village road. But the last thing I expected to see was a convoy of llamas.

Hanmer Llamas offers llama trekking, where you pile up your animal with picnic goodies, walk it through the town and into the hills for a picnic with your new-found fluffy friend.

PHOTOS: BROOK SABIN You’ll need a swim at the surf beach after trekking up and down the sand dunes.

You can’t ride the llamas, you’re taking them for a walk.

The crowds begin to disappear at the Hanmer Springs hot pools at this time of year.

The Poor Knights sits an hour off the coast of Tutukaka.