The Travel Project
Your Next Trip

Te Arai Links

A long weekend on the dunes

2 days to wheels-up,
boys.
Travelling
M
Matt
P
Paul
B
Byron
J
Jonathan
R
Darling. Auckland forecast holding. Tee times locked, dinners booked, Bunker Bar standing by Sunday. Tap to chat — I'm right here.
Open chat →
Before you fly
Submit NZTD — each of you, individually
New Zealand Traveller Declaration. Mandatory. Submit within 24 hours of departure (so anytime Thursday 30 April works).
travellerdeclaration.govt.nz · or the official NZTD app
Aussie passports — confirm validity
All four of you on Aussie passports — no NZeTA needed. Just check passports are valid through August 2026 (3 months past return).
Clean your golf shoes
NZ biosecurity is strict. Soil on spikes = $400 fine. Brush them down before packing. Declare clubs and shoes regardless.
Matt — bring physical licence + credit card
Europcar won't accept digital. Named driver only — that's you. Pre-auth NZD 500 deposit, excess up to NZD 9,125.
Itinerary
3 nights · 4 guests
FRI · 1 MAY · DAY 1
Wheels-up & Auckland
9:25AM AEST
Flight
QF153 · Melbourne → Auckland
Qantas · 3h 40m · Economy Classic Plus
MEL T2 dep · arrives AKL T1 3:05PM NZST
Boeing 737
QF153 EMWTPO Matt's e-ticket →
Reminder — boarding pass becomes available 24h prior. Add Qantas app if you haven't. Book a window if you want one (you've got Bronze status, free).
3:30PM NZST
Rental car
Ford Ranger · Europcar
Standard 4-door auto · A/C · unlimited km
Europcar counter, AKL International Arrivals Hall
Matt as named driver — bring physical licence + credit card.
VOUCHER 176726438 RES 1199978313 Voucher →
Heads-up — Europcar will pre-auth NZD 500 deposit on your card. Excess sits at NZD 9,125 if anything goes wrong, so have a careful look around the car before driving off the lot. Snap photos.
5:00PM
Hotel · 1 night
SO/ Auckland
67 Customs St, Auckland · ★★★★★
Two Collection Twin rooms · 2 single beds each · breakfast included
Matt + Jonathan · Paul + Byron
CONF #CFP33ZLY/1 Voucher → Call hotel
Amano's a 5-minute walk from the hotel for proper Italian. The Lightship next door is a fun rooftop drink. Or stay in — SO/HI rooftop has the harbour view and stays open late. Tell me which and I'll book.
SAT · 2 MAY · DAY 2
North to the dunes
9:00AM
Drive
Auckland → Te Arai Links
~1h 45m north on SH1
Suggest leaving 9am sharp — tight on tee time otherwise.
Stop at Puhoi Pub on the way if you want something proper. Otherwise the Mangawhai bakery is closer to Te Arai and does a sharp coffee and a pie that's better than it ought to be.
1:00PM
Tee time
South Course · 4 players
Bags can be left at the clubhouse — concierge will hold them while you play.
Adjustable on request
3:00PM+
Hotel · 2 nights
Te Arai Links — Two-Bedroom Ocean Cottage
All four sharing · breakfast included
Check-in available from 3:00pm — pick up keys before or after the round.
RES #32478 Experiences →
7:30PM
Dinner
North Clubhouse · 4 guests
Confirmed 7:30pm.
Smart casual. The chef does a serious lamb. I've flagged the table for a window seat if available.
SUN · 3 MAY · DAY 3
North Course & a long lunch
11:00AM
Tee time
North Course · 4 players
Generally rated harder than South. Pace yourselves on the back nine — wind picks up.
3:00PM
Spa
À la carte treatment · per person
Included in your stay — one treatment + tea or coffee, per guest.
Treatments need to be booked separately.
Included Treatment menu →
Want me to book all four of you for 3pm? The deep-tissue is the one to get after 36 holes. Confirm and I'll lock it in.
6:30PM
Drinks
Bunker Bar · pre-dinner
Access included with your stay tonight only.
7:30PM
Dinner
Ocean Restaurant · 4 guests
Confirmed 7:30pm. The view's better than the food, and the food is excellent.
MON · 4 MAY · DAY 4
Home
11:00AM
Check-out
Te Arai Links
All settled — incidentals to your card on file.
1:00PM
Rental return
Europcar · Auckland Airport
Drop the Ranger by 13:00. Full tank or pay refuelling.
Mobil at 50 SH1 Drury is the last cheap-ish servo before the airport. Worth the 3-minute detour.
3:15PM
Flight
QF156 · Auckland → Melbourne
Qantas · 4h 10m · Economy Classic Plus
AKL T1 departure · arrives MEL T2 5:25PM AEST
Boeing 737
QF156 EMWTPO
R
Romy
connecting…

Hello, darling.

Restaurant tips, last-minute bookings, the best coffee on the way north — ask me anything.

Documents
Tap to view
QF
Matt — QF153 + QF156 e-ticket
Booking ref EMWTPO · ticket 081-2383370417
VIEW
QF
Paul, Byron, Jonathan — Qantas tickets
Add via Romy when received
PENDING
CAR
Europcar voucher
Ref 1199978313 · Ford Ranger · pickup 1 May 3:30pm
VIEW
SO/
SO/ Auckland — Paul + Byron room
Voucher 703107597 · 1 night · twin · breakfast
VIEW
SO/
SO/ Auckland — Matt + Jonathan room
Same property, separate room voucher
PENDING
TAL
Te Arai Links · Reservation #32478
Two-Bedroom Ocean Cottage · 2-4 May
PENDING
SPA
Te Arai spa treatment menu
Pre-arrival reading · pick before Sunday
OPEN
EXP
Te Arai experiences
Available activities at the resort
OPEN
Trip Info
NZ entry
Visa
Australian citizens — no NZeTA needed. Visa waiver on arrival.
NZTD
Mandatory for everyone. Submit within 24 hours of departure.
travellerdeclaration.govt.nz
Passport
Must be valid through August 2026 (3 months past return).
Currency
NZD. Cards accepted everywhere. ATM at AKL airport.
Contacts
SO/ Auckland
+64 9 379 1860
Europcar AKL
+64 9 275 0066 · 6am–2am daily
Te Arai Links
Reservation #32478 · contact via Romy
Travel agent
The Travel Project · 1 Blake St, Mornington VIC
Important
Driver
Matt only — named on Europcar. Don't let anyone else drive.
Excess
Up to NZD 9,125 if damage. Inspect car before driving off.
Biosecurity
Clean golf shoes. Declare clubs. NZD 400 fine if missed.
No smoking
In rental car or rooms. NZD penalty for both.
The Travel Project · made for the four of you · v1