Waikato- Cambridge
Where is it?
Just 1.5 hours south of Auckland and en route to Waitomo Caves and Rotorua.
How to get there? By road either via Hamilton or take the back roads through prime cattle and sheep country. By air to Hamilton airport then 30 minutes to Sarnia Park.
What’s there?
Apart from Sarnia Park Boutique Lodge, the Cambridge area of the Waikato is the centre of New Zealand’s racing and thoroughbred industry, and farming and horticultural centre. Lake Karapiro is also the foremost New Zealand rowing venue and centre for the World Rowing champs in 2010. The historic town of Cambridge boats a plethora of antique shops, among the many cafes. Maungatautari Eco Island is a an internationally significant restoration project, this 3,400 hectare forested, extinct volcano stands majestically on the landscape in the Waikato less than 30 minutes from Sarnia Park. Maungatautari is comprised of Maori land and private land and is becoming an increasingly popular destination for walkers and trampers.
Dining Options:
Several excellent cafes and restaurants in the area, plus Sarnia Park offers international cuisine, from own international chef. Home grown produce, vegetables etc are a feature of dining at Sarnia Park.
Activities:
Tramping, rowing, cafes, wine tasting, antique shops. Tours of the surrounding world leading stud farms. Mountain biking, horse riding, hot air ballooning, golf, wine tours.
Waikato Riverlands
Where is it?
This region encompasses the area just south of Auckland city bordering the Waikato River out to Port Waikato, south to Mercer (close to State Highway 1) and surrounding townships.
The boarding point and jetty for Discovery 1 is at Tuakau on the edge of the Waikato River.
What’s there?
On the river- The area bordering the Waikato River abounds with bird life, small private beaches, and small communities and is alive with local Maori culture and history. The lower region of the Waikato River played a large part in the early history of New Zealand. In 1863-64 it was used by British as a passage for their gun boats to get close enough to shell the local Maori fortifications (Pa's) during the land wars.
Kayaking can be enjoyed throughout the length of the river, exploring the many smaller waterways around islands, in the River Delta, in the Port Waikato harbour and the ocean surf.
It is sport fisherman’s paradise with a huge variety of different fish. Please see web site for more detail.
- Or just relax and enjoy the hot tub, good food, wine and the many views offered while cruising the river.
Dining Options:
Dining on Discovery 1 is a unique experience with differing views along the river, either formal dining or casual around the BBQ on the upper deck.
The small local towns of Tuakau, Pukekohe and Waiuku have several excellent cafes and restaurants. New Zealand is internationally known for its wine and there are a number of boutique wine producers in the region, 7 within close proximity of the river.
Activities:
Kayaking, tramping, golf, wine tasting, historic sites, horse riding, wine tours, motor racing, fishing.
