Explore closer to home as we visit our ‘Mural Town’ of Katikati. First stop is the fabulous Western Bay Museum where we will be treated to a ‘step back in time’ guided tour including authentic scones cooked on the range, and tea served in old bone china.

Next we will take a stroll to enjoy the murals that the town is famous for.

Leaving Katikati behind we head to the Waihi Beach RSA for lunch. This famous local buffet is always a hit with diners, and the RSA commands wonderful views out over the coast. On our way home we will visit historic Bowentown, and admire the sweeping vistas of the Bay and Matakana Island.

Time to explore the beautiful South Waikato region on our day trip around the Putaruru and Tirau areas. We start the day with a short walk (800m each way) to see the famous Blue Spring, which is so clear it accounts for around 60% of New Zealand’s bottled water.

​

​Then, we will head to Putaruru for a cuppa at the Over The Moon Cheese factory to enjoy an introduction to the award-winning cheese factory and sample some of their delicious products.

Our final stop will be in Tirau (‘Corrugated Capital of the World’) where you have time for a bite to eat (your cost) and browse some of the niche stores this quaint town is famous for.

Let us show you something a little bit different as we explore the Eastern Bay of Plenty out beyond Whakatane. After a morning tea at the very popular Red Barn café, we continue our drive through Ohope and around the scenic Ohiwa Harbour to Opotiki where we will visit the little know but interesting Opotiki Museum. Here you can view the history of Opotiki and surrounding area.

A highlight for many is the 100 year old shelves and original fittings from Opotiki's Shalfoon and Francis grocery and hardware store, opened in the late 1800s. After lunch we head to the Hukutaia Domain, where a local guide will take us for a wonderful walk in this 5 hectare reserve of remnant forest.

Join our small group tour to our closest city of Rotorua, less than an hours drive away. We begin by heading out to the Blue and Green Lakes, each with their own story, followed by a morning cuppa at The Landing café on the shores of Lake Tarawera. On the way back to Rotorua we stop at the enchanting Redwoods Forest to admire these amazing trees.

Next we will see some of the geothermal sights the city is famous for – including Kuirau Park in the heart of the city, where there are bubbling mud pools and steaming vents. For the afternoon you have the choice of either a relaxing soak in the adult pools at Polynesian Spa or a ride up the famous Skyline Gondola for great views. 

Join our small group Day Out to explore an area full of history, ride a historic train into the Karangahake gorge, once a bustling community of gold miners, with remnants of the machinery once needed to extract this precious metal. We travel north from Tauranga, through the mural town of Katikati and on to Waihi.

First up is a ride on the Goldfields Railway - travelling from Waihi to Waikino Station where we will enjoy a Devonshire Tea. Then by road through the picturesque Karangahake Gorge for an easy short walk to view some of the historic stamper batteries and tunnels. Heading back home we will stop to view the Martha Mine in Waihi, a huge open-cast gold mine still bearing gold to this day.

Join us and explore the glorious gardens of the Waikato. Before we visit our first garden today we make a stop for morning tea at a popular local café. Then it’s time to enjoy the sprawling Sculpture Park at Waitakaruru Arboretum – 17.5 hectares of transformed quarry which is now home to over 20,000 trees and more than 100 sculptures.

Next, it is on to Hamilton Gardens – the Waikato’s most visited tourist attraction. This 54 hectare public park occupies a grand location overlooking the Waikato River. Admire the stunning variety of themed gardens, as well popular features such as the rose garden, rhododendron lawn and woodland walk. There is also a wonderful café on site if you fancy a bite to eat.

Visit the legendary Glowworm Caves at Waitomo and the town of Te Kuiti, birthplace of Rugby legend Sir Colin Meads. We stop for morning tea on the way before visiting the world famous caves.

​

A guided tour through this amazing natural cave system followed by a cruise through the flooded caverns will let you see the amazing spectacle of the glow worms and stunning rock formations.

​

After lunch (own cost) at the cafe in Waitomo we head to Te Kuiti to see Sir Colin Meads Statue and explore the town museum before heading home.

Join our fun and relaxing day out for lunch at the Waihi Beach RSA, with time to enjoy some local sights and activities. Always a favourite for the great food, beautiful views and good company.

​

We have time for a walk along the stunning beach, or include some of the special seasonal events such as the Sunday Markets, local art gallery's or other things along the way depending on the date. We can plan the day to your groups specific interests and there are plenty of options that can be added.

​

From wine and cider tasting, a Gold Mine tour.

Explore the collection of gardens at the beautiful Hamilton Gardens. After a stop for morning tea on the way [your cost] we will join our Gardens Guide for a private 75 minute tour around many of the feature gardens.

After the tour there is time for lunch at the Café (at own cost) following which you have time to wander on your own to see the garden displays that interest you most. We then return directly back to Tauranga.

​

The tour usually departs at 9am and returns at 5pm, which makes for a nice relaxing day with time to really enjoy the gardens.

Our tour lets you experience the history of the stunning Karangahake Gorge with a short guided walk alongside the river. See the remains of the gold mining industry that once thrived here, past the gold stamper batteries as our easy route follows the old railway, so a nice gentle stroll.

​

This is followed by lunch and chance to sample fruit wines, ports and schnapps, all hand-crafted in small batch vats at the Karangahake Winery Estate.

​

We can add options such as the Waihi Gold Mine tour, the Katikati Museum and Wine Tasting (additional charges would apply).

The possibilities are endless on our day out to Taupo, this 7 hour trip gives us plenty of time to see the sights, such as the Huka Falls, the Aratiatia rapids, the Lava Glass factory and of course the gorgeous lakefront.

​

We can add on a cruise up the Waikato River to foot of the Huka Falls, or maybe a cruise on Lake Taupo to visit the Maori rock carvings.

​

Plenty of free time in Taupo for shopping and lunch (at your own cost) before heading back to Tauranga on the rural roads via Rotorua City and Lake Rotorua.

Explore the worlds youngest geothermal valley – the Waimangu Volcanic Valley just south of Rotorua. Time for a light lunch on arrival ( your cost ) and then head off [mostly down hill] on a 1 hour guided walk, past hot springs, steaming craters and the amazing landscape.

Next we take a 45 minute cruise on Lake Rotomahana while your guide tells the history of the lake, the Pink and White Terraces and the Mount Tarawera eruption of 1886 which changed the local landscape significantly.

Limited time at this price as the Waimangu fee is currently less than half price.

Our adventure today is the Redwood Treewalk in Rotorua. This is a must do experience, and with 700m of walkways, 28 swing bridges, the walk offers a unique view over the forest below and the treetops above.

This award winning eco-tour is set among the 118 year old Redwood trees. Morning tea is included before the walk and we have plenty of time after to tour the sights of Rotorua, such as the Blue and Green lakes, the Government gardens. 

​

Options can be added (at extra cost) to visit the geothermal sights of Te Puia, Hells Gate or Wai-O-Tapu.

A classic kiwi day out, a Fish N Chip lunch [including desert] by the sea at the historic Bay of Plenty settlement of Maketu. Time to take a walk on the beach to work up an appetite and then sit down with friends at the Maketu Beachside Café overlooking the sea with Mount Maunagnui in the distance, a stunning location for a lovely lunch. 

​

We will take a scenic ride home to see some of the sights, past Kiwifruit and Avocado orchards before returning to Tauranga.

​

For groups this tour can be tailored to suit your own interests, contact us to discuss options.

Join our half day tour to see and learn about the history of our fast growing city of Tauranga.  From the historic Elms Mission House and gardens, the battle site of Gate Pa and stories of the conflicts of the 1800's, our city has a rich history that is often overlooked.

We include morning tea and cakes to keep us sustained on this easy and informative trip around what is the best place to live in New Zealand.

​

For the ultimate local history tour we can include The Tauranga Historic village and the authentic Bain Watkins House, a real time warp local property.