DAY 1 - Welcome to our Taupo weekend getaway. After our customary pick up at your door, we head south towards one of New Zealand’s most beautiful locations – Lake Taupo. 

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After a stop for morning tea - chance for us to get to know each other - we continue south to Taupo to visit Lava Glass – where stunning glass creations are made. We visit the glass blowing studio to learn how the glass items are made as well as exploring the  glass sculpture garden. We have time here for lunch (your cost) before we continue.

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We time our trip to see the powerful Aratiatia Rapids - where every day the control gates are opened allowing man-made Lake Aratiatia on the Waikato River to cascade down a rocky gorge – quite a sight!  Then it's time to board the specially designed boat for a cruise up the river to get a close up view of the Huka Falls, one of New Zealand's iconic sights. 

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Then finally to another local institution – the Huka Honey Hive where our host will provide an insight into the work the bees do for us. You can see bees at work, taste some delicious honey, and sample many other honey related products in the shop.

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We then depart to our lakefront hotel, with time perhaps to take a lakeside stroll, or a soak in the spa pool, before enjoying a wonderful dinner in the elegant Edgewater Restaurant, where the food is as fabulous as the views.

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DAY 2 - After a lovely breakfast, we depart to the very popular Taupo Sunday Market where you can browse the many stalls with a wide variety of products on show, from food to artists varied works of art, there is something for everyone to enjoy (and buy).

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Then it is time for our mid-morning relaxing boat trip aboard The Ernest Kemp, a replica steam ship, to see the Māori Rock carvings, which are only accessible by boat. Lake Taupo is one of the world’s largest freshwater volcanic craters and the best way to enjoy it is out on the water.

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Our final destination is to the Lonely Planet‘s voted No 1 cafe pick for the Central North Island and one of the top 10 places to visit in New Zealand, the L’Arté Café and Gallery. The café and gallery are both set in a magical, art filled garden, complete with an outside mosaic living room. Here we can enjoy lunch ( your cost ) in the garden surrounded by amazing works, all available to purchase if you wish.

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Following a relaxed lunch we head out into the forest north of Taupo to visit the Timberline Racing Siberian Huskies. Owners Steve and Taniya Coxhead will show you every aspect of training and racing these remarkable animals at their purpose built facility. Time it right and there may even be a litter of young pups to swoon over, sorry they are not for sale!

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After what for many would have been the highlight of the weekend, we head back to Tauranga  through forests and farm land with lovely scenery along the way. 

 

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All Hinterland multi-day tours can be taken by clients from any region of New Zealand or Australia. Please contact us for details. Additional charges may apply.

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