Canopy Camping Escapes | Rua Hiwi Hut

Te Whare Taonga o Te Awamutu Museum is situated in Waipā district, within Waikato. A touchpoint for visitors to learn local history, social development and bi-cultural collaborations between Māori and settlers from 1823, through amazing objects and engaging stories. Understand the reasons why British soldiers invaded the Waikato 1863, the locations, who was involved, and its impact on the Waipā communities that are still being felt today. Do you know about Te Ara Wai Journeys? Start your journey with us. We also have our collections online.

Set in rural Waikato, the Tree Church and Gardens are a haven for those who love gardens, love trees and love nature. At the heart of the 2.5 hectare (6 acre) garden is a living chapel made of trees grown over an iron frame and adorned with red roses. Visitors find peace and serenity here in the Tree Church, walking the labyrinth or simply resting on the lawns and gazing up at the trees. Joy and beauty are found in the flower beds, the avenues of blossoms and trees, the waterlilies in the pond, the circles of trees. Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic, to walk or to sit on the park benches and marvel at the beauty of the garden. Many couples are married in the Tree Church and then celebrate in the indoor and outdoor reception spaces.

We've crafted a limited series of off-the-beaten track escapes with our team of local guides. Each escape features a collection of their favourite day tramps and foodie experiences in either the Waikato or Coromandel. Take on the great outdoors with one of our experienced local bush guides. Exclusive tastings, meet the maker and peek behind the closed doors of our passionate artisans. Think gourmet cheese, wine, ice-cream, cooking classes and more. Tramping options for all levels. Charming country and water front boutique accommodation options. Limited to small groups of 6-10. Coromandel Gourmet Hiking Escape. West Coast Adventure.

Te Awamutu Space Centre is an inspiring educational attraction for all ages. Experience the world of space and astronomy through displays and interactive activities. Our centrepiece exhibit is a small but fascinating collection of artifacts from the American and Russian space programmes. You'll find informative displays about the Universe, the history of space exploration and scientific research. Use the interactive screens to see what's in the night sky, tour the Solar System, create your own orbital systems and more. Watch videos, ask us questions and just hang out chatting about space. See our website for details and opening hours.

Our morning begins with a journey to the South Waikato for a gentle walk along the banks of Te Waihou river that leads to the famous Blue Springs. We find a tucked away pocket of nature to enjoy a hot brew with a view. Waikato is a region renown for it's dairy farming and local produce, so it's only natural that we visit a local cheese maker to sample some of the best cheeses in New Zealand. A visit to the largest mainland ecological island in New Zealand is a must when in the Waikato, and we've got a special experience lined up for you. Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari is home to our rarest birds and the forest is pristine. Our afternoon is rounded off with a visit to the largest organic blueberry orchard in the southern hemisphere.

We offer scenic day tours to the local attractions, with the bonus of exploring some secluded spots and/or beautiful waterfalls while experiencing authentic Māori culture with our local guides. Our tours include snacks and refreshments for the budget wise traveler, allowing more time to visit some remote destinations and enjoy the beauty that New Zealand has to offer. Our guides are experienced to understand your needs and can take you to additional destinations while on tour to give you memories to last a lifetime. We can tailor each itinerary to meet specific individual needs.