Epworth Retreat & Recreation Centre

Experience Middle-earth with a visit to the Hobbiton Movie Set, featured in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films. Your guided tour starts with a drive through our picturesque 1,250 acre sheep farm with spectacular views across to the Kaimai Ranges. Journey past the colourful Hobbit Hole™ doors that scatter the hillsides, including the iconic Bag End, home of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, before arriving at Bagshot Row™ for a glimpse of the interior of a humble Hobbit’s home. Continue along the pathways past The Millhouse, across the double-arch stone bridge and into the world-famous Green Dragon™ Inn, where you will enjoy a complimentary, exclusive beverage Hobbit™ Southfarthing™ range to conclude your Middle-earth adventure.

Step through the pest-proof gate into another world, where an ancient forest tower majestically above well-maintained walking tracks and the air is filled with birdsong. Explore the Sanctuary at your own pace or with an experienced guide who will help you spot the wildlife, including kākā, takahē, tuatara, kiwi, tīeke and more. Relax in the clearing or take an optional walk up the 16-metre observation tower, offering a unique perspective from within the forest canopy. Sanctuary Mountain is located in the heart of the Waikato, and as a not-for-profit, every visit helps make our conservation efforts possible. So come and share the mauri and mana of Maungatautari. You will come away enriched and enlightened by this spectacular environment.

Unique opportunity to visit the Karapiro Dam and see some of the amazing native bush and bird life in the Cambridge River Gorge. Ideal for you and your whole family, anyone who likes adventure, fun, speed or scenery. Speeding up the Mighty Waikato in a 450 hp V8 Jet Boat is going to get the heart pumping, adrenaline flowing and the faces smiling. If you are a thrill seeking adrenaline junkie then this is for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a game of golf, followed by a browse round a picturesque town and a latte, or a visit to the close by Hobbiton movie set from the Lord of the Rings, then give the team at Camjet Cambridge Jet Boat Tours a call and we can have a quiet cruise up our beautiful river.

Visit a well established working alpaca and animal farm located five minutes south of Cambridge. The property is en route to Hobbiton, Rotorua, and Waitomo tourist attractions. The 60 acre farm operates on organic principles made up of flat and rolling hills and includes extensive elevated rural views toward the Matamata area and Maungatautari Scenic Reserve. The farm animals include: Valais blacknose sheep, large alpaca herd (both suri and huacaya breeds in all colours), coloured llamas, angora (mohair fleece) and saanen (milking) goats, donkeys including miniature, cattle including jersey galloway and dexter breeds and North American bison.

The winter light in the South Island offers superb conditions and we will be photographing an incredible variety of landscapes including Aoraki/Mt Cook and the Southern Alps, Moeraki Boulders, Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound, Fox Glacier, Lake Matheson and the Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki. We will also photograph at hidden backcountry locations which few others know of. One of the highlights of our journey is the private helicopter flight into the untouched wilds of the Fiordland National Park, where we capture compelling images of the glacier-carved landscape.

We have designed our programmes based on research and experience in bringing diet, exercise, treatments, therapies, therapists and education together in such a way that gives our guests the best results and the greatest opportunity to improve their lives. Do you or someone you know struggle with weight loss, getting healthy, changing health habits or struggling to lose those pesky last few kilos? Are you just not getting the results you desire? Are you losing motivation or are considering some of the more invasive and extreme weight loss measures? You're not in it alone - we can help you, all whilst having a fabulous luxury retreat experience. We are so confident in our programmes, that weight loss is guaranteed while you're with us.