The Oar & Paddle

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.

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.

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.

Kaikōura is often considered the best place in New Zealand to photograph a wide variety of albatross, and other pelagic bird species, in their natural habitat. This is your chance to photograph these amazing seabirds close up. On this workshop we take two private boat trips to the feeding grounds where the birds congregate, and we enjoy ample opportunities to capture in-flight and on-the-water behaviours. This wildlife bird photography workshop is limited to just 6 participants so book your place today. We welcome you to join us on this exciting photography adventure.

Camjet is certainly an amazing jet boat New Zealand experience along the mighty Waikato River. Therefore, you can enjoy the stunning and breathtaking scenery as you travel via jet boat from Cambridge to the base of the Karapiro hydro power station. Learn about the history of the region as your tour guide or his manager has a diploma in environmental management. Therefore, his knowledge for the flora and fauna in the area is second to none. Bird species you may encounter during the Ecological Jet Boat New Zealand River Cruise may include: fantail, kingfisher, tui, harrier hawk, New Zealand falcon, heron, shag, mallard. Also, you will see many fish species also, koi, rainbow trout, brown trout, mullet and many more.

Our small group tour to Hobbiton starts by going South from Auckland, your guide will give you commentary with information about the areas you are traveling through and insights to the background to the movies. On arrival at Hobbiton we get a specialist Hobbiton guide to take you on your walking tour of the Hobbiton movie set. This location is the only part of the set remaining in New Zealand. You see 44 hobbit holes, the Mill and double arch bridge and the party tree. You can take a photo at the gate to Bilbo’s house “Bag End” & explore inside a Hobbit home with the new interactive experience. After a visit to the Green Dragon Inn where you can enjoy a free drink the tour includes a sumptuous lunch fit for a Hobbit in the Party Marquee.