The Oarhouse

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.

On this best-selling private tour, you have the unique opportunity to experience one world-famous visitor attraction on a personally guided one-day tour. On the way to Hobbiton we pass through the beautiful countryside of the Waikato and King Country. Our experienced guides will tell you about New Zealand and the amazing places you’ll see along the 2.5hr journey from Auckland to Hobbiton. As we drive southwards, we show you the sacred Taupiri Mountain as well as Ngaruawahia, the site of the famous Turangawaewae Marae (Maori meeting place) and seat of New Zealand's Maori King. We continue on to the Hobbiton Movie Set near the rural town of Matamata. Now you can see the Hobbiton Movie Set during a 2.5 hour GROUP tour. Drop-off in Rotorua.

A temporary focused exhibition highlighting local stories that inspire, confront, and challenge our historical knowledge around New Zealand’s Land Wars here in the Waipā district, and how we can remember this important event in our history.

Always wanted to try archery? Then come join one of our taster sessions and learn how to shoot an Olympic style bow. We offer the very best quality equipment and expertise to give you a great fun introduction to archery, whether you just want to try something new or find out how to get into the sport and make the next Olympics. These sessions are run outdoors at Archers' Hill in Ōhaupō or indoors in Cambridge whenever we get enough interest, so just email or call us for more information.

I help people experience the real New Zealand, not the one you find just by visiting the usual tourist spots. My vast travel experience means I know the best photography locations and I'm passionate about showing off our beautiful country, helping my guests to capture their own amazing images of our beautiful country while learning new photography skills along the way. My guided photography tours are available throughout New Zealand and can be personalised to your itinerary and the locations you wish to visit. Or you can choose to attend one of my scheduled weekend group workshops where you'll enjoy meeting other photographers and improving your photography craft at some of New Zealand's most unique and photogenic locations.