Te Awamutu Space Centre

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.

The Te Awamutu isite Visitor Centre is part of New Zealand's official nationwide Visitor Information Network. Plan your stay in Te Awamutu with our friendly isite team. With four mountains of fun and lakes right on our doorstep, we offer fantastic walks with an abundance of birdlife. Try Maungatautari After Dark to experience native bush at night and hear the kiwi's call. New Zealand National Fieldays is just a 15 minute drive from our place at Mystery Creek Event Centre. Our rural farming community, mixed with walking and cycling tracks, Boutique Bed and Breakfasts, shopping and events. Come and visit.

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.

Take a class with one of the world’s best - Gail Jones NZPFA (NZ), AIFD (USA), PFCI (USA) Master Florist, 2nd place at Interflora World Cup, International Designer and Head Referee Interflora World Cup China. A unique opportunity to enjoy some time & create a dried flower treasure to take home. Exclusive flowers dried, colored and treated on the property. Gails of Tamahere has been in operation for 38 years & has 6 acres of landscaped gardens, fully operational restaurant (by appointment). An absolute destination for weddings and functions, is an iconic spot for your dream event. This year an opportunity arose to reintroduce the floral schools as quality flowers became available.

You don't need to worry about transport or gear while you're here.

Whether you're on one of our tours or doing your own thing, our shuttle service is available to pick up and drop off any adventurers at any river trail or alternate point in our surrounding areas.

If you're after gear hire, we have you covered too! We've got regular bikes, e-bikes and accessories to really make a day of it.

Shuttle service
- Te Awa River Ride
- Hauraki Rail Trail
- The Timber Trail

Bike & e-Bike Hire
Available from our shop at the Velodrome in Cambridge

Discover Waikato’s world class facility, centered around a purpose built 250m wooden with a guided tour. A great opportunity to learn about the history of the Avantidrome and find out more about the facilities and programmes we have on offer. While you are here, grab yourself a spot in the stands and watch New Zealand’s track cyclists train or perhaps rub shoulders with one of the Waikato/BOP Magic players or All Blacks Sevens team in the tunnel. If you’re lucky, you might even spot some of New Zealand’s Olympic heroes hanging around. Avantidrome Tours take place on a weekly basis. Private bookings of a minimum of 10 persons welcome outside designated tour times.