Perfect Family Getaways in New Zealand
Summer is the perfect time to visit New Zealand and experience a Kiwi Christmas for your family and friends. If you are looking for somewhere rural and “off the beaten track”, but do not want to compromise on the level of service, food, and beverage offering, Te Karaka Station & Lodge is the perfect answer!
We are just under a 2-hour drive from Auckland and 1.5-hour drive from Hamilton, out in beautiful rural Waikato, the hidden gem of New Zealand. We are not too hard to get to, but remote enough to be completely away from the big cities and touristy spots.
Te Karaka Station & Lodge has earned a Silver Sustainability Tourism Business Award and a 5-Star Boutique & Lodge star grading which means you know your stay will be eco-conscious, and sustainable at the highest service standard.
Below are some ideas of what a family (and friends) holiday at Te Station & Lodge would look like. Because we only have 10 Deluxe Suite Rooms (including one Master Suite), why not book the whole place with our hosts and private chef for yourselves? Talk to us and we can work it out with you.
Day #1
Arrive at Auckland International Airport, pick up your rental car and drive to Te Karakra Lodge. The drive is about 1.5 hours: the first 45 minutes on State Highway 1, get off at Mercer and you will drive another 45 minutes on well-sealed country roads. To add to this authentic Kiwi road trip experience, we have a last 5km gravel road before arriving at your home away from home!
Alternatively, we can organize transport (helicopter or car) for you from the airport. Besides premium road transport, our helicopter service partners are ready to fly you and your group across scenic Auckland and North Waikato to the lodge within 30 minutes.
The rolling hills, grazing animals, and limestone formation on the sides of the roads create the authentic experience of New Zealand rural driving adventure.
Our hosts will be expecting you at the lodge when you arrive. They will give you a lovely tour of the lodge and show you to your rooms. Once you have settled in, we welcome you to relax and explore in our lounge area with some refreshments.
Dinner is usually at 6:30 pm, but we are happy to adjust for your group if you let us know your schedule in advance.
Our three-course “Trust the Chef” menu is prepared to meet the highest culinary experience and standards, and we guarantee to bring a “WOW” factor to your trip.
If you prefer family-style dinners, our chef and team are also more than happy to make you the most delicious and elevated “Home Cooking”.
After dinner, you are welcome to enjoy the lounge area, have another glass of wine or two, and get competitive at one of our various board games;
or, jump into our outdoor spa for a relaxing starlight soak, before retiring back to your comfortable beds
Day #2
Nothing beats waking up to the sounds of nature. Depending on the day, you might wake up to birdsong, or have cattle or lambs grazing nearby and greet you good morning.
After a morning coffee or tea, breakfast is waiting for you at the restaurant. Our outdoor dining area is perfect for a slow and tranquil morning to connect with your family.
If you booked the farm tour with us, after breakfast our farm manager James will come to pick you up in his AVT. For the more adventurous ones, you might choose to sit with James and be a real Kiwi farmer for a few hours. We also have a comfortable 4WD for your group. James will show you how he runs the farm and looks after the land, the animals and the waterways.
After the farm tour, a light lunch can be prepared for you to enjoy at the lodge, or we can set up a picnic for you at our nearby Westcoast black sand beach.
If you would like to venture a bit further out, we recommend driving to Port Waikato (about 30 minutes) on an extended gravel road and enjoying some fish and chips at the gorgeous Sunset Beach. Sunset Beach is also a perfect spot for surfing and charted fishing.
Don’t hesitate to talk to us about local places of interest, we can’t wait to share our ideas and recommendations with you to create the most epic holiday!
Day #3
After breakfast, there are some of our day trip recommendations for you and your family:
Run by our lovely friends and neighbors Anne and Philip, the 2-hour Nikau Glowworm Tour is unique and raw. We can book a tour for you ahead of time if you are up for some caving adventures.
Reglan Day Trip
The charming surfing town of Reglan is just 1.5 hours from us. Follow a popular Waikato walking trail through native bush to the stunning Bridal Veil Falls, then treat yourself to a delicious ice cream from ‘Roll Up’, made with real fruit. Check out our Reglan trip recommendation in the reel below!
3. Helicopter Day Trip
Our partner can customize a helicopter day trip for a group of up to 13 people to Visit Spellbound (Glowworm Tour), Waiheke Vineyards, and other exclusive destinations. Talk to us to find out more about heli tours.
4. Day hike ideas :
Hakarimata Scenic ReserveJust over an hour’s drive from the Lodge is the 1,850 hectares of native forest protected in Hakarimata Scenic Reserve. Featuring tracks from short walks to the waterfall to a full day hike. Our chef can also prepare a hiker’s lunch for you.
Check out other hiking ideas on the Mighty Waikato’s Website.
Day #4
Don’t forget you can jump into the outdoor swimming spa anytime you wish, maybe before breakfast! Our soft and firm deck and well-manicured lawns are perfect for morning yoga or meditation. We can also organize for a yoga instructor to come onsite for a private family session.
Before you check out, maybe one last quick game to prove who is the King/Queen of Lawn games with the fam!
Till next time!