3 Nights Manawa Ridge Eco Retreat – Waihi

Manawa Ridge is a personalised luxury experience on the Southern Coromandel. ‘MANAWA RIDGE' is an artistic balance of old beams, mud bricks and straw bale walls. Indeed this has all the durability of a hill‐fortress albeit a very luxurious one and Designed and Build by its owners, Willem and Carla.From the turret‐like viewing room of Manawa Ridge is a scene akin to a kingdom stretching as far as the eye can see. With 360 degrees of stunning hill country, PacificIslands and coastal vistas, you can indeed feel like King or Queen of all you survey. 

Day 1 (D)
Arrive at Manawa Ridge.  Relax in the spectacular surroundings before enjoying an evening meal.

Day 2 - Kiwi Dundee  One Day Coromandel Experience (B,L,D)
The day begins with a drive over the rugged Coromandel ranges through semi-tropical rainforest to the old gold-mining town of Thames with its fine old buildings from the 1800's when Thames was the premier town in New Zealand owing to the richness of it’s gold. We take a tour of the town and perhaps visit a gold stamper battery so you can learn about its history.

Leaving Thames we travel north following the beautiful western Coromandel coastline through avenues of New Zealand's Christmas trees, the Pohutukawa, just above the sea until we turn inland and climb through wonderful mountain and coastal scenery stopping at amazing photo stops looking towards northern Coromandel.
Arriving at Coromandel Township is like a step back in time with the rustic relaxed feel of the town along with all the old buildings and architecture.

This is where gold was first discovered by Charles and Frederick Ring in 1852 and the gold history abounds in this wonderful old town.
After visiting some of the beautiful bays that abound in the Coromandel town region we stop for a delightful gourmet lunch at one of the many quaint cafes and restaurants found in the town.

A ride on a narrow gauge train through regenerating forest to an incredible view point of Coromandel Town, the harbour and islands right across to Auckland in the distance is one of the highlights of the day.

We then head south on a narrow winding road before stopping for a walk into a wonderful stand of the Giant Kauri trees where you get a marvellous feel for these huge trees and wonder at the thousands that were felled for the timber. Even San Francisco built buildings out of the New Zealand Kauri but it burns well!!! The 1906 fire!!!
Continuing on over mountains and forest which gives way to rolling farmland as we skirt MercuryBay before panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and islands are seen as we head back to your accommodation.

YOU ALSO GET THE CHANCE TO SEE OUR MINERAL COLLECTION OF STUNNING GOLD IN THE ROCK, CRYSTALS, PETRIFIED WOOD AND MORE.

Day 3 (B)
Spend the day exploring  Waihi, Tauranga & Mt Maunganui.
After a delicious breakfast at Manawa Ridge travel into Waihi and start the day with a mine tour.  Waihi is a gold mining town with an active open cast mine right in the middle of town.  Learn about Waihi’s rich mining history and mining today.  

The Bay of Plenty's arts and crafts culture has been growing strong in the past few years. Take some time to browse through art markets, local shops or artists' studios to learn about the local art on offer.

There are many specialty food outlets, restaurants and cafes to tempt your taste buds.  A visit to the Prenzel Heaven Tasting room in Tauranga is a must. Are you interested to learn about Kiwifruit.Kiwi360 rests on a truly unique pocket of land. Here, specific weather and geological conditions combine in precisely the right order, at the right time, unlike anywhere else on the planet! Kiwifruit grown here is deservedly known as the very best in the world.So, climb aboard a KiwiKart and tour through our lush orchards, where’ll you see a huge variety of fruit and learn the enthrallingly complex process that bring  the world’s healthiest fruit to our tables.

After your fun and fascinating tour, you can relax and rejuvenate in the Kiwi360 café. Sink into a fresh roasted coffee, kiwifruit juice or a delectable deli-style sandwich in our sunny courtyard. Then, take home some exquisite skin care products, stylish home wares, fine jewellery or a little bit of Kiwiana from our Kiwi360 Shop.

Feeling energetic – climb to the top of Mt Maunganui and enjoy the magnificent views, or perhaps choose to walk around the base of the Mount and finish with a drink & meal at one of the many cafes along the waterfront.

Day 4 (B)
After a delicious breakfast it is time to bid you farewell and continue on your journey.

INCLUSIONS:
3 Nights accommodation
Daily breakfasts, 1 lunch & 2 dinners
Kiwi Dundee One Day Coromandel Experience Private Tour