4 Nights Ridge Country Retreat – Tauranga

Perched high in the Papamoa Ranges and tucked away in 35 acres of lush native bush, you will find us. Ridge Country Retreat – the ultimate in privacy, serenity and indulgence. The geothermal lap pool with panoramic views across rolling green hills and valleys to the Pacific Ocean…Our innovative interior style inspires…Your beautiful Retreat caters for pampering both body and soul…Your own stylish, luxurious and spacious suite awaits you here.

Day 1 (D)
Arrive at Ridge Country Retreat. Relax in the spectacular surroundings before enjoying a 4 course dinner at Ridge Country Retreat.

Day 2 - Discover the Magic of Bay of Plenty with Kiwi Dundee (B,L)
Your Kiwi Dundee Adventure Guide will give you a delightful day including a great chance to experience the local life way of life in this progressive region of New Zealand.Your day will include a visit to a genuine working horticultural orchard with kiwifruit, avocados and export flowers - a fascinating glimpse at one of New Zealand’s major export industries.
Stop at the mural town of Katikati, famous for its open-air art painted by top New Zealand artists. Enjoy the variety of little shops including locally made art and crafts. Visit Waihi beach for some wonderful photography from an old Maori Pa site looking out over the whole Bay & Pacific Ocean
After a delicious gourmet lunch & local wine, enjoy a scenic drive through the still active old gold mining town of Waihi, home to the famous Martha Mine, one of the richest goldmines in the world. Learn the fascinating history from your guide.
Enjoy a stunning walk into a rugged rocky gorge with rushing waters and still trout pools dotted with old goldmines from the 1800's, here we take a magic walk inside the mountain past 'windows' with stunning views from 100's of feet above the river before returning to relax at your luxury accommodation.

Day 3 - Free Day & WhiteIsland Experience (B)
This day is free for you to do as little or as much as you desire, including a heli - flight to White Island.
Relax in the serenity of Ridge Country Retreat, treat yourself to a massage or facial, swim in the Geothermal Lap pool, or curl up and read your favourite book.

If you enjoy arts & crafts there are many stores within 30 minutes drive from Ridge Country Retreat where you can purchase original artwork from local artists.

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.

Imagine flying around an active volcano…an active volcano in the middle of the sea…This is your chance.
Located 52 kilometres off the Bay of Plenty coastline, White Island is a link in a chain of volcanoes called the Pacific Ring of Fire. You fly around the rugged, unspoilt coastline of this giant, viewing moon-like surfaces, steaming craters, flocks of sea birds and sulphur-yellow landscapes. You’ll also see the remains of the old sulphur works, destroyed by a White Island eruption.
On the return trip, keep your eyes peeled for the abundant sea life such as schools of fish and dolphins.

This tour departs MountMaunganui and the flight time is 1 hour 15 minutes.

Day 4 - Bay of Plenty – Rotorua with Kiwi Dundee (B,L)
Enjoy a private tour with your Kiwi Dundee Adventures guide to the Bay of Plenty, one of the countries most progressive regions.
The day starts travelling past working orchards growing kiwi fruit, avocados and export flowers.
We tour through back country farmland before climbing 1000ft up onto the Volcanic Plateau of Rotorua, the thermal city built in the crater of a huge volcano.

Enjoy a short walk to spectacular waterfalls, where rafters and kayakers drop over the largest commercial drop allowed in the world!

After a delightful gourmet lunch highlights of the day may include, a walk in a thermal valley with bubbling mud pools, geysers, a Kiwi house and Maori Arts and Crafts where young Maori are taught carving. See a traditional Maori concert, or a scenic tour out past the Blue and GreenLakes, to LakeTarawera, sitting below Mt Tararewa which last erupted in 1886 killing 160 people.
See the Botanical Gardens, home to the Rotorua museum at the historic Bath House.
On our return your accommodation, we take a beautiful drive climbing out of the Rotorua caldera through lovely rolling farmland mixed with forest and rugged gorges before dropping into the Bay of Plenty and Tauranga.

You may enjoy a wine tasting if time allows before arriving back to your cosy accommodation!

Day 5 (B)
After a delicious breakfast it is time to bid farewell and continue on your journey.

INCLUSIONS:
4 Nights accommodation in a Suite
Daily breakfasts, 2 lunches & 1 dinner
2 x Full day Tours with Kiwi Dundee including lunch
White Island Experience with Aerius Helicopters

***BLOW THE BUDGET OPTION***
Volcanic Air Safaris – White Island Adventure
Your helicopter will personally collect you from the front doorstep of Ridge Country Retreat and fly out over the Pacific Ocean to land on New Zealand’s most active volcano – WhiteIsland, located off the coast of The Bay of Plenty from Whakatane. Landing at the crater floor, your pilot will take you on a guided tour to experience the fury of nature at work on this ever changing Island. Situated 50 kilometres offshore, this active island volcano constantly emits a cloud of steam and periodically erupts to a greater extent expelling volcanic ash several thousand metres into the atmosphere. The main vent is below sea level protected by the crater walls. View the main crater, sulphur deposits and the remains of the old sulphur mine. Depart WhiteIsland and return back to your accommodation.