Things to do...
Applecross Sanctuary's central North Island location is ideal for visiting many of the regions tourist attractions and natural wonders. We have picked a few of our favourites which are a must during your stay!
Hobbiton - Matamata
30 Minute Drive from Applecross Sanctuary
Experience the Magic of Hobbiton in the heart of New Zealand, you can step into the lush pastures of the Shire™, as featured in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.
The Blue Spring - Te Waihou Walkway, Putaruru
25 Minute Drive from Applecross Sanctuary
The walk to the springs follows a track alongside the Waihou River, through wetlands, across rolling pastoral land and features views of small waterfalls, native bush and the famous Blue Spring with glimpses of trout along the way.The spring is fed from the Mamaku Plateau where the water takes up to 100 years to filter through; the resulting water is so pure and clean that it produces a beautiful blue colour while being virtually clear.
Lake Karipiro
15 Minute Drive from Applecross Sanctuary
When Lake Karapiro was chosen as the venue for the 2010 World Rowing Championships, the international selection panel described it as one of the most picturesque lakes in the world.
Surrounded by bush and luscious green hills, the lake attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year whether it’s to participate in a major sporting event or simply to have a picnic beside the water.
Waitomo Caves
1 Hour Drive from Applecross Sanctuary
World-renowned and a magnet for both local and overseas visitors, the Waitomo Glowworm Caves occupy a high placing in the New Zealand vacation wish-list.
The glowworm, Arachnocampa luminosa, is unique to New Zealand. Thousands of these tiny creatures radiate their unmistakable luminescent light as our expert guides provide informative commentary on the Caves' historical and geological significance.
Bridal Veil Falls
1 Hour 10 Minute Drive from Applecross Sanctuary
The Wairēinga/Bridal Veil Falls walk is an easy 10 minute walk through native bush, following the Pakoka River for most of the way, to two viewing platforms at the top, both providing stunning vistas and ample photo opportunities of the plunging white falls flanked by grey rock and green bush.
Over the Moon Dairy
30 Minute Drive from Applecross Sanctuary
Cheese is an adventure! Over the Moon brings you handcrafted cheeses of all descriptions to delight your senses. They create New Zealand’s widest range of speciality cheeses from the world’s finest ingredients – locally sourced goat, cow, sheep and buffalo milk. The boutique factory, based in the lush dairying region of South Waikato, has been producing specialty cheese since 2007 and has won more than 75 medals and a dozen trophies from around the world.
and there's more...
Rotorua - 1 Hour
Raglan - 1 Hour
Wairere Falls - 45 mins
Hamilton Gardens - 22 mins
Mystery Creek - 20 mins
Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari - 25 mins
Hamilton Airport - 24 mins
Auckland Airport - 2 hours 15 mins
Avantidrome - 12 mins
Tongariro Alpine Crossing - 2 hours 30 mins
Tauranga - 1 hour 10 mins
Taupo - 1 hour 45 mins