New Zealand Highlights

Bay of Islands Tour
Discover the rich and diverse beauty of the Bay of Islands from the perspective only possible by air.
This tour takes you over the scenery and historical sites in the Bay of Islands region. Discover the crystal clear turquoise waters of this unique aquatic . Fly out to the world famous “Hole in the Rock”, take a bird's eye view of Russell, Paihia & Waitangi townships before tracking the coastline back to Kauri Cliffs.

Cape and Tane Mahuta Tour
An extensive aerial tour of the stunning coastline of the Northland region combined with a trip to Tane Mahuta, Lord of the Forest. This tour takes you along the coastline north of Matauri Bay, including Cape Karikari, before heading to Cape Reinga and Cape Maria van Diemen in the far north. It then tracks the west coast southward until you arrive at Omapere, where you will stop off and visit Tane Mahuta.

Nature Walks
We have some beautiful walks on our 6000 acre property. These range from a 10-minute bush walk, to the magnificent Kauri Tree (believed to be 700-900 years old), to a two-hour walk that includes a visit to the Hikurua waterfall, Waiaua Bay or Little Takou Beach—all magical spots to visit. The kitchen can provide you with a snack pack of light refreshments or a picnic lunch.

Mountain Biking
Men’s, ladies’ and children’s mountain bike are available for guest use on our marked walking trails and farm roads

With three private beaches and miles of untouched, pristine coastline, Kauri Cliffs is the gateway to the ocean.

The remarkable coastal panorama is ever-present, and water-based activities abound throughout the seasons at this aquatic playground. The three beaches stretch the length of the property. At the southernmost point of the property is Little Takou, a stunning white sand beach with rockpools for exploring and one of Northland’s best surf breaks; neighbouring Little Takou is Pink Beach, an exquisite bay made of up soft pink shells and framed by magnificent Pohutakawa; while at the northernmost tip of Kauri Station is Waiaua Bay, perfect for swimming and walking, kayaking and paddle boarding.

Picnic Experiences at Kauri Cliffs
Our three private beaches and the waterfall provide beautiful and picturesque settings for a picnic. Walk or be driven from the Lodge. If you wish, you can drive part of the way to the beach before continuing on foot.

Kauri Cliffs was designed and built by David Harman of Golf Course Consultants, Orlando, Florida. The par 72 championship golf course measures 7,119 yards / 6,510 metres and offers five sets of tees to challenge every skill level. Fifteen holes view the Pacific Ocean, six of which are played alongside cliffs which plunge to the sea. The beautiful inland holes wind through marsh, forest and farmland. Kauri Cliffs is currently ranked #37 in the world by Golf Digest Top 100 Greatest Golf Courses in the World.

Kauri Cliffs recently underwent a renovation from world renowned golf course architect Rees Jones. The 5th hole received a complete redesign and was transformed from a long, uphill, forced carry par-3 to a short "drop shot" par-3. Other notable changes were the addition of tees on the 2nd and 9th holes and a bunker renovation on the 4th hole. The golf complex includes a world-class practice range, putting and chipping greens, a well stocked golf shop, and ladies’ and men’s locker rooms. Premium ladies’ and men’s rental clubs are available.

Fishing is a religion around these parts. Join our local guide at one of the beaches on the property and test your skill at hooking a snapper or kahawai (similar to a blue fish). Bring your catch back to the lodge and our chef will prepare it for your dinner. This is fresh fish at its best! A big part of this fishing experience is taking in the serenity and beauty of these spectacular surroundings, and legend has it, a cold beer helps the fish to bite.

We invite you to relax, rejuvenate and revive your spirit in a tranquil space where nature prevails.

Our Spa is nestled at the edge of a Totara forest, overlooking a verdant fern glen and winding stream. Each treatment room, including our couple’s room, has floor to ceiling views and opens onto a private outdoor patio with forest surroundings and native birdsong. The spa has four treatment rooms, locker rooms with showers, a sauna, Jacuzzi spa pool, indoor heated lap pool and fitness centre, with a range of exercise equipment and free weights.

At Kauri Cliffs Spa, we are committed to providing quality treatments that are personalised to suit you. We offer a variety of services, including different styles of massage, luxurious facials, hydrotherapy, invigorating body treatments and elegant nail polish and designs.

Visit even the most remote parts of this stunning coastal property when you chase the thrill with a Quad Bike Experience. Your scenic journey across this 6,000-acre farm will begin with a ride through the Pine forest and livestock-filled paddocks before stopping at the waterfall for a short break. As you continue on, take in the breath-taking panoramic views of the Cavalli Islands and Pacific Ocean before travelling the untouched coastline towards the private Waiaua Bay.

Explore Kauri Station and its surrounding grounds on magnificent, gentle horses. Ride your way through native forests, our working farm and on to one of our private beaches. You can even stop to enjoy a picnic lunch along the way.

With an extraordinary location and truly special history, the Kauri Cliffs Guided Heritage Discovery tour will give you unparalleled insight into New Zealand’s complex identity.

Journey through time as your experienced guide unravels the rich and diverse tapestry of history and culture that all took place at this vast property. From the resting place of one the indigenous Maori’s original seven migratory waka to the arrival of Captain James Cook at Waiaua Bay, the birth of the first New Zealand European child and the generations of the pioneer families that followed, this property lay witness to it all.

Surfing
Surf some of New Zealand’s most beautiful untouched scenery including Kauri Cliffs. It is as though nature designed the Northland coastline with surfers in mind. Tiny coves, long sandy beaches, river mouths, point breaks, sandbars and reefs . . . all within a short drive. Enjoy a two-hour beginner’s lesson at Kauri Cliffs or an all-day Surf-safari of Northland beaches.

Sea Kayaking
What better way to explore the crystal-clear untouched coastline of Kauri Cliffs than by sea kayak. Discover the coastal flora and fauna that makes this one of the most scenic regions in the world as you paddle and learn about the tribal and European settlement of the region. If you're lucky you might even have the chance to encounter dolphins or spot little blue penguins/ kororā during your voyage. Refuel at the unpopulated Little Waiaua Bay with a gourmet picnic lunch and wines to match, then continue your paddle on the Pacific Ocean or dive under and discover the marine life by snorkelling the sheltered kelp reefs.

Be treated to a special tour of our working farm with the farm manager as your guide. He will take you around our stunning 6000 acres of farmland and share his extensive knowledge on the different farm animals that are farmed here.

The Abel Tasman is our smallest national park yet it consistently ranks as one of the top 5 tourist attractions in New Zealand. Its golden beaches, turquoise waters, native bush and pristine marine reserves make this world-renowned Park a “must-do” experience.

Boating
There are several options for sightseeing the waterways and coastline of the Park, from small water taxis through to Wilsons stylish 140 passenger Catamaran. These boats run constantly in the warmer months allowing passengers the options of shorter or longer journeys. Disembark to enjoy swimming, hiking and relaxing then rejoin a boat later in the day.

The seal colony at Tonga Island Marine Reserve is extremely popular and most craft visit the Reserve. For those feeling more adventurous a seal swim can be arranged in advance.

For guests wanting a more personal and exclusive experience, Edenhouse can highly recommend private charter operators. Activities can be tailor-made – a visit to the seal colony, kayaking in a tranquil lagoon, snorkelling and swimming, gourmet lunch afloat or on a beach, bush walk options and fishing. Or just sit back with a glass of local wine and enjoy the sights and surroundings.

Kayaking
We have had guests from young to 81 enjoy kayaking in the Park. There is more than 50 kilometres of coastline to explore and time on the water can range from a couple of hours to a full day. Guides are provided and previous kayaking experience is not necessary. Paddling can include trips to the seal colony.

Hiking
Many guests choose a cruise and walk and are taken into the Park by boat and walk from a beach of their choice. Hiking time can vary from I hour to 6 hours, passing through native bush and by spectacular views of the coastline. A boat collects guests at their predetermined destination. Time can be allowed to enjoy lunch, a swim or to explore additional sights.

A mix of boating, kayaking and hiking can easily be arranged.

The Abel Tasman is our smallest national park yet it consistently ranks as one of the top 5 tourist attractions in New Zealand. Its golden beaches, turquoise waters, native bush and pristine marine reserves make this world-renowned Park a “must-do” experience.

See two of New Zealand’s National Park’s in one day. Spend the morning in the Abel Tasman National Park with Abel Tasman Charters, enjoy a gourmet lunch before meeting your private helicopter at Awaroa Bay.

Fly into the Kahurangi National Park for a landing high in the mountains and explore unique rock formations and alpine lakes. Enjoy spectacular views of Golden Bay on the journey to Edenhouse.

Looking westwards from Edenhouse’s gardens the view stretches to the mysterious mountains of the Kahurangi National Park, a vast wilderness area which holds its secrets close, the best known only to a select few. Land beside a pristine glacial mountain lake or perhaps on Mt Olympus- a fantastical mountain, decorated with other-worldly rock pinnacles. It became “south of Rivendell”, a place the heroic hobbits traversed in Peter Jackson’s multi-Oscar winning adaptation of the Lord of the Rings. Other landings can include a beach on the rugged West Coast or the spectacular Wharariki Beach, the northern-most tip of the South Island. Nearby is Farewell Spit, the longest natural sandbar in the world. Fly over Golden Bay and the Abel Tasman National Park and appreciate the diversity of this striking region.

This unforgettable adventure of around 5 hours includes 2 hours of flying time and 3 landings. It starts and finishes on the helipad in the Edenhouse gardens.

D’Urville Island is truly one of New Zealand’s best kept secrets. Discovered by French explorer Jules Dumont D’Urville, the island is located off the northern coast of the South Island with an area of approximately 150 square km making it the eighth-largest island of New Zealand.

Departing from Edenhouse, follow Tasman Bay’s eastern coast line to D’Urville Island for a spot of helicopter reef fishing. Fly with the catch to a sheltered bay to prepare the freshly caught fish accompanied by fresh local produce for a private dining experience like no other. With a cold craft beer or glass of local wine in hand, relax and enjoy the pristine beaches and native bush, you can even take a swim!

The return flight tracks via the Mt Richmond Forest Park with a mountain landing. If you love fresh produce and fine wines this is a special and unique Kiwi experience!

This isn’t just horse-riding; the stunning location and scenery make it an exceptional and unforgettable experience. We favour two rides, which can be combined. The Spectacular Old Man Range, with an ever-changing vista and views of all of Farewell Spit, has been classed as the most scenic horse trek in New Zealand. Then there is the world-renowned Wharariki Beach with its huge rock arches, sand dunes and long stretch of beach. The combined rides take about three hours. Guests can incorporate the horse trekking as part of a Heli-Adventure, or drive from Edenhouse to Cape Farewell.

Baton Run Adventures offers an experience well off the beaten track in a unique corner of the world. Farm tours or horse riding trips are small (five people or less) and personal, so you will be well looked after while still experiencing a sense of adventure.

Explore five unique valleys bordering the Kahurangi National Park on a farm vehicle or on beautiful well trained horses. Just 30 minutes from Edenhouse.

The Nelson/Tasman region includes three of the country’s 14 national parks – one a coastal paradise (the Abel Tasman); one an alpine retreat (Nelson Lakes); the third, Kahurangi, a vast swathe of virgin rainforest and awe-inspiring mountains stretching across more than 450,000 hectares, or almost the entire northwest corner of the South Island. All three parks are within easy reach of Edenhouse.

The Abel Tasman is well-known for the easy walking track that hugs the full 50-odd kilometres of foreshore. You can retreat into the mountain serenity of Nelson Lakes, or the remote and epic back-country of the giant Kahurangi National Park.

Slide down water polished chutes, jump into crystal clear pools, abseil through showering waterfalls, and zipline over rocks. That’s what canyoning is about. Join an exciting action packed trip with mind blowing scenery in the Abel Tasman National Park.

Wheelie Fantastic Cycle Tours is an owner-operated company with a passion for cycling. Ride sections of the Great Taste Trail of 175km enjoying the tranquillity of the countryside, hop gardens, vineyards, orchards, majestic rivers, and artisans studios.

For cyclists wanting a really relaxing time, take a 10 minute ferry ride (with your bike) to Rabbit Island, where you can cycle along forest trails and besides 8 kms of golden beaches.

Eat at an award winning restaurant on Mapua Wharf before finishing the day browsing around the vibrant mixture of shops, studios and galleries in Mapua.

Wheelie Fantastic provides bike hire for Edenhouse guests with cycles delivered to Edenhouse for a day or as long as the guests want. There is a large selection of quality hybrid ’Giant’ trail bikes and hard tail mountain bikes to suit all sizes.

The hire includes helmets, pannier bags, and route maps.

There are around 37 boutique wineries in the Nelson Tasman region and several, including Neudorf, Kahurangi and Rimu Grove, are within 25 minutes of Edenhouse. Some of New Zealand’s best and most sought after chardonnays and pinot noirs can be found here. The region has become especially renowned for its aromatic whites – seductively perfumed, deep flavoured, beautifully balanced riesling, pinot gris, gewürztraminer and sauvignon blanc from these parts is the stuff of wine legends.

Neudorf is “New Zealand’s greatest wine producer” according to Tom Stevenson’s UK publication “Wine Report”. Stevenson is the author of the prestigious Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopaedia.

Uppermost amongst the Edenhouse relationships is this remarkable woman and her vineyard.

Beth Eggers’ Himmelsfeld Vineyard is – even by the comparatively modest scale common of Nelson wineries – tiny, and hardly a widely known name. And yet across just 3 acres Beth coaxes complex, fascinating wines from the tough clay soil, ageing them for as much as a decade before offering them for sale in tiny quantities to the informed and the discerning.

There is rather more to a visit to Himmelsfeld than wine tasting though. Beth – who greets visitors personally – likes them to leave with a sense of belonging. Highly recommended for Edenhouse guests.

This is a creative and visual experience that is almost beyond description. Firmly established as an iconic ‘must see’ visitor attraction, the WOW® and Classic Cars Museum celebrates two distinctly different passions. Be amazed by the incredible garments that feature in the Wearable Art Gallery, marvel at the extraordinary inspiration of artists from around the globe who create these truly breathtaking works of art. A world class collection, in excess of one hundred cars, of some of the most sought after models in Classic motoring, beautifully displayed under theatrical lighting. This is a car gallery like no other.

Michael MacMillan is a renowned artist and sculptor working from his studio on Neudorf Road, 20 minutes from Edenhouse. Internationally known for his large outdoor sculptures and limited edition bronzes, Michael’s work is bold, reflective, textured, carved and kinetic. In addition to the sculptures and bronzes, here you’ll find all manner of original kitchen and homeware items made from French oak, recycled metals and vine prunings.

All materials are recycled and sourced locally. Michael’s sculptural eye is evident in the beautiful lines and meticulous craftsmanship of these works of art.

Nelson/Tasman is blessed with creative abundance and is home to over 350 working artists. The diverse art forms range from paintings to ceramics, sculpture, glass, jewellery and wearable art.

The region is conducive to creativity for many reasons. Its physical charms include turquoise lagoons and golden sand beaches, sun-kissed produce from groves and bays, and a rich light, courtesy of the highest sunshine hours in New Zealand.

One of the defining features of Nelson/Tasman’s arts scene is that so many artists continue to open their studios to visitors, welcoming passers-by who want to drop in, inspect the work and maybe talk to the artists themselves before heading away with a unique memory of local creativity.

Upper Moutere, a small village fifteen minutes from Edenhouse, is home to a bunch of creative and productive people. They make glorious wine, stunning sheep cheese and olive oils. They grow gourmet mushrooms and strawberries and make traditional cider from real cider apples. Local conserves are made and bottled in the village using plums, blackberries and boysenberries. It is home to leading ceramic artists, sculptors and wood workers. The Moutere Inn is the oldest pub in New Zealand and pours fourteen artisan beers.

A visit to Golden Bay is an adventure in itself. Two of its most famous attractions are Pupu Springs and Farewell Spit.

Pupu Springs are the largest cold-water springs in the Southern Hemisphere – only Antarctica has clearer waters. The springs discharge 14,000 litres of water per second which would be sufficient to supply a city the size of Boston, Massachusetts. The springs are a sacred place for Maori and an area of great beauty.

Farewell Spit is the longest natural sandbar in the world at 35 kilometres. The spit is home to over 90 species of birds and has been a sanctuary for over 70 years. Godwits fly the 12,000-kilometre journey from Alaska in around 8 days to join waders, turnstones, knots and oystercatchers. All-day eco guided tours access the spit in a comfortable purpose-built 4WD vehicle to a special place of international importance.

Edenhouse is 5 minutes from the nationally important Motueka River catchment with miles of bountiful riffles, runs and pools. Sight casting to spotted brown trout freely sipping dry flies and nymphs is an angling experience not to be missed. For anglers seeking even more adventure take a helicopter ride to the legendary Karamea river system for big wilderness brown trout in pristine waters, far from civilisation.

Ever-mindful of guests’ need to unwind as well as to indulge, massage and beauty therapist Jacqui Jenkins is part of the Edenhouse team. Jacqui was well-known as the therapist at nearby Paratiho Farms. Now, Edenhouse guests can receive expert therapeutic treatments from Jacqui, or one of her highly-qualified team, in the peace and privacy of their own suite – whether relaxation or deep tissue massage, acupressure, aromatherapy or reflexology.

Edenhouse is located in an area of outstanding natural beauty, even by New Zealand standards. Nestled in the stunning Orinoco Valley, its extensive gardens are the “creation” of Peter and Bobbie Martin. The lodge and gardens commenced life in 2003 when the Martin’s returned to Bobbie’s native New Zealand after living overseas for many years.

The bare land of 50 acres was perfect for Bobbie’s vision to create her own piece of paradise. Whilst living in London, she studied at The Inchbald School of Design, Belgravia, followed by The English Gardening School, situated at The Chelsea Physic Garden. She then established her own interior and garden design company, located in Knightsbridge and West Sussex, where she practiced for 15 years.

The effortless link between the lodge and gardens also incorporates the wider landscape. The grounds continue to evolve and have become a favourite habitat for native birds, as well as pheasant and quail.