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Roxy is good teacher. My son very like this lesson. Next time will come back
Friendly and helpful staff, keep an eye on you, encouraging & cute too. :)
They Gurantee to see a kiwi. Great time, long walk, can hear them all around us.
The weather was really bad and all my other tours were cancelled already but Ness contacted me and gave me options . It was my last day in Auckland And so we went ahead with the tour . Thank God for that coz Ness was such an excellent guide and an awesome person I had a very wonderful experience . She lives and grew up in Matakana so she knows the place so well . Our first stop was a really nice cheese place which has the best cream cheese and blue cheese ! And oh tried the best New Zealand coffee done her way at that shop too. What a lovely way to start the day ! She brought me to lovely boutique wineries and one big one Villa Maria on the way to the airport and she’s very knowledgeable on wines and just very nice I was chatting with her endlessly about anything . Sampled some chocolates at the quaint Matakana town shopping area too . From being windy and rainy , it turned out to be a really awesome day . Thank you Ness for being spectacular driver guide and host. Now I have a friend in Matakana too?
It was a wonderful day. Very friendly staff and the weather was fantastic. Great Would highly recommend.
Really cool to see the different houses and get a glimpse of island life. It's a decent cruise, arriving at mansion house at around 1pm. We had the option to return at 2pm or 4:30pm, the latter gave us time to explore a bit and have a swim. Appreciate the captain's knowledge but would have been great to also hear precolonial and geological history of the island, native flora and fauna. Why it was fought over by Māori, why these minerals were found here exclusively, etc. Kawau was named after a bird that we saw many of around the coast but there was no mention of that at all Overall great experience on a perfect day, remember a hat and sunscreen!
Blessed with an amazing day on the water and time on Kawau Island So glad we went on the trip, better than our expectations. The beauty of the bays, the history of the House and the Copper mines. The wekas walking everywhere and even hearing Kiwi birds calling when we eating lunch. Informative crew A great day out
And be prepared to just relax. Even with COVID-19 Alert Level 2 restrictions, we had a great day out travelling on the Kawau Island Ferry doing the Royal Mail Run Return Cruise. Sitting on the top deck, chatting to strangers, listening to the short, but informative skipper explaining the highlights of the tour was just right for us. Based upon my previous trips (more than 25 years ago), I knew to pack plenty of snacks, drinks and sunscreen. We boarded the Ferry at 1030h and stayed on board until almost 1300h at Mansion House. As we had other obligations that afternoon, we could only stay until the 1400h return sailing so opted for the Mansion House Tour. Had we taken the later 1630h ferry back, we would have also done one of the recommended hikes around the island.
kawau island is beautiful and peaceful escape from the city. views were stunning. the whole vibe was relaxing. definitely with the trip for a memorable day
Lovely day out calling in to lots of the mainly privately owned jetties dropping people & frieght, so no trip will be the same. Dropped at Mansion House by 13.00. As the 16.30 ferry was running that meant i had plenty of time for lunch at the cafe & a walk to the copper mine. You could have got off at Mansion House on the first stop just before 12 if no 16.30 ferry running and you more time on land.
This cruise was perfect. After dropping off goods at various bays along one side of the island we disembarked at Mansion House Bay at lunchtime. There was a cafe open for those who didn't order the BBQ lunch option onboard. For $10 Mansion House was open to wander around and imagine what life was like a couple of centuries ago. Some tracks were open to go walking along the cliffs for amazing views or through the native bush and pines - birdlife could be seen or heard including peacocks and wekas. The track to discover old relics of the copper mine was a relaxing walk, following the coastline along the cliff, down and around a bay when the tide was out, then back through the pines and bush. Afternoon tea back at the cafe, a dip in the bay to cool down, then back on the 4.30pm boat to Sandspit.
A wonderful and amazing full day trip to snorkel, kayak and swim with variety of sea fishes in a greenish blue ocean water ! Over 8 stingrays in black and one light grey stingray I saw while do snorkelling in a high & narrow sea cave, really unforgettable ! Dolphins ? & seabirds not rare to see! Hope to see whale ? next trip. You definitely won’t miss a chance to have such cool experience in hot hot summer. Solar halo as a credit scenic while heading to Sandspit wharf. So cool ! Joanne & Kelvin Hui from Hong Kong
Loved the experience. It was an enjoyable journey and the ferry was not too crowded too. Food and beverage available upon request. The island was overwhelmed in solitude and serenity. The cooing of various birds freckled the daylight air. The beaches were good. But ladies bay was impeccably awesome. Treading there thru a narrow cleft in the rocks was challenging but the destination was great . Can't stay there much becuse the tide picks up and gettin back on to the cleft to exit would eventually be a swim. So dip in early and dry out quick. Cafe was good and staff was friendly. Mansion was open to viewing between 12 and 3 pm. The old copper mine is an hours walk from the ferry terminal but definately worth it. Looks majestic. Must visit place guys and on the royal main run. Good word team
Our boys loved exploring Ti Point Reptile Park, lots of lizards, turtles and other amazing animal life. Beautiful setting amongst native bush and we loved the fact that this is obviously a family's life work/passion.
There are so many nooks and crannies here. Just when you think you have seen it all, hidden around corners there is much more to see. Had a great time, gorgeous weather and all creatures were out and about. Harrison the capuchin was a delightful surprise. Will recommend to others and we will be back one day
We really enjoyed Ti Point Reptile Park. Very relaxing walking around the grounds looking at the reptiles. Not very crowded. Will return again.
WOW!!! They owners were lovely, the environment is absolutely stunning, great walk for the kids, and all the animals etc are very well looked after, their enclosures are very well maintained. Thank you for having us, such a great experience.
The sculptureum is set in beautiful grounds with averies & rabbits also. The sculptures are well set out & plaques to explain the sculptures. There are also 2 restaurants on site
Highly recommended! Very peaceful place and healing place, balancing all senses. The art collection, the nature, the staff …everything is in a harmony Thank you for sharing your treasure with us
We hadn’t visited this place for a while but it didn’t disappoint. It has been well maintained. Meandering around the pretty paths on a summers day with magnificent lifelike sculptures appearing and finishing with a coffee on the shady deck made for a perfect day.
Great people very friendly and we all loved the carriage ride great fun for the kids and a great couple Christine and Patrick are Patrick through out the whole ride entertained our son with stories about the horses and farm etc thanks again would recommend everyone to go and do this as it's a great experience and Christine even took a lot of photos of us being on the carriage and sent them through after thanks again
A lovely day out to look at art and sculptures. Have a bite to eat in between, and finish with a glass of wine.
An amazing gallery with two beautiful gardens with awesome photo spots. Surprised and delighted to see beutiful birds, rabbits and turtles. Great experience for all ages. Spent around 2 hours there.
At first I wasn't sure whether it would be worth the entrance fee, but from the moment we walked in we were blown away. The art is fun, vibrant and so very well presented and in such a unique way. Its the way art should be. Fun! As we walked through it continued to be equally as great all the way to the end. We brought my mum for her 65th birthday and had 2 kids, 1 and 4 with us. Everyone had a great time. Finished off at freddies with a delicious gelato bowl. The art collection is incredible and we will be recommending it to everyone!
Pleasantly surprised by what was hidden behind the road front hedges. Beautiful care taken of gardens, walkways and layout. Little display corners ticked away to discover. Next time will check out lawn bar & restaurant!
What an absolute hidden gem! Stunning grounds, winery and restaurant as well as the sculpture gardens which were amazing and full of so much colour and beautiful pieces large and small. Everything was to a high standard! We thoroughly enjoyed our time and spent quite a few hours there. Highly recommend!
If you’re in Matakana, passing through or nearby and you don’t go snd view then you’re missing out on an amazing Restaurant, gardens and Galleries....one word...WOW ....loved it and the food was divine.
We visited with our 2 kids (3 and 7) and we all thoroughly enjoyed exploring every part of these stunning gardens and galleries. It rained for our whole visit but was not a worry at all as they supplied us with umbrellas so don't let the rain stop you from visiting this beautiful spot.
Definitely enjoy this family trip. Wonderful art pieces both indoor and outdoor. Highly recommend.
This was our 3rd visit and still enjoyed every moment wandering around the beautifully designed and landscaped grounds scattered with sculptures from many different artists. After a quick drinks break in the restaurant, Rothko, we continued our journey through the galleries where even more wonderment can be found to enjoy. This is a day out where you really don’t want to rush! We will be back!!
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