VISIT FRANKLIN! An undiscovered part of south Auckland and North Waikato, starting at Papakura and stretching as far east as Miranda, as far West as Awhitu and south as far as Hampton Downs and Waikaritu.

Forget Queenstown! You’ve got adrenalin activities and adventure right on your back doorstep.

Visit Hampton Downs International Motorsport Park for high-speed Go-Karts, Hot Laps in a Lamborghini or get behind the wheel of a V8 Mustang race car. Grab an award-winning coffee from Aoraki Café and check out Mad Lab, the home of global drift superstar Mad Mike Whiddett. There’s also Toyota Gazoo Racing’s live workshop and the Bruce McLaren Heritage Centre. Get your own car on the track at an Auto Addict event or check out Caffeine & Gasoline, a car show that happens at Hampton Downs on the last Sunday of every month.

For more thrills on two wheels get yourself out to Thundercross Valley Dirt Bike Park where you’ll enjoy 750ha of farmland trails. Hire a bike and get some tuition and enjoy a full day out in the country.

If jumping out of a plane is your thing top your weekend off with a skydive at Mercer’s Go Sky Dive.

Do it all in two days and enjoy wine, great food at a farm stay or try glamping at Luxury Under Canvas, or Quail Lodge or visit our historic Rangiriri Hotel,  famous for its dinosaur steaks, often with live music or bring your motorhome or stay at the backpackers for an early start skydiving.   

While you are there, check out the Mt William Walkway for the most incredible views over the district. See where the Maori land wars began and travel through rolling limestone countryside to experience dirt biking and one of the best Glow Worm attractions in New Zealand, Nikau Caves which also has accommodation and a restaurant – the perfect country getaway.

Golfers, take your pick of the numerous Gold Courses located in the Franklin Region. Maxwell’s Nine Hole Golf Resort at Ramarama is definitely worth a visit. For those looking for a more challenging 18 hole course take your pick from Pukekohe Golf Club, Onewhero Golf Club, Waiuku Golf Course or Waikere Golf Club at Te Kauwhata Golf Club.

POSSIBLE ITINERARY

Day 1: Pukekohe Golf Club, Maxwell’s Golf Resort, Mercer Airfield & Backpackers, Luxury Under Canvas Glamping,

Day 2: Hampton Downs Go Karts, Madlab, Bruce McLaren Heritage Centre, Sky Diving, Araroa Vineyard, Rangiriri Hotel, Rangiriri Pa, Mt William Walkway

Day 3: Thundercross Valley Dirt Bike Park, Nikau Cave and Cafe