Situated within the Dickson Holiday Park is New Zealand’s first and only tropical butterfly and orchid house with butterflies from all over the world. The butterfly house is fully sheltered and is also home to many different birds including finches and doves. Drinks and souvenirs are available for purchase.

Enjoy the marine wildlife from the safety of a glass bottom boat in this unique two hour trip.. View dolphins, penguins and the amazing fish life in the first Marine Reserve to be established in the Coromandel Peninsula. You can also snorkel (equipment is supplied).

Produce your own bone carving! In two to three hours with the help of Maurice, the World Renowned Carver, you can make your very own personal souvenir to take home. Carving takes two to three hours and prices depend on the design.

This is New Zealand’s only narrow-gauge mountain railway along with a working pottery and wildlife sanctuary. The one hour return trip will take you through replanted native kauri forest and includes two spirals and three short tunnels as the train climbs up to the mountain-top terminus. Watch the glassblowers, brick makers and working potteries and there is shop where you can buy the finished products, books and souvenirs.

This high ropes course is located up to 15 metres above the ground with each of the nine elements constructed of cables, logs and ropes and designed to present a physical and emotional challenge to all age groups and fitness levels. The full course takes about two and a half hours but you don’t have to finish it all!

A guided tour takes you through an operational, 19th century Stamper Battery & into one of the richest goldmines of the time. A self-guided tour allows you to explore the photographic museum, view a video presentation, discover mining relics, see steam-powered machines, & become acquainted with our Cave Weta colony. Try your luck at gold panning!

Just one and a half hours away from Auckland and in the spectacular Karangahake Gorge is Bullswool Farm Park, set in 100 acres of beautiful rolling farmland. All the animals, including miniature horses, emus, goats, rabbits, donkeys and alpacas can be petted and handfed. Bullswool is also the home of New Zealand’s largest commercial axolotl breeding operation and they have a large range of goldfish and supplies for sale. After you have met all the animals, curl up in a comfy chair in the garden and listen to stories of New Zealand’s rural past read by the owner, Keith Austen.

A unique experience where you can play with interactive contraptions which are mostly made from commonplace bits and pieces. Try pumping water by bike power or listen to a water powered music box. There are playgrounds with a flying fox, swimming holes in the river and it is all set in gardens with trees, ponds and streams. They also have a café on site where you can buy food and drink or you can bring your own food, use the free BBQs or picnic in the grounds.