Finlay Park and Lake Karapiro Cruising

Itinerary

Tuesday 7th September                                           MT, L

 As we head across the country from Tauranga to the Waikato this morning, the words of that old song “What a Difference a Day Makes” may be ringing in our ears as we anticipate today’s adventure. After morning tea and a comfort stop, we head to Finlay Park Adventure Camp’s valuable community resource, basking on the banks of Lake Karapiro. With an exciting history dating back to 1927, when it was a run-down wasteland covered in gorse, weeds and overrun by rabbits, the present-day estate is a multi-purpose campus of water sports and adventure activities. Our tour will include a historical film, and a fascinating model of the transformation of this picturesque valley, created after Waihi Gold Mine’s Horahora hydroelectric power station closed in 1947. It’s all aboard for a barge cruise on the lake; Lovely natural beauty to appreciate before we proceed for our lunch at The Boatshed. Spacious and tranquil with a divine outlook across Lake Karapiro, The Boatshed serves delicious freshly sourced local fare. After lunch, we’ll be heading into the quaint township of Cambridge – a “town of trees and champions” – thoroughbred champions, that is. At this time of year, the cherry blossoms should be looking sublime. Spend time exploring the shops and take in all that this award-winning town has to offer before we turn for home in the late afternoon.