Tours in the King Country
King Country Tours offer a number of local trips around the Taumarunui area including wonderful scenery of the Ruapehu area and adventure activities to enjoy.
We create the best opportunities to confidently arrange individual tours around our client's
unique personalities and desires.
Taumarunui:
Mana Ariki: Okahukura
Allow 2 hours to an ovenight stay
It was known as Manu Ariki, a sacred place to unite the Twelve Tribes of Israel.
Now, this small community deep in the Heart of the King Country united by Prophet Alexander Phillips, (Mr A Phillips Esq., C.B.E., Q.S.M)
has changed its name to Mana Ariki.
KA Special - Miniature Train Rides
All aboard on the KA Special
Travel on a journey taking you on the longest miniature train track
in the Southern Hemisphere.
Suitable for all ages.
Museum Tour
We start with an era and work long forgotten and walk into the foothills of the King Country.
< Back to TopMarae Tour
Allow yourself a minimum of 2 hours on this extravagant journey
where stories and history of olde will bring you through yesterday and on to today.
The tour has a local guide and you learn about the history of the beginning of Mana Ariki to what Mana Ariki stands for today.
Family Open Day - held once per month
Experience the Mana Ariki open day meeting whanau (family) and the Marae with all its facilities open.
Canteen - Onsite food stalls, products and produce for sale and lots of goodies.
Live Band and onsite music.
Merry-go-round for the children and a childrens playarea.
A warm welcome mixed with genuine smiles and conversation.
Fly My Sky : Taumarunui Airfield
Option 1: Available November to April - Bookings essential
For that special occasion - once in a lifetime
fly over Taumarunui covering a scenic journey enroute to Omori Vineyard.
There you will be greeted with Olive Oil and Wine Tasting with a sumptuous platter
and friendly conversation on a very pleasant site.
Your scenic return will be via Lake Taupo and surrounding areas.
Option 2:
Fly to various sites along the Whanganui River and enjoy a jetboat ride or canoe/kayak back to your venue.
< Back to TopScenic Train Ride - Raurimu Spiral
Allow 3 to 4 hours
Constructed through dense native forest from 1898 to 1908
the Raurimu Spiral was and still is considered a massive engineering feat.
The New Zealand Main Trunk Railway was recognised by the American Society
of Civil Engineers as an Engineering Landmark in 1997.
The solution of the Spiral provided the key to opening the
central route through the North Island giving access to the valuable native timber
and providing employment in the District.
From time to time there are Steam Train excursions as the photo above shows,
taken in the Taumarunui Yard.
Travel on the Overlander
Travel from Taumarunui to National Park on the Overlander available daily
7 days a week during the Summer season.
Have lunch at the Café and we
will return you to Taumarunui.
Trip available National Park to Taumarunui.
Taumarunui Jet Tours - Whanganui River
Various options available
Taumarunui Jet Tours provides some of New Zealand’s most unique and exciting adventures. From the shorter ˝ hour trip to full day tours, Taumarunui Jet Tours offer a number of flexible options to suit every adventurer.
Minimum number 4 on these trips
- 1/2 hour trip
- 1 1/2 hour trip - Laurens Lavender Farm, Cafe, Lavender products for sale
- 2 hours to Nukunuku Museum. Price includes entry fee to museum
Minimum number 6 on this trip
7 1/2 hours - Bridge to Nowhere Mangapurua
Whanganui River Guides
Fully guided tours and freedom hire available
Guests are taken to many historical sites.
Experience parts of the river that very few people get to visit.
From 1 to 2 hours to a full trip from Taumarunui to Pipiriki.
No experience required.
Various river excursions require jet boat return to road transport.
ONE DAY: Tour One
- Cherry Grove - Ohinepane, encompass 45 rapids. Grade 1 & 2, mild but fun.
- Paddle through farmland with steep cliffs on both sides of the river.
- Get close to a waterfall then stop off for a visit at Lauren's Lavender Farm.
ONE DAY: Tour Two
- Ohinepane to Tawata
- This picturesque section of river contains rapids that are fast and fulfilled.
CUSTOM TOURS AVAILABLE: One to Five Days
< Back to TopTaumarunui Golf Club
Taumarunui's Golf Club "Tarrangower" dates back to early 1920's
and is an all weather course.
The course features 18 holes of undulating fairways
with its beautiful park-like appearance.
Each hole has a different challenge.
Lavender Farm - Garden Visits
Visit one of our famous Lavender Farms located 15kms out side of Taumarunui situated on the historical “Forgotten World Highway”.
The Lavender Farm lies adjacent to the famous Whanganui River and offers a magical, peaceful tranquil surrounding of lavender fields, farm land and bush.
Growing around 8,000 lavender plants they are in full bloom from the end of December until early March. They offer a wide selection of unique lavender products which are made here in New Zealand and available in the shop.
Taumarunui's Natural Beauty - Garden Visits
We have a selection of privately owned and public gardens available to visit around Taumarunui. We give you a selection to choose from and customise the trip to suit.
Complimentary drink and eats included with Garden Fees.
Go Bush Wilderness Adventure
Overnight stay bookings essential
Travel overland and inland on 4 Wheel Drive vehicles, through dense bush.
The views are spectacular, the tracks are both a challenge and a thrill.
The Go Bush Lodge is alongside the Whanganui River where you will experience the
quiet and beauty of the land.
Buy a Trout Fishing Licence and enjoy your leisure time.
Go Bush also have hunting and fishing excursions.
Tokaanu Thermal Pools
Soak, swim, soothe and relax..Open 7 days
Relax in the soothing and therapeutic waters of Tokaanu's hot thermal springs situated
on the southern shores of Lake Taupo.
You can enjoy the large public pool which is heated with fresh chlorinated water
to around 36 - 37 degrees celsius
OR
choose a family sized private natural mineral pool which range from 39 - 40 degrees.
Free Thermal Bushwalk
Take a stroll on the free Thermal Bushwalk located in attractive native bush, steaming hot mineral pools set in sinter basins
and spluttering mud pools.
The walk is 20 minutes and is accessible by wheelchair.
Feed the trout
at the entrance. You can peer down from the bridge into the cold Tokaanu stream which
flows beside the thermal areas and feed the Rainbow trout in their natural environment.
Nevalea Alpaca Farm - Okahukura
Alpacas are gentle creatures and easy to keep or farm.
Because of their ancestry high in the mountains of South America
they are very hardy animals to our weather and temperatures - both hot and cold.
Visit a local Alpaca Farm and you can even get to feed the Alpacas. All of them have names and are very friendly.
Handmade Alpaca Products
Their fleece makes a very fine fibre which can be spun and knitted into
various hand-made quality products.
A visit to the Nevalea Alpaca Farm is a very enjoyable experience.
Check out the hand-made products for sale while there also.
Pureora Forest:
Pa Harakeke Eco-Cultural Centre
Located in the foothills of the majestic Pureora mountain, amidst beautiful native forest you can experience the peace and tranquility of "Pa Harakeke".
Guided tours feature:
- Karakia (Prayer)
- Harakeke Plantation Tour
- Native Plant Nursery Tour
- Eco Plantings from Native Nursery
- Interactive Exhibition displays
- Tour ends with poroporoaki (Farewell) Waiata (Chant)
Onsite Genseng Plantation
Visit their showroom where products are for sale or end the day with
a leisurely walk around the facility.
We are able to further enhance your visit to Pureora Forest with other
attractions in the area
e.g. Guided Bush Walks.