Cambridge – the heart of rural Waikato In the very heart of rural Waikato, Cambridge is a centre on the grow. The jewel in the North Island’s crown offers visitors a dynamic landscape to explore.
From classic landmarks, to a superb café scene, designer boutiques and art spaces, to world-class sports facilities and unique attractions, the warm, lively town is carving out a place as one of the country’s must-visit destinations. Characterised by its quaint olde English charm, the picturesque town has a special synergy where history, accomplishment and adventure
blend with relaxation, ambience and activities. Cambridge boasts a rich heritage and history, a vibrant shopping and café culture, a growing rural tourism industry, and an exciting array of activities and adventure. This cumulative offering means visitors are broadly catered for, and will find something that especially resonates with them. Cambridge’s great visitor appeal extends beyond its urban boundaries. Attractions ripple out from the historic town centre to encompass a plethora of iconic venues including Lake Karapiro, Avantidrome, Mystery Creek, Sanctuary Mountain and Hobbiton.
Superb accommodation options provide diverse options to suit every visitor’s preference and budget. The town’s expanding infrastructure, beautiful aesthetics, centrality and innovative tourist packages, ensure a positive visitor experience. The Cambridge i-SITE Information Centre, on the Queen and Victoria Street roundabout, is the super store for information or tickets for any Destination Cambridge activity. Direct access to ticketing systems for Hobbiton and Waitomo makes booking on these mega-attractions a breeze.
The heart of rural Waikato Leave the hustle and bustle of the city for the tranquil countryside. Enjoy an authentic experience on a local working farm or stud, or try your hand at trout fishing, hunting or wildlife photography. Face-to-face encounters create enriching experiences, insights into rural life and treasured memories. Learn about the Waikato dairy story, from pasture to the milk factory, with a visit to a working Cambridge dairy farm that has a herd of 600 Continued next page
2400 Maungatautari Road, Cambridge 3494 | 07 827 9273 | www.lakeviewlodge.co.nz
Lakeview Lodge is centrally located between Cambridge, Matamata & Tirau, our distinct accommodation offers a private lakeside escape. Bordering Lake Karapiro and Maungatautari Mountain providing a beautiful back drop, we invite you to share in Lakeview Lodge's truly special experience. Huntington and Hamptons – two self-contained luxury lodges with their unique distinguishing characteristics Each Lodge can sleep up to 12 people (ideal for groups) Catering options are available Small conference facilities A helicopter pad on site When enjoying sporting events, attending weddings, Fieldays or tourist attractions around Waikato, our Lodge is perfect to rest your head. Come and enjoy the convenience of what Lodge offers & its stunning location. Lodge Manager Rae Guard Owners Joanne and Jonathan Leigh
discover Cambridge offers a fantastic range of unique activities including visiting a working Dairy Farm. Walk through the paddocks touching the pasture, hear how best practices are engaged to manage quality with balanced environmental impact.
Get close-up with a cow and discover concepts of animal breeding for maximum production. Visit the milking shed and learn how today’s farmer optimises herd output.
Watch the cows being milked, an experience to be remembered, especially if you choose the ‘early’ session.
did youknow?
WE HAVE BIKES AVAILABLE FOR HIRE AND GUIDES AVAILABLE FOR GROUPS.
Explore more at: www.cambridge.co.nz P: 07 823 3456 E: info@cambridge.co.nz
fresians and jersey cross cows. Tours operate Monday-Sunday. Specific times must be arranged to see milking in progress. Monavale Blueberries showcases one of the largest organic blueberry orchards in New Zealand, with tours providing a fascinating insight in to this thriving family business. The tour includes a walk through rows of numerous blueberry varieties of blueberries, finishing up in the high tech sorting and packing shed. Restaurant Irresistablue on the orchard is a wonderful place to savour some of the produce and enjoy a yummy fresh blueberry icecream. Meet and learn more about alpacas at
Come and experience for yourself the New Zealand environment the way it used to be – an ancient, vibrant pest-free forest alive with native wildlife including many of New Zealand’s rarest and most endangered , insects, birds and fish. Step through the pest-proof gate into another world where ancient New Zealand forest towers majestically above well maintained walking tracks and the air is filled with birdsong. Enjoy a variety of hikes and bush walks around our eco sanctuary, take a guided tour or nature walk and learn about why this conservation project is so special. • Visitor Centre open 7 days (excluding Christmas day) • Guided Tours run Tuesday – Sunday • Dusk and speciality tours scheduled throughout the year • Wetland and forest enclosures • 5km of walking tracks Website www.sanctuarymountain.co.nz Phone 07 870 5180 Address 99 Tari Rd, Pukeatua 3880
ambridge aceway est.1919
Gordonton’s Cornerstone Alpacas, where every animal has a name. Alpacas can be hand-fed and photographed, and their soft fibre touched. The tour includes craft activities for children, a complementary drink and free supply of alpaca feed. Arrange a tailor-made tour to one of New Zealand’s finest thoroughbred horse studs. The time of year will determine what you see. Breeding season, August – December, is the best time to see mares and young foals. The breeding barn, and stallions, can also be viewed. Eat drink and shop From fine dining to artisan markets, to tours
that tantalise your tastebuds, Cambridge has a burgeoning foodie scene. Experience a smorgasbord of gastronomical delights with a local tour. Sample the fares of Waikato’s talented food producers with a tour guide chauffeuring you around in the comfort of an air-conditioned vehicle. The region produces its own tea, olives, blueberries, cheeses, wine, honey, chocolate and delectable foods. Enjoy a tea ceremony at the renowned Zealong tea plantation, hear about the art of award-winning coffee roasting, sample wines and taste artisan cheeses. Taste Waikato Tours operate Tuesday to Saturday, departing from the Cambridge i-Site Information Centre.
The local culinary scene is worth travelling for. Cambridge’s restaurants, cafés and markets have enough going on food-wise to satisfy the most discerning palettes and put the town on the gastronomic radar. A favourite among locals and visitors is the weekly farmers market, offering the best of local produce in the heart of town. Cambridge also delivers a quality retail experience. The must-visit shopping destination is brimful of boutique retail, antiques, art, designer fashions and unique homewares. The main shopping hub is friendly, and easy to navigate and explore. Where heritage is part of our lives
Experience beautiful and historic Cambridge town at your own leisurely pace with a local guide. Two hour easy walking tours depart twice daily, 9.00am and 1.00pm (or by arrangement), from Cambridge i-Site. The fun, informative, open-air tours are a great way to discover the town’s heritage through its historical buildings and fascinating past identities. Learn about its roots and the reason why majestic, tree-lined Cambridge has earned a reputation as an English village in the heart of New Zealand. Many modern day champions are shaping the town. Your knowledgeable tour guide will share insights into what makes Cambridge unique in the
arena of sport and recreation. Cambridge and nearby Lake Karapiro have become the homes for national sports organisations and high performance centres for kayaking, canoeing, rowing and all forms of cycling. Guided tours of the Avantidrome provide a behind the scenes look at New Zealand’s high performance set up and opportunities to watch the country’s track cyclists in training. The town also has a long-standing history of thoroughbred horse racing and has produced multiple Melbourne Cup champion racehorses.
DESTINATION CAMBRIDGE NZ Open 7 days 15, 35 or 45 min
360° SPINS
Extreme Jet or River Cruise Tours (slower)
Book by Phone: 027 775 8193 Or visit: www.camjet.co.nz
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• Bike, Kayak & SUP Hire • Mountain Bike Tours & Kayak Glow Worm Tours • Shuttle Service to all Trails in the Waikato Call Now to Book - 0800 287 228 www.LakeDistrictAdvenures.co.nz
Put yourself in the picture with Cambridge history
Find out more at the
The Old Courthouse 24 Victoria Street, Cambridge www.cambridgemuseum.org.nz Phone 07 827 3319 Weekdays 10-4pm Weekends & public holidays 10-2pm
Gain a background into the harness racing industry with a Horsepower Cambridge Tour. Journey through the picturesque landscape of Cambridge, which was a finalist in the 2017 New Zealand’s Most Beautiful Large Town awards. Where recreation is a lifestyle A sportsperson’s playground and nature wonderland, Cambridge invites you to get out on the water, experience over 650km of road
trails, mountain bike and BMX tracks, explore the pest-free ancient forest of Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, enjoy a round - or weekend - of golf or the thrills of harness racing. Immerse yourself in the great outdoors. There is something for everyone, including jet boating for thrillseekers and the more relaxed sightseeing boat ride along the Mighty Waikato river. The whole area is suited to family fun.
Bikes are available from the Cambridge i-SITE for all ages, allowing families to cycle through the region’s scenic network of tracks. You can have a go at track cycling in the famous Avantidrome and recuperate afterwards at The Bikery Cafe. Visit Te Miro Mountain Bike Park and the international BMX track. Go aquatic on Lake Karapiro for paddle boarding and kayaking, including a night-time kayak to the glow worms.
Try your luck fishing for brown and rainbow trout in Lake Karapiro, one of the top fishing waters in the district, or take the family for their first riding experience at the purpose-built Pony Tales riding school in safe, park-like grounds. All the best in adventure and activities, retail and rural, history and heritage are right on your door-step.