8.00 AM – Family drive adventure….details will be supplied.

8.15 AM – First stop is Clevedon visiting The Clevedon Village Farmers Market which opened on the 20th of November 2005 with a wide selection of produce offered by over twenty stalls. Let us choose here to grab the perfect tea or coffee. The market has grown and there are many new stalls, as well as seasonal vendors coming and going as their crops dictate. The market has become a popular destination for visitors due to its idyllic and relaxed rural setting, wonderful selection of produce, great coffee and war hospitality. It is a place for the community to meet and shop for the freshest possible selection of produce and quality provisions. It also encourages sustainable farming practice, reduces food miles and the use of non-degradable packaging. Produce available includes vegetables, fruit, flowers, herbs, plants, meat, poultry, fish, seedlings, seeds, nuts, cheese, coffee, pickles, preserves, sauces, baking, eggs, bread, confectionery, wine, juice and homemade cordials, materials used in the production of food such as compost and worm farms.

9.00 AM – Departing Clevedon, the perfect time to discover some incredible scenery from rain forest, rural New Zealand farmland as well as driving beside the bays overlooking the Coromandel Pennisula.

9.45 AM – Stopping at The Pink Shop en route in Kaiaua to try the perfect ice cream, something I’m sure Jacob will love. Choose from some incredible New Zealand flavours from Fejoa to Black Doris Plum handmade ices before you set off for Middle Earth licking away at a moorish flavour in your car.

10.00 AM – Departing Kaiaua.

11.30 AM – The Over the Moon Cambridge Deli is with it’s specialty cheese tastings available daily. The deli stocks a large selection of gourmet goods with a strong focus on New Zealand range of cheeses they make and makes a pleasant stop for a tasting as well as your host will purchase your favourite for your picnic lunch the following day.

1.00 PM – Enjoy a two hour relaxing tour of Hobbiton as they unravel and reveal the charming stories of how Peter Jackson decided on the location and all the behind the scenes information that makes for a great afternoon of entertainment and finish with a cider or ginger ale in the Green Dragon pub in the heart of the Hobbiton village.

3.00 PM – Departing Hobbiton take the scenic route to your rural home for the evening and relax and rest before hot showers and changing for dinner but a twenty second stroll away from your front door with the farmers Penny and Doug. Relax with local fayre prepared for you with a stunning wine matched to your evening meal. With good company, quiet rural surroundings and the perfect night sky you will be in the perfect mood to rest and relax with a good nights sleep.

5.30 AM – The day begins early as the sun rises and you meet the farmers early to begin the milking process. Allow them to set you up in overalls and wellie boots before accompanying them to the milking shed for an understanding of how we do it here in New Zealand!

7.30 AM – You will be ready for your early morning cup of tea or coffee arriving back for your shower and breakfast before your host collects you at 10am for departure to Henley Hotel.

10.00 AM – Check out of farm accommodation and depart for Henley Hotel

10.30 AM – Arrival at the stunning Henley Hotel for a morning of relaxed luxury with a hint of grandeur and lots of style.

With genuine, caring service, you can indulge in fine food and wine, be pampered in the on-site spa, take a refreshing dip in the indoor pool, or wander the extensive gardens. This modern, and sometimes quirky, interpretation of an English country manor will surprise and delight.

11.45 AM – Feel that heat of the Earth as you explore a geothermal valley hissing with clouds of steam and view cauldrons of bubbling mud from viewing platform. In the 1950s a large area of land north of Taupō suddenly began to get hot and emit steam. Craters of boiling mud emerged, along with other geothermal phenomena. And so the Craters of the Moon was born. The event was triggered by the lowering of underground water pressure by a nearby geothermal power station. Super-heated water rose to the surface, escaping through any vent it could find. Wooden boardwalks have been constructed to protect you from the heat of the soil and these are regularly moved as new vents emerge. One minute you’re in clear air marveling at the eerie steam clouds, then with a shift in the breeze you’re enveloped in a cloud and your sunglasses are completely fogged up.

1.00 PM – Light luncheon by the lake before departing at 2.00pm

3.30 PM – Arrive to a hot pool of bliss and enjoy a gentle soak in original Victorian outdoor hot pools of natural mineral water up from the earth as you languish right beside a lovely river and choose one of three natural, thermal mineral hot springs on site. These are completely natural, in no way filtered nor can the heat be adjusted as it is all down to mother nature. You can enjoy Blue spring tracking course & Te Waihou Walkway.

5.00 PM – Enjoy your gorgeous picnic on the banks of the Karapiro lake fully refreshed before we begin your evening gentle kayaking experience. Fully guided you will be able to change into waterproof out clothing as well as correct shoes we provide so you are fully comfortable, although we would recommend a small change of clothing to change into as we have heated changing rooms in which to change afterwards. Paddle gently down the stream before leaving the river with your guide and taking time to listen to the complete and utter peace as dusk falls. Afterwards you will all glide together through canyons full of glow worms and leave with magical memories. Your host will return you to your farm accommodation once he or she makes sure you are comfy and warm in your vehicle.

Return by 8.30pm latest to farm which allows for soup and sandwiches upon your return to enjoy a last peaceful rural evening.

8.00 AM – Rejuvenate your senses with a gorgeous breakfast of fresh local produce at Henley Hotel before taking a quick morning dip in the pool.

10.00 AM – Get dressed in your finest ready for renewing your vows under natures best canopy.

11.00 AM – Depart Henley and journey to the internationally acclaimed Blue Springs.

The spring is fed from the Mamaku Plateau where the water takes up to 100 years to filter through; the resulting water is so pure and clean that it produces a beautiful blue colour while being virtually clear.

The walk to the springs follows a track alongside the Waihou River, through wetlands, across rolling pastoral land and features views of small waterfalls, native bush and the famous Blue Spring with glimpses of trout along the way.

Midday – After gently treading along the pathways and meandering through nature, stop at one of the many viewing platforms to breath, reconnect and cherish your family.

Surrounded by New Zealand’s native fauna and flora it is a time to pause and reflect on where you have been and where you are going.

May this ceremony remind you that despite the stresses inevitable in every life, your love, respect, trust and understanding of each other will continue to increase your contentment and heighten your joy in living.

2.00 PM – After enjoying the rest of the Blue Springs you will return to your hotel for a night in the Honey Moon Suite, where a bottle of champagne awaits you on ice.

Enjoy the rest of your evening knowing that for now and for ever your family is a bond that has been strengthened through this special moment.