Beyond the Gate - Private and peaceful

A nice little cafe with gorgeous views right on the golf course. The coffee is great and they have a good selection of cabinet food and menu items.

We got burgers for dinner one night from the Kinloch General Store and sat at lake while the sun went down.

Orakei Korako Geothermal Park and Cave is quite possibly one of my favourite places in Aotearoa New Zealand. A geothermal wonderland of geysers, hot springs and bubbling mud pools sitting on the banks of the Waikato River, nestled in the beautiful native bush - to say it is like stepping back in time is an understatement.

A short ferry ride across the river brings you to this great taonga (treasure) of nature, where you can explore at your leisure - the dog can come too! (*please note that recreational flying of drones is not permitted at the park - special permission was obtained*)

We went for a walk around the lake at Kinloch Beach, jumped in the water and found some sticks to throw for our furry friend.

A beautiful peaceful beach, perfect to relax or go for a swim when it's warm. There's a play ground nearby and a cool toy sharing shed which is awesome for kids.

On the far south side of Kinloch beach you can find a lot of pumice (a light porous volcanic rock often used for foot care). Also fun for small kids to throw in the lake and watch as they float away.