Sara B.'s
Outdoor pursuits in the Waikato
- 14The Timber TrailWaitomoThese guys run a few different bike tours based in the Pureora Forest, you can choose day rides and up to 85km ride or the full Timber Trail. Riding over suspended bridges would be a pretty crazy experience for anyone - they can sort out shuttles and accommodation if you're doing the longer ones!
- 21Trek N TravelHamilton CentralStop by this place and have a tinker on their street piano. Colin who works there is lovely and often stops by for a little chat as you shop! Cute!
- 33Wow this is amazing and I loved it - not for the faint hearted though!
Sara B.'s
Auckland to Gisborne Roadtrip
- 11If you're driving the coast road around to Gisborne, stopping of here after you drive through Ohope is a must do. A proper little fish and chip takeaways you can get a full meal if you like and sit and look out over the oyster farm. Or just grab a few oysters at $1 each. I stop every time - it's tradition!
- 21East Bro Adventure Tours & ActivitiesGisborne CentralThey run a bunch of adventure activities you can do around the East cape - however the one I did with them was the Rere Rock Sliding! This was amazing fun, I was feeling a little dusty after a day at the Gisborne Wine & Food Fest and this set me to rights. They drive you about half and hour out of Gisborne and then give you a wetsuit (or maybe two if it's really cold) and an inflatable boogie board and you rip down a 60m rock slide! Its awesome! You can always head up to Rere by yourself but its nice to get taken around by a local who knows where the Champagne pools are to take a dip in afterward!
- 31Sunshine BreweryWaikanae BeachMakers of Gisborne Gold! Contact them for a brewery tour and tasting!
- 41Ussco Bar & BistroGisborne CentralGorgeous restuarant - a must do for any Gisborne visitor!
Sara B.'s
Flex your tasting muscles and expand your palate
- 133The LumsdenNewmarketIf you’re looking to expand your palate, the Lumsden is definitely a must see (or taste)! They run several events on a regular basis where you can learn about and taste something new. They have a Craft beer and Bourbon tasting on the odd Monday night, run Meet the Brewer tap takeover events, taste ciders on Sundays and always have craft paddles on hand so you can try a variety of beers. Check it out!
- 210The Whisky ShopAuckland CentralWent to a Wednesday night tasting event here (check their website for dates), began the evening as an absolute novice and left having a small idea about how whisky is made, the various places it is distilled and how that might affect the smell and flavour. So now I know a little! Well enough that I could now look for and buy a whisky I would like! I had a lot of fun, and the staff were lovely, friendly and not intimitading at all. Its not just an event for blokes although the ladies were a little outnumbered. Would definitely go again.
- 336The Tasting ShedKumeuCan’t wait to go back again! I love this place, the menu is really really interesting and varied and you’re bound to find something you haven’t tried before. The plates are smaller and made for sharing so you can try loads (which is kinda the idea). The wine list is nice and substantial so if you’re coming from the city you’ll need to sweet talk someone into sober driving or if you’re smart organise a group of 8 or more and they will pick you up in a courtesy van and drop you home later on.
Sara B.'s
Fun filled weekend in Rotorua
- 17Take a hike, go mountain biking, walk your dog, go horse riding - if you want to hang out in a gorgeous forest this is a great place to do it! Take a picnic and have a cheap day out!
- 25This place is so relaxing and I highly recommend a mud bath and a sulphur spa, great for your skin.
- 31Volcanic Hills Wine CompanyFairy SpringsTake a gondola and sit up in the Volcanic Hills tasting room and taste some lovely wines with a view!
- 45Skyline SkyridesFairy SpringsGondola and luge - so much fun! Be careful though, and go wine tasting afterward!
- 56Lone Star Cafe & Bar RotoruaRotorua CentralAfter a day out in Rotorua, the best place to get a massive feed is Lone Star. I recommend the ribs!
Sara B.'s
A Hawke's Bay vineyard tour by bicycle? Yes please!
- 11On Yer Bike Winery ToursBridge PaWine tour by bike? Yes please! This was so much fun, got a bunch of the girls together for a trip down to Hawke's Bay, and we spent the entire day cycling around - trying wines and making a lot of purchases. Which they kindly pick up for you and transport home so you don't have to cycle around with all that wine!
- 22Salvare EstateHastings CentralSuch a cute cellar door, we stopped here for lunch on our On Yer Bike tour. Bought some other food like olive oil, dukkah and I think a wine cocktail mix?!
- 32Sileni EstatesHastings CentralI think this was the last stop on the tour, bought a few bottles here, staff were very friendly, another gorgeous vineyard.
- 42Alpha Domus Winery & Cellar DoorBridge PaCute place, another stop on the bike tour - particularly enjoyed the 09 Aviatrix
- 52Te Awa WineryBridge PaAnother great stop on the On Yer Bike tour. Located in Gimblett Gravels - they will tell you all about it whilst you taste their wines.
Sara B.'s
Best of the Tron
- 11SistersHamilton CentralSisters is a gorgeous store - they have a great range for women and men. You can also shop on their online store too!
- 215Love Good George beers!
- 33House on HoodHamilton CentralA great craft beer bar in Hamilton!
- 43Victoria Street Bistro HamiltonHamilton CentralI love duck - and their Peking duck was awesome!!!