Labour Day Long Weekend
Three days, no traffic, no crowds — just North Waikato at its most beautiful.
Labour Weekend is New Zealand's unofficial farewell to winter — the point where everyone simultaneously decides they need to go somewhere. The motorway fills up, the beach towns pack out, and what was meant to be a relaxing long weekend turns into a logistical exercise.
We'd like to suggest a different plan.
Te Karaka Station is just under two hours from Auckland, down roads that never see that kind of traffic. You only need to spend under 1hr on the motorway. Turn off at Mercer, stretch your legs, and enjoy the winding scenic drive through Waikaretu Valley. The long weekend will already feel like it's doing what it was supposed to. The spring has arrived properly out here — the paddocks are green, the lambs are on the ground, and the days are long enough to make the most of every one of them.
How three days could look
Saturday
Arrive, exhale, explore
Check in, have a drink, settle. Get changed, jump into the spa pool. Walk the farm tracks while the light is good. Dinner at the lodge that evening, trust the chef’s creativity with our local produce.
Sunday
Actively relaxing
Head 15 minutes down the valley to Nikau Cave. Take the 90-minute guided tour through glowworms, stalactites and underground streams — then settle in at the Nikau Café for a woodfire pizza and a coffee. The café sits beside a stream, overlooks limestone outcrops, and uses home-grown ingredients. Go for a little walk towards the waterfall. It's the kind of place you end up staying at longer than you planned.
or,
Book a horse ride.
or,
Book a massage with our Day Spa therapist.
or,
Have a go at our variety of lawn games and archery.
Monday
Getting ready for the City Life
Slow morning, long breakfast
The beauty of a Monday that belongs to you. A full lodge breakfast, one last walk, maybe a spa. On the way home, consider driving via Port Waikato, 35 minutes through dramatic limestone country to Port Waikato on the west coast. Black sand, big surf, and the wide mouth of the Waikato River — New Zealand's longest — emptying into the Tasman. There are many artists residing in this charming community; check beforehand for an experience or studio tour. If you plan to make a leisure stop, maybe ask the Lodge Team to pack some picnic lunches for you.
If you want to do more
Our corner of North Waikato doesn't shout about itself. Waikaretu is not on any tourist map. But that's rather the point — the area is steeped in history and culture, showcasing the region's uniquely significant Māori and European heritage. The drive in alone, through the valley past limestone outcrops (as seen in The Lord of the Rings) and working farms, is worth the detour.
For those with more energy, the Harker Reserve Walk near Onewhero is a 4km one-way track through native bush and farmland, ending at Vivian Falls — a hidden gem with real significance in local Māori history. It's about 50km from the lodge and well worth it if you're after more than flat paddocks.
Spring lambing is winding down by Labour Weekend, which means the paddocks are full of young animals and the farm is at its most photogenic. The weather is warming but not yet summer-hot. Evenings are cool enough for the fireplace, but afternoons are warm enough for the outdoor spa. It is, genuinely, one of the best weekends of the year to be here.
Book your retreat package with us directly.