Take Your Ride For An Unforgetable Trip
Te Karaka Station & Lodge is a natural destination for people who love to take their favourite rides for a scenic ride. We are situated in the heart of Mighty Waikato, once you are off the State Highway 1, there are many open rural roads that you can take, mostly sealed but for the adventurous ones, some extra windy and gravel. We welcome all riders to come in and have a glass of refreshment over stories about the exciting journey that they are on, a meal, or a relaxing overnight stay.
The trip is windy, quiet, with stunning rural views that will clear your mind right away. Breath in the remarkable limestone formations, the Waikato River, the grazing animals and the rolling hills of Waikato. After taking in all that beauty, you will arrive at our lodge, with gourmet food and deluxe experiences await.
Back in 2023, when we had just opened our doors, Mercedes-Benz New Zealand highlighted its new family-friendly EQS and EQE SUV models by hosting lunch at Te Karaka Lodge.
If you want to know more about how those dashing EVs performed driving around our roads, read more here First Drive: EQS/EQE SUV exemplify Mercedes-Benz brand values.
Each year, the windy metal roads and our amazing rolling hills attract different motorcycle and speed car events.
Pukekohe Car Club also brings their annual SPEED WEEKEND, which usually take place in November, to our part of the world. The events are Clubsport Advanced Hillclimb Events, which lasts for the entire weekend. On Saturday 2024, the drive was from Port Waikato to Waikaretu Road, Port Waikato. This is a challenging Tarmac event, approximately 5.7km in length, with a combination of tight and twisty and faster flowing sections.
Sunday – Port Waikato-Waikaretu Road, Limestone Downs, a gravel favourite of many. 4.2km in length, a faster flowing start leading into tight and twisty uphill section finishing off with a run along the crest of the hill into a deceptively tightening downhill corner on the finish.
On 5th of this month (April 2025), we had the Waikaretu Trail Ride organised by Mr Motorcycles, and some of the details are:
Anyone who has 2 or 4-wheel off-road motorcycle or ATV.
No Pillion Passengers, UTV or Buggy's
Terrain: Rolling to steep country
Main Loop All rides run 30-40km loop
Family Loop: Approx 5km long. For Mums and Dads who want to ride with their kids but don't want to tackle the main loop
Our neighbour Nikau Caves and Cafe is also a hot destination for Motorcyclists’ weekend group ride after some thrilling windy rides on the sealed road, Anne and Philip are always there with some home made bread and hot coffee.
We are also on one of the Bikepacking trail from Regland to Te Awa Loop, if you are time crunch about doing the full loop, maybe get some inspirations from this blog post Port Waikato Overnighter.
A few months ago, we hosted the lovely Biking Group Les Fog as a stop during their annual cross-country ride!
Don’t forget, we are also perfect for Pony Club Hunt outings!
Next time, don’t forget to book a relaxing meal, an overnight stay, or just a charcuterie board as a part of your well-earned break during your epic trip with your favourite choice of ride.