Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
KERIKERI COTTAGE INDUSTRIES
You'd be forgiven for thinking that everyone in Kerikeri is involved in some small-scale artisanal enterprise, as
the bombardment of craft shops on the way into town attests.
While Northland isn't known for its wine, a handful of vineyards are doing their best to change that. The little-
known red grape chambourcin has proved particularly suited to the region's subtropical humidity, along with
pinotage and syrah.
Look out for the
Art & Craft Trail
and
Wine Trail
brochures. Here are our tasty recommendations.
Kerikeri Farmers Market
GOOGLE MAP
(
www.boifm.org.nz
; Hobson Ave;
8.30am-noon Sun)
MAP
From gourmet sausages to
limoncello
.
Get Fudged & Keriblue
(
www.getfudged.co.nz
;
560 Kerikeri Rd;
9am-5pm) An unusual pairing of ceram-
ics and big, decadent slabs of fudge.
Makana Confections
(
www.makana.co.nz
;
504 Kerikeri Rd;
9am-5.30pm) Artisan chocolate factory with
lots of sampling.
Marsden Estate
(
www.marsdenestate.co.nz
;
56 Wiroa Rd; mains $19-32, platters $35;
10am-5pm) Excellent
wine and lunch on the deck.
Ake Ake
( 09-407 8230;
www.akeakevineyard.co.nz
; 165 Waimate North Rd; tastings $5, tour $5, mains
$27-34, lunch platters $25-48; cellar door 10am-4.30pm Wed-Sun, restaurant noon-late Wed-Sun winter,
daily summer) Vineyard tours (11.30am) and tastings, both free with lunch or purchase of wine. The swanky res-
taurant is open for lunch and dinner on the days the cellar door is open.
Cottle Hill
(
www.cottlehill.co.nz
;
Cottle Hill Dr; tastings $5, free with purchase.;
10am-5.30pm Nov-Mar,
10am-5pm Wed-Sun Apr-Oct) Wine and port.
Fat Pig Vineyard
(
www.fatpig.co.nz
;
177 Puketotara Rd;
3-7pm Fri, 11am-7pm Sat & Sun) Wine and port.
Sleeping
Relax a Lodge
( 09-407 6989;
www.relaxalodge.co.nz
;
1574 Springbank Rd/SH10; s $55, d & tw $70-90, cottages $110-135;
)
Less a farm, more an orange grove, this quiet rural house 4km out of town sleeps
just 12 people and is a cosy and welcoming place. Some newly refurbished cottages dot-
ted around the property are also very good value.
HOMESTAY
$
CAMPSITE
$
Aroha Island
( 09-407 5243;
www.arohaisland.co.nz
;
177 Rangitane Rd; sites/units from $18/119)
Kip among the
kiwi on the eco island of
aroha
(love). There's a wide range of reasonably priced options,
from the peaceful campsites with basic facilities by the shelly beach to a whole house.
The entire island, indoors and out, is nonsmoking.
