Entirely World Famous Nicquel: TIRAU

Oraka Deer Farm

Delightful, sunny, warm and welcoming, the deer farm offers two styles of accommodation- a country cottage or a home stay room.

The country cottage is nestled in tranquil rambling gardens with panoramic views of the deer farm at every turn. Two bedrooms, one with a king bed, the other with a double and a single bed, plus a double sofa bed in the lounge. The cottage features a fully appointed kitchen and laundry, TV and video. Cost per night for two people is $220 (extra person $15 per night).  Breakfast $15 per person  Enquire about our three-night-plus special rates.

I stayed in a very private king sized room in the house. Despite being in the home stay guests have the option of being completely isolated as the room has its own entrance, an ensuite, tea/coffee making facilities, small refrigerator, down duvets, and a TV.  A single bed can be provided if required.  This option is $90 per night for 1 or 2. Extra $15 for single bed option.  Breakfast is an additional $15.00 per person.

Deer Park offers a one stop shop with facilities such as a restaurant and bar, swimming pool, hot spa, tennis court, trampoline, farm tours and of course vast gardens to explore.

The restaurant on site is nestled beneath grand old treas and surrounded by acres of scented gardens and noble deer. It features great country cooking prepared using fresh and local produce. A favourite on the menu is the mouthwatering barbeque venison served with a ‘saucy’ cranberry/port wine accompaniment. Then there are the oven-hot muffins and cakes, fresh fruit salads and yummy deserts! Linda made us a delicious chicken fettuccine for dinner and scrumptious fruitcake for desert ☺

This 3 acre garden has something for everyone and features grand 80+ year old trees, highly scented old fashioned rose gardens, and a wide variety of perennials flowering for most of the year. Garden windows lead to wonderful vistas in every direction, over lush Waikato farmland. This garden has a lovely relaxed, peaceful ambience and is perfect for garden groups, wedding ceremonies and photo shoots.

If you are still looking for something more to do, Linda and Ian offer entertaining deer tours that provide an insight into the wacky world of a female deer farmer, breeding programs, feeding and pasture management as well as medical matters. The tour also shows the interesting habits of the noble deer and the varied ways their by-products are used worldwide.

For more information please visit their website at: http://www.oraka-deer.co.nz/

Over the Moon Cheese Factory

Over the Moon is an adventurous boutique cheesemaking company that uses the world's finest ingredients to make exciting new dairy products, while paying respect to the great traditions of cheese making internationally. Situated in a small factory on State Highway 1 in Putaruru in the heart of the South Waikato, Over the Moon is open for tastings, demonstrations and cheese making courses.

During our cheese tasting we noticed is that the cheese in their store is not your average cheese. They make their handcrafted cheeses from locally sourced cow, goats, sheep and buffalo milk. Their range includes not only traditional hard cheeses like Cheshire and Romano but also a tantalising family of soft and blue cheeses, plus some relatively undiscovered delights like haloumi and washed rind.

After our tasting we were able to see first hand how the cheese is made. We also helped package some of the cheese which was very cool.

Over the Moon Cheese Factory incorporates a delightful range of local ingredients - including 100% New Zealand native flavourings. We took home the Cow Halloumi, which won the Gold Medal in 2008 (Cuisine New Zealand Champion of Cheese Awards) and the OMG Cow Triple Cream Brie, which is also an award winning cheese. Amanda fried the Halloumi with butter, which was divine and we had the Brie with some crackers. Absolutely fabulous!