A stunning immersive experience through a beautiful, lesser-known part of NZ. Up ready to board the bus at 7.30am in Taumaranui to take us to the old traintrack. I was grateful I’d been warned to dress warmly as it was a nippy 3 degrees when we embarked on our golf buggies! But what a fresh and fun half day we had beneath the clear blue autumn skies. The guides looked after us magnificently. Stops at interesting places with history and storytelling. (What a hardy bunch those pioneers were!) Fresh baking and tea or coffee in an alfresco setting alongside Matiere village. Lunch at Tokirima- more home baking, fresh bread, and diy sammies. 4.5 hours after commencing, we were driven back by minibus to Taumaranui as the jetboat rides back had ceased for the duration of the colder months. (Next time, I’ll do this). Some continued on their golf carts to Whangamomona. But for a sense of interacting with the sights and sounds and smells of nature, hand-hewn tunnels, history, glorious autumnal hues, and NZ heartland, this can’t be beat. Just dress warmly!