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Make the most of your Norfolk Island holiday with our extensive range of tours and experiences. Once you touch down, our proud locals are waiting to lead you on historical tours, cultural odysseys and outdoor adventures.

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BEYOND Travel Companion Services

With pukekohe travel.

In addition to offering my BEYOND Travel Services, I am a freelance Tour Escort for Pukekohe Travel and, when I’m not taking my own clients off to fabulous places, I lead trips for them. The trips are great fun with interesting itineraries, a relaxed pace and most things included. If you enjoy group travel, one of their trips may suit you! Check their website .

If group travel is not for you, check out my BEYOND Personal Travel Companion Service .

UPCOMING TRIPS I’m leading for Pukekohe Travel

• Cruise (Sydney to Darwin) and Ghan Train (Darwin to Adelaide) , 29 Feb-17 March 2023 – This will be a brilliant trip! SOLD OUT
• Morocco, 14-30 April 2023 – A fantastic country – come along with me!
• Portugal , 18 June-3 July 2023 – SOLD OUT
• Western Australia and Indian Pacific Perth to Sydney , 11-22 August 2023

click here for Pukekohe Travel’s website.

PAST TRIPS I’ve led for Pukekohe Travel (since 2021)

Over recent years I’ve led trips to:

• Murray River cruise and Adelaide , 23-30 October 2023
• Vintage Train tour, Sydney and New South Wales (September 2023) – read more here
• WOW Wearable Arts, 28-30 September 2023 – see my own entries through the years here
• Best of South Australia (April 2023) – including private charter flights around the state of SA. Read more on the Travel Tales page (Australia & Pacific Region).
• Norfolk Island (March 2023) – a fabulous trip, read more on the Travel Tales page (Australia & Pacific Region).
• Chatham Islands . Read more on the Travel Tales page (New Zealand).
• Forgotten Highway Rail Carts
• Ultimate Rail Tour (Auckland to Invercargill)
• Hanmer Springs
• Hundertwasser Centre, Whangarei

Prior to Covid, I also led trips for Maher Tours including:

• Russia, Baltic States, Danube Cruise
• Murray River

Plus many tours and conferences throughout Europe over the years.

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• What’s so great about Pukekohe

What’s so great about Pukekohe: what to do and best things to see

Auckland, North Island

Vegetables, the landscape is dominated by massive commercial growers however that’s only one side of the story of Pukekohe

Pukekohe there are plenty of things to do. Pukekohe is not just an enormous vegetable patch rather it’s a microcosm of New Zealand’s past with a significant battle site for the nineteenth century Land Wars, the story of the growth of commercial rural agribusiness and magnificent natural reserves and parks in its back yard.

There are activities to amuse visitors from being scared deliberately at Spookers Scream or spending time on a nostalgic steam train at Glenbrook.

Pukekohe is worth a detour from State Highway one or a day trip from Auckland for visitors wishing to experience authentic New Zealand life outside the main centres.

For other trips and holiday inspiration check out Auckland Road Trips .

What to do in Pukekohe, highlights

• Awhitu Peninsula and Manukau Heads Lighthouse. The Awhitu Peninsula is well worth a visit for its beautiful scenery and dramatic views.
• Glenbrook Vintage Railway
• Golf courses
• Spookers scream park
• New Zealand Warbirds Visitor Centre for aviation buffs

The thriving country town supports urban style cafes and restaurants with an extensive range of fresh produce at the Saturday morning market. The golf courses are considered outstanding attracting visitors year round. For vintage rail fans check Glenbrook railway for their weekend steam train journeys. Walkers and nature lovers will not be disappointed in Awhitu Peninsula, Manukau Heads Lighthouse where the wild west coast beaches routinely put on spectacular displays of surging waves pounding the iron sands.

What to do with kids in Pukekohe

• Spookers Scream House
• Glenbrook Railway
• Samuel miller reserve, a great playground and the location for local events

Festivals in Pukekohe

• Motorsport annual V8 International Supercar event
• Equestrian events
• Christmas parade featuring, wait for it… Vegetable decorative floats supporting Father Xmas.

• Franklin Historical Society facebook page notes, “Did you know 13 of the 1534 residents of Pukekohe died in the 1918 influenz epidemic. That is over half the total number of people who died of Covid19 in 2020. (2020 covid19 deaths recorded was 25). Nearby Huntly has 26 people in the 1918 epidemic of 1533)”.
• Waikato, the scene for the nineteenth century NZ Land Wars echoed in a tiny church. Pukekohe’s heritage East Presbyterian church was a witness to the Waikato War. A battalion of Maori warriors attacked a semi-completed stockade resulting in loss of life for both sides of the conflict. The Māori warriors hid the bodies of their slain in the hollows and branches of large trees around the church. A mounted boulder now marks their resting place in the cemetery. The church still bears bullet holes from the battle.

Where to take the best selfie in Pukekohe

• Awhitu Peninsula and Manukau Heads Lighthouse (sunset is always a winner)
• Glenbrook Vintage Trains, all that puffing steam creates a great image
• Possum Bourke statue for dedicated motorsport followers

Social media in Pukekohe

Pukekohe Business Association

Pukekohe motto

“City smart, country heart” sums up Pukekohe’s charm in a nutshell

• Annual V8 International Supercar event
• Saturday morning market

Who turned up and named Pukekohe

• Pukekohe’s name originates from Puke: hill; kohe: native tree. Many of these trees grew in the district.

Pukekohe has got the best position for the triangle of Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga to explore Pukekohe as it’s less than 40 minutes from Auckland, about 1 hour from Auckland and less than 2 hours from Tauranga.

Pukekohe fame

• Pukekohe long keep onion born and raised in Puke along with its relatives, garden fresh vegetables
• Possum Bourne, rally car driver (home town lad) has a life size bronze statue in Pukekohe. Died 2003 from injuries in a car crash on Snow Farm access road, Cardrona.

Pukekohe notoriety

• The success of pioneering Chinese and Indian growers in the 1920s made Pukekohe the home of the reactionary White New Zealand League (1926) yet counterbalancing white supremacy was the birth of the Pukekohe Indian Association.
• Racism, 1963 market gardener, Rai Wai Ching threw his hat into contesting a parliamentary seat to illustrate prejudice. Mr Ching spoke about not being served a drink in the local bar and threats to his life if he complained. Attitudes to seasonal workers including Maori and Indian were also questioned.

Population in Pukekohe

26,500 (2020)

What keeps Pukekohe ticking?

Vegetables, market gardens and proximity to major markets. The fertile, free draining volcanic soil from Pukehohe–Bombay south to Pukekawa produces one-third of New Zealand’s fresh vegetables. The northern slopes of Pukekohe Hill have a well deserved reputation for potatoes.

Weather in Pukekohe

Pukekohe Weather Forecast and Observations

Judgment on Pukekohe

• What more could Aucklanders and the Waikato be wanting, an interesting country town with an urban vibe and glorious regional parks on its doorstep. Overseas visitors wanting a taste of the commercial heart of rural NZ do not need to look very far, city smart, country heart Pukekohe is well worth a day trip from Auckland.

Every town adds to the richness of things to do and see. For more details about the region check Auckland & Auckland Region nearby attractions and events.

Travel pack information

• “The former Pukekohe East Presbyterian Church stands on Runciman Road, 5 km north-west of the town of Pukekohe and about 50 km south of central Auckland. This distinctive boulder memorial stands in the cemetery beside the church. Dedicated to the Māori who were killed in action here on 14 September 1863, it marks the place where about six of them are buried.
• In 1863, Pukekohe East was an isolated farming community on the fringes of Pākehā settlement south of Auckland. After the outbreak of the Waikato War on 12 July, the district’s men were formed into a company of Forest Rifle Volunteers and issued with arms. Twenty men – ten military settlers and nine special constables under the command of Sergeant Perry – garrisoned Pukekohe East Church.” source Pukekohe East NZ Wars memorial

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5 Best Things to Do in Pukekohe

Nz pocket guide is 10 years old. thank you for trusting us with your trip for over a decade, pukekohe activities and attractions you can’t miss.

Every traveller road tripping around the North Island is likely to come across Pukekohe at some point! Just moments away from State Highway 1, Pukekohe is a country town found at the very southern end of the Auckland region . With all the essential shops and services, it’s the perfect pitstop. Plus, Pukekohe is a great base for exploring the southern Auckland area and it’s awesome countryside activities. Check out some of those activities in this list of things to do in Pukekohe!

Beyond Pukekohe there are far more small towns to explore, so find out what else there is to do in the surrounding area in our 10 Wonderful Things to Do in Waiuku and 6 Things to Do in Howick !

1. Explore the Hunua Ranges

If you’re staying in Pukekohe for a while, don’t miss the wild and wonderful Hunua Ranges! One of the largest regional parks in Auckland, the Hunua Ranges is dense with native bush spread over picturesque valleys. There are many walks to explore this natural environment, but a highlight is a short walk to Hunua Falls! Take a look at 5 Auckland Road Trips You Can’t Miss for more information on walks in the area.

Location: 33km (20.5 miles) northeast of Pukekohe. Access is via Hunua Falls Road and Moumoukai Road.

2. Check Out the Franklin Markets

You can’t visit a country town in New Zealand without checking out a farmers’ market! Pukekohe is no different, so head down to the Franklin Markets, held every Saturday 8am-12pm, to try some local produce, pick up some authentic New Zealand souvenirs, and try some delicious homemade food!

Location: Car park on Massey Avenue.

3. Play a Round of Golf

Set among pretty lakes with water features, trees and all-weather greens, the Pukekohe Golf Club is a must-visit for any serious golfer looking for a more up-market course. Choose from 9-hole or 18-hole course over 5,996m (6,557 yards). For more golf courses to add to the bucket list, see Top 5 Golf Courses in Auckland .

Location: 9km (5.5 miles) north of Pukekohe. 654 Karaka Road.

4. Do Some Shopping and Grab a Bite to Eat

Pukekohe might be considered a suburb of Auckland but it’s actually a self-contained town in itself with all the essential shops and services and then some! You have a huge choice of eateries and cafes to kick back a relax, just moments away from State Highway 1 making it the perfect place for a pitstop.

Location: Pukekohe.

5. Visit the Wrights Watergardens

Wander among the vibrant and beautiful Wrights Watergardens, just a 10-15-minute drive from Pukekohe. There’s a mix of oriental and native flora to admire in between picturesque ponds and the cascading Mauku Waterfall. There’s a cafe on-site so there are plenty of reasons to stay awhile. Note that there is a small entrance fee.

Location: 11km (12 miles) west of Pukekohe. 128 Mauku Road.

More Things to Do Near Pukekohe

• 10 Alternative Things To Do in Auckland
• 20 Auckland Parks You Can’t Miss
• The 10 Best Islands in Auckland to Visit

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

• Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
• Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2024])
• AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2024])
• Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2024])
• NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2024])
• Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Road and transport tips - Updated [2024])
• DriveSafe (Road safety - Updated [2024])
• Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
• Safe Travel (NZ travel advisories - Updated [2024])
• Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2024])
• TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2024])
• Discover Auckland (Regional tourism website)
• Auckland Council (Local council website)
• Hauraki District Council (Local council website)

Our editorial standards : At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

This article has been reviewed and published by Laura, the editor-in-chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Laura is a first-class honours journalism graduate and a travel journalist with expertise in New Zealand and South Pacific tourism for over 10 years. She also runs travel guides for five of the top destinations in the South Pacific and is the co-host of over 250 episodes of the NZ Travel Show on YouTube.

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South Island New Zealand Rail Tour

Pukekohe Travel

89 King Street , Pukekohe , New Zealand .

At Pukekohe Travel we pride ourselves on providing you with your individual travel experience. Established 39 years ago, we are owner-operated and have a team of highly experienced consultants in cruising, rail travel and escorted tours.

In a country that has it all – magnificent, ever-changing scenery and the openness and welcoming spirit, we pride ourselves on our tours to special parts of New Zealand. We specialize in exclusive chartered train 14 day tours to the South Island of New Zealand. Our rail tours allow you to see the scenic South Island in a hassle free, well paced manner. Our train offers large panoramic windows which offer uninterrupted views not seen when travelling by road. Highlights include the Coastal Pacific journey between Picton and Christchurch, the Trans Alpine rail traverse of the Southern Alps, the Taieri Gorge Train and a Milford Sound Luncheon Cruise. Experience scenery not generally available to tourists. A rail journey with a difference.

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The content on this page was created by Pukekohe Travel

This website helps visitors connect with providers of great New Zealand tourism experiences. It is not intended to give any assurance that any particular provider meets certain quality standards or legal obligations. Please contact this business for more information. See also: newzealand.com terms of use (opens in new window) .

Top Things to Do in Pukekohe, New Zealand - Pukekohe Must-See Attractions

Things to do in pukekohe, tours near pukekohe.

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THE 10 BEST Things to Do in Pukekohe

Things to do in pukekohe, tours near pukekohe.

Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland

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Essential pukekohe.

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Eat & drink.

Country music in Pukekohe

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Country music fans are in for a treat when the Norfolk Island Country Music Association stages a reunion concert in Pukekohe on Guy Fawkes Day, November 5. The list of performers reads like a who's who of New Zealand country music. At the Pukekohe Town Hall, starts 2pm, tickets $25. Contact: (07) 828 4820; 021 707 952; or by email (link below).

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