VISIT FRANKLIN! An undiscovered part of south Auckland and North Waikato, starting at Papakura and stretching as far east as Miranda, as far West as Awhitu, and south as far as Hampton Downs and Waikaritu.

The FRANKLIN REGION is less than a 1-hour drive of the Auckland & Hamilton CBDs.

The FRANKLIN REGION is the fresh produce capital of New Zealand

The rich volcanic soils around Pukekohe are the finest in the country, supplying New Zealand’s residents with fresh food daily.

ONE & TWO DAY STAY IDEAS

Stay the night at the fabulous Crowes Nest B&B and dine in the olive grove estate at Bracu, picking up some olive oil at the same time.

Stay at Counties BK Motor Lodge and dine at the Longkeeper Restaurant, named after Pukekohe's very own famous onion.

Visit Cafe Kaos for a nostalgic breakfast and retro décor.

Travel down to Pokeno to enjoy a legendary ice-cream, pick up some award winning sausages and bacon or visit the whisky distillery.

Slip down to Mercer to sample native bush kawakawa and horopito gouda and other exquisite, handcrafted cheeses at Mercer Cheese.

Find a fabulous and unique gift at the Toi Mauri collective and be sure to visit the Franklin Markets in Pukekohe

Travel up SH2 to Mangatawhiri’s Boutique Brewery and the John Hill Estate winery in Hunua before dining at the Hallertau Brewery and staying the night in Clevedon

Spend a leisurely Sunday morning at the Clevedon Village Farmers’ Market or visiting NZ Warbirds Museum at Ardmore before heading home.

If you come in May, be sure to attend Veggie Basket Food, Wine, and Market Festival. 

If phrases like estate-grown, hand-harvested, whole bunch pressed, oak-aged, handcrafted cheese, locally grown, and free-range excite you, then you clearly love food, wine, and farmers’ markets and you must make your next weekend getaway in Franklin.  

SUGGESTED THREE DAY ITINERARY

Day 1: Crowes Nest, Bracu, Counties BK Motor Lodge, Blue Ox Babe, Franklins.     

Day 2: Cafe Kaos, Toi Mauri Collective, Farmer’s Market in Pukekohe, Pokeno Bacon, Pokeno Ice Cream, Pokeno Whisky, Mercer Cheese, Mangatawhiri Boutique Brewery, John Hill Estate, Hallertau Brewery.

Day 3: Clevedon Village Farmers’ Market, NZ Warbirds at Ardmore