Gourmet road trips: Highway to heavenly Waikato food and wine

By ELIZABETH BINNING

If you are heading south of Auckland this summer, there is no reason to spend the whole day sitting in a hot car battling traffic, tired kids and hunger pangs.

Scattered along State Highway 1 are a range of unique places where you can refuel your car, stomach and wine cellar.

Most motorists make their first stop at the Mercer Service Centre, but many fail to realise that an amazing little cheese shop lurks just round the corner.

Look past the tired fittings at the Mercer Cheese Shop and you will find handmade and award-winning creations, from walnut cream cheese to gouda with cumin.

Providing they are not too busy, staff are happy for you to sample the cheeses, which sit behind the counter in big 10kg blocks. The shop also sells Dutch food, including biscuits, cooking products and sausages.

Further along State Highway 1 at Te Kauwhata, Herb Haven is a great place to enjoy a cup of tea and a special scone, topped with cream and edible flowers.

The cafe is set in an old home along Plantation Rd, and overlooks a garden full of lavender, English roses and herbs.

Try the herbal teas and the divine lavender truffles, which are made from edible lavender.

Homemade chutneys, scone mixes, jams, mustards and honeys are also on sale. So are the herbs in the front garden.

For those needing a present, there a plenty of ideas in the Lavender gift shop.

If you are looking for wine, you can't go wrong further down the highway at Cooks Landing and Rongopai Wines.

At Rongopai, children can stretch their legs in the vineyards maze while adults sample the seasonal range and special reserves wines.

For those with a sweet tooth, take the first left at Taupiri just after the big cemetery on the hill, and the signs will lead you to Candyland, which has more than 250 different sweets, a chocolate museum, and for a small charge you can learn how chocolate and lollipops are made.

The road carries on to Hamilton, where trendy cafes, bars and restaurants line the main street. You can find everything from mussels and beer at the Belgium Beer Cafe to fabulous pizza, pasta and salads at Iguana.

For a meal with a view, stop at the Riverside Complex and relax on the deck, which overlook the Waikato River.

If you are continuing south, there are plenty of temptations along SH1.

Just before Cambridge is Woodfield Estate, a boutique winery in a tranquil rural setting on Duncan Rd. The owners are happy for you to bring a picnic and enjoy it alongside a bottle of their finest.

Five minutes further south, the Essenza Coffee Company cafe offers an excellent cup and a meal. They roast their own beans on-site and sell a great range of herbal teas and coffee beans.

In Cambridge, stop for an icecream or pastries at Lorenzo's. They specialise in continental breads and patisseries.

Continuing south, the best place for a latte, meal or snack is the Boatshed Cafe. This gem, hidden down Amber Lane, boasts stunning views of Lake Karapiro and Mt Maungatautari, and hires kayaks.

If heading south on State Highway 3 from Hamilton, take a detour at Ohaupo. Vilagrad Wines, 7km down Rukuhia Rd, is a Mediterranean-style vineyard and restaurant with award-winning wines.

Just before Te Kuiti is Bosco, the cafe with reputedly the country's best muffins.

More information

Hamilton Travel and Visitors Centre, Transport Centre Cnr Bryce & Anglesea Sts: (07) 839-3580.

Candyland, Taupiri: (07) 824-6818.

Rongopai Wines, 55 Te Kauwhata Rd, Te Kauwhata: (07) 826-3981.

Cambridge Information Centre, Queen St: (07) 823-3456.

Woodfield Estate, Duncan Rd, Hamilton: (07) 827-4000.

Vilagrad Wines, 702 Rukuhia Rd, Ohaupo: (07) 825-2893.

TOMORROW Tauranga

Gourmet road trips