From the Puniu River just south of Te Awamutu and approximately 27 kilometres south of Hamilton, the King Country region stretches over 200 kilometres south to a point well below the Tongariro National Park and the exciting ski slopes of Mount Ruapehu.

One of the largest regions and least populated in the North Island, the King Country is steeped in history and was the last populated by european settlers in the 1800's.

Virtually closed off to the outside world until negotiations allowed for the laying of what is today the Main Trunk Railway Line, the area presents a very different landscape to how it must have been even 80 years ago.

To the north dairy farms dominate, and base themselves on the service town of Otorohanga (population 2,500).

Te Kuiti with almost 5,000 people lies 20 kilometres to the south and prides itself as "Shearing Capital" of the world.

Almost equidistant from both towns lies the Waitomo Village, and world-renowned Waitomo Caves with its glow-worms, stalagmites and stalactites presenting themselves in an underground limestone "fairyland".

Te Kuiti could be called the gateway to the Taranaki - for traffic from the north must pass through the town on its way to New Plymouth and the magnificent Mount Taranaki (Egmont).

Te Kuiti is also the gateway to the Ruapehu region - Taumarunui, Tongariro National Park, and Mountains - Ruapehu - Ngaruahoe, and Tongariro.

The area has always provided great farming opportunities, and produces top quality sheep and cattle with excellent pasture and excellent summer rainfall.

The Pio Pio area south-west of Te Kuiti, Mahoenui, and Ohura, Mapiu and Matiere - all great grazing areas.

As you travel south, the town of Taumarunui (population approx. 6,000) lies at the confluence of the Ongarure and Whanganui Rivers.

Jet-boating, canoeing, trout fishing, golf, bush walks, and Maori arts and crafts all attract tourists..

The King Country extends to the West Coast of the North Island from Kawhia in the north to Mokau in the South.

Black iron-sand beaches provide fishing, surfing and swimming, with large areas of preserved native bush on a rugged coast line adds character to the "Outdoor Man's Patch" the King Country.