Trains ‘n boats…

Franklin Country is having their fantastically popular Thomas the Tank Engine Weekend this weekend!!

If trains are your thing, this will be the place to be.

The Glenbrook Vintage Railway ‘s annual Thomas day always proves to be a great winner and an added bonus will be the new Glenbrook Morel Railway, which is situated on Morley Road…..a train stop away from the station at Glenbrook.

Bob and his elves have been working intently to make sure that they can get the Model Railway operating to coincide with the Thomas weekend, so if you are in the area……keep an eye out to discover the magic of the miniature train, boats and more!

….but wait!!….there IS more.

The Port Waikato Whitebait fritter competition is also on!. Head out to our west coast beach for a taste test of some of the locals recipes for the perfect fritter!!  mmmmmmm….mmm

I can personally vouch for a fantastic taste tingle!

so why wait??

Head to our patch of country – where Auckland meets the Waikato – and check out what’s on!!

Southern Corridor Update

Another update on happenings for the Southern Corridor, including part of the Franklin region, has now been published and delivered.

Auckland Mayor, Len Brown turned the first sod on the 21st October of this year – 2015.

The project will see –

• improved safety and journey reliability on Auckland’s Southern Motorway

and extends 9.5 kms from Manukau to Papakura along SH 1.

Walking and cycling improvements have also been factored in to the improvements

Franklin Country – it’s where things happen!!

It’s that time of year again – the V8 Supercars are here in town – our place – Franklin Country!

Today saw the blessing of the Pukekohe Park Raceway track and drivers for the V8 Supercar racing ahead of this weekends excitement.

The fun has really begun now – the track is set up and raring to go with the thunder of V8Supercars ITM 500. Fans will be flocking in to see their motor sport heroes in action!

For those wanting to spread their wings and investigate the region, well….there’s plenty to see. Head to our web page for some ideas including our fantastic local GVR steam train, our iconic Manukau Heads lighthouse and surrounds.

If you want to just hang out in Auckland city, the Cloud on the waterfront will be the place to head to see the Travel Expo for what we have in the outer regions of Auckland – the regional playgrounds!

There are local museums to investigate – great foodie haunts for all appetites….and speaking of haunts – head on over to Spookers too!!

Keep looking – there is much more to see and investigate than what it appears. We have it all – in a location that gives you city savvy with country style!

Franklin’s new town…….

Franklin’s growth has been a talking point for some time as part of the greater Auckland Long Term Plan – we have Karaka growing rapidly and now there is more about  Paerata’s area – Wesley College.

According to reports , the site of Wesley College will be “transformed into a liveable town”.

Most of the college buildings, barring the historic chapel and a handful of newer buildings, will be demolished and relocated elsewhere. The sale of the sections will help secure the school’s future and fund the rest of the development.

Wesley College Trust Board general secretary Chris Johnston said the investment returns were crucial.

“The key beneficiary is Wesley College which provides for economically disadvantaged students.”

He said the plan was to transform the area and make it into the “most liveable town, within the most liveable city”.

Once built, the town would offer terraced homes, apartments, stand-alone houses, a primary school, high school, retail developments, green spaces, natural reserves and a retirement village – all interlinked with cycle, walking trails and public transport………….

………..”The rezoning will open up the Pukekohe area for new infrastructure and should provide new opportunities for those looking to live close to Auckland city.”

Pukekohe Business Association manager Kendyl Gibson said the added growth would help increase business capacity and enable residents to work locally. Plans for a high school were particularly welcome………….

……….Before any land is dug up the finer details need to be finalised, then an application for development consent could be lodged next year.

The Billfish and more………

Dining in the sun at The Billfish

Right…
so this is Franklin and we can get pretty much anything and everything that we could want or need right here BUT
the opportunity arose for a catch up in Auckland city over the weekend, and arrangements were made to met for lunch at The Billfish at Westhaven Marina.
The wine was settled on, and although the weather was fine enough, there were a few showers lingering, but the covers were up on the outside seating and the heaters on, so all good. Warm ponchos were provided if the patrons were not quite warm enough outside…wow…well done!!
The menu was perused (good word huh?) and decisions made. The whitebait fritter was fantastic as was the dessert that tempted the pallate for “afters”, along with the coffee. Just hit the spot!!
So The Billfish right in Auckland Central, is now somewhere to be recommended, although I still DO prefer Auckland city in the weekend when there are not so many people around and not so much traffic to fight rather than going in during the week!!
…..and while Franklin still does have pretty much all we could hope for, it is nice to see what is happening, now and then, in other parts of the supercity, and when you have good friends to spend the time with, that is even better.
Once again, the city centre is only (usually) a 40 minute drive from Franklin (depending on which part you are in), so one can be amongst the bustle in next to no time, or head out to Franklin from the city centre and have a few deep breathes of fresh rural, country air to revive the soul!
Blow the cobwebs away at Kariotahi or Port Waikato black sand beaches, relax at one of our day spas or just do a tikky tour to see what we are all about.
Whichever way you go – Franklin to Auckland. or Auckland to Franklin, you will find something to talk about and things to do!