Pacific Coast Macadamias is a small orchard, processing plant and café/shop set in what must be one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand. At the base of a steep hill the plantation slopes gently towards the North sheltered from excesses in the weather. The sea is dominant, imposing its moods. Ocean currents warm the land and repel frosts. The garden flourishes with subtropical plants and the busy Lizzy flowers all year round.

Spend time at our place and you will see enormous Puriri trees, sharing space with papaya, tamarillo and feijoas. Casimiroa, avocado, inga bean, lucuma, oranges and guava all find the climate agreeable. Take a walk along the cliff edge and be rewarded by breathtaking views of rocky Whanarua Bay and the Pacific Ocean. In summer the pohutakawa trees produce a visual extravaganza. The bounty here attracts an array of birds in large numbers. Tiny riflemen and white-eye at one end of the scale; bellbird, tui, finches, in the middle and magpie, falcon, pheasant, morepork and wood pigeon at the other. Our ducks and hens are working birds - cleaning up the orchard floor.

Visitors are welcome to share the view and atmosphere, and invited to purchase nuts and other produce from the shop. The Nuthouse is aptly named; it's the place where nuts are husked, cracked, roasted and packed; no oblique reference is intended. The café offers good espresso and snack foods all year around. Our home made ice-cream is popular irrespective of the weather, especially the macadamia and honey variety. In the shop you will find nuts to snack on, nuts to cook with, macadamia oil, chocolate nuts and fudge as well as manuka honey from the bees that live here. We also make pesto (in season) and nut butters.

Travellers find us well sited for a restorative break from driving. If you have time to explore the secluded bay and natural surroundings, the walks from here are very satisfying. Bus tours are welcome with prior arrangement.