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Things to Do in Waikato & Waitomo

Hamilton  ::  Waitomo & King Country

Things to Do in Waikato & Waitomo, New Zealand: Located to the west of the North Island the Waikato is easily accessible by road or air. Visit the region’s ancient caves millions of years in the making with their amazing stalactites and stalagmites. There’s walking, hiking, biking, and awesome water sports. Try your hand at kayaking or surfing, take a river cruise, or fish the local waters before relaxing in the natural hot springs.

Ngarunui Beach, Waikato. Photo Credit: Camilla Rutherford

 

Experience Waikato & Waitomo Region

    • World class surfing
    • Cool caves to crawl through
    • Wine tasting
    • Heritage Trails
  • Stunning gardens

 

You´ll ❤️ these great things to see & do…

  • Explore the Waitomo Caves with millions of glowworms
  • Walk under trees dripping with autumn foliage at Taitua Arboretum
  • Experience Hamilton’s stunning gardens
  • Abseil deep into the magical underground world
  • Visit the Hot Water Beach at Kawhia
  • Go kayaking on Lake Karapiro
  • Get away from it all in the beautiful Mangaotaki Scenic Reserve
  • Take a sunset champagne cruise on the Waikato River
  • See the white rhinos at Hamilton Zoo

 

Base yourself in Hamilton and you are within a short drive to the picturesque Coromandel Peninsula, the superb sandy beaches of Mount Maunganui, and the “Thermal Wonderland’ of Rotorua, If you like surfing, there are great surf beaches to the west, at Raglan, or northeast at ‘The Mount’.

During winter, enjoy a day in the snow at Whakapapa and Turoa ski fields, on the magnificent slopes of Mt Ruapehu, Hamilton is 1,5 hours drive from Auckland New Zealand’s largest city.

 Useful Waikato & Waitomo Region New Zealand Resources

 

If you are a fan of greenery during your holidays and vacations, Waikato is the perfect destination for you. The region is blessed with various forms and shades of green, showcasing Mother Nature’s beauty in every possible way. Additionally, the calm, cool, and beautiful blue waters are always inviting. The combination of blue and green in Waikato makes it an ideal spot for a vacation.

Hamilton – Waikato offers an abundance of adventurous sports, from surfing, rafting, and sailing to swimming, jet skiing, tandem diving, and hiking. There is no shortage of fun and enjoyment in this region. Moreover, its climate is pleasant throughout the year, making it an excellent vacation spot for any season.

Therefore, if you are planning your next holiday and love the outdoors, consider the land of Waikato in New Zealand. It beckons you to immerse yourself in its stunning beauty, lose yourself in the rich colors of green and blue, and experience a vacation like no other. Do not worry about travel, accommodation, or food. There are plenty of hotels in Waikato, and traveling here is easy. Just book your tickets, hop onto the flight, and enjoy the beauty of this city.

The Best Tours & Day Trips from/in Waikato & Waitomo

Listing view

Ancient Forest Guided Tour

Ancient Forest Guided Tour HAMILTON, WAITOMO & WAIKATO Sanctuary Mountain is an ecological island surrounded by one of the world’s longest pest-proof fences. The ancient, vibrant forest is alive with native wildlife and offers a sanctuary for many of New Zealand’s most endangered species. Step into another world where ancient New Zealand forest towers majestically above and the air is filled with birdsong. Your guide will take you on a leisurely walking tour introducing you to some of the local plants and birds with stories of this ambitious conservation project. Duration: 90 minutes.....
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Black Water Rafting – Black Abyss

Black Water Rafting - Black Abyss HAMILTON, WAITOMO & WAIKATO Perfect for those that want to get their adrenaline pumping and see everything the cave has to offer. Abseil to the depths of the earth, zip line through a glow worm studded cave, climb underground waterfalls and tube through fast-flowing waters. Your expert guides will gear you up and teach you the basic abseiling and tubing skills you’ll need in the cave. It’s then time to abseil 35 metres into the depths of Ruakuri Cave. The fun doesn’t stop there though, next your guide will connect you to a zip line to fly through the pitch-black cave, beneath a sky of glow worms. Then collect your tube and jump into the water to float below a living sky and raft the underground rapids . Climb over rocks and up waterfalls and float through fast-flowing waters using the buoyancy of your wetsuit. You really will test your limits on this unforgettable journey. Finish up with a long-awaited hot shower. Duration: 5 hours.....
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Black Water Rafting – Black Labyrinth

Black Water Rafting - Black Labyrinth HAMILTON, WAITOMO & WAIKATO Float down an underground river, slip into fast waters, jump off waterfalls and take in the magic of the glowworm studded Ruakuri Cave. Your friendly and passionate guides will gear you up and ensure you’re comfortable in your tube before entering the cave through a hole in the rock and into the underground waters. Weave around and climb over rocks, jump off not-too-high waterfalls, float beneath a sky of glow worms, and most importantly, have the most fun you’ve ever had in the dark. Finish up with a hot shower. Duration: 3 hours.....
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Glow Worm Caves New Zealand Waitomo

  Glow Worm Caves New Zealand Waitomo: Over 30 million years ago, limestone formed at the ocean’s bottom, giving rise to the legend of Waitomo. Today, these limestone formations stand as one of New Zealand’s most breathtaking natural wonders, making it a must-see destination for any visitor. Glow Worm Caves New Zealand Waimoto  

Guided Tour Highlights

During your Glow Worm Caves New Zealand guided tour, you will traverse over 250 meters of stunning underground scenery. The journey begins at the upper entrance of the cave, leading you through a low, narrow passage to the Tomo, a deep limestone shaft. Along the way, you will encounter magnificent formations such as the Banquet Chamber, the Pipe Organ, and the Catacombs.

One of New Zealand's Most Breathtaking Natural Wonders

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Hamilton Gardens

Hamilton Gardens HAMILTON, WAITOMO & WAIKATO FREE ADMISSION: Located on the outskirts of Hamilton central, Hamilton Gardens is a concept garden and is FREE to visit. It acknowledges there is a story to tell about gardens, their use and their development over time and across cultures: Te Parapara - A traditional Maori garden showcasing traditional practices, materials and ceremonies relating to food production and storage Paradise Collection - Gardens that represent China, England, Japan, America, Italy & India. Each garden is highly individual with a totally different design philosophy Productive Collection - Functionally useful herb, kitchen and sustainable gardens. There's a herb garden, kitchen garden and sustainable backyard garden Cultivar Collection – Telling the stories of plants that have been selectively bred for the garden including an area devoted to roses, camelias, rhododendrons and Victorian garden flowers. Fantasy Garden – Possibly the most memor....
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Hobbiton Express Tour from Auckland

[wonderplugin_gallery id="58"]   Travel south from Auckland over the Bombay Hills to reach the fertile farmland of the Waikato region. During your journey, you will pass through the historic town of Cambridge where you can enjoy the English-style ambiance of tree-lined streets. As you approach Hobbiton Shire, you will be greeted by undulating green hills. Once you arrive at Shire’s Rest, you can start your Hobbiton movie set tour. This location is the largest “green set” in the world and the only place where you can experience a movie set in a natural setting and get an emotional response from it. During the tour, you will get to see 37 hobbit holes, the Mill and double arch bridge, the party tree, and visit the Green Dragon Inn. You'll also have the opportunity to take a photo at the door of Bilbo’s house, “Bag End” while enjoying the panoramic view of the whole set and the hills in the distance. After the tour, you can enjoy your lunch at Shire’s Res....
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Hobbiton Movie Set & Farm Tour from Rotorua

[wonderplugin_gallery id="80"]   The tour begins from Rotorua and takes you on a scenic drive across the Kaimai Ranges to The Shires Rest Cafe. You'll then be taken through a picturesque 1,250-acre sheep farm with stunning views across to the Kaimai Ranges. During the tour, your guide will accompany you through the ten-acre site, sharing fascinating details on how the Hobbiton Movie Set was created. You'll get to view the Hobbit holes, Green Dragon Inn, Mill, and other structures created for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films, and witness how this beautiful piece of Waikato farmland was transformed into The Shire from Middle-earth. After the tour of the set is completed, you'll return to The Shires Rest to enjoy the Sheep Farm Experience followed by a complimentary snack. The tour duration from Rotorua is approximately 4 1/2 hours and departure times from Tourism Rotorua (1167 Fenton St) are 8-30 am and 1-30pm. If required, free transfer can be arranged from....
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Hobbiton Movie Set Self Drive Tour

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour Matamata   Hobbiton Movie Set Tour (Self Drive): Immerse yourself in the magical world of Middle-earth by visiting the Hobbiton Movie Set. This enchanting location served as the idyllic setting for The Shire in the highly acclaimed movie, The Lord of the Rings, directed by Peter Jackson. Your tour begins with a scenic drive through the stunning 1,250-acre sheep farm, offering breathtaking views of the kaimai-ranges-to-coast. Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, you will be taken on a fascinating journey through the ten-acre site, where you will learn about the intri....
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Spellbound Glowworm and Cave Explorer

Spellbound Glowworm and Cave Explorer HAMILTON, WAITOMO & WAIKATO Make your own way to the starting point to visit the Spellbound Glowworm Cave, just 15 minutes south of Waitomo and a little off the beaten track. Formed by the erosion of rock by water over millions of years, the caves are a true natural wonder and as Waitomo’s brightest glowworm cave, the glowworm displays are truly spectacular. Avoid the crowds by joining a small group tours of no more than twelve people. Journey into the caves and enjoy a long and gentle boat ride beneath a galaxy of glowworms. Spellbound is a locally owned family business and their local guides enthusiastically share the same knowledge, enthusiasm and care. Your guide will the lights out for at least 20 minutes so you can enjoy glowworms at their very best. Tours are safe and suitable for everyone from young children to older folk. Includes: Tours through both the Spellbound Glowworm Cave and the Cave of the Spirit, a short scenic drive across....
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Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

Waimoto Glowworm caves Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour: More than 30 million years ago, the legend of Waitomo began with the creation of limestone at the bottom of the ocean. Discover this ancient world with your expert tour guide bringing the Waitomo Glowwom Cave to life through story-telling its history, features and legends. Walk past stunning, delicate cave formations before taking a boat ride through the glow worm grotto. Glide silently through the starry wonderland of Arachnocampa Luminosa, thousands of magical glowworms, unique to New Zealand. Regular one hour tours depart from the Waitomo Glowworm Caves Visitor Centre. HAMILTON, WAITOMO & WAIKATO....
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