The Waikato is a beautiful and vibrant district in the North Island. Encompassing great spots like Raglan and Hamilton, this is one of the best regions to visit all year round. There are plenty of unique experiences to enjoy, such as the dreamy glowworm caves of Waitomo and the vibrant hills of Hobbiton. While you’ve likely heard about these popular excursions, some hidden gems in the Waikato are just as epic but not so well known. Here are some of the top things to do in Waikato that you don’t want to miss!
1. Hamilton Gardens
Hamilton Gardens is not only one of the free things to do in the Waikato region, but it’s also a world-class venue. An array of flower gardens, woodland walks, and landscaped lawns are seamlessly woven into one grand, natural wonder for you to marvel at. When choosing a highlight, it’s hard to go past the themed gardens which transport you to another world. Travel the globe with the Paradise Collection, where you can enjoy the vibrant hues of an Indian Char Bagh Garden in bloom alongside the tranquil serenity of the Japanese Garden of contemplation. Join the fight for eco-friendly living in the Productive Collection while wandering around a sustainable backyard, herb plantations, and kitchen garden for inspiration. Don’t miss some of the recently opened gardens; step through the mirrored hallway into an Alice in Wonderland-inspired land, where nothing is quite what it seems, or take a journey to the past as you witness the colourful landscapes of the Ancient Egyptian Garden.
Are you working up an appetite? Check out our list of 8 of the Best Lunch Spots in Hamilton here.
2. Nikau Walk
Some of the best things to do in Waikato include nature and the outdoors. Mt Pirongia offers a range of beautiful walks to suit all ages and abilities. If you’re looking for Waikato attractions for families, the Nikau walk is an excellent option to cater to the needs of everyone in your group. Here, you’ll enjoy a 1.5 to 2-hour stroll alongside the clear waters of the stream, with several places for swimming, fishing, and trout spotting. Once you reach the end of the track, you’ll find the Kaniwhaniwha Caves. These are two incredible limestone caves; the first of which is 20 metres long. While these caves are fun to explore, they can be a squeeze, and the environment is wet underfoot, with a few inches of water usually filling the base.
3. Mangapohue Natural Bridge
The Mangapohue Natural Bridge is one of the hidden gems of the Waikato, often overshadowed by the famous glowworm caves nearby. The Waitomo caves are something to tick off the bucket list as a surreal and dreamlike experience but don’t make the mistake of thinking they are all Waitomo has to offer. The area is filled with several walks and impressive natural formations, yet none seem as grand as the Mangapohue natural bridge. Located along the short drive between Waitomo Village and Marakopa, this impressive limestone arch reaches 17 metres into the sky. The track is short and pram friendly, and a stepped path at the end offers the chance to climb toward the ceiling of this bridge and admire the stalactite-like formations. While driving along this road, don’t miss the Marokopa Falls and Piripiri Cave, which are equally awe-inspiring and accessed along short walks.
4. Otorohanga Kiwi House
The Otorohanga Kiwi House is an excellent Waikato attraction for families and is one of the most amazing things to do in Waikato. A visit here is an opportunity to see a kiwi. The brown kiwi breeding programme is dedicated to conserving the native wildlife of New Zealand through research, education, and promotion. A ticket to this nature park can cost as little as $65 for a family of two adults and three children, and you can feel good about your spending, knowing that the money goes toward the care and conservation of New Zealand’s most famous native bird. Along with the keeper’s narration and seeing the brown kiwi up close, there are several other activities to enjoy at the park. Walk through the largest free-flight dome aviary in New Zealand, visit New Zealand’s unique native reptile, the tuatara, or learn more about a range of species at the informative daily keeper talks.
5. Wairere Falls
The impressive 153-metre-high Wairere Falls are the tallest on the North Island and quite a sight to behold. This is one of the best free things to do in the Waikato, as every step of your journey is fascinating. What makes the Wairere Falls track genuinely unique is the boulder formations along the way. These striking rocks can possess diameters over two metres; they provide a unique flow to the cascading waters and offer a perfect playground for those who love to explore. The estimated walking time to the lookout is 45 minutes, but you’ll want to allow longer than this for climbing, exploring, and taking a ton of photos. Once you reach the lookout, you can admire the tumbling waters of the falls and snap a selfie with your picture-perfect background. For the more adventurous, a 90-minute track continues up to the top of the falls.
6. Cornerstone Alpaca Farm Tour
Visiting alpacas could be just the thing to level up your Waikato trip. There are around three million alpacas globally, 94% of which live in South America, so getting the chance to spend some time with these exotic creatures is a real treat and one of the best things to do in the Waikato region. The fun starts as soon as you walk through the doors of the Cornerstone Alpaca Farm, with a complimentary drink and alpaca-shaped cookie to begin your day. As you finish the last bites of your delectable treats, one of the knowledgeable guides talks you through a brief history and several fun facts about alpacas, which will engage even the youngest of listeners. Then it’s time to go onto the farm and see the alpaca up close. Relax and take your time when visiting these beautiful animals, taking photos, giving cuddles, and enjoying the beautiful farm.
7. Pancake Rocks, Raglan
The South Island’s Pancake Rocks are world-famous, attracting visitors from all over the globe, but the Pancake Rocks in Raglan are one of the area’s best-kept secrets and a true hidden Waikato gem. Don’t expect the great thrashing of waves against gigantic rock formations that you’ll find on the South Island. The environment is different here. Taking a paddleboard or kayak onto the calm emerald waters allows you to experience the tranquillity of Raglan away from the crowds, where you can get up close to these unique geological oddities and walk around the space where they formed. The pancake rocks at Raglan allow explorers to traverse the coastline and check out all the interesting nooks and crannies along the way.
Cover image credit: WaikatoNZ
