Hamilton is the largest city in the Waikato. Located on the banks of the Waikato River, Hamilton is a growing city complete with a vibrant city centre and nightlife. The popular family-friendly city also has plenty of wildlife and nature experiences on offer including the Hamilton Gardens and Hamilton Zoo.
An hour south of Hamilton you’ll find the magical Waitomo Caves where incredible limestone structures and caverns have formed beneath the earth. Like something out of a dream, you can glide through the caves on a paddle boat and watch them light up with thousands of glow worms. The Ruakuri Cave has full wheelchair and pushchair access to enable many more visitors to experience this beautiful underground spectacle.
Aside from the must-do Waitomo Caves, there are plenty of awesome adventures on offer. For the adrenaline seekers, blackwater rafting is a must! On your blackwater rafting experience, you’ll head 80 meters underground where you can explore New Zealand's underground cave system by floating down river rapids, jumping off waterfalls and swimming beneath a sky of glowworms.
Arguably the most frequented Waikato destination is Matamata - the home of the Hobbiton Movie Set. The small hobbit homes with their distinct circular doors are an icon of the famous trilogy and of the stunning New Zealand landscape. Before becoming the Shire, Matamata (the Māori word for headland) was primarily a dairy and equine town. The movie set, or middle-earth, boasts scenery of hillsides and green pastures as far as the eye can see.
Apart from the movie set itself, your trip to Matamata should include the 5.3 km Heritage Trail that leads you through the town's historic and noteworthy sites. Visitors should also visit the 153-meter high Wairere Waterfall and bath in the Opal Hot Springs. In the township, visitors can enjoy the cafes that line the main street and the award-winning Kaimai Cheese Factory at Waharoa. Matamata town centre is also home to the unmissable Firth Tower Museum.
On the coast of Waikato, you’ll find the small slice of heaven called Raglan. This laid back surfing town is less frequented by travellers and makes a great spot to stop for some R&R. Grab a wetsuit and your board of choice (surf or SUP) and take to the ocean for a paddle. If you’d rather stay dry and warm, you can enjoy outdoor rock climbing instead. Raglan is also home to the beautiful Bridal Veil Falls and popular hikes including Mt Karioi.
Finally, we come to Te Awamutu (“The Rivers End” in English), home to stunning rose gardens and the quaint village of Pirongia. In Te Awamutu, you’ll also find New Zealand's only inland ecological island - Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari. It’s here that you’ll find ancient native forest and fauna and many enjoyable walking trails.
The Te Awamutu museum highlights the history of the area and is home to Uenuku, a Taonga treasure of the Tainui people. Music fans will also be excited to see multiple displays and memorabilia of locals Tim and Neil Finn from Split Enz and Crowded House. South of Te Awamutu, you’ll find the small polo and equine town of Kihikihi. When visiting the area make sure to see if an event is on during your stay.
If you're after a romantic getaway destination, look no further than Te Aroha. Te Aroha, or 'the love' in Māori, is nestled at the foot of a mountain and is famous for its natural hot soda water springs. These rejuvenating health-giving mineral spas have been attracting visitors for more than 100 years. During your visit to Aroha, you can hike or cycle about 10 kilometres to the mountain's summit and enjoy spectacular views of the Waikato plains.
For adventure and nature lovers Waikato is a must-see destination. With high adrenaline and relaxation experiences on offer, there is something for everyone on Gifting Owl. Select an experience to give as a gift or buy a gift voucher and let the lucky recipient choose what they’d like to do while in Waikato.