The Waikato Region of New Zealand has diverse enough geography to contain lakes, mountains, beaches, and rivers to please any traveler. Check out some of the best spots to check out in Waikato on your next vacation to New Zealand.
The Waikato Region of New Zealand is located on the North Island and is the country's 4th largest region in size as well as population. Hamilton is the largest city and also the only city in the region (the rest are towns) with just over 200,000 people. Reliable rainfall makes for great farmland and allows this region to be known as the center of the dairy industry in New Zealand. But it is not all boring farmland, there is mountains, beaches, hot springs, the largest river in the country, the largest lake in the country and a valuable piece of Lord of the Rings lore. With all this and its close proximity to Auckland, it should be a no-brainer to add this to your list when visiting New Zealand.
The Waikato River is the longest river in New Zealand starting at Mount Ruapehu and snaking its way through Hamilton to empty out into the largest lake in New Zealand, Lake Taupo. Continuing after Lake Taupo, it helps create the Huka Falls where brave thrill-seekers can hop on a canoe to test their strength against the water flow. It then finishes by emptying into the Tasman Sea near Port Waikato, a popular fishing and surfing spot and one of the only places in New Zealand where dinosaur fossils have been found. Lake Taupo is a great spot for boating, swimming, skydiving, and checking out Maori rock carvings that can be found on rock faces around the lake.
In Hamilton City, despite its small size, there is a multitude of activities and a vibrant local culture. Hamilton Gardens are a set of themed gardens that can be appreciated by visitors of all ages. Zealong is New Zealand's first oolong tea plantation where you can enjoy a cup of delicious tea while enjoying the beautiful rolling hills of the area. The Hamilton Zoo has a wonderful free flight aviary exhibit where you can take a gander at some of the wonderous native birds. The Waikato Museum has a number of treasures including a Maori King exhibit and a Tainui cultural exhibit. For nightlife check out Hood Street's bars or restaurants or visit Skycity to do some gambling if that is your thing.
If you are a fan of the Lord of the Rings movies you will certainly need to take a trip to Matamata, which in the films is the Shire, home of the Hobbits. The 2 hour tour takes shows you Bag End (the home of Bilbo Baggins) along with 44 other Hobbit holes and the famous Party Tree. The site will be upgraded for the upcoming release of the Hobbit films and will remain a permanent fixture for Lord of the Rings tourists.
Raglan is a little surf town by the sea which was featured prominently in the cult classic Endless Summer. Manu Bay is known to have one of the most consistent and longest left hand breaks in the world, making it a must do attraction for surfers. If you have the skill, you can catch a wave that will take you 2 km along its black sand shores. If you aren't a surfer head over to the creatively named Ocean Beach for a swim, take in some body boarding, or get a surf lesson from the locals.
Te Aroha is a geothermal site located in Waikato and is home to the world's only natural soda water geyser. Visit the Kiwi House in Otorohanga to catch a glimpse of the little critters in a natural habitat. Take a walk to Wairere Falls, which with a drop of 153 meters, is the tallest on the North Island. Kawhia's hot water beach provides a chance to dig a hole to feel the geothermally heated water as it heads towards the sea underneath you.
These are just some of the wonderfully awesome ways to spend your time in Waikato but there is plenty of charming small towns, lovely nature walks, and other destinations that make this one of the best regions in New Zealand. The Mooloo, as the locals are called, are proud of where they live and will make the visit welcoming. So be sure to make a few stops in Waikato on your next visit to New Zealand.
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