From a vibrant city and the tranquil pleasure of exploring rolling hills and lush gardens to thrilling underground adventures in a spectacular cave network.

Hamilton, gateway to the Waikato, is one of New Zealand’s fastest growing cities. Known for its riverside setting, the city is home to one of New Zealand’s most highly regarded botanical gardens. Hamilton Gardens is a unique garden experience with an international flavour. A walkway stretching 11 kilometres along the banks of the Waikato River is perfect for walking or cycling. Hamilton is also a cultural epicentre. In the heart of the city’s cultural precinct, Waikato Museum delivers a rich experience of the region’s arts and culture. At night the city offers an excellent selection of dining and entertainment.

Beyond Hamilton, the Waikato region is home to other appealing destinations. Matamata is a rural town featuring a lush, green landscape that was used as the shire setting for The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy and has of late been revived for The Hobbit. On the west coast is Raglan, setting for one of the world’s longest left-hand surf breaks. Waitomo is home to incredible cave networks and quaint villages. Whether your clients would prefer relaxation or adrenaline-pumping adventure, there are many ways to experience this part of the world above and below ground. Visitors can hike through rolling hills and rugged limestone outcrops, thrill their senses in the dark labyrinths of cave formations illuminated by glow-worms, or enjoy the friendly charm of rural towns and the West Coast beaches of Marokopa and Mokau.

Regional Highlights

Unforgettable Sights

Hamilton Gardens Featuring six themed gardens, from a Chinese Scholars’ Garden to an Italian Renaissance Garden, this is one of Hamilton’s most-visited attractions. Glow-worms The mesmerising sight of sparkling larvae dotting every inch of a Waitomo cave is unforgettable. Raglan Beach Rugged and wildly beautiful surf beach in coastal Waikato. Hobbiton (Matamata) Genuine remnants from The Lord of the Rings. www.hobbitontours.com

Adrenaline rush

Skydiving (Matamata) Take to the sky in Waikato with a tandem skydive. www.freefall.co.nz Surfing The Raglan coast features one of the longest left-hand breaks in the Southern Hemisphere. Lost World Abseil and Caving Adventure (Waitomo) 100-metre abseil into a magnificent cave chasm. www.waitomo.co.nz Jet boating (Cambridge) Experience high-speed jet boating on the Waikato. www.camjet.co.nz

Relax & Indulge

Te Aroha Hot Springs (Te Aroha) Hot mineral pools and the world’s only hot soda water geyser located at the base of Mount Te Aroha. www.tearohapools.co.nz Glow-worm spotting (Waitomo) Enjoy a serene boat ride to see glow-worms with Spellbound. www.glowworm.co.nz Hamilton Gardens (Hamilton) Stroll the beautiful Hamilton Gardens alongside the Waikato River. www.hamiltongardens.co.nz

Luxury

Kamahi Cottage (Otorohanga) Charming country cottage in the Waitomo area. www.kamahi.co.nz Maungatautari Lodge (Lake Karapiro) Luxurious small hotel in a rural lakeside setting. www.malodge.com Hillside Hotel & Nature Resort (Huntly) Rural retreat in the Taupiri Ranges. www.hillsidehotel.co.nz

Culture

Otorohanga Small Waikato town famous for its murals celebrating ‘Kiwiana’ (icons of New Zealand popular culture). Billy Black Kiwi Culture Show (Waitomo) An irreverent celebration of Kiwi culture at Woodlyn Park in Waitomo. www.woodlynpark.co.nz/show.html Waikato Museum (Hamilton) This highly regarded museum is housed in a unique architecturally designed building on the banks of the Waikato River in Hamilton. www.waikatomuseum.co.nz

Natural New Zealand

Otorohanga Kiwi House (Otorohanga) Offers visitors the opportunity to see New Zealand’s iconic native Kiwi. www.kiwihouse.org.nz

On a Budget

Bridal Veil Falls Take a scenic walk to this beautiful waterfall on the way to Raglan. Hamilton Gardens (Hamilton) A series of themed gardens in a riverside setting, this is a popular visitor attraction. www.hamiltongardens.co.nz Waikato River Walkways (Hamilton) Wander alongside the Waikato River on this 11 km pathway.

The Iconic Experience

Underground thrills From low-key and non-threatening to a heart-pounding rush, the incredible Waitomo region offers a caving adventure to suit every visitor.

Dining & Shopping

Exclusive Dining

Pumice (Hamilton) Featuring a deli, bistro and bar, Pumice  serves a distinctively Kiwi experience in the suburb of Te Rapa. www.pumice.net.nz

Casual Dining

The Thirsty Weta (Otorohanga) Excellent all-day dining in a friendly atmosphere, phone +64 7 873 6699.

Café

Bosco Café (Te Kuiti) Stop for a coffee or casual, eco-friendly dining in the tranquil surrounds of a small rural village, phone +64 7 878 3633.

Stylish Bar

Furnace Restaurant, Bar & Nightclub (Hamilton) Leather couches and a fireplace create a sophisticated ambience for daytime drinks or nighttime dancing. www.furnacebar.co.nz

Cosy Pub

Riverside Lodge (Te Kuiti) Cosy waterhole with open fire, couches and river-view balcony, phone +64 7 878 8027.

Culinary Experience

Donovans Chocolates (Hamilton) Sample the sweet local specialty in Hamilton. www.donovanschocolates.co.nz

Shop or Gallery

Casabella Lane (Hamilton) A European inspired laneway with high-end fashion boutiques and cafés.

Suggested Itineraries

2 days in Waikato & Waitomo

Start Hamilton  I  Finish Hamilton
Day 1 Hamilton – Waitomo – Hamilton
Day 2 Hamilton
Depart to Waitomo caves to experience the mesmerising sight of the glow-worm caves. Travel to Otorohanga and take in a bit of Kiwiana. Back in Hamilton enjoy dinner at a city restaurant and entertainment at Skycity Casino. On Day 2, travel to Matamata and take a Hobbiton tour. Back in Hamilton, relax and enjoy dinner and drinks.

5 days in Waikato & Waitomo

Start Hamilton  I  Finish Hamilton
Day 1 Hamilton
Day 2 Hamilton – Raglan
Day 3 Raglan – Waitomo
Day 4 Waitomo – Hamilton
Day 5 Hamilton
On Day 1, visit the popular Hamilton Gardens and Hamilton Zoo. On Day 2, travel to Raglan, visiting Bridal Veil Falls and Taitua Arboretum on the way. On Day 3, travel to Waitomo and experience the ‘Lost World’ with Waitomo Adventures. Afterwards, relax at the famous Billy Black Kiwi Culture Show. On Day 4, browse the shops and cafés of Hamilton. On Day 5, take a serene hot air balloon ride over the Waikato countryside and visit the Body Café and Spa.

Road Trip

Hamilton to Raglan Drive State Highway 23 from Hamilton City to the wild west coast beach at Raglan.

Transport

Airports

Hamilton Airport, situated 15 to 20 minutes’ drive from the city, offers domestic services to and from a range of New Zealand centres.

Roads

Hamilton is located on State Highway 1. It is a one hour, 30 minute drive from Auckland or Rotorua. Drive time from Auckland to Waitomo is two hours, 30 minutes and from Rotorua it is one hour, 30 minutes. With easy-to-navigate roads, this region is ideal for driving. It’s also well served by shuttles and coaches.

Rail

A daily service connects Hamilton with Auckland and Wellington.

Further Information

Visit Hamilton

Phone +64 7 958 5960
www.visithamilton.co.nz

Destination Waitomo

Phone +64 27 295 7878
www.waitomo.govt.nz

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