8 Things To Do In The Waikato New Zealand

If you’re planning a trip to New Zealand, then I highly recommend spending time in the Waikato. In fact, if you’re a Lord of the Rings fan, then you will definitely be visiting this region! Whatever your interests however, there is a lot to see and many things to do in the Waikato.

I grew up in the Waikato and in this post, I’ll share 8 things you can do when visiting. I’ll also offer some suggestions for other activities you can include in your Waikato itinerary and provide a bit of history along with some general information about the region.

Whilst I have done many more than these 8 things in the Waikato over the years, I wanted this post to focus on the activities and experiences I enjoyed on a recent trip home. As a result, I hope that this post will be of particular relevance to you as you plan your trip to New Zealand.

Where is the Waikato Region?

The Waikato region is located in the northern part of New Zealand’s North Island and shown coloured red on the map below. It is the 4th largest region in NZ and is bordered by Auckland to the north, Bay of Plenty to the east, Hawkes Bay to the south east and Manawatu and Taranaki to the south.

The region takes its name from the mighty Waikato River, New Zealand’s longest river. “Waikato” is a Maori word which translates as flowing water, with “wai” meaning water and “kato” meaning the pull of the river current to the sea.

The Waikato comprises some 11 territorial authorities and its main city is Hamilton City. It is also home to 9.5% of New Zealand’s population.

A Bit of History

The Maori people of the Waikato region (the tangata whenua) are believed to have originated from the Tainui and Te Arawa waka (canoe) which arrived as part of the first fleet of canoes from Polynesia in around 1350.

Early European settlers were traders and missionaries. Many of the early Maori and European settlements were alongside rivers and the coast, areas rich in natural resources.

The Land Wars of the 1860s saw about 500,000 hectares of Tainui land (about one fifth of the region) confiscated by the Crown. Throughout this period, European settlers continued to arrive. Dairy farming became the main agricultural activity in the 1880s, with gold and coal mining leading to the development of settlements in the Coromandel and Huntly respectively. In the early 1900s, the forestry industry began to develop.

Today, agriculture, especially dairy farming, and manufacturing dominate the economy. Tourism also plays an important role.

The Waikato region has produced 3 of New Zealand’s Prime Ministers – Jim Bolger, Helen Clark and Jacinda Ardern.

What is the Waikato known for?

The Waikato region is blessed with a varied landscape including rolling green hills and farmland, black sand surfing beaches, hiking and cycling trails, native forests, beautiful waterways, limestone caves, golden sand beaches, New Zealand’s largest lake (Lake Taupo), the north eastern parts of the stunning Tongariro National Park, several active volcanoes…..and of course, it’s home to the Hobbiton Movie Set!

As a result, you will definitely find a wide array of attractions to visit and activities to enjoy….the challenge will be finding the time to fit them all in!

8 Things to Do in New Zealand’s Waikato Region

The Waikato is a large, varied region with many sightseeing options and experiences available to visitors. To help you build your own itinerary, here are my suggested 8 things to do in the Waikato:

1. Visit Hamilton City

As I mentioned earlier, Hamilton is the main city in the Waikato. It’s also the 4th largest city in New Zealand and the place I grew up! Unlike New Zealand’s other major cities however, Hamilton is located inland, on the banks of the Waikato River, and not on the coast.

Home to the world class Hamilton Gardens, Waikato Museum, the University of Waikato, Hamilton Zoo, Rotoroa Lake, Skycity casino, riverside walks, international rugby and cricket stadiums, an annual balloon festival, the first Mormon Temple built in the southern hemisphere and a lively café scene not to mention a large shopping centre, Hamilton offers something for everyone. You can learn more about visiting the city in my post 12 of the Best Things to Do in Hamilton.

It’s also the perfect place to base yourself when exploring and taking part in some of the activities I suggest below.

I suggest staying a couple of nights in the city. There is a variety of accommodation on offer, from hostels through to motels and hotels.

If you are looking for a centrally located hotel, then I would recommend the Novotel Hamilton Tainui Hotel, located on the banks of the Waikato River and right next to the SkyCity Casino and Entertainment Centre.

If you are on a road trip and car parking is a priority, then I would suggest staying in a motel. Fortunately, Hamilton has a good selection of motels available in good locations.

If you are travelling in the high season, I encourage you to book your hotel or motel in advance.

2. Visit the Te Waihou Walkway and Blue Spring

The Te Waihou Walkway and Blue Spring are located about 5 kilometres (3 miles) from the Waikato town of Putāruru. The Walkway runs alongside the Te Waihou River and the water here is some of the clearest and most pristine I have ever seen! Unsurprisingly, the water supplies around 70% of New Zealand’s bottled water and around half of Putaruru. 

The Te Waihou Walkway has two access points – Whites Road and Leslie Road. From the Whites Road carpark it’s a 4.7km (one way) hike. For a shorter walk, you can start at the Leslie Road car park and walk about 15 minutes to a viewing platform. 

The Walkway was closed upgrading works in recent year but is now fully open. A short hike along this stunning stretch of NZ water is so worth it. Plus, it’s one of the best free things to do in the Waikato!

Visitors should be aware that swimming is discouraged in order to prevent environmental damage (plus it’s cold, around 11ºC!) and dogs are not permitted. Picnics are permitted but rubbish is to be taken away.

To discover more about visiting the Blue Spring, do read my post The Stunning Putaruru Blue Spring – All You Need To Know.

3. Take a Road Trip to the Coromandel

The Coromandel Peninsula is one of the most beautiful areas in New Zealand and is a must visit during any trip to the North Island. Whether you plan on hiring a car or a camper van, road tripping around the Coromandel is popular with visitors and locals alike.

A perfect combination of stunning beaches and beautiful native forest, the Coromandel is also known for its gold mining history.

If you want to relax on the beach, then locations such as Hahei, Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach, to name just a few, should be on your itinerary.

If you want to explore some of the local towns, then head to Thames, Waihi, Coromandel Town or Whitianga (again, to name just a few). For those who want to go walking through breathtaking landscapes, then you’ll definitely want to walk to Cathedral Cove and should also consider hiking the Pinnacles or through the Karangahake Gorge.

The Coromandel really is a perfect destination which encapsulates much of what the North Island of New Zealand has to offer. Road tripping around this area is common, but please be aware that some of the roads are narrow and winding. Please therefore take your time, drive carefully and only pull over and stop where it is safe to do so.

4. Go Kayaking on Lake Karapiro

If you want to float on smooth waters beneath a canopy of native New Zealand forest and hear nothing but trickling water and birdsong, then a kayaking trip on Lake Karapiro is just the thing!

Lake Karapiro is an artificial reservoir lake on the Waikato River. It’s located about 50 kilometres (31 miles) from Hamilton and about 8 kilometres (5 miles) from the town of Cambridge. The lake is a world class rowing venue, having hosted the World Rowing Championships in 2010.

I joined a daytime kayaking tour operated by Riverside Adventures Waikato. If you are around in the evening however, they also offer this twilight tour which includes seeing glow worms:

The daytime tour will take you along the southern edge of the lake and over a submerged village and dam that once produced electricity for the early Waihi goldfields. You will then kayak along the Pokaiwhenua Stream which is very peaceful and has a touch of the pre-historic to it!

Overall, I thought it was an excellent experience and perfect for all kayaking levels, particularly beginners. Read my post Kayaking Lake Karapiro and discover more!

5. Feed Alpacas in Gordonton!

If you’re looking for one of the more unusual things to do in Waikato, then I recommend a visit to Cornerstone Alpacas.

Located in the rural community of Gordonton, a short, 20 minute drive from Hamilton, Cornerstone Alpacas offer a range of activities for visitors including tours which start with a pick up from Auckland or from Hamilton.

If you’re like me and want a bit of distance between you and the alpacas, then you should choose the Alpaca feeding trail option. That’s the option I chose and I loved it! Tickets are priced at $19 for adults (14 years and older) and $15 for children aged 3-13. Unlike the other tours available, it is not necessary to pre-book this one.

The tour begins with a health and safety briefing and then you are free to follow the designated trail and feed the Alpacas through the fence. You can read more about my visit in my post Feeding Alpacas.

There is a shop on site selling a variety of Alpaca related items and a café.

This was a really fun activity and one that people of all ages will enjoy. I went with my mum and we had a great time!

Update: It does appear that, unfortunately, Cornerstone Alpacas may no longer be in operation.

6. Stroll through the Sunflowers in Taupiri

This may come as a surprise, but lupins aren’t the only gorgeous flowers in New Zealand! Sunflowers stand tall and proud under the hot New Zealand sun too.

The Taupiri Sunflower Farm is also a short drive from Hamilton and open during the summer months when the flowers are in season. There are several large fields visitors can wander through and with various ‘props’ scattered throughout, the farm is definitely instagrammable!

Tickets cost $13.50 for adults ($12 for seniors aged 65+) and $8.50 for children aged 6-12 (under 5s are free). You can also cut your own sunflowers at a cost of $3 per stem.

Be sure to check the official Taupiri Sunflower Farm website before visiting for up to date information including opening hours.

To learn more about visiting the Taupiri Sunflower Farm, do read my guide on How to See Stunning Sunflowers Near Hamilton.

7. See the Big Sheep in Tirau!

New Zealand is known for its sheep and the small town of Tirau is known for its giant sheep! If you are planning to visit the Te Waihou Walkway and Blue Spring, you will likely travel through the town.

It’s definitely worth stopping here and taking a look at the giant works of art made from corrugated iron – the visitors centre is even in the form of a giant sheep dog!

Tirau also has a good array of cafes making it the perfect place to stop and take a break.

8. Grab an Ice Cream in Pōkeno!

When you’re in New Zealand, you have to try our ice cream! Thankfully, the Waikato town of Pōkeno has a store known for its generous helpings at great prices…Pōkeno Ice Cream.

Located on the Great South Road just over 50 kilometres (31 miles) south of Auckland, it’s a must stop place and the two best flavours (according to me!) are Hokey Pokey, a kiwi classic and Goody Gum Drops.

More Things to Do in the Waikato?

As I mentioned at the outset, there are many things you can do in the Waikato. However, in this post, I have focused only on those things I did on a recent trip home.

If you’re looking for some other options however, then you may want to consider some (or all!) of the following activities:

1. Seeing Glow Worms

Waitomo Caves are the place to go to see glow worms. The popular boat trip through the caves is well worth doing, however there is now another attraction nearby that I haven’t yet experienced but which looks very good, Ruakuri Cave. It has wheelchair access and as such, it may be a better option for those with mobility issues than the boat tour.

2. Learning to Surf

I once built sand castles on the black sand of Raglan beach and fished off the old wharf but today, Raglan is the place to go to learn how to surf.

3. Seeing New Zealand Wildlife

Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari is home to some of New Zealand’s most precious native birds not to mention the Tuatara, a living dinosaur and the scary (to me anyway!) Giant Weta.

4. Hiking Waikato’s Trails

The Waikato is blessed with many hiking trails including those in the Hakarimata ranges, Mount Te Aroha, Mount Pirongia and the Karangahake Gorge (to name but a few). I suggest checking the AllTrails website for all hiking options and trail details.

5. Chasing Waterfalls

Who doesn’t love a waterfall?! The Waikato has a number of beautiful waterfalls including Huka Falls near Taupo, Bridal Veil Falls near Raglan and Marokopa Falls near Waitomo.

6. Experiencing Geothermal New Zealand

New Zealand is a hotbed of geothermal activity (see what I did there?!) and the Waikato region has a number of opportunities to experience it. Craters of the Moon near Taupo, the Mokena Geyser (the world’s only natural soda geyser) in Te Aroha, Orakei Korako near Taupo or The Lost Spring in Whitianga in the Coromandel are all great options for visitors to the Waikato.

7. Visiting Hobbiton!

Hugely popular with locals and visitors alike, the Hobbiton Movie Set is only accessible by guided tour. Those who have read about me will understand why I haven’t (yet) been, however if this is on your must do list then to make sure you don’t miss out and book in advance.

Final Thoughts

The Waikato region is blessed with a variety of landscapes, attractions and outdoor activities that visitors of all ages will love. Whether you want to spend time on our beaches, hiking our trails, exploring underground, experiencing Middle Earth first hand or relaxing your tired tourist feet in our geothermal waters, the Waikato is the place to be!

I hope this post has convinced you that spending time in the Waikato is definitely worth your while and helped you in planning your own Waikato itinerary.

If you need any further assistance with planning your trip to New Zealand, do check my Resources page.

Disclaimer – Information correct at the time of writing but do check before visiting.