Things to do in Waikato

Activities, attractions and tours

Shakespeare Cliff Lookout showing a sandy beach and a bay or harbour
Shakespeare Cliff Lookout showing a sandy beach and a bay or harbour
Cathedral Cove Beach showing a sunset, rocky coastline and general coastal views
Shakespeare Cliff Lookout showing a beach, a sunset and a bay or harbor
New Zealand
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What to do in Waikato

Popular places to visit

New Zealand

Hobbiton Movie Set

4.5/5(13 reviews)

Enjoy a trip to Hobbiton Movie Set, a well-known attraction in Matamata. Discover the area's hot springs and cafes.

Hobbiton Movie Set
Waitomo Glowworm Caves featuring signage

Waitomo Glowworm Caves

4.5/5(11 reviews)

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Waitomo Glowworm Caves during your travels in Waitomo Caves. While in this quaint area, you can savour the top-notch restaurants.

Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Hahei Beach which includes a bay or harbour, a sunset and a beach

Hahei Beach

4.5/5(12 reviews)

Nestled between some of the Bay of Plenty’s most popular attractions, this tiny coastal hamlet is a great base for exploring the North Island.

Hahei Beach
Cathedral Cove Beach showing a sunset, rocky coastline and general coastal views

Cathedral Cove

4.5/5(26 reviews)

Enter the white sand beach through a natural rock archway, the perfect frame for your photos of the rocky islands and clear waters of this marine reserve.

Cathedral Cove
Hot Water Beach showing landscape views, a beach and tropical scenes

Hot Water Beach

4.5/5(24 reviews)

Dig your own pool in the warm sand and soak in the waters of a natural hot springs when you visit one of New Zealand’s most beautiful beaches.

Hot Water Beach
Whangamata beach, North Island, New Zealand.; Shutterstock ID 575043175; Purchase Order: -

Whangamata Beach

4.5/5(5 reviews)

If a restful holiday is part of your travel plans, Whangamata Beach might be the perfect place to visit during your trip to Whangamata. Stroll along the waterfront or visit the spas while you're in the area.

Whangamata Beach
Geothermal Landscape with hot boiling mud and sulphur springs due to volcanic activity in Wai-O-Tapu, Thermal Wonderland New Zealand

Taupō Hot Springs

4/5(5 reviews)

Enjoy an outing to Taupō Hot Springs during your stay in Taupō. Discover the mountain views and spas in this relaxing area.

Taupō Hot Springs
Hamilton Gardens showing a bridge and a pond as well as a small group of people

Hamilton Gardens

5/5(10 reviews)

From the peaceful Japanese Zen Garden to the explosion of color in the Indian Char Bagh Garden, anyone who loves nature will enjoy this man-made paradise.

Hamilton Gardens
Huka Falls which includes rapids and a bridge as well as a large group of people

Huka Falls

4.5/5(30 reviews)

Whether viewing from a boat, bridge or the riverbank, this set of waterfalls is a spectacular sight as a huge body of water surges forward and downward.

Huka Falls

Areas of Waikato

View at the lake Taupo in the North Island in New Zealand

Taupō Central

If you're spending some time in Taupō Central, Taupō Marina and Boat Ramp and Lake Taupō are top sights worth seeing.

Taupō Central
Jetty on Acacia Bay, North Island New Zealand

Acacia Bay

Lake views and restaurants are notable features of Acacia Bay. You might consider stopping by Lake Taupō while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Acacia Bay
The Waikato River flowing through central Hamilton

Hamilton Central

While visiting Hamilton Central, you might make a stop by sights like Hamilton Centre Place and SkyCity Hamilton.

Hamilton Central
New Zealand travel tourists couple at Champagne pool at Wai-O-Tapu pools Sacred Waters. Tourist attraction in Waiotapu, Rotorua, north island. Panoramic banner, Okataina Volcanic Centre, Taupo.

Nukuhau

While visiting Nukuhau, you might make a stop by sights like Lake Taupō and Waikato River.

Nukuhau
Looking out across Lake Taupo at the Central North Island volcanoes, Mount Ruapehu, Mount Ngauruhoe, and Mount Tongariro. The town of Taupo is very nice, with plenty of cheap hostels, around $25-35 per night

Hilltop

While visiting Hilltop, you might make a stop by sights like Taupō Hot Springs and Lake Taupō.

Hilltop
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Wharewaka

While visiting Wharewaka, you might make a stop by sights like Lake Taupō and The Landing Lake Taupō.

Wharewaka
Huka Falls which includes rapids and a bridge as well as a large group of people

Taupō

Sky Tower which includes city views, general coastal views and a city

Auckland

Driving Creek Railway which includes general coastal views, landscape views and tranquil scenes

Coromandel

Lake Karapiro on a beautiful sunny day, New Zealand

Cambridge

Rotorua which includes a hot spring

Rotorua

Picturesque green hills landscape panorama

Te Kuiti

The walkway, along some of New Zealand North Island's most breath-taking coastline, also features tracks across beautiful farmland. The track connects Stony Bay and Fletcher Bay and takes 3-4 hours. You can walk in either direction but take into account the time to get there and back. Alternatively there are organised walks available that include transport from Coromandel and pick up at the other end of the track.

Port Charles