Things to do in Waikato
60 places worth stopping for and 24 places to stay on a road trip through Waikato.
See and do
- Geothermal
Geothermal · Wai-O-Tapu
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
The Champagne Pool and Artist's Palette: Rotorua's most colourful geothermal park.
- Beach
Beach · Hahei
Cathedral Cove (Mautohe)
A rock arch and two sheltered coves, reached on a 5 km return walk from Hahei.
Geothermal · Hot Water Beach
Hot Water Beach
Dig your own hot pool in the sand around low tide.
- Beach
Beach · Whangapoua
New Chums Beach
A wild, pōhutukawa-backed beach reached only on foot from Whangapoua.
- Walk
Walk · Thames
Pinnacles walk (Kauaeranga Kauri Trail)
A big day walk past old kauri dams to Pinnacles Hut and a ladder climb to the summit.
- Walk
Walk · Karangahake
Karangahake Gorge Windows Walk
A 1.5 hour walk through old gold-mining tunnels and windows cut into the gorge wall.
- Waterfall
Waterfall · Taupō
Huka Falls
The Waikato River squeezes through a narrow chasm and drops into a churning blue-white pool.
- Cave
Cave · Waitomo
Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Boat ride under a ceiling of glowworms in New Zealand's best-known cave.
- Waterfall
Waterfall · Matamata
Wairere Falls
The North Island's tallest waterfall, reached by a steep 2-hour return track.
- Waterfall
Waterfall · MarokopaHidden gem
Marokopa Falls
A wide 35 m waterfall at the end of a short, easy walk.
- Roadside oddity
Roadside oddity · Coromandel Town
Driving Creek Railway
A narrow-gauge railway zigzagging up a hillside to a viewing tower and a pottery.
- Roadside oddity
Roadside oddity · Coromandel Town
The Waterworks
A water-powered playground of hundreds of contraptions, with swimming holes and a slide.
- Beach
Beach · Ōpito BayHidden gem
Opito Bay
A white-sand cove with a short pā walk and very few visitors.
- Beach
Beach · ŌpoutereHidden gem
Ōpoutere Beach
A 5 km white-sand beach behind a pine plantation, guarded by a harbour sandspit.
Hot pool · KawhiaHidden gem
Kawhia Hot Water Beach
Dig a pool in the black sand near Kawhia, with fewer people than the Coromandel version.
- Hot pool
Hot pool · Taupō
Spa Thermal Park (Otumuheke Stream)
Free hot stream that tumbles into the Waikato River, just outside Taupō town.
- Geothermal
Geothermal · Reporoa
Orakei Korako
A geothermal valley reached by a short boat ride across the Waikato River.
- Beach
Beach · KūaotunuHidden gem
Ōtama Beach
A 2 km white-sand beach with only a few houses and room to yourself.
Viewpoint · Tairua
Mount Paku summit
A short, steep scramble to a 360-degree view over Tairua, Pauanui and the islands.
- Waterfall
Waterfall · WhangamatāHidden gem
Wentworth Falls track
A bush walk up the Wentworth River past swim holes to a waterfall.
- Walk
Walk · ColvilleHidden gem
Coromandel Coastal Walkway (Fletcher Bay to Stony Bay)
A 10 km coastal track along the tip of the peninsula, with sea views and remote beaches.
Waterfall · Raglan
Bridal Veil Falls (Waireinga)
55 m waterfall viewed from a short walk, with stairs down to the lower lookout.
- Waterfall
Waterfall · Taupō
Aratiatia Rapids
Dam gates open on a schedule and a dry riverbed turns into whitewater in minutes.
Scenic drive · Karangahake
Hauraki Rail Trail through Karangahake Gorge
The best-known stretch of the Hauraki Rail Trail, past tunnels, bridges and old goldmine ruins.
- Scenic drive
Scenic drive · Tapu
Thames Coast Road
A narrow, pōhutukawa-lined coast road with swimming spots and old kauri stands.
- Geothermal
Geothermal · ReporoaHidden gem
Orakei Korako geothermal valley
Cross the lake by boat to a hidden valley of silica terraces, geysers and a cave.
Hot pool · TaupōHidden gem
Spa Park hot pools
Free natural hot stream that runs into the Waikato River. Pick your own temperature.
- Lake
Lake · TūrangiHidden gem
Lake Rotopounamu
Quiet bush-ringed lake on the edge of Tongariro National Park, with a flat loop walk.
Walk · WaitomoHidden gem
Mangapohue Natural Bridge
Free 15-minute boardwalk to a 17 m limestone arch, with glowworms at dusk.
- Hot pool
Hot pool · KawhiaHidden gem
Kawhia Ocean Beach hot water
Dig your own hot pool in the sand at low tide, with far fewer people than on the Coromandel.
Garden · Hamilton
Hamilton Gardens
Themed gardens from around the world on the banks of the Waikato River.
- History
History · Matamata
Hobbiton Movie Set
Guided tour through the Shire set from the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films.
Walk · PutaruruHidden gem
Blue Spring (Te Waihou Walkway)
Flat riverside walk to a spring of very clear blue water. No swimming allowed.
- History
History · Taupō
Māori rock carvings at Mine Bay
Huge carving of the navigator Ngātoro-i-rangi, cut into a lake cliff and reached by water.
- Cave
Cave · Waitomo
Ruakuri Cave
Guided glowworm cave with a spiral entrance, bigger and quieter than the headline Waitomo cave.
Walk · Waitomo
Ruakuri Bush Walk
A 45 minute loop past limestone arches and gorge cliffs near Waitomo.
- Waterfall
Waterfall · PiopioHidden gem
Omaru Falls
Gentle bush and farmland walk to a 45 metre waterfall off SH4 near Piopio.
- Geothermal
Geothermal · Wai-O-Tapu
Lady Knox Geyser
Daily geyser eruption set off by soap, with a small amphitheatre to watch from.
- Hot pool
Hot pool · Waikite ValleyHidden gem
Waikite Valley Thermal Pools
Natural hot pools fed by a geothermal stream, with a campground on site.
- Geothermal
Geothermal · Te ArohaHidden gem
Te Aroha Domain and Mokena Geyser
A hot soda water geyser, an Edwardian spa park and private mineral baths at the foot of Mt Te Aroha.
- Hot pool
Hot pool · Whitianga
The Lost Spring
Adults-only geothermal pools and a lagoon-side restaurant in Whitianga.
- Walk
Walk · TapuHidden gem
Square Kauri
A short, steep walk to a 1,200 year old kauri with a squared-off trunk.
- History
History · Thames
Kauaeranga Valley and Visitor Centre
The gateway to the Pinnacles, with river swims, kauri-logging history and free filtered water.
- History
History · WaikinoHidden gem
Victoria Battery (Waikino)
The ruins of New Zealand's largest gold stamper battery, now a short walk from the Waikino cafe.
- Beach
Beach · Hahei
Hahei Beach
A wide, calm, white-sand beach with a pōhutukawa-edged cove and views to the islands.
- Viewpoint
Viewpoint · HaheiHidden gem
Te Pare Historic Reserve
A headland pā site above Hahei with sea views and almost no one on it.
Viewpoint · WhitiangaHidden gem
Shakespeare Cliff lookout
A short walk to a high cliff looking over Mercury Bay and Lonely Bay.
- Waterfall
Waterfall · Coromandel TownHidden gem
Waiau Falls (309 Road)
A small waterfall and deep swimming hole just off the 309 road.
- Walk
Walk · ThamesHidden gem
Cookson Kauri Walk
A steep stair walk from Wainora campsite to a giant kauri, with views of Table Mountain.
- Beach
Beach · Whangamatā
Whangamatā Beach
A 6 km white-sand surf beach that is the heart of Whangamata.
- Walk
Walk · ColvilleHidden gem
Muriwai Walk (Port Jackson)
A 6 km out-and-back coastal walk with views to Great Barrier Island.
- Town
Town · Coromandel Town
Coromandel Town
A heritage gold-rush village with galleries, a railway and a working stamper battery.
- Hot pool
Hot pool · TokaanuHidden gem
Tokaanu Thermal Pools
Local hot pools beside the lake, with private tubs and a bigger public pool.
- Swimming hole
Swimming hole · CoromandelHidden gem
Waiau Falls
A small waterfall and popular swimming hole on the 309 Road, with a kauri grove nearby.
- Walk
Walk · PirongiaHidden gem
Mount Pirongia summit track
Big bush climb to a summit with views over Waikato and out to the west coast.
- Wildlife
Wildlife · CambridgeHidden gem
Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari
Predator-free mountain where kiwi, kākā and tuatara live.
- Walk
Walk · TaupōHidden gem
Mount Tauhara summit track
Steady climb to a 360-degree view over the lake and the volcanoes behind it.
- Wildlife
Wildlife · Ōtorohanga
Ōtorohanga Kiwi House
See live kiwi in a nocturnal house, plus tuatara and native birds.
- Walk
Walk · RaglanHidden gem
Te Toto Gorge
Rugged gorge and the starting point for the Mount Karioi track.
Geothermal · Taupō
Craters of the Moon
Steaming ground and boardwalks through a living geothermal field.
Food stops
- Fish chips
Fish chips · KaiauaHidden gem
Kaiaua Fisheries
Famous fish and chip shop on the Seabird Coast road.
- Restaurant
Restaurant · KūaotunuHidden gem
Luke's Kitchen and Gallery
A small pizza-and-craft-beer spot with a big view over Mercury Bay, next to a cafe.
Brewery · Hahei
The Pour House (Coromandel Brewing Co)
A family-run brewery, distillery and garden bar a few steps from Hahei Beach.
- Farm shop
Farm shop · ColvilleHidden gem
Colville General Store
The last shop before the north-end gravel roads, so stock up here.
- Farm shop
Farm shop · Coromandel TownHidden gem
Coromandel Smoking Company
A long-running smokehouse south of town, known for smoked mussels and fish.
- Café
Café · ColvilleHidden gem
Colville General Store and Cafe
The last proper store and cafe before the wild top of the Coromandel.
- Restaurant
Restaurant · Wairakei
Huka Prawn Park
Geothermal-heated prawn farm with a restaurant near Huka Falls.
Bakery · TirauHidden gem
The Baker, Tirau
Bakery and cafe on Tirau main road, known for its pies and pastries.
Restaurant · Hahei
The Church Bistro (Hahei)
European-leaning evening dining in a rebuilt church, set in a garden.
Restaurant · Coromandel Town
Pepper Tree Restaurant and Bar
Coromandel Town's long-running licensed restaurant in a 1928 building under a huge pepper tree.
- Café
Café · WaikinoHidden gem
Waikino Station Cafe
A railway-station cafe at the end of the Goldfields line, on the Hauraki Rail Trail.
- Farm shop
Farm shop · Pōkeno
Pōkeno Bacon
Bacon sarnies and a butchery on the first stop south of Auckland.
Places to stay
- Campground
Campground · ColvilleHidden gem
Fletcher Bay campsite
Road-end camp at the top of the Coromandel, with farm views, a swimming bay and the start of the Coromandel Walkway.
Hut · Thames
Pinnacles Hut (DOC)
DOC's big bunkroom hut, three hours up the valley, with a warden and a gas kitchen.
Campground · ColvilleHidden gem
Fletcher Bay campsite (DOC)
A DOC beach-and-farm campsite at the road end, and the start of the Coastal Walkway.
Campground · ColvilleHidden gem
Port Jackson campsite (DOC)
A DOC beachfront campsite on a safe sandy beach at the northern tip.
Campground · ColvilleHidden gem
Waikawau Bay campsite (DOC)
A DOC beach campsite on a long sandy beach, with 12 powered sites for campervans.
Campground · ColvilleHidden gem
Fantail Bay campsite (DOC)
A small DOC camp under pōhutukawa on the west coast of the north end.
- Campground
Campground · ColvilleHidden gem
Stony Bay campsite
Rocky bay under pohutukawa on the Coromandel tip, reached by a long gravel road or a coastal walk.
- Holiday park
Holiday park · KawhiaHidden gem
Kawhia Beachside S-cape
Beachfront camp at Kawhia, a quiet harbour town with hot-water beach digging at low tide.
- Hut
Hut · Stony BayHidden gem
Stony Bay Bach
DOC bach at the end of the road in the far north, sleeps five.
- Holiday park
Holiday park · RaglanHidden gem
Ruapuke Motorcamp
Valley camp behind Ruapuke Beach, 28 km south of Raglan. Cabins, tents, no mobile signal.
Glamping · RaglanHidden gem
Solscape
Eco retreat of railway cabooses and earth domes above Raglan, with sauna.
- Holiday park
Holiday park · Hot Water Beach
Hot Water Beach Top 10 Holiday Park
Big, well-run park a 10 minute walk from the Hot Water Beach hot pools.
Lodge · Taupō
Huka Lodge
Historic fishing camp turned two-Michelin-key lodge on the Waikato River.
Backcountry camp · Tongariro National Park
Waihohonu Campsite
This walk-in campsite is on the Tongariro Northern Circuit and the Round the Mountain Track. Bookings must be made during the Great Walks season.
Backcountry camp · Tongariro National Park
Oturere Campsite
This walk-in campsite is on the Tongariro Northern Circuit. Bookings must be made during the Great Walks season.
Campground · ColvilleHidden gem
Stony Bay campsite (DOC)
A big DOC campsite beside the coast and the eastern start of the Coastal Walkway.
Campground · Thames
Booms Flat campsite (DOC, Kauaeranga)
A big riverside DOC campsite in the Kauaeranga valley where dogs are allowed on lead.
Campground · HikuaiHidden gem
Broken Hills campsite (DOC)
A riverside DOC camp on the Tairua River in an old gold-mining area.
Campground · WhangamatāHidden gem
Wentworth Valley campground
A bush campground near Wentworth Falls on a former goldmining settlement.
Holiday park · Hahei
Hahei Beach holiday park (Tasman Holiday Parks)
A beachfront park with powered sites, cabins and a cafe, a couple of minutes' walk from Hahei Beach.
- Campground
Campground · ŌpoutereHidden gem
Ōpoutere Coastal Camping
A basic seasonal beach campground a two-minute stroll through pines from Opoutere Beach.
- Campground
Campground · ColvilleHidden gem
Waikawau Bay campsite
Wild west-coast beach on the Coromandel with a quiet campsite and good sunsets.
- Campground
Campground · Colville
Port Jackson campsite
Wide beach on the Hauraki Gulf side of the Coromandel tip with grassy camping right by the sand.
- Hut
Hut · ThamesHidden gem
Kauri Cottage (Kauaeranga Valley)
Ten-bed DOC cottage in the Kauaeranga Valley, a five minute walk from a swimming hole.
Plan the drive, not just the stops
Roadtrip works out what the drive costs in fuel for your car, splits it into days with the best stops and places to sleep, and finds the cheapest fuel on the way.
Rated 4.7 by drivers · 700,000 downloads
