Waikato / Waitomo
King Country
Waitomo
BOTH IMAGES: Kiwiana in Otorohanga © Peter Burchell
TWENTY-FOUR KIWIANA DISPLAYS GRACE ŌTOROHANGA’S TOWN CENTRE, RANGING FROM BUZZY BEES AND PAVLOVAS TO JANDALS AND THE ALL BLACKS. THE EDMUND HILLARY WALKWAY IS FLANKED WITH INTERESTING AND HILARIOUS DISPLAYS OF AUNT DAISY, KIWI SLANG AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN.
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torohanga proudly celebrates and displays everything Kiwi. Don’t miss the Ōtorohanga Kiwi House and Native Bird Park for a close-up look at our national icon – and see other native species including dinosaurlike tuatara. Te Kuiti is the shearing capital of New Zealand and hosts the annual New Zealand Shearing Championships and The Great New Zealand Muster. See the magnificent statue of All Blacks legend Sir Colin Meads.
Piopio is known as ‘the little jewel on the highway’. This small community is set in rolling farmland and native forests. Take a Hairy Feet tour and walk around the farm where the troll and camp fire scenes in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey were filmed. In the township there are cafés, antique shops and a small museum. A rainforest, waterfalls and impressive limestone bluffs are close by. The coastal settlement of Kāwhia is steeped in Māori history and its hills and valleys hold many ancient
secrets. Set on a beautiful harbour with glistening water and incredibly beautiful sunsets, Kāwhia has a definite laid-back lifestyle. Go swimming, surfing, fishing or sailing and head to Ocean Beach where hot springs bubble beneath the sand. For a few hours either side of low tide, visitors can dig their very own hot spa pool. About 31km west of Waitomo on Te Anga Rd, a 10-minute bush walk will take you to a viewing platform of the Marokopa Falls – described as one of the most beautiful waterfalls in New Zealand.
ABOVE: Te Kuiti country road © Getty Images
WAITOMO CAVES water entering a cave • 75km S of Hamilton
OTOROHANGA & WAITOMO • Near Waitomo Caves and Otorohanga Kiwi House • All units have 32” LCD TVs with Freeview & heat pumps • Quiet units available • Tariff: New units from $145. 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom from $150. Standard studio from $140. Economy studio from $130. Family apartment from $155. Additional occupants $20, child (2-14) $15.
Spa & Swimming Pool
NEW UNITS OPENED 2020 59 Main North Rd (SH 3), Otorohanga Ph/Fax: +64 7 873 8289 Reservations Freephone: 0800 82 82 89 Email: stay@otorohangamotels.co.nz
www.waitomomotels.co.nz
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WAITOMO BIG BIRD B&B / Farmstay
1. Bungalow (4-7p), Chalet (2-4p), Studio (2-4p) 2. Homestead/ensuite rooms (3 rooms) 3. Retreat (3-brm house at Waitomo, 4-10p) Tariff: $85-$130 Dbl, Groups $55 Adult, $30 child. FREE C/Bfst, FREE Ostrich/Emu & Mini Animal Tour, Mini Horse rides (-30kg). Check in after 2.30pm.
Come as guests leave as friends Email: bigbird.bb@xtra.co.nz www.waitomobigbird.co.nz facebook.com/waitomobigbird
BIG BIRDS & “MINIATURE-ANIMAL” PETTING FARM SEE OUR NEW MOA MASCOT (Ostrich/Emu) Rare-breeds (Baby-Doll Sheep, MiniBull, Munchkin Cats, Mini Llama, Alpaca, Donkey, Horse, Goats) OPEN DAILY 2-5pm $6pp (Min $30) 1hr tours “Unique” experience with “Selfie-Savvy” Adorable Animals – see Facebook!! “Pet Paradise” for Rest in our Nest “Animal Lovers”! 17 Waitomo Caves Rd, SH 37 Hangatiki Otorohanga 3977 Call now Ph: 0800 733 244 / 0274 772 707
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