5 minute read
The best of Waikato
HE WHO SAYS HE DOESN’T BELIEVE IN FAIRY TALES HAS NEVER BEEN TO WAIKATO. RULED BY ITS NAMESAKE RIVER, THERE ARE HOBBIT HOUSES AND SPIRITUAL MĀORI STORIES, CAVES THAT GLOW BRIGHTER THAN ALADDIN’S AND WILD PASTURES ROAMED BY PREHISTORIC CREATURES.
The latter are tuatara: lizard-like New Zealand reptiles and the only surviving members of a species that slinked about with dinosaurs. They now run free, along with scores of other native species at Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, which you are highly encouraged to visit.
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Cave exploration is huge in Waikato, notably in Waitomo where the cave network is both vast and diverse. Explore slowly by boat, or rapidly by tubing down a pitch-black river system. Abseil into the abyss or simply marvel at thousands of glowworms. Waitomo Glowworm Caves host the biggest concentration of these bright-butted larvae in the country.
City stays come in the form of Hamilton, an urban centre with more aces up its sleeve than you’d ever imagine. You can seek hedonistic good times in the surfy, bohemian township of Raglan or venture into the very heart of dairy farming country. Before long you’ll stumble into Matamata, where farming sheds and hay bales transform into Middle-earth and Hobbit hamlets.
CAMBRIDGE: HOME OF EPIC RIDING
If it’s got two wheels, two peddles and it’s raring to go, it’s likely to be in Cambridge. Hire bikes from the i-SITE and embark on a section (if not all) of the 70km Te Awa River Ride. For stunt masters, Cambridge BMX Park is located in nearby Leamington, and The Gallagher bike park at the Avantidrome is a family favourite. Also here is the chance to book a ‘Have a Go’ session with an experienced Avantidrome coach. And that’s all before the 10 road trails that are dotted around the countryside.
Cambridge is also responsible for breeding 13 Melbourne Cup winning horses. Follow the Walk of Fame for insight into these equine elites and take a horse stud tour. Off the saddle, the public Jubilee Gardens are well-established and feature a fantastic playground. You can visit a working dairy farm, picnic beside Lake Te Koo Utu or stick around for the markets. The weekly farmers’ market pops up every Saturday from 8am on Victoria Square, and the fabulous Trash ‘n’ Treasures second-hand bazaar is held every second Sunday of the month.
Waikato River Trails
waikatorivertrails.com
FAVOURITE THINGS TO DO IN WAIPA DISTRICT
1. Te Awamutu Rose Gardens
A beauty to both see and smell, there are more than 2500 rose bushes as well as a striking water fountain depicting birds in flight.
2. Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari
With its 47km-long predator-proof fence, this is the largest ecological island on the mainland. Our most endangered species flourish within.
3. Te Awamutu Museum
View Uenuku, a taonga (treasure) of the Tainui people, and memorabilia of legendary hometown boys, the Finn brothers, of Crowded House and Split Enz fame.
4. Wharepapa rock climbing
The four main crags of Castle Rock, Froggatt Edge, Sheridan Hills and Waipapa Dam have easy access for rock climbing, with options for all abilities.
5. Walking
Enjoyable tracks wind through Pirongia Forest Park as well as the Kakepuku Historic Reserve. Lake Ngāroto wetland track is also popular.
6. Pirongia mountain biking
Nudging the foothills of Mt Pirongia, the Sainsbury Road Mountain Bike Park trails offer off-road cycling routes ranging from Grade 2-5 (Easy to Advanced). You’ll also find delightful walking tracks in Pirongia Forest Park.
Pirongia Summit
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NORTHWEST WAIKATO IS FUN FOR EVERYONE
WATER BABIES: Raglan is such a typical surf town, it’s almost obligatory to have a mop of beachy blonde hair. Watch the pros at Manu Bay, learn yourself or dip your toes at Whale Bay. Take a little piece of paradise home by picking up ceramic homewares from the Tony Sly pottery shop.
FOODIES: Pōkeno is the place to stop for ice cream – the more-than-generous scoops sold in the small town have a huge following.
HISTORY BUFFS: Rangiriri Pā is just south of Te Kauwhata, the site of a battle between the British forces and local Māori during the 1863 land wars and one of the largest battles in our history.
CREATIVES: Te Kauwhata’s talented craftspeople offer visitors a delightful experience. Highlights include Pounamu Taonga Greenstone Shop, Tinkie Arts & Crafts and Cuisine Scene for hand-made gourmet relishes using local ingredients.
ACTIVE TYPES: Hydro lakes such as Lake Karāpiro provide a watersports playground. Stand-up paddleboarding is popular here, as is after dark kayaking excursions to find glowworms. Walkers and cyclists can’t go wrong with one of the Waikato river trails and in Arapuni, the 152-metre-long, 50-metre-high suspension bridge is a total showstopper.
Raglan, Waikato
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MATAMATA - PIAKO
If you’re a Lord of the Rings’ fan, then Matamata should be top of your itinerary. Farmland around the small rural town was transformed into the Hobbiton movie location for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Take a tour of the Hobbit holes and have enough time for a second breakfast at the Shire’s Rest Café or a Frogmorton ginger beer at the Green Dragon Inn. Other activities include visiting the Opal Hot Springs, the Firth Tower Museum and the spectacular Wairere Falls. Nearby Kaimai has a cheese plant with a café and a store that is stocked with all of the delectable Kaimai cheeses.
Hobbiton Movie Set
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SOUTH WAIKATO
SOUTH WAIKATO HAS A FABULOUS PASTORAL LANDSCAPE RIPE FOR EXPLORING. WALK OR CYCLE THE WAIKATO RIVER TRAILS TO GET INTO THE HEART OF THIS LOVELY LAND. SOUTH WAIKATO TOWNS INCLUDE TIRAU, PUTĀRURU AND TOKOROA. THE DISTRICT OFFERS A MIX OF FORESTS, ROLLING HILLS, LAKES AND RIVERS. A HIGHLIGHT IS THE BEAUTIFUL BLUE SPRING, WHERE 70 PER CENT OF NEW ZEALAND’S BOTTLED WATER COMES FROM. FOLLOW TE WAIHOU WALKWAY FROM WHITES RD IN PUTĀRURU TO GET THERE.
Blue Spring, Waikato © Getty
SOOTHING TE AROHA
SWIM ZONE TE AROHA: Situated at the foot of the mountain, spend an entire day switching between the outdoor pool and 38°C spa pools.
BATHE LIKE YOUR GREAT-GREAT-GRANDAD! Te Aroha is the only complete Edwardian Domain in New Zealand. Fusing its original Edwardian aesthetics with modern touches, the Number 2 bath house is over 100 years old and delivers 40°C of pure ‘ahhh’.
TE AROHA DOMAIN FOOT POOL: It’s free to sit and soak away your stresses here; amidst the trees where it’s a toe-pleasing 36°C.
TE AROHA MINERAL SPAS: Silky smooth hot soda water is channelled into your own private hot tub, complete with skylights for stargazing.
Te Aroha Domain
Chris Parker
ABOVE MAIN IMAGE: Marokopa Falls © Getty Images
