Waikato / Waitomo
Magical Waikato & Waitomo
BEST
ssentially Quinte
PHOTO STOPS
Kiwi
ARTS &
BEST
PHOTO STOPS
CULTURE &
HISTORY
WARM UP
H
Three of
WALKS
THE MIGHTY WAIKATO RIVER HEADLINES THIS SHOW, ALSO STARRING INCREDIBLE CAVES, & EXTRAORDINARY HISTORY HISTORY, PROUD RURAL COMMUNITIES AND ROLLING TURE ULFARMLAND.
C
CRAFTS
TOP
NATURE
FAMILY FUN
BEST
Ngāruawāhia, one of the region’s oldest towns, is overlooked by the sacred (tapu) Mt Taupiri, burial ground for the Waikato tribe and where past Māori kings and the late Māori Queen, Dame Te Atairangikaahu, are buried.
BEACHES
36 HOSPITALITY
the best
TOP SPOT
BEST SWIMS
BEST
Countryside in Te Kuiti © Adobe Stock INSET: Ōtorohanga © Waikato Hamilton Tourism
BEACHES
FAMILY FUN
FAMILY FUN KIWI GEMS
FOR ALL
Visit Te Awamutu Museum to view Uenuku, a taonga (treasure) of the Tainui people, and memorabilia of legendary hometown boys – the musical Finn brothers, of Crowded House fame.
TOP SPOT TRACKS
TRAILS of Te Kuiti & is the shearing capital R T E P K O S T New Zealand and hosts the
Ōtorohanga 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 dinosaur-like tuatara.
NATURE
NATURE TUR E NA
WALKS
HISTORY & EUxplore T L RE CU & Enjo
CULTURE & FAMILY FUN HISTORY
TOP TREKS
PLENTY
istory buffs will want to visit Rangiriri Pā, just south of Te Kauwhata, the site of a battle between the British forces and local Māori during the 1863 land wars, one of the largest battles in New Zealand’s history.
FAMILY FUN
annual New Zealand Shearing Championships and The Great New Zealand Muster. See the magnificent statue of All Blacks legend Sir Colin Meads.
INDULGE
WARM UP If you are looking for relaxation with a dash of heritage, the TE AROHA DOMAIN has it all. Famous for its natural hot springs, the Domain is also home to the Mokena Geyser.
KIWI GEM FAMILY FUN Near MATAMATA, ST BE visit the Opal Hot Springs for a relaxing soak.
BEACHES
DIY: KĀWHIA’S OCEAN BEACH has natural hot springs bubbling to the surface for a few hours either side of low tide; here you can dig your own hot spa pool.
HOSPITALITY
Plus
MUSEUMS
GALORE
DINING
PAGE 5 - REGIONAL MAP
