Waikato / Waitomo
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wh hiiaa KKĀĀw Matamata
Matamata Cambridge
Cambarmidge Te Aw
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Maungatautari/Sanctuary Mountain The sanctuary’s 47kmlong predator-proof fence allows endangered species to flourish. Independent or guided tours available, a 25-minute drive from Cambridge.
Te Awamutu
Monavale Blueberries With PYO blueberries, a playground and Café Irresistiblue with a very berry menu.
hanga orofo Ōaretplenty Cycle Trails There routes to give your wheels a good spin here. Bike rental from the i-SITE. Te Awa River Ride Tracing the banks of Waikato River, the wide, easy path connects Ngāruawāhia in the north to Karāpiro in the south, passing through Hamilton en route. The ride is 70km in total, the final Hamilton Gardens to Cambridge section is under construction.
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The Red Barn Farm Experience a 60-minute guided tour of a Waikato working dairy farm and butter-making demos.
Matamata HOBBITONTM MOVIE SET A magical place even if you haven’t seen the films. The set tour visits Hobbit houses of The Shire. Enjoy a drink inside the Green Dragon Inn before the fireplace.
TIP: If you’ve paid the dg e CambriTOP entry fee to the Firth Tower
THE HAURAKI RAIL TRAIL A 197km cycling trail which makes a great four to five-day ride. Stretching from Kaiaua on the Coromandel Peninsula to the towns of Te Aroha and Matamata. Historic sights are plentiful and the scenery is second-to-none.
Cheese Tasting in Putāruru Over The Moon showcases artisan flavours and samples. They also run home cheesemaker courses for the true cheese-aholic.
Lake Arapuni, a mecca for water sports and fishing. It’s also perfect for swimming and picnics, with a DOC campsite on the lake’s western fringes. A 35-minute drive from Putāruru.
Blue Spring – Te Waihou Walkway Variation in weather and light only enhances the beauty of this natural attraction. The spring is accessible via a short, scenic walk that follows a picturesque stream.
Arapuni Suspension Bridge This mammoth suspension bridge is 152m long and hangs 54m above the water. Worth walking across, as long as you have a head for heights. A 10-minute drive from Putāruru.
Tirau Unique for its collection of corrugated iron buildings and sculptures, plus antique and outlet fashion shops, Tirau is a 10-minute drive from Putāruru.
Tokoroa Talking Poles Across Tokoroa, 20 minutes from Putāruru, there are 46 intricately carved poles, depicting the diversity of cultures in the community. Crafted from wood, ceramic and steel, how many can you find?
PUTĀRURU
Lake Arapuni Pack your favourite water toys and hit
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Museum, self-contained motor homes and caravans can park overnight for free.
WAIRERE FALLS The top of utu Te Awam this whopping 15m waterfall is
reached via a 5km uphill hike, with numerous demanding steps. The views at the top are sensational, with a shallow rock pool too – just watch out for that ledge! Three to four hours return. A 15-minute drive from Matamata.
Ōtorohanga
FIRTH TOWER MUSEUM Absorb the region’s history in displays spread across 13
Te Kauwhata
Hobbiton Village © Destination Rotorua LEFT: Cambridge Hall © Hamilton Waikato Tourism
Te oumit itK oi Wa
Caves
MORE in Cambridge: Avantidrome Cycling Velodrome; The Walk of Fame; Saturday morning Farmers’ Markets; Lake Karapiro.
PU KRuUiRtUi eTĀ T
buildings, summit the tower and picnic under a cloak of garden oak trees.
ntly Hu RURU Ā T U P Te Aroha SWIM ZONE TE AROHA Make the most of a 20m outdoor pool (heated to 31 degrees in summer and even warmer in winter), there’s also a spa, toddler’s pool and No. 2 Bath House which embraces its Edwardian heritage and is available for private bookings.
MOKENA GEYSER Take a short walk near the spa to the only natural soda water geyser in the world, spurting every 40 minutes or so.
Hamilton
PIAKO COUNTY TRAMWAY New Zealand’s oldest bush tramway with segments of original rail and the remnants of gold mines and miners’ lodgings. Located in Waiorongomai Valley.
Raglan
EDWARDIAN DOMAIN Take a picnic to this beautiful leafy park freckled with Edwardian buildings.
TE AROHA DOMAIN FOOT POOL Set amidst the trees is a free foot pool, heated to 36 degrees.
MOUNT TE AROHA SUMMIT TRACK Beginning at the Mokena Geyser, it’s 20 minutes to the first lookout and approximately three hours to the top where views as far as Mt Taranaki will knock you for six. Fortunately, soothing mineral spas await at the bottom.
KĀwhia
TE AROHA MINERAL SPAS Set in a beautiful vintage building, the spa with private tubs draws hot soda water from beneath Mt Te Aroha.
MatamataPAGE 5 - REGIONAL MAP
