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ROAD TRIP - Raglan to Waitomo Caves
Raglan to Kāwhia via Te Papatapu & Kauroa- Kāwhia Rd 1hr 8min, 52km
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Kāwhia to Waitomo Caves via Te Anga Rd 1hr 46min, 89km
Journey from one coastal township to another. Head southwest from Raglan along SH 23 and turn right at Te Mata Rd. Continue through Makomako before reaching the sleepy but charming seaside town of Kāwhia. Make sure you pack swimwear, even in winter, as Kāwhia’s Ocean Beach boasts a natural hot spring. Take a spade, dig a hollow in the sand and voila! warm water to soak in. Feeling soothed and relaxed, head back to the car to continue the journey along the coast via Te Anga stopping at the must-see Marokopa Falls. Then it’s on to Waitomo to explore glittering glowworm caves.
Waitomo Caves
© Discover Waitomo
HIGHLIGHTS
KĀWHIA’S HOT WATER BEACH On the other side of the sand dunes at Kāwhia’s Ocean Beach. Best experienced at low tide or two hours either side. Epic at sunset.
Kāwhia beach
© Adobe Stock
KĀWHIA REGIONAL MUSEUM GALLERY Delve into the area’s history. This museum houses traditional Tainui carvings and ancient fossils, as well as a kauri racing whaleboat from the early 1880s.
RUAKURI CAVE Spiral down into this cave system with plenty of stalactites, stalagmites and heaps of glowworms.
Spellbound Cave, glowworms, Waitomo Caves
© Hamilton Waikato Tourism
ŌTOROHANGA Take a 15-minute drive from Waitomo Caves to see a delightful display of kiwiana icons. The town is also home to the Ōtorohanga Kiwi House that is easily the place to meet real native birds including kiwi and falcons.
WAITOMO WALKWAY Beginning opposite the Waitomo Caves Discovery Centre, this two-and-a-half hour walkway connects up with the Ruakuri Bush Walk.
BLACK ABYSS ADVENTURES Abseil into the Earth’s deepest pockets; zipline past glowworms, see underground waterfalls and tube down pitch-black rivers.
Waitomo Caves
© Discover Waitomo
The Māori word for water is ‘wai’; ‘tomo’ translates to ‘hole into the ground’. That’s a hint as to what can be enjoyed in this part of the country. There are about 300 known caves in the region but the Waitomo Glowworm Caves are the most famous. Subterranean limestone grottoes formed more than 30 million years ago provide a truly amazing experience here. Thrillseekers might want to opt for black-water rafting, abseiling or ziplining excursions, while others will be more than content just to see the many millions of glowworms twinkling on the cave ceiling like constellations of stars. They will be guided through intricate cave systems, complete with stalactites and stalagmites, via underground passageways and across deep, dark waterways in a small boat. Afterward, descend on the new Waitomo Day Spa for a luxury treatment, also located at Waitomo Caves Village.
TOP WALKS
MAROKOPA FALLS A 30-minute drive from Waitomo is Marokopa Falls. A track lined with native tawa and nīkau forests leads to the viewing platform from where you’ll be rewarded with views of the 30m waterfall.
Marokopa Falls
© Adobe Stock
NGARUNUI TRACK ACCESS This track is one of the most accessible walking tracks in Raglan from Wainui Road beside the Bryant Home Children’s Bible Camp. This coastal walk has good views on the way down to the beach.
RUAKURI WALK This walk reveals beautiful sights by day and by night. After dark, you’ll be treated to a swathe of glowworms along a pathway showcasing forested gorges, a stream and low-slung limestone arches leading to the Ruakuri Bridge platform. Entering a tunnel near the platform, you’ll see stalactites and stalagmites and gushing waterways below.
MANGAPOHUE NATURAL BRIDGE WALK Located in Waitomo, this 20-minute, 700m-loop walk takes you through an impressive limestone gorge that passes underneath a 17m-high natural arch.
WAIRĒINGA/BRIDAL VEIL FALLS TRACK You’ll want to walk to the top and down to the base of these spectacular 55m waterfalls because they are definitely a sight you won’’t want to miss. The track to the top of the falls is suitable for wheelchairs and buggies.
Bridal Veil Falls
© www.hamiltonwaikato.com
