WAIKATO & WAITOMO

MIDDLE EARTH MOVIE MAGIC MEETS SUBTERRANEAN WONDERS.

From the vibrant city hub of Hamilton to the rugged west coast, underground wonders and middle-earth movie magic, a visit to the Waikato offers adventures and excitement as you explore this geographically and culturally diverse region.

DRIVING DISTANCES:

HAMILTON TO:

Auckland 126 kms, 1 hr 50 mins

Matamata 63kms, 50 minutes

Waitomo 75 kms, 1 hr

Rotorua 108 kms, 1 hr 35 mins

Wellington 532 kms 6 hrs 30 mins

WAITOMO TO:

Auckland 200 kms, 2 hrs 45 mins

Rotorua 166 kms, 2 hrs 20 mins

Wellington 455 kms, 5 hrs 45 min

SPECIAL EVENTS:

30 Nov- 03 Dec 2022 – Fieldays

Sep 2023 – International Hobbit Day

Jan- 22 Jan 2023 – HSBC NZ Sevens 01-31 July 2023 – FIFA Womens World Cup

TOP NATURAL ATTRACTIONS:

» Waitomo’s awesome limestone caves and millions of glowworms.

» The legendary left hand surf break at Manu Bay, Raglan.

» Hot Water springs at Ocean Beach, Kawhia and hot mineral pools at Te Aroha.

» 11km walkway along the banks of the Waikato River from the heart of Hamilton city.

» Blue Springs - Te Waihou WalkwayNZ’s purest water spring and stunning riverside walk

» Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari –NZ’s largest Mainland ecological ‘island’.

» Hamilton Gardens – A ‘Must Do’! International award winning experience.

» Waikato River Trails - over 100km of cycle trails taking in five lakes and four hydro dams

» Water Falls – majestic Bridal Veil Falls (Raglan) and Wairere Falls (Matamata) North Islands highest waterfall.

» Mangapohue Natural Bridge, remains of an ancient cave system which now stands as a dramatic natural bridge, Waitomo.

Award-winning accommodation in a unique park-like setting, in the heart of Waitomo Village. Only 600m from the famous Waitomo Caves for glowworms, black water rafting, abseiling, rock climbing, and more. Facilities include a large swimming pool, hot tub, TV room with guest library, BBQ area, communal kitchen, and children’s playground.

Heartland Ambassador Hotel Hamilton

In the heart of the mighty Waikato, Hamilton is a cultural hub for the rich agricultural surrounds, as well as many iconic kiwi tourist attractions nearby. Location is also key for the Heartland Ambassador Hotel Hamilton, perfectly positioned with only a short walk to many of the city’s key attractions Stadiums, Seddon Park, Claudelands Event Centre

Ramada by Wyndham, Hamilton

Enjoy a memorable stay at one of Hamilton’s best kept secrets. Ramada by Wyndham Hamilton, a modern hotel set in a historic 19th-century building, offering rooms and suites that fit every kind of traveller. In the heart of the CBD make the most of your city stay, with Hamilton’s top attractions, bars and restaurants all within walking distance.

We offer uninterrupted rural views from our working lifestyle farm, just a short distance to Matamata township and the Hobbiton Movie Set. Feel free to interact with the friendly farm animals, walk the pastures or relax under the Unwind and soak in the scenery of rolling pastures, Kaimai ranges, stunning sunsets and star gazing from your private courtyard, or the rustic table and chairs nestled within one of the lush green pastures.

Legendary Black Water Rafting

The Black Labyrinth - This is the original Waitomo subterranean adventure that will have you climbing, black water tubing, leaping and floating through Ruakuri Cave. Over three hours you’ll take leaps of faith over cascading waterfalls and float serenely down the underground river as you enjoy the glowworm show on the vaulted limestone galleries up above. Your journey concludes when you emerge into the sunlight of the forest. Duration: 3 hrs Departs: 9.30am, 12noon and 1pm (12yrs+).

The Black Abyss - The ultimate Waitomo adventure, is the caving tour of choice for natural born adrenaline junkies everywhere. Descend into the seemingly bottomless black depths of the glowworm studded Ruakuri Cave. This five hour expedition combines abseiling the 25 metre tomo, climbing, whizzing down a flying fox and cave tubing underneath glowworms into one unforgettable journey. At every stage you’re accompanied and supported by experienced caving guides from The Legendary Black Water Rafting Company who know and love this totally unique and mindblowing environment. Duration: 5 hrs Departs: 9am and 2.30pm (16yrs+)

Hobbiton Movie Set Tours

The Hobbiton Movie Set is a visitor experience based at the original locations where Hobbiton was created for the filming of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies. It offers an interesting and entertaining experience incorporating the famous film set and a special insight into rural life.

Join us and experience the real Middle-earth™ at the Hobbiton™ Movie Set, where, in the heart of the Waikato region, you can step into the lush pastures of the Shire™, as seen in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Your guide will then escort you around the set, showing the intricate detailing, pointing out the most famous locations and explaining how the movie magic was made. You will be fully guided around the 12 acre set; past Hobbit Holes™, the Mill and into the world-famous Green Dragon™ Inn, where you will be presented with a complimentary, exclusive Hobbit™ Southfarthing™ beverage to conclude your own Middleearth™ adventure.

Second Breakfast Tour: You've already had breakfast, but what about second breakfast? Be the first on the Movie Set and enjoy a hearty breakfast spread served inside our newest venue, The Millhouse. Make the first footsteps on the Movie Set as part of our first tour of the day. After your tour and a visit to The Green Dragon Inn, follow your guide back over the double arch stone bridge to The Millhouse, where you will be treated to a breakfast spread fit for a Hobbit. The breakfast table will be heaped a selection of hot and cold breakfast options. Tours depart The Shire's Rest on selected weekends, generally on Sunday mornings

Adult Child (9-16yrs) Infant (0-8yrs)

Movie Set Tour – ex Shires Rest $91 $45 -

Second Breakfast Tour $153 $102 $51

Waitomo Caves

Waitomo Glowworm Caves - Walk through the world famous Cathedral Cave and hear the amazing acoustics in this vast space. Be amazed by the thousands of magical glowworms above, as you glide silently by boat in the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Operates 365 days a year. Duration: 45 mins Departs: from 9am daily.

Raukuri Caves - Discover spectacular Ruakuri Cave, full of legends and tales. Go deeper into the story as you descend the dramatic spiral entrance. Your two hour trip will include an intimate and educational experience with small tour groups. Duration: 1hr 15 mins Departs: from 9am daily. Ruakuri Cave is wheelchair accessible..

Per Person

The Black Labyrinth $163

The Black Abyss $279

Sanctuary Mountain Maungataurari

Come and experience for yourself the New Zealand environment the way it used to be – an ancient, vibrant pest-free forest alive with native wildlife including many of New Zealand’s rarest and most endangered , insects, birds and fish. Step through the pest-proof gate into another world where ancient forest towers majestically above well maintained walking tracks and the air is filled with birdsong.

Enjoy a variety of hikes and bush walks around our eco sanctuary, take a guided tour or nature walk and learn about why this conservation project is so special.

Visitor Centre open 7 days (excluding Christmas day)

Guided Tours run Tuesday – Friday & Sunday

Dusk and speciality tours scheduled throughout the year

Wetland and forest enclosures

• 5km of walking tracks

Adult Child Sanctuary Explorer Pass (self-guided) $35 $15

Adult Child (4-14yrs)

Waitomo Glowworm Caves $59 $27

Ruakuri Caves $84 $32

Waitomo & Ruakuri Caves Combo $94 $42

Hamilton Gardens

Guided Tour of Hamilton Gardens – Explore themed gardens with our experienced guides who will share the ‘inside story’ of how the Gardens was transformed from a rubbish dump into an internationally significant garden. Hamilton Gardens’ international unique concept tells the Story of Gardens reflects the evolution of civilisation. Discover where a Hollywood block buster was filmed in the Gardens and why our gardeners remove all the flowers from one particular garden, and take a selfie in front of our steampunk airship The Huddleston.

Duration: 1.25 hours. Tours leave Tuesday and Thursday at 11am. Bookings outside of these hours can be arranged with 48 hours’ notice. Minimum of two people.

Adult Child (6-14yrs)

Hamilton Gardens Guided tour of Enclosed Gardens (Free for chidren under 5yrs) $21 $13

PLENTY OF ACTION, PLENTY TO SEE, AND PLENTY TO DO!

Welcome to Te Moananui ā Toi (the Coastal Bay of Plenty) – a region of friendly faces and beautiful places, where the warmth of our climate is surpassed only by the manaakitanga (welcome) of our people. The Coastal Bay of Plenty stretches from Waihi Beach to Ohope along the Pacific Coast Highway. It’s in this region’s nature to impress, inspire and excite you.