Hamilton and Waikato are well known for the Waitomo Caves, Hobbiton Movie Set and…a lot of farmland.

But did you know that the land surrounding the Mighty Waikato River has a lot more to offer? From picturesque country towns, glow worms and waterfalls to hot springs and biking and walking trails, there’s so much more to Hamilton and Waikato than meets the eye.

And bonus: It’s ultra-close to Auckland and makes for a perfect weekend getaway and mini road trip!

Cycling

Group paddling on yellow kayaks exploring a canyon on Lake Karapiro, Waikato New Zealand
Get 10% off biking Waikato River Trail or kayaking Lake Karapiro (day time or glow worm kayaking) with Riverside Adventures. Just enter WGNZ10
Available through out the year:
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

Glow Worms NZ

Waitomo Adventures Haggas Honking Holes Waterfall Abseiling
Go on an extraordinary Waitomo adventure underground with an action-packed tour of the Waitomo Caves and stay super-central in the heart of Waitomo.
Available through out the year:
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec
Boat in the famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves by THL
Find out what the fuss about the Waitomo Caves is all about with our Classic Waitomo Getaway. See galaxies of glowworms, explore the Ruakuri Cave and stay in Waitomo
Available through out the year:
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec
Group of people abseiling 100m into the caves with Waitomo Adventure
Get 10% off an action-packed tour with Waitomo Adventures. Just enter the Waitomo Caves promo code GETAWAY when booking.
Available through out the year:
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

Jet Boat Rides

Group paddling on yellow kayaks exploring a canyon on Lake Karapiro, Waikato New Zealand
Get 10% off biking Waikato River Trail or kayaking Lake Karapiro (day time or glow worm kayaking) with Riverside Adventures. Just enter WGNZ10
Available through out the year:
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

Kayaking and SUP

Group paddling on yellow kayaks exploring a canyon on Lake Karapiro, Waikato New Zealand
Get 10% off biking Waikato River Trail or kayaking Lake Karapiro (day time or glow worm kayaking) with Riverside Adventures. Just enter WGNZ10
Available through out the year:
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

Promo Codes

Group paddling on yellow kayaks exploring a canyon on Lake Karapiro, Waikato New Zealand
Get 10% off biking Waikato River Trail or kayaking Lake Karapiro (day time or glow worm kayaking) with Riverside Adventures. Just enter WGNZ10
Available through out the year:
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec
Group of people abseiling 100m into the caves with Waitomo Adventure
Get 10% off an action-packed tour with Waitomo Adventures. Just enter the Waitomo Caves promo code GETAWAY when booking.
Available through out the year:
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

Thrilling

Waitomo Adventures Haggas Honking Holes Waterfall Abseiling
Go on an extraordinary Waitomo adventure underground with an action-packed tour of the Waitomo Caves and stay super-central in the heart of Waitomo.
Available through out the year:
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

Tours Only

Surf lessons in Raglan New Zealand by Tourism New Zealand
Learn to surf in Raglan Once a little hippie town, Raglan has become famous in the surfing community after the movie The Endless Summer. It's...
Available through out the year:
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec