Scenic Highlights

Top Waikato scenic highlights

Waikato's landscapes are wildly diverse. Armed with local knowledge you can find sun-dappled forest trails, magical waterfalls, vast black sand beaches and beautifully manicured gardens.

Selected highlights at a glance

The highly individual splendour of Hamilton Gardens

Hamilton Gardens covers an area of 58 hectares. Development of the higher area alongside Cobham Drive, now known as the Victorian Flower Garden, began in the early 1950s. However, most development at Hamilton Gardens has been undertaken since the early 1980s. Hamilton Gardens has not been developed in the manner of conventional botanic gardens. Instead, the concept is based on the relationship between people and plants. This theme is explored through five collections - the Paradise Garden Collection, the Landscape Garden Collection, the Productive Garden Collection, the Fantasy Garden Collection and the Cultivar Garden Collection.

New Zealand's longest river

The Waikato River is the longest river in New Zealand. Rising in the area north east of Taupo, it then flows for 425km through the Waikato region until it reaches the Tasman Sea at Port Waikato, north west of Hamilton.

The Waikato became a working river when Tainui migrated to the region and began to farm its banks. Eventually, they saw the river as being inextricably linked with their own history. The river was the scene of several skirmishes between the British and the Waikato tribes in 1863-65.

Ngaruawahia - a small town with a big history

Ngaruawahia is one of the oldest and most historic settlements in the Waikato and was once planned as the capital of New Zealand because of its strategic location. Strong cultural ties have long been a characteristic of the township. Turangawaewae Marae, on the northern bank of the Waikato River, is the official residence of the reigning Maori monarch Te Arikinui Tuheitia Paki.

Ngaruawahia is located at the junction of two great rivers - Waikato and Waipa. These rivers were once canoe routes of great importance to Maori, and later to European settlers. While in Ngaruawahia, ask where to find the Hakarimata walkways - the best known of these is a 3 hour round trip walk with views over the Waikato River. Taupiri Mountain, which watches over Ngaruawahia, is sacred and contains the Waikato's most significant burial ground.

Exploring the mountains of Pirongia

The Pirongia Forest Park includes three extinct volcanoes - Mount Pirongia (959 metres), The Cone (945 metres) and Mount Karioi (756 metres). The area is small and densely forested. The tracks in this forest park are ideal for short walks and one to two day hikes. If you want to spend the night on Mount Pirongia you can stay in the Pukatea Hut, which is about 30 minutes walk from the summit. Podocarps, such as rimu and totara are found at lower altitudes, along with tawa and tree-ferns. As you go higher, the forest changes. Hardy plants like kamahi and horopito are found on exposed ridges; near the summit, thick mats of mountain flax, hardy coprosmas and ferns are common. Expect to see grey warblers, tui, wood pigeons, bellbirds, fantails and tomtits.

The world famous surf breaks of Raglan

Lifeguards patrol the western end of Raglan's main beach during the summer months. It's safest to swim between the flags, as there can be strong undertows on the outgoing tide. Manu Bay (Waireke) is primarily a surfing beach and famous for its left-hand break. Surfers come from around the globe to compete in the international surfing competition held here every summer.

Surfing aside, Raglan is also a place to appreciate the beauty of New Zealand's native forest. Local walks include Mount Karioi, Bridal Veil Falls, the Karamu Track and Te Toto Gorge.

A day trip to Kawhia Harbour

Kawhia Harbour is a drowned river valley system. Its entrance is obstructed by a sand bar, a feature of most harbours on the western coasts of New Zealand.

A grassy knoll in the grounds of the Maketu Marae is the final resting place of the Tainui waka, the migration canoe that brought the Tainui people to Aotearoa. Two large upright stones mark the stern and prow of the buried canoe. The Maori Queen has a residence at the entrance to the marae.

At Te Puia (Hot Water) Beach, hot springs well up through the sand. Between low and mid-tide you can scoop out a hot pool and enjoy a seaside soak.