Waitomo Caves
- New Plymouth
181 km (113 miles)
Approximately 2.25 hours
Road Conditions: State Highway
The Waitomo Caves region is famous for its subterranean splendour. Beneath the surface of this ancient limestone region is a series of vast cave systems decorated with stalactites, stalagmites and glow-worms. Some caves open to the public, and are easy to walk through, others require specialised caving equipment.
After the rural town of Te Kuiti, which hosts NZ sheep shearing championships each year, you’ll drive towards the west coast through a mixture of farmland, forest and rugged mountain country. At Awakino or Mokau, you can take a break to enjoy the wild beauty of the Tasman Sea. Whitecliffs Walkway is just a few minutes down the road. A series of seaside villages marks off the final leg of your journey.
The city of New Plymouth is known for its beautiful parks and gardens. Take a picnic to Pukekura Park to admire the rhododendrons. New Plymouth also has a strong arts focus, so check out the current exhibitions. The national park that surrounds Mt Taranaki has spectacular waterfalls and walkways to discover.
Scenic Highlights
Sugar Loaf Islands and Paritutu Rock
Paritutu and the Sugar Loaf Islands are remnants a large volcano that was active nearly two million years ago.
Taranaki Lakes
Give your shutter finger some exercise at beautiful Lake Mangamahoe, an ideal location for taking pictures of Mount Taranaki.
Wreck of the Gairloch
Discover the rusted skeleton of the Gairloch, a coastal steamer that ran aground on a moonless night in 1903.
Egmont National Park
With more than 300 kilometres of walking tracks, Egmont National Park is a dream destination for enthusiastic hikers.
Pukekura Park
Pukekura Park is New Plymouth's pride and joy - a huge area of gardens, water features, display houses and entertainment facilities.
Tupare Garden
Just a short drive from New Plymouth, Tupare is one of New Zealand's most beautiful and distinctive gardens.
Waitomo Caves
Wai means water, tomo means hole. Put them together and you have the perfect name for a region that's packed with limestone caves.
New Plymouth Coastal Walkway
Stretch your legs along the New Plymouth Coastal Walkway, a seven kilometre parade of beaches and city attractions.
Puke Ariki
Put a few hours aside to explore the museum galleries at Puke Ariki, New Plymouth's groundbreaking cultural centre.
Pukeiti Rhododendron Trust
Wander the pathways of Pukeiti in any season - there's always so much to see in this spectacular rainforest garden.
Activities
Taranaki
Arts & Crafts (2),
Museums (1)
Waikato
Cycling/Mountain Biking (1),
Farms (3)
Tour and Sightseeing
Waikato
Cycling/Mountain Biking (1),
Farms (1)
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