Best things to do in Waikato Region

Waikato Region Unmissables

The Waikato Region encompasses diverse landscapes ranging from the subterranean Waitomo Glowworm Caves to the volcanic peaks of Tongariro National Park. The area features the 10-hectare Hobbiton Movie Set, the 14-meter-high Māori rock carvings at Mine Bay, and the geothermal activity of Waiotapu’s Champagne Pool and Lady Knox Geyser. Central to the region is Lake Taupō, a massive caldera lake that feeds the Waikato River and the powerful Huka Falls.

QFSE Media / CC BY-SA 3.0 nz

Mine Bay Māori Rock Carvings

Sculpted by Matahi Brightwell in 1980, this giant carving is recognized as one of the most impressive contemporary Māori artworks.

Манько Марко / CC BY-SA 4.0

Waitomo Glowworm Caves

The Waitomo Glowworm Caves attraction is a cave at Waitomo on the North Island of New Zealand.

Andres Iga / CC0

Hobbiton Movie Set

The Hobbiton Movie Set is a significant location used for The Lord of the Rings film trilogy and The Hobbit film trilogy, serving as a…

Egghead06 / CC BY-SA 3.0

Huka Falls

Huka Falls is a set of waterfalls on the Waikato River, which drains Lake Taupō in New Zealand.

Econterms / CC BY-SA 4.0

Waiotapu Geyser

Waiotapu is an active geothermal area at the southern end of the Okataina Volcanic Centre, just north of the Reporoa caldera, in New…

Louis Tan / CC BY-SA 2.0

Champagne Pool

Champagne Pool is a prominent geothermal feature within the Waiotapu geothermal area in the North Island of New Zealand.

Lady Knox Geyser

The Lady Knox Geyser is a geyser in the Waiotapu area of the Taupō Volcanic Zone in New Zealand.

Blueromulan / CC BY-SA 3.0

Tongariro National Park

Tongariro National Park is the oldest national park in New Zealand, located in the central North Island.

Eusebius / CC BY 3.0

Mount Tongariro

An active stratovolcano rising 1,978 meters within New Zealand's oldest national park. It features multiple volcanic craters, including the vivid Emerald Lakes, and forms a central part of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.

Travel & Shit / CC BY-SA 2.0

Mount Ngāuruhoe

Mount Ngauruhoe is a volcanic cone in New Zealand. It is the youngest vent in the Tongariro stratovolcano complex on the Central Plateau of…

Pseudopanax / Public domain

Lake Taupō

Lake Taupō is a large crater lake in New Zealand's North Island, located in the caldera of Taupō Volcano.

Hamiltongardens / CC BY 3.0

Hamilton Gardens

A 54-hectare public park renowned for its Enclosed Gardens collection. Themed sections represent diverse historical traditions, including the Italian Renaissance, Indian Char Bagh, Japanese Garden of Contemplation, and the traditional Māori Te Parapara garden.