Things to do in Waikato

Activities, attractions and tours

Shakespeare Lookout which includes a bay or harbor and a sandy beach
Cathedral Cove Beach featuring general coastal views, rugged coastline and a sunset
Waikato
New Zealand
Craters of the Moon showing mountains, tranquil scenes and landscape views

Most popular experiences in Waikato

Tours & day trips

See all 196 activities
Hobbiton Movie Set Tour with lunch from Auckland

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour with lunch from Auckland

Activity duration is 9 hours
10.0 out of 10 with 7 reviews
Free cancellation available
The previous price was P 9,929 and current price is P 8,936 per adult
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Private & custom tours

See all 57 activities
Hobbiton, Waitomo Caves, Blue Spring & Hamilton Garden Day trip

Hobbiton, Waitomo Caves, Blue Spring & Hamilton Garden Day trip

Activity duration is 13 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is P 4,516 per adult
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Adventure & outdoor

See all 40 activities
Rotoroa Island Ferry - from Auckland

Rotoroa Island Ferry - from Auckland

Activity duration is 8 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is P 3,241 per adult
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Water activities

See all 32 activities
Black Water Rafting Experience Waitomo Caves Tour

Black Water Rafting Experience Waitomo Caves Tour

Activity duration is 5 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is P 6,414 per adult
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Air, helicopter & balloon tours

See all 13 activities
Tandem Skydive Experience in Taupo

Tandem Skydive Experience in Taupo

Activity duration is 3 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is P 11,225 per adult
Tandem Skydive Experience in TaupoOpens in new tab

What to do in Waikato

Popular places to visit

New Zealand

Hobbiton Movie Set

Enjoy a trip to Hobbiton Movie Set, a well-known attraction in Matamata. Discover the area's hot springs and coffeehouses.

Hobbiton Movie Set
Waitomo Glowworm Caves

Waitomo Glowworm Caves

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Waitomo Glowworm Caves during your travels in Waitomo Caves. While in this quaint area, you can savor the top-notch restaurants.

Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Cathedral Cove Beach featuring general coastal views, rugged coastline and a sunset

Cathedral Cove

Enter the white sand beach through a natural rock archway, the perfect frame for your photos of the rocky islands and clear waters of this marine reserve.

Cathedral Cove
Huka Falls showing rapids and a bridge as well as a large group of people

Huka Falls

Whether viewing from a boat, bridge or the riverbank, this set of waterfalls is a spectacular sight as a huge body of water surges forward and downward.

Huka Falls
Hamilton Gardens

Hamilton Gardens

From the peaceful Japanese Zen Garden to the explosion of colour in the Indian Char Bagh Garden, anyone who loves nature will enjoy this man-made paradise.

Hamilton Gardens
Hahei Beach showing a beach, a bay or harbor and a sunset

Hahei Beach

Nestled between some of the Bay of Plenty’s most popular attractions, this tiny coastal hamlet is a great base for exploring the North Island.

Hahei Beach
Lake Karapiro

Lake Karapiro

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Lake Karapiro during your travels in Hamilton. Amble within picturesque gardens or visit the spas in this family-friendly area.

Lake Karapiro
Whangamata Beach

Whangamata Beach

If a restful vacation is part of your travel plans, Whangamata Beach might be the perfect place to seek out during your trip to Whangamata. Stroll along the waterfront or visit the spas while you're in the area.

Whangamata Beach
Hot Water Beach which includes tropical scenes, a sandy beach and landscape views

Hot Water Beach

Dig your own pool in the warm sand and soak in the waters of a natural hot springs when you visit one of New Zealand’s most beautiful beaches.

Hot Water Beach

Areas of Waikato

Waikato showing rugged coastline and a bay or harbor

Hamilton Central

If you're spending some time in Hamilton Central, Hamilton Centre Place and SkyCity Hamilton are top sights worth seeing.

Hamilton Central
Taupo featuring a lake or waterhole

Taupō Central

While visiting Taupō Central, you might make a stop by sights like Taupō Marina and Boat Ramp and Lake Taupō.

Taupō Central
Some may have seen this in photos before, but no photo does it justice; or shows you the awesomeness quite like when you are standing directly on the side of the boat and within metres of this brilliant carving. I took a small boat that served treats, pizza and wine. Although travelling alone I was able to meet people on this trip very easily. I went on the Ernest Kemp Steamboat. Such character and lovely staff.

Acacia Bay

Lake views and restaurants are notable features of Acacia Bay. You might consider a stop by Lake Taupō while you're exploring the neighborhood.

Acacia Bay
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Nukuhau

If you're spending some time in Nukuhau, Lake Taupō and Waikato River are top sights worth seeing.

Nukuhau
Looking out across Lake Taupo at the Central North Island volcanoes, Mount Ruapehu, Mount Ngauruhoe, and Mount Tongariro. The town of Taupo is very nice, with plenty of cheap hostels, around $25-35 per night

Hilltop

If you're spending some time in Hilltop, Taupō Hot Springs and Lake Taupō are top sights worth seeing.

Hilltop
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Wharewaka

While visiting Wharewaka, you might make a stop by sights like Lake Taupō and The Landing Lake Taupō.

Wharewaka
Huka Falls showing rapids and a bridge as well as a large group of people

Taupō

Thames featuring a house

Thames

Cathedral Cove Beach showing general coastal views, a beach and a sunset

Whitianga

Driving Creek Railway featuring tranquil scenes, landscape views and general coastal views

Coromandel

Photo by Taylor Bank

Horohoro

Wairakei which includes mist or fog as well as an individual femail

Wairakei

New Zealand

Matamata