Welcome to Waikato - Top Attractions and Local Culture
Right south of Auckland, you enter the Waikato area. The land with lush grasslands and fertile soil has made this area the center of the dairy industry.
Simply by traveling for an hour south of Auckland, you will enter the Hamilton & Waikato region; lush green pastures, which were chosen to be the locations of The Shire in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films.
If you're a Tolkien fan, head east to Matamata and visit the Hobbiton Movie Set, a stunning Hobbit-sized village created for the sake of the film. Or if you prefer surfing then Raglan is the location for you, with one of the longest left waves in the world.
For a magical underground experience, drive south to the Waitomo Caves, where the natural beauty of stalactites and stalagmites is illuminated by the blue glow of glowworms that will blow your mind; or for those looking for a more adrenaline rush, underground rafting and abseiling is an activity not to be missed.
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The landscapes you'll encounter in the Waikato will stay with you for all time. Find pure serenity above ground and the most astounding adventures below ground in Waikato. Experience Waikato dining and cuisine at a bar, restaurant, cafe or fast food joint, and taste some of the finest food and wines in New Zealand. Waikato enjoys a wide variety of fresh produce, both from the land and the sea.
The Huka Falls are a set of waterfalls on the Waikato River that drains Lake Taupo in New Zealand. ... Mercury NZ has the ability to control the flows between 50,000 litres per second (or 50 m3/s) and 319,000 litres per second (319 m3/s). At the top of the falls is a set of small waterfalls dropping over about 8 metres.
Take a kayak or boat tour around the scenic Western Bays of Lake Taupō to see the huge Māori rock carvings at Mine Bay. In the late 1970s master, carver Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell had completed his 10-year training period with Māori elders. He came to his grandmother's land at Lake Taupō to mark the occasion with a significant carving.
Fresh and local products and produce are best and the Waikato region is the place to make the most of some of New Zealand’s best. Enjoy award-winning cheese and wine, sample fresh produce such as asparagus or blueberries, browse at the numerous farmer's markets, and dine at top cafes and restaurants.
