Waikato
Natural Miracles & Middle-Earth Magic
Situated right in the heart of the North Island, the Waikato shares its name with New Zealand’s longest river. A region of lush, green hills, bush and farmland, it also has exceptional surf on the West coast at Raglan. Its main city, Hamilton, is located 90 minutes from Auckland and Rotorua, and Cambridge, the hub of the thoroughbred horse-breeding industry is just 15 minutes away.
Famous for being the backdrop for Middle-Earth movie magic, the Waikato is also a place where natural miracles occur: over time, water and limestone together have formed vast cave systems – populated by glow-worms – huge sink holes, and underground streams.
Experience Waikato
- Visit the Waitomo Glowworm Caves where the natural beauty of stalactites and stalagmites lit by the blue light of glow worms has to be seen to be believed.
- Visit the remnants of Hobbiton, the hobbit village created for the Lord of the Ring’s movie trilogy on a Matamata sheep farm. View the hobbit holes and find out how the set was created on a guided tour.
- Wander around Hamilton Gardens, stunning themed gardens on the banks of the Waikato River
- Tour a thoroughbred stud farm in Cambridge and here you can also see the New Zealand Horse Magic Show which provides world class equine entertainment
Here is a small selection of the accommodation available in the Waikato area, but we have many alternative Hotels, Apartments, B&Bs, Motels and Lodges to suit all tastes and budgets.
The Henley Hotel, Cambridge
A contemporary country house hotel, Henley enjoys a 29-acre parkland setting that blends relaxed luxury and style with seamless service. Less than two hours from Auckland, it has 14 guest rooms, a restaurant, house bar, day spa, gym, indoor heated pool, large 200-person function centre, screening room and a romantic wedding chapel. Dining reflects the region’s delicacies, and there are multiple private dining options. Ideal for weddings, honeymoons, or just a romantic break, The Henley is ideally located as an accommodation alternative for either Auckland or Rotorua.
The rooms are graded by size and amenities, but they all have the creature comforts and touches you’d expect from quality accommodation, including complimentary WiFi, tea and coffee-making facilities, and luxury bath and body products.
Good Room
The smallest rooms with Queen beds and en-suites with monsoon rain showers and baths.
Better Room
Better rooms have King or Twin beds with garden views.
Best Room
Best Rooms have gas fires and soaker baths, and either a balcony or large window seat, table or workspace.
Novotel Tainui Hotel, Hamilton
Located in the heart of Hamilton, on the banks of the river adjacent to the SkyCity Casino and entertainment complex, Novotel Hamilton Tainui features 177 rooms. Relax with a drink in the bar, dine at the award-winning restaurant, enjoy the sauna and spa – with massage therapies available – or explore the shopping, dining and entertainment districts of the city.
All room options are of good size with King beds, en-suite bath or shower, river or city views, complimentary health centre access, work area, TV, internet access, safe and more.
Superior Room
A spacious room with city or river views. (Image from Novotel Tainui website)
Executive Room
A more luxurious room with the same features as the Superior Room but additional amenities including an espresso coffee machine, bathrobes and slippers. (Image from Novotel Tainui website)
Villa Walton, Matamata
This original homestead is renowned for its 100+ year-old kauri, copper beech, magnolia trees and beautiful cottage gardens, that can be enjoyed from the sweeping verandahs. The villa itself has been lovingly restored to retain as many original Victorian features as possible – including tiled fireplaces, polished floors, lead-lights, and high ceilings. Modern en-suite facilities have been sympathetically added to each room for a high level of contemporary comfort.
Close to the main highways that lead to a wide range of activities including the Hobbiton village, Villa Walton offers an opportunity to experience being on a farm in the heart of dairy country, with lovely views of the Kaimai ranges.
Bray Room
Spacious premium room with extensive views of the surrounding farmland. Deluxe King bed, en-suite with shower, large verandah, private seating area, TV, fridge, tea and coffee making facilities and private en-suite with shower. Image Credit: Villa Walton website
Cole Room
Spacious premium room with extensive views of the surrounding farmland and extensive gardens. Deluxe King bed, en-suite with shower, large verandah, private seating area, TV, fridge, tea and coffee making facilities. Image Credit: Villa Walton website
Orr Room
A smaller room, but no less impressive. Named after one of the Villa’s historical owners, it has a unique décor, and a Queen Bed with premium linens. Image Credit: Villa Walton website
Walton Cottage (Self Contained)
Many fixtures and fittings from the original homestead have been carefully repurposed in this delightful cottage. It offers a fully equipped kitchen, lounge and dining spaces, and a separate bedroom with en-suite. You will also enjoy the novel experience of stargazing from the privacy of the antique claw-foot bath set in the courtyard. Image Credit: Villa Walton website
Waikato
Somersal B&B, Perongia
Perched on the banks of the Waipa River in Pirongia just 10 minutes’ drive from Te Awamutu in the central Waikato, Somersal offers a relaxing and secluded country experience. Stay in farm-style comfort under a sky rich with stars, then wake to native birdsong in the garden, and a delicious breakfast. Somersal is an ideal base for a large range of one-day and longer trips.
Four Queen bedrooms offer mountain or garden views. The Deluxe Queen and Master Queen bedrooms both have en-suites, while the other two Queen bedrooms share a bathroom with separate shower and toilet.
Deluxe Queen Room
Master Queen Room
Some of the experiences available in the Waikato area are outlined below, but there are many, many more, so please ask for details of any other activity you would like to include during your stay.
Hobbiton Movie Set Tour, Matamata
This amazing Hobbit-sized village, created for the movies, is a definite must for Tolkien fans. After a drive through the picturesque 1,250-acre sheep farm, with spectacular views across to the Kaimai Ranges, your guide will escort you through the ten-acre village site showing you Hobbit-holes, The Green Dragon Inn, The Mill and other well-known creations, so you can see how this beautiful Waikato farmland was transformed into The Shire from Middle-Earth. Specially brewed beverages are served at The Green Dragon Inn as you complete your tour, and your guide will then return you to The Shires Rest Cafe and The Shire Store.
Duration: 2 Hours
Glowworm Caves and Theatre Entrance, Waitomo
For over 100 years, visitors have flocked to witness the magic of the Glow-Worm Caves. On your tour, a knowledgeable guide will lead you through the limestone chambers and passages to see stunning features like the Tomo – a deep shaft that falls away to the darkness below – and the famous ‘Cathedral’.
A silent boat trip through the glow-worm grotto will have you marvelling at Mother Nature’s light display. As you glide quietly beneath the lights of thousands of glow-worms suspended from the cave ceiling, only the gentle sound of dripping water reminds you that you are deep underground and not beneath a star-filled sky.
Duration: 1 Hour
Black Water Rafting, Waitomo
For those seeking an adrenaline rush, black-water rafting is not to be missed. This is the original Waitomo subterranean adventure that will have you climbing, black-water tubing, leaping and floating through Ruakuri Cave. Over three hours, you will take leaps of faith over cascading waterfalls, and float serenely down an underground river as you enjoy the glow-worm show on the vaulted limestone galleries above. Your journey concludes when you emerge into the sunlight of the Waitomo Forest.
Duration: 3 Hours
Waikato
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