Rolling Hills and a lot of farmland…Sandwiched between Auckland and Rotorua / Taupo, the region of Waikato sometimes has a bit of a hard time standing its ground.

If it wasn’t for two of the most famous tourist attractions in New Zealand, The Waitomo Glowworm Caves and Hobbiton Movie Set, visitors would probably pass right through.

But if you have more time on your hands, there’s heaps to discover in the Mighty Waikato on top of the main attractions. New Zealand very own surfer’s paradise, Raglan, for example, and Hamilton with the most stunning (free) botanic gardens you’ve ever seen. Turn off the main highway to Waikato’s back roads, you will find lush forests, lakes, impressive waterfalls, charming old-school towns, and…. another Hot Water Beach!

Discover with us the known and unknown gems of Waikato.

Things To Do in Waikato Area:

Waitomo Glowworm Caves

The Waitomo Caves are an extensive network of underground caves. They’re famous as the caves have the ideal living conditions for the New Zealand Glowworm. They love a dark, moist and calm place (it doesn’t have to be a cave) to fish for their food and in the cave system, they can do exactly this.

There is not the ‘one’ glowworm cave in Waitomo. Several bigger and smaller operators guide you through their very own cave. The most famous Waitomo Glowworm Cave tour, the one you usually see pictures of, is the most commercial cave. If you’re looking for a more adventurous way through the caves than walking, how about abseiling 100m | 330ft into a cave or float on an inflatable tyre through the darkness on an underwater river?

Read more about the Waitomo Caves here

How to get to To Waitomo Caves

By plane: While there is an airport in Hamilton, your best bet is to fly into Auckland and either hire a car to drive to the Waitomo Caves or join one of the guided tours from Auckland. 

By car/motorhome: The Waitomo Caves are 2.5h (190km | 118mi) south of Auckland. Follow SH1 to Hamilton and then turn off to SH39. The distance between Waitomo Caves and Hobbiton is 88km | 55mi (1.5 hours), from Waitomo to Rotorua, it’s 150km | 93mi (2 hours) and to Taupo, it’s also 150km | 93mi, but on a different route. 

By public transport: The Waitomo Caves are located off the main route of Intercity’s bus system, making it a bit harder to get to the caves by public transport. You’re better off driving or booking a tour.

Taking a tour: You can either book one of the 1 or 2-week bus tours or there are options to join a one-way tour from Auckland to Rotorua where you visit Hobbiton and/or Waitomo Caves along the way.

Hobbiton / Matamata

If you like the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings movie trilogies, you’ll just have to visit Hobbiton Movie Set! The location was used to film the scenes in the Shire, home of the hobbits. Now, a lot of the Waikato region looks a lot like the Shire by default, but Hobbiton transports the magic from the movies into real life. 

Tours through the meticulously looked-after garden run daily. You’ll see the famous hobbit holes, home to Frodo and co, rounded off by the visit of the famous Green Dragon Inn for a drink. If you’re in the area for one of the special events, you’re truly in for a treat. Wander around the Shire, beverage in hand, while creatures with hairy feet cater to your every need.

Hobbiton is located outside of Matamata, a hobbit-crazy town in rural Waikato, about 2 hours south of Auckland. 

How to get to To Hobbiton

By plane: While there is an airport in Hamilton, your best bet is to fly into Auckland and either hire a car to drive to the Hobbiton, join one of the guided tours from Auckland or hop on the bus.  

By car/motorhome: Hobbiton lies south of Matamata Waikato, which itself lies south of Auckland. It’s about 170km | xx miles from Auckland, just over 2 hours to drive. From Waitomo Caves, it’s 88km | 55mi (1.5 hours) to Hobbiton. Hobbiton to Rotorua takes about an hour and is 80km | 50mi in distance. 

By public transport: Intercity drives regularly between Auckland and Wellington. To get to Hobbiton, exit the bus in Matamata and look for the hobbit-themed i-Site (tourist information). Shuttles run regularly between the Matamata i-Site and Hobbiton. Taking the bus is the cheapest option to get around New Zealand.

Taking a tour: Guided day-tours from Auckland bring you to the Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves and back to Auckland. Or you can join a one-way tour from Auckland to Rotorua that also stops in both Waitomo and Hobbiton along the way.