Waikato, Waitomo & Raglan
Spot glowworms in Waitomo, brave the waves in Raglan and enjoy the lush landscapes of Waikato. Here, you’ll experience the diversity of New Zealand at its best.
Discover Waikato
The Waikato region is known for its cattle farms and the mighty Waikato River. The river rises on Mount Ruapehu and flows into New Zealand’s largest lake: Lake Taupo. To the west, Waikato boasts a beautiful and largely unspoilt coastal area with small settlements that are very popular with surfers. The south-east of Waikato consists of rolling hills. Matamata was home to the Hobbits of Hobbiton in the Lord of the Rings films.
Waitomo Caves
This is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the North Island: the Waitomo cave system, south of Auckland. It is famous for its fantastic collection of stalagmites and stalactites, but first and foremost for the glow-worms that live here. The caves were first explored in 1887 by Māori chief Tane Tinorau and the Briton Fred Mace. They entered the caves on a raft. Once their eyes had adjusted to the darkness, they saw lights reflecting off the water. These turned out to be countless glow-worms (official name Arachnocampa luminosa).
It was not until much later that Tinorau and Mace discovered that the caves could also be reached by land. This entrance is now used by thousands of visitors to witness the wonder of the glow-worms and the limestone formations. In 1906, the government took over the caves from the Māori, who had been guiding visitors there until then, but since 1989 they have once again been in the hands of the indigenous people. The majority of the guides are direct descendants of Chief Tane Tinorau.
The main cave comprises two levels. The upper level is dry; this is where the entrance is, and here you can admire the formations known as The Catacombs, The Pipe Organ and The Banquet Chamber. On the lower level, the waters of the Waitomo River flow through the cave, and here lies ‘The Cathedral’ – at 18 metres high, it is the largest cave and renowned for its excellent acoustics. Great singers such as Dame Kiri Te Kanawa have performed there.
The guided tour continues from here with an underground boat trip – a truly fantastic experience as you glide silently through the cave, guided by the light of the fireflies. In the immediate vicinity of the main cave lie the equally spectacular Aranui and Ruakuri caves. At the entrance to the Aranui Cave lives a colony of weta, a large insect found only in New Zealand, related to crickets and grasshoppers and dating back to the time of the dinosaurs. The caves are open between 09:00 and 17:30.
Raglan
Are you looking for unique natural beauty or lovely beaches where you can swim, surf, go for a walk or simply relax in peace and quiet? Then Raglan, on the west coast of the North Island, is the place for you. Raglan is about a two-hour drive south of Auckland and is a hub of activity where water sports play a major role. No wonder, really, as the town is literally surrounded by water.
Surfing is an extremely popular sport here. There are surf schools where you can take lessons, and kitesurfing is also an option. If you fancy taking it a bit easier, you can go canoeing or kayaking, take a cruise around the harbour, or hire a boat and set sail yourself. If you don’t fancy getting out on the water, then it’s time for a walk in the countryside or to explore the beautiful surroundings by bike, mountain bike or on horseback.
And how about a round of golf at the Raglan Golf Club (18 holes and with fantastic views) or trying your luck with a fishing rod? You can do it all in and around Raglan, and for those who still have energy left after all these activities, Raglan offers a wide range of shops, boutiques and galleries to explore, as well as restaurants to try out. For the night, there are various types of accommodation, such as hotels, motels, B&Bs and campsites. One thing is certain: you won’t get bored in Raglan.
King Country
King Country lies in the south-west of Waikato and takes its name from the Māori king Tawhiao, who settled in the hills there long ago. As well as its hills, covered in scrub and a wide variety of native tree species, King Country is famous for Waitomo. With its caves, stalagmites and stalactites, underground rivers and millions of glow-worms, it is certainly well worth a visit.
