Just three hours from Auckland, two hours from Rotorua and an hour from Hamilton, the Waitomo and South Waikato region is the perfect location for a true Kiwi experience.
Otohoranga
Otorohanga is known as 'Kiwiana Capital'. The Sir Edmond Hillary Walkway houses 14 Kiwiana display cases, poster panels and giant photo murals and sculptures. From Buzzy Bee to Ches 'n' Dale, No.8 Wire and School Milk, this walkway is a fabulous blast from the past. The Otorohanga Kiwi House and Native Bird Park is the country's original kiwi house and a fantastic opportunity to get a really good look at a kiwi, other rare native birds and tuatara. You can even adopt your own kiwi!Kawhia
Drive to charming Kawhia on the coast for its laid-back 1960s appeal and unspoilt harbour. Steeped in history, this eco-wonderland is the spiritual and ancestral home of the Tainui people. Here you can still walk for miles on an isolated beach without seeing another footprint in the sand. Eat fish and chips on the wharf and dig your own hot pool in the black sand of Ocean Beach.Waitomo Caves
Just a few kilometres south are the world-famous Waitomo Caves where, of course, you'll want to take one of the tours to see the magnificent glowworms. Allow extra time to enjoy the marvellous bush drives and walks through this classic limestone country with its sculptured rocks, fluted outcrops, gorges, arches and tunnels. The Waitomo Walkway meanders alongside the Waitomo River, though a canopy of native forest to the Ruakuri Scenic Reserve.Maungatautari Restoration Project
Driving north-east you'll find the Maungatautari Restoration Project, New Zealand's largest ecological restoration project. More than 3,000ha of forest has been completely enclosed by a 50km pest-exclusion fence to eradicate all non-native pest mammals and predators and restore endangered native flora and fauna to healthy populations.Pureora Forest Park
Pureora Forest Park is one of the finest rainforests in the world - a hidden wonderland of tall trees, clear rivers and rare wildlife easily accessed by SH 30 and SH 32. It is a remnant of the ancient forests that once covered most of the country and the perfect place to visualise primeval New Zealand, with giant totara, rimu, matai, miro and kahikatea trees.
Ruakuri walk
Minutes from the caves, this easy, 30-minute loop walk travels through a forest-covered gorge alongside the Waitomo Stream, passing through small caves including the Ruakuri Natural Tunnel, a spectacular high-ceilinged cave.Kiwi Watch
From the comfort of a hide, spend a unique, magical evening viewing kiwi at eye level and watching them feed amongst the leaf litter. 2-6 people only. Bookings essential.Coastal/forest drive from Kawhia to Mokau
Explore the King Country coastline with its ironsand beaches and quaint coastal settlements. Scenic driving on quiet roads. Hunt for fossils, dig for kai moana and take in the views.
