Top 20 Best Things to Do in Waikato
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Top 20 Best Things to Do in Waikato

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Trip.Best is a collection of travel rankings that takes into account the travel choices and genuine preferences of hundres of millions of Trip.com users. It is updated monthly based on real data.
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  • Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tourstop_1
    󰺂9.4
    3771.17
    Matamata29.9 km from downtown
    trip best small logoAchieved a 3-year streak on the annual lists
    Highlights:
    󱓊Unique New Zealand hills & lakes
    Sample Ginger Beer at the Green Dragon Inn
    󱨠Saved by 1122 users󱨠545 positive reviews
    4.7/5
    Anonymous userAnonymous user

    The explanation was very humorous, but the speed of speech was very fast, which was a bit hard to adapt to. It was a pity that I didn't download the APP, which had Chinese explanations, which might sound more three-dimensional. When we left, each person was given a cup. The cafe in the restaurant was quite delicious.

  • Waitomo Glowworm Cavestop_2
    󰺂9.1
    2206.16
    Waitomo Caves36.8 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoNew Zealand's Underground Galaxy: Waitomo Glowworm Caves
    trip best small logoAchieved a 3-year streak on the annual lists
    Highlights:
    󱨜Listen to echoes in Cathedral Cave
    󱓊Hear underground waterfall's unique echo
    󱨠Saved by 537 users󱨠350 positive reviews
    4.5/5
    iQOO🐮iQOO🐮

    The experience of the Waitomo Firefly Cave was amazing. As soon as you entered the cave, it was dark and quiet, and only the fireflies above you flickered like stars. Sitting on a boat, glide up and look up at the blue-green spots, as if floating in the galaxy. The whole process was quiet, no explanation, no noise, only the sound of water and light and shadow, making people completely immersed in the dreamy atmosphere. Short but unforgettable.

  • Huka Fallstop_3
    󰺂6.0
    Taupo86.8 km from downtown
    󱨠37% positive reviews
    4.5/5
    Bobo0692Bobo0692

    This is such a feast to eyes! This is an extremely beautiful waterfall. This stunning beautiful body of water is one of the loveliest spot Taupo has to offer.

  • Hamilton Gardens
    4
    󰺂5.8
    Hamilton30.5 km from downtown
    Highlights:
    󱨜Transnational gardening & cultural fusion
    󰋄Multinational-themed gardens together
    󱨠26% positive reviews
    4.6/5
    刘小心™刘小心™

    New Zealand 🇳🇿 Hamilton Garden is definitely a must-see treasure attraction in New Zealand. A few of our friends went together, the whole experience was great, it was a worthwhile trip! First of all, the traffic in the park is very convenient, the city center is only ten minutes drive, the parking lot is free, this is really intimate. We had a very good luck that day, the weather was sunny, the sun was full, and the photos were all blockbuster, especially the Italian Renaissance Garden, standing there as if you were in Europe, the whole composition was as beautiful as a painting. Secondly, my favorite is the Chinese scholar garden, with all the pavilions and rockery pools. The south of the Yangtze River is full of charm and the details are very exquisite, and it is so real. The ancient Egyptian garden is also particularly amazing, the murals are exquisitely carved and realistic, and the photos are very colorful. Especially recommended is the psychedelic corridor, the feeling of visual illusion is amazing! The ticket price is also very conscience. We are local residents of Hamilton, so we applied for a free resident card in advance. Non-residents only need to pay 20 New Zealand dollars to visit all closed theme gardens. The price is high! The staff is also very warm and friendly, and the service experience is very good. After visiting, it takes about 3 hours to visit the entire park, but it will not feel tired at all, but it feels very relaxed and comfortable. I especially recommend friends or couples to come together and take pictures and punch in. In short, this experience is very satisfactory, I strongly recommend everyone to come to Hamilton Garden to feel the real "people in the middle of painting" 🌸🌿📷

  • Blue Spring / Te Waihou Walkway
    5
    󰺂5.8
    Putaruru34.9 km from downtown
    󱨠33% positive reviews
    4.7/5
    中西南北东中西南北东

    It's a very worthwhile attraction, with no entrance fee, no parking fee, and no commercial presence. Due to word of mouth, there are still many people going here, and the parking lot is basically full. However, the scenic area is very large, and it is said that there are more than ten kilometers of hiking trails, so it seems that there are very few people once they disperse.

  • Hukafalls Jet Taupo
    6
    󰺂5.5
    Taupo85.9 km from downtown
    4.8/5
    mousemouse

    It's super exciting and highly recommended. Remember to wear a hat. It's very windy, but you will get wet. It's best to wear a hooded windbreaker to block the wind and water. You have to book in advance, otherwise it's easy to get no seats. There are only 17 seats on a boat.

  • Spa Thermal Park
    7
    󰺂5.0
    Taupo88.8 km from downtown
    trip best small logoNo. 4 of Cool Water Escapes in Waikato
    Highlights:
    󱓊Perfect trails for family strolls
    󰋄60-foot limestone bridge spans 656 feet
    4.5/5
    王海娃子王海娃子

    The air is filled with a strong smell of sulfur, and white gas is coming out of the cracks in the rocks everywhere. The entire geothermal hot spring park makes people feel the pulse of the earth we live in, and it is also a resource for the benefit of mankind.

  • Ruakuri Cave
    8
    󰺂4.9
    Waitomo Caves35.5 km from downtown
    Highlights:
    󱓊Stalactites & stalagmites showcase geology
    Spiral staircase for dreamy photos
    4.1/5
    出去玩耍出去玩耍

    I clearly booked the cave next door with the spiral staircase, but the following problem occurred. When checking out, I didn't enter according to the scheduled time and was postponed. I actually followed a Chinese group to this cave that an internet celebrity didn't book a month in advance. I thought it was okay, it was the same idea, I didn't bother to argue

  • Lake Taupo
    9
    󰺂4.8
    Turangi90.9 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoThe wonders of New Zealand's Lake Taupo, where Maori rock carvings tell the story of history
    trip best small logoNo. 3 of Cool Water Escapes in Waikato
    󱨠30% positive reviews
    4.8/5
    DJDQDJDQ

    Lake Taupo is so big that it looks like a sea. It is a must-see attraction when traveling to the South Island of New Zealand! If you live in the city, you can walk to the lake. There are many sailboats and yachts, and you can play golf directly in the lake. New Zealanders are really good at playing. It is also very comfortable to lie in the green space by the lake and bask in the sun. All hotels are fully booked during the peak travel season, so you must book in advance. There is also a Huka Falls nearby to check in.

  • Te Whanganui-A-Hei (Cathedral Cove) Marine Reserve
    10
    󰺂4.6
    Hahei>100 km from downtown
    trip best small logoNo. 2 of Cool Water Escapes in Waikato
    󱨠28% positive reviews
    4.7/5
    🎀 张珍🐾🎀 张珍🐾

    Hahei and Cathedral Bay are places that are worth visiting in Coromandel. The bay here is very long, and there are many reefs protruding from the sea on the beach. They are of various shapes and sizes, giving people endless imagination. There are not many tourists here, so it is a great place to take pictures.

Best things to do in Waikato (2025)

Looking for the ultimate experiences in Waikato? From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, Waikato offers an exceptional collection of activities and attractions that cater to every type of traveler.

Whether you’re here for sightseeing, adventure, or cultural exploration, these top-rated activities promise unforgettable memories.

Top-rated things to do in Waikato

If you want to make the most of your trip, these activities deliver the full Waikato experience. Expect popular attractions, unique local experiences, and must-see spots that capture the essence of the city.

Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours

• Matamata | 29.9 km from downtown

• : Unique New Zealand hills & lakes,Sample Ginger Beer at the Green Dragon Inn

Waitomo Glowworm Caves

• Waitomo Caves | 36.8 km from downtown

• : Listen to echoes in Cathedral Cave,Hear underground waterfall's unique echo

Huka Falls

• Taupo | 86.8 km from downtown

Things to do for unique experiences

These activities provide memorable experiences beyond the ordinary. Enjoy cultural tours, adventure sports, guided excursions, and immersive local experiences designed for all interests.

Things to do near Waikato

If you want to explore attractions just outside Waikato, there are plenty of activities that combine scenic surroundings with convenient access to the city, perfect for day trips or short excursions.

Each of these activities offers a unique escape within 1–3 hours of Waikato, ideal for travelers who want to combine sightseeing with local experiences.

What makes things to do in Waikato special

• Iconic landmarks: Visit must-see sights that define the city.
• Local experiences: Engage in culture, crafts, and unique activities.
• Accessible adventures: Easily reachable attractions for all travelers.
• Diverse options: From relaxing experiences to adventurous outings.

Tips for booking things to do in Waikato

1. Plan ahead for popular attractions to avoid long queues.
2. Book early for guided tours or seasonal events.
3. Compare prices and packages on Trip.com for exclusive deals and bundled experiences.
4. Consider weekday visits for a quieter and more personalized experience.

Experience the best things to do in Waikato

Ready to explore the best of Waikato? Discover Trip.Best's curated list of things to do and experience adventure, culture, and unforgettable memories.

Book your perfect activities on Trip.com today, where excitement and discovery awaits.

What Best Things to Do are there in Waikato?
These are all Best Things to Do in Waikato:Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours, Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Huka Falls, Hamilton Gardens, Blue Spring / Te Waihou Walkway
What are some highly-rated Best Things to Do in Waikato?
Some highly-rated Best Things to Do in Waikato include:Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours:4.7, Waitomo Glowworm Caves:4.5, Huka Falls:4.5, Hamilton Gardens:4.6, Blue Spring / Te Waihou Walkway:4.7
At what locations in Waikato can Best Things to Do in Waikato be found?
The Best Things to Do in Waikato are mainly located in:Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours:Matamata, Waitomo Glowworm Caves:Waitomo Caves, Huka Falls:Taupo, Hamilton Gardens:Hamilton, Blue Spring / Te Waihou Walkway:Putaruru
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