Things to do in

Hamilton, New Zealand

Take a hair-raising ride on the Waikato River, and reach speeds of up to 80 kilometers (50 miles) per hour. Enjoy fast and furious slides, make 360-degree spins, and stop at historic and sightseeing locations. Meet and greet your local, professional guide at the boat ramp meeting point. Complete a small amount of paperwork, and fit yourself up with a spray suit to keep you dry, as well as a life jacket to keep you safe. After receiving a safety briefing from your guide, hear the roar of your high horsepower V8 jet boat as it comes into life once fed with air, fuel, and fire. Head off on the first leg of your tour, and feel your adrenaline pumping. Enter into a 360-degree spin before coming to a stop at historic locations. Listen to your guide's commentary about the places you visit and learn about the fish, birds, and wildlife in the area. Sites you will see include the Cambridge Gorge and Karapiro Dam, as well as rapids and waterfalls. Then, hang on extra tight for the speedy return leg back to the boat ramp.

Your guided tour commences in the late afternoon or early evening. As you paddle along the southern end of Lake Karapiro, crossing over the old submerged Horahora Village and power station that produced electricity for the early Waihi goldfields. Learn about local Maori and early European history of the area while enjoying the twilight and silence of being on the water as the day draws to an end. The magic begins as you paddle slowly up the Pokaiwhenua stream and through a spectacular canyon carved out by water over many hundreds of years. Native ferns and trees and bird life surround you and you may even hear brown trout breaking the water's surface. When darkness falls you will drift silently back downstream, surrounded by glow worms on either side sparkling like tiny Christmas lights.

This is the ultimate alpaca experience for all alpaca lovers!! Here at Cornerstone Alpacas, you'll be treated to fun and informative alpaca farm tours where you can feed our lovely alpacas and learn more about them, their history, and their beautiful fleeces. Know "What makes alpacas so special". Cold weather is no problem! We also have an indoor area, and this means you can enjoy our alpacas year-round! Our farm tours include: - Meet the alpaca herd in the paddocks - Listen to the alpaca story - Learn about alpacas and alpaca farming - Cuddle our gorgeous alpaca babies in the paddocks! - Meet our champion alpaca stud males - Feed our females with their babies - Take great photos with the alpacas! - Touch and feel the soft alpaca fiber (wool) - Children can do a craft activity to take home - Alpaca nuggets included - Indoor or outdoor facilities - Please wear comfortable shoes for paddocks and rainwear *Wheelchair friendly*

Experience an ecological river cruise on a speedboat that is tailored to the wishes of the customers on board, this includes the speed, and the number of slides and spins if any. The experienced driver will give you a detailed history of the area and Karapiro Dam and power station. Admire the native birds and wildlife which make the area home. Your guide has a diploma in environmental management and an in-depth knowledge of the local flora and fauna. Encounter numerous fish species and birds species such as Fantail, Kingfisher, Tui, Harrier Hawk, NZ Falcon, Heron, Shag, Mallard Duck and more. See large waterfalls from the towering cliffs above. Experience some of the narrowest sections of the Waikato River with the forest canopy above. Visit the base of the Karapiro Hydro Power station with full commentary provided. Then, cruise back to beautiful Cambridge.

As the sun goes down, begin your journey into the ancient stream flowing off Mount Karioi. Wrapped up in the latest canyoning suits, jump into the freshwater pools. Climb and abseil cascading waterfalls all whilst under the light of your head torch. Feel safe in the company of an experienced guide, as they lead you on a great adventure. Throughout the trip hear the stories, history, and knowledge of the landscape and local area from your passionate guide. Following the stream find yourself in awe of the native flora and fauna surrounding you. As darkness falls, you'll begin to see the luminescent transformation take place. Witness new worlds of light being created by the native New Zealand glowworms who call this place home. Take a minute to stop for a moment of peace and tranquillity, with a hot cup of freshly made Kawakawa tea.

Your journey begins bright and early as you depart Auckland and head towards the lush landscapes of the Waikato region. Upon arrival at Hamilton Gardens, you'll step into a world of botanical wonder, where themed gardens from different cultures and historical periods await your exploration. Wander through the Italian Renaissance Garden, stroll along the tranquil Japanese Garden, and marvel at the intricately designed Indian Char Bagh Garden. After immersing yourself in the beauty of Hamilton Gardens, it's time to continue your adventure to the iconic Hobbiton movie set. As you approach the rolling hills of the countryside, you'll feel like you've stepped into the magical realm of Middle earth. Upon arrival at Hobbiton, you will start with a visit to the official Hobbiton Gift Shop. Here, you can savor the opportunity to sample local delights or enjoy a refreshing beverage at the renowned Shire's Rest Café. Embark on a captivating 2.5 hour guided tour of the sprawling 1,250-acre sheep farm, offering breathtaking views of the majestic Kaimai Ranges Follow your knowledgeable guide as they lead you through the charming hobbit holes, lush gardens, and iconic landmarks featured in the beloved Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films. Don't forget to pose for photos in front of Bilbo's Bag End home and raise a toast at the Green Dragon Inn with a refreshing beverage straight from the Shire. Throughout the day, your guide will share fascinating insights into the making of the movies, behind-the-scenes stories, and intriguing facts about the stunning landscapes that served as the backdrop for these cinematic masterpieces. With memories made and hearts full, you'll return to Auckland, cherishing the enchanting experiences and unforgettable sights you encountered on this magical day trip to Hobbiton and Hamilton Gardens.

Exclusive Waitomo Glowworm and Hamilton Garderns Tour from Auckland starts at 7:00am from Auckland. The entire duration of the trip will be 10 hours. On the way to Waitomo Caves, a brief stop at Taupiri for a quick break to grab a coffee, or breakfast at your own expenses. We head to Waitomo Caves via Otorohanga. While we pass the NZ State 3 and 37, the intersection has a statue of New Zealand's largest extinct flightless bird Moa. We will stop here for quick photos, and start moving to Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Discover an ancient world 30 million years in the making at the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Marvel at nature’s light display as you explore on foot and by boat, gliding silently through the Glowworm Grotto’s starry wonderland. Unique to New Zealand, these glowworms create a serene galaxy of living lights. Tours cover two levels: the upper chamber with delicate formations and the lower with stream passages, glowworms, and the Cathedral. Guides, often descendants of the Maori chief who explored the cave, bring its history and legends to life. After completing the Waitomo Caves, we for a lunch break at Waitomo Homestead, or to Otorohanga town. After the lunch break, we head to Hamilton Gardens, a unique garden complex in New Zealand, featuring 18 enclosed gardens that showcase different cultures and historical periods. Each garden tells a story, blending art, design, and nature. It offers visitors a visually stunning and educational experience across beautifully curated landscapes. The self-guided experience roughly takes around 2 hours. After visiting Hamilton Gardens, we head towards Auckland. On the way, we will have stop for a scenic lookout to view New Zealand's longest river - Waikato River. We head back to the accommodation back in Auckland.

You will be joining with traveller's who have booked for Glowworm Caves, and Spellbound Caves. Head out of Auckland and, on the way to the Waitomo Ruakuri Cave, enjoy a brief stop at Taupiri for a quick break to grab a coffee, breakfast, or lunch at your own expense. Then, head to the Waitomo Caves via Otorohanga. While you pass the NZ State 3 and 37, stay on the lookout for a statue of New Zealand's largest extinct flightless bird, Moa. Stop here for a quick photo opportunity. Head to Ruakuri Cave, one of the longer caves in the Waitomo area of New Zealand. It was first discovered by local Māori between 400 and 500 years ago. The name Te Ruakuri, or "The Den of Dogs" was given to the surrounding area when wild dogs were discovered living in the entrance of the cave. Begin the tour by journeying down through the spectacular, man-made spiral entrance, marvel at the softly folding shawl-like limestone formations and crystal tapestries while listening to the distant thunder of subterranean waterfalls. If you want to see glowworms up-close and personal and learn about their fascinating life, then this is the tour for you. Photography is permitted in Ruakuri Cave. After completing the Waitomo Ruakuri Cave, we stop for a lunch break at Waitomo Homestead, or to Otorohanga town. After the lunch break, we head to Hamilton Gardens, a unique garden complex in New Zealand, featuring 18 enclosed gardens that showcase different cultures and historical periods. Each garden tells a story, blending art, design, and nature. It offers visitors a visually stunning and educational experience across beautifully curated landscapes. The self-guided experience roughly takes around 2 hours. After visiting Hamilton Gardens, we head towards Auckland with an optional stopover for a scenic lookout to view New Zealand's longest river, Waikato River.

Visit the filming sets of the movies "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings". The village is so beautiful and detailed that you might think the hobbits still live there. It's a wonderful village where it feels like the hobbits are opening their doors to greet you. Enjoy the fun of finding the mix of real and fake, visit the protagonist's house and the cafe that served as a backdrop in the movie, and experience the feeling of becoming a hobbit while sipping ginger beer. Hobbiton Movie Set tour lasts approximately 150 minutes. Known as one of New Zealand’s best natural attractions, take a boat ride through the glowworm grotto, marvel at thousands of magical glowworms and become part of over 130 years of cultural and natural history. Waitomo glowworm caves tour lasts approximately 60 minutes. Rather than focusing on plant collections, at Hamilton Gardens the emphasis is on different types of garden design. The collections of gardens at Hamilton Gardens explore the history, context and meaning of gardens. Each tells a story and offers an insight into a different civilisation. Hamilton Gardens tour lasts approximately 60 minutes.