Best things to do in Hamilton & Waikato Region

Home to a species of glowworms found exclusively in New Zealand, Waitomo Glowworm Caves serve as one of the country's most popular natural landmarks. A magnet for both local and foreign visitors, this attraction offers guided tours through three underground levels linked by long vertical shafts made of limestone. Start at the visitor center, where you can learn about the history of this cave system. Guided tours depart from behind the center and take participants past huge stalactites and stalagmites. As you enter a giant cavern known as "the cathedral" and your eyes gradually adjust to the dim light, prepare to see thousands of tiny glowworms sparkling all around you.

Take a stroll or catch a performance at Hamilton Gardens, which has dozens of themed gardens and hosts over 2,000 events every year. The many gardens are organized into various departments--paradise, productive, fantasy, cultivar, and landscape--and feature everything from a traditional Victorian flower garden to the unconventional Modernist garden. Events include musical performances, talks on the history of gardens, and cultural festivals. There are also daily tours of the grounds and programming for children interested in learning more about the plants that surround them.

Explore the region's caves by taking a guided tour of Caveworld, featuring glow worm displays and gothic rock formations. Adventurous travelers can don a wet suit, grab an inner tube, and take a black-water rafting tour, which includes jumping off an underwater waterfall and zooming down a waterslide. Back at the bush hut, cap off the tour with a complimentary hot drink.

Embark on an underground adventure at Ruakuri Cave, the only cave in the Southern Hemisphere that has a wheelchair and pushchair access. Listen to the distant roar of subterranean streams and waterfalls as you descend the cleverly designed spiral entrance. Admire the spectacular limestone formations and take pictures of the glowworms. Discovered by local Maori people nearly 500 years ago, the cave served as a sacred burial site before opening to public in 1904.

Explore the verdant forest and limestone walls of Ruakuri Walk, a place of strong spiritual and cultural significance to the Maori. Follow the Ruakuri walk, a looping trail that leads you through rocky outcroppings and flourishing forest. The highlight is the vast Ruakuri natural tunnel, into which the Waitomo stream flows--look up at the dangling stalactites hanging from the high ceiling, and down at the stalagmites reaching up from below. At night, see the cave walls lit up by thousands of glowworms, but keep a respectful distance as touching them will kill them. For more in-depth appreciation of the surroundings, opt for a guided tour, which takes you through Aranui and Ruakuri caves. The local ecosystem supports native birds such as kereru, tui, piwakawaka, and tauhou; kareareas (New Zealand falcons) are often seen and heard from the parking lot. While the walk is relatively easy, do bring a flashlight or headlamp to help you navigate steps inside the caves.

Marvel at a range of animals from around the world at Hamilton Zoo, one of the region's largest parks of its kind. Home to more than 400 individual animals representing over 90 species, the zoo boasts fan-favorite creatures like red pandas, lemurs, and Sumatran tigers. Wander the extensive grounds and its array of themed exhibits, where you can view chimpanzees, reptiles, rainforest residents, and local wetland creatures in their recreated natural habitats. Don't miss seeing the rare kunekune, a friendly pig species native to the country. Check out the website for information regarding keeper talks, special events, and group bookings.

Try something new and sharpen your aim at Waitomo Clay Birds, a target shooting range. Whether you visit as an individual or in a group, this recreational activity provides an entertaining experience in a safe environment. You'll take lessons with a patient, experienced instructor, who guides you through each step. Before long, you'll take an easy walk around the trail, aim toward the sky, and try to hit the clay pigeons. If you get hungry, check out the barbecue at the nearby restaurant.

Stand in awe at the geological history of Waikato at Mangapohue Natural Bridge Walk, a 17 m (56 ft) limestone arch that crosses Mangapohue Stream. The last remnant of an ancient cave system, the bridge makes up part of a mighty gorge and is decorated with impressive stalactite rock formations. Easily accessible even for those with infants in strollers, a well-maintained trail leads you to the mouth of the bridge and continues along the gorge and out into pristine farmland.