WAITOMO VILLAGE ROAD
11km/7miles north of Te Kuiti is Waitomo Village Road (formerly Waitomo Caves Road), with an amazing array of unmissable natural attractions. The road stretches for 65.5km/41miles from the settlement of Hangatiki to Marokopa on the west coast. It’s worth making the entire journey if time allows. The more adventurous can opt to do blackwater rafting, cave tubing and abseiling 100m/328ft into an epic 7 hour underground adventure. The Information Centre in Waitomo will have all the information you need.
https://www.glowworm.co.nz/
SPELLBOUND CAVES
15 Waitomo Village Road, Waitomo. +64-7-878 7622. 0800 773 552 (within NZ). Entry fee. $$$$. No Flash Photography in the glow worm cave.
Visitors get the chance to visit two caves on the 3.5 hour tour: the Spellbound Glow Worm Caves that include a boat ride on an underground river to view the glow worms, and the walk-through Cave of the Spirit, an impressive cave with stunning stalagmites and stalactites. Both caves are largely unmodified, with a boardwalk snaking its way through the cave system, which is simply magical. The caves are on private land and the tour includes a scenic drive to get to the caves, as well as a refreshment break with hot drinks and biscuits. You pay a little more here than at the other cave tours, but the groups are kept to a minimum of 12 people and the tour is unhurried and simply unforgettable. Highly recommended.
SANCTUARY MOUNTAIN MAUNGATAUTARI
99 Tari Road, Pukeatua. +64-7-870 5180. Entrance fee. $$. Tours $$$. Open 7 days. 8.30am-4pm. Closed 25 Dec.
Situated 28km/17miles east of Te Awamutu, Sanctuary Mountain is the largest ecological restoration project in New Zealand. An astonishing 47km/29miles of predator-proof fence encircles the entire sanctuary in an effort to keep out stoats, rodents, possums, rabbits, deer and other perceived pests that may be destructive to the native fauna and flora. A number of walks take visitors through a picturesque forest and range from half an hour to two hours, including guided Night Tours when you may hear the call of the elusive kiwi, or see glow worms. Other highlights include weta boxes, bird feeding areas, and the Canopy Tower, which offers great views of the surrounding forest. This is a superb New Zealand experience. Highly recommended.
https://www.sanctuarymountain.co.nz/
TIRAU
The small country town of Tirau is a great day trip if you like the idea of quirky and unique attractions. Tirau is known for its unusual and remarkable corrugated iron buildings. Where else will you find a building in the shape of a sheep, a ram, or a dog with its tongue sticking out. The sheer scale of these buildings is impressive, and it makes for an unforgettable sight. Throughout the town you will see more corrugated signs and icons, including a large Shepherd that guards over The Dog. Tirau is located 54km/33.5miles southeast of Hamilton and 20km/12miles south of Matamata.
