Spring is finally here and it’s the perfect time to plan a weekend getaway or do an impromptu trip. Hamilton is quite central and there’s plenty of day trips and weekend getaway places that you can get to in just a few hours.
Waitomo
The mesmerizing Waitomo caves is only an hour away from Hamilton and is perfect for a weekend away from the city. If you haven’t been there, it should definitely get on your list of places to go to this spring.
The Waitomo caves are full of adventure and exploration. There are underground Waitomo cave tours to see the amazing glowworms (totally worth it).
Other than this, there’s lot more to explore into within the town of Waitomo, some of which are completely free of cost!
There’s also black water rafting, the Ruakuri caves that have the most spectacular limestone formations and crystal tapestries, and the Aranui caves that has a collection of stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones and unique formations.
A few minutes from the town is the Marokopa water falls, which is known to be one of the fiercest waterfalls in New Zealand.
You must also consider visiting the Mangapohue natural bridge. The loop walk is gorgeous with many different bridges and gorges. The entire loop is only 30 minutes long, but definitely worth going to.
At Kawhia hot springs on Ocean beach, you can dig your own hot pools!
Raglan
Hamilton is land locked, but if you feel like going to the beach, there’s Raglan and it is only 45 minutes away from here.
Raglan is super relaxed and has some amazing black sand beaches. Raglan is the surfing capital for anyone in the Waikato.
If you like to surf, Manu Bay is the place to go to. Or if you just prefer to relax, there are plenty of other beaches around the town like the Te Kopua Beach, Ngarunui Ocean beach, Ruapuke beach and Whale Bay. All of the these places have some great cafes by the beach, so you have a nice relaxed
Raglan has a lot more to offer too! Kiteboarding at the beach is quite popular amongst tourists and locals. You need to get training lessons from an instructor first and learn to skim along the top of the water safely. It can be quite a lot of fun if you like the adrenaline rush.
There are other safer watersports options too – like kayaking and Paddleboating. You could also hire a mountain bike or go on walks and explore the amazing Raglan.
Hobbiton and Matamata
If you are a big fan of Lord of the Rings or the Hobbiton film series, the famous Hobbiton movie set must be on your go-to list.
Even if you are not a fan, it could still be fun.
Set in a farm about 10kms away from Matamata, the film set is pretty cool. They offer a bunch of guided tours and events through the year. It costs about $100 for an adult and $50 for a child for a two and a half hour tour around the set and this is inclusive of food.
They also arrange Hobbiton beer festivals, evening banquet tours, private tours, and farmstays around the set.
If you are visiting the Hobbiton set, Matamata is a quaint little town that you can visit too!
It is famous for the Wairere falls, one of the highest falls in the North Island. It is a 3-4 hour journey that takes you to the top and offers an amazing view of the entire Waikato region. There’s also a shorter option that is almost as amazing.
There’s also the Kaimai cheese factory, and you could sample and/or buy some delicious locally made cheese.
The Wallace gallery at Matamata features an exclusive and comprehensive collection of contemporary art in New Zealand. They showcase some of the best local artists at the gallery.
Rotorua
Rotorua is known for its steamy orange pools and rightly so. The natural geothermal pools are so fascinating! Wai-O-Tapu is the go-to place to experience the different geo-thermal features of the place.
Lake Tarawera in Rotorua is absolutely stunning. It’s a short drive away from Rotorua and is totally worth a visit. You could bathe in the natural thermal pools, and enjoy the gorgeous view.
If you are feeling like spending a more relaxed weekend, there are plenty of free and paid natural paid hot pools to choose from. There are also some very luxurious ones.
The skyline at Rotorua is a lot of fun! You go up the gondola, enjoy the amazing view and do lots more! There’s the giant swing, which can be pretty fun, or a more relaxed but fun option is the luge, which is suitable for kids too!
Rotorua is also famous for the prominence of its Maori heritage and culture. So, if that’s something you want to explore and learn about, the tamaki Maori village would be perfect. You have tours of the village, games, crafts, performances by the local maori people and authentic Maori meals.
Tauranga
The city sits right on the water’s edge and is another great beachy getaway from Hamilton. It takes an hour and a half by road and perfect for 2-3 days away.
The city is obviously famous for its beaches and water sports. There are many cruises and dolphin seafaris to watch or swim with dolphins! The trips are usually 4 to 5 hours long.
There’s also the Waimarino Adventure Park that is great for a day out with family.
Tauranga is also popular for its Tandem Skydiving. It is a freefall from 12,000 feet, so if you are feeling adventurous, you could sign up for it!
There are also plenty of cultural walking trails, guided tours, bike trails and sports!
Auckland
If you feel like a weekend away in a big city, Auckland is perfect for it. There’s so much to do in the city. There are so many restaurants, pubs, events, beaches, parks, cruises and the famous tourist attractions like the Sky Tower, bungee at the Sky Tower, and some other fun things.
Find out more things to do in Auckland Central, West Auckland, or the North Shore.
Hamilton a.k.a Kirikiriroa, Waikato NZ