At the heart of the region are its towns and main city of Hamilton, each with its own character and charm. All come with great shops and galleries, fantastic eateries with top events and visitor attractions to match.
Millions of years in the making, Waitomo is one of New Zealand’s most inspiring natural wonders. Known for its labyrinth of limestone caves, weird and wonderful rock formations, subterranean adventures and magical glowworms, Waitomo is a must-see destination.
With a wealth of protected park land and volcanic ranges, the region offers a wide range of walking and biking trails showcasing diverse scenery and breathtaking summits. Indulgent spa experiences abound in naturally geothermal waters and the region’s stunning west coast, lakes and rivers offer great kayaking, surfing and cruising.
Home to the Maori King, the region has been a significant area for Maori for centuries, while a slice of the ‘real middle-earth’, as seen in the epic adaption of The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy, can also be found amongst the lush countryside near Matamata.
