Most travellers shoot straight through this farming region south of Auckland. Those travellers that choose to linger in the Waikato usually find themselves visiting the spectacular Waitomo Caves near Otorohanga or the surf breaks at Raglan.

Hamilton

Hamilton is the main centre of the Waikato region and the fifth largest city in New Zealand. It is a busy city with a university and good nightlife. Apart from a pleasant riverfront setting, there is not a great deal here to attract the international visitor.

Practical Information

Hamilton Visitor Centre

Transport Centre, Corner Anglesea & Bryce Streets, Hamilton

Tel (07) 839 3580

Website www.waikatonz.co.nz

Open Mon-Thu 8.30am-5pm, Fri 8.30am-6pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4pm

Coming & Going

Hamilton is well connected and many people who visit the city come here to make transport connections. Trains and buses both stop at the transport centre at the corner of Anglesea and Bryce Streets, next to the information centre.

Hamilton International Airport (tel (07) 848 9027; website www.hamiltonairport.co.nz), 12km south of Hamilton, is becoming a popular alternative to Auckland Airport particularly with cut-price flights from Australia on Freedom Air. Shuttle buses between the airport and central Hamilton cost $10.

Local Transport

Hamilton has a good local bus network that is comprised of 17 city routes; all of which pass by the Hamilton transport centre. A one way cash fare is $2 and a Day Saver pass lets you make four one way trips on the same day for $4.

Accommodation

Alton Backpackers

250 Ulster Street, Hamilton

Tel (07) 838 2599 or 0800 4ASLEEP (0800 4 275337)

Eagles Nest Backpackers

937 Victoria Street, Hamilton

Tel (07) 838 2704

J's Backpackers

8 Grey Street, Hamilton

Tel (07) 856 8934

Sights

Exscite

Exscite is an interactive science museum that combines a collection of permanent exhibits with a changing programme of temporary exhibits. Like many other science museums, it is geared mostly toward kids and caters to lots of school groups.

Corner Grantham & Victoria Streets, Hamilton

Tel (09) 838 3470

Website www.exscite.org.nz

Admission $6

Open 10am-4.30pm daily

Hamilton Gardens

Hamilton's impressive 58-hectare botanic garden is comprised of five themed garden collections. It is a pleasant spot to relax, walk or have a picnic.

Cobham Drive (State Highway One), Hamilton

Tel (07) 856 3200

Website www.hamiltongardens.co.nz

Admission free

Open 7.30am-½hr before sunset daily

Hamilton Zoo

Situated on 21 hectares of parkland, Hamilton Zoo is impressive for a small town zoo and is home to a variety of wildlife from Africa, Asia and Latin America. The zoo also boasts a huge walk-through aviary, which is home to many rare and endangered New Zealand birds.

Brymer Road, Hamilton

Tel (07) 838 6720

Website www.hamiltonzoo.co.nz

Admission $10

Open 9am-5pm daily

Waikato Museum of Art & History

Hamilton's main museum has a large collection of exhibits with a focus on local history and Māori culture.

1 Grantham Street, Hamilton

Tel (07) 838 6606

Website www.waikatomuseum.org.nz

Admission $2 donation; $6 for entry to museum and Exscite

Open 10am-4.30pm daily

Matamata

Matamata is a small town serving the surrounding farming region. There's not much here to interest most travellers, but many people come here to see the original Hobbiton village set from the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy.

Practical Information

Visitor Information Centre

45 Broadway, Matamata

Tel (07) 888 7260

Website www.matamata-info.co.nz

Accommodation

Hobbiton Backpackers

81 Arawa Street, Matamata

Tel (07) 888 9972

Sights

Hobbiton Movie Set

The Hobbiton village from the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy was filmed on farmland near Matamata. After filming the movie set was returned to its natural state, but the hobbit holes are still there. Rings Scenic Tours operate overpriced tours to the set where you can see the hobbit holes and discover trivia about the movie.

Tours depart from the visitor

information centre at 45 Broadway, Matamata

Tel (07) 888 6838

Website www.hobbitontours.com

Tours cost $50

Tours depart 9.30am, 10.45am, noon, 1.15pm, 2.30pm, 3.45pm daily

Raglan

This quiet beachside town is recognised as one of New Zealand's best surfing spots and many backpackers come here for the laid back surf culture.

Practical Information

Visitor Information Centre

4 Wallis Street, Raglan

Tel (07) 825 0556

Open Mon-Fri 9am-3pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4pm

Coming & Going

Getting to Raglan by public transport requires a change at Hamilton. Hamilton City Buses route 23 runs three times a day between Raglan and the Hamilton transport centre, but it only runs on weekdays. The one-way fare is $5.50. Stray is the only backpackers' bus that goes to Raglan.

Hitching between Hamilton and Raglan is an easy and common way to get around, particularly on weekends when the buses aren't running.

Accommodation

Karioi Backpackers Lodge

25 Whaanga Road, Raglan

Tel (07) 825 7873

Raglan Backpackers & Waterfront Lodge

6 Nero Street, Raglan

Tel (07) 825 0515

Solscape

611 Wainui Road, Raglan

Tel (07) 825 8268

Surfing

Most travellers come to Raglan for its world-class surfing. Experienced surfers head to Manu Bay, but beginner surfers are advised to start at Ocean Beach. Please note that access is now restricted to Whale Bay as Māori regard this as a sensitive spiritual area.

Raglan Surfing School (tel (07) 825 7873; website www.raglansurfingschool.co.nz) is popular with many backpackers. It is run by Karioi Backpacker Lodge and has 3½ to 4-hour lessons that cost $79. They also rent surfboards and wetsuits.

Te Kuiti

This small town 20 minutes south of Waitomo is a handy base for visiting the Waitomo Caves. It's also known as New Zealand's sheep shearing capital and each year around Easter it hosts the New Zealand Shearing Championships which features the offbeat Running of the Sheep festival, a safer alternative to the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona.

Practical Information

Te Kuiti Tourist Information Centre

Queen Street, Te Kuiti

Tel (07) 878 8801

Website http://tourism.waitomo.govt.nz

Accommodation

Casara Mesa Backpackers

Mangarino Road, Te Kuiti

Tel (07) 878 6697

Otorohanga

Otorohanga is known as New Zealand's kiwi capital and it is also a popular base for visiting the Waitomo Caves. Otorohanga's main attraction is the kiwi house and adjoining native bird park, which is a must if you've got your heart set on seeing a real live kiwi.

Practical Information

Otorohanga Visitor Centre

57 Maniapoto Street, Otorohanga

Tel (07) 873 8951

Website www.otorohanga.co.nz

Open Mon-Fri 9am-5.30pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4pm

Accommodation

Oto-Kiwi Lodge

1 Sangro Crescent, Otorohanga

Tel (07) 873 6022

Sights

Otorohanga Kiwi House & Native Bird Park

Oto's main attraction is the kiwi house where you have the opportunity to see New Zealand's national bird along with other native birds plus tuataras and wetas.

Alex Telfer Drive, Otorohanga

Tel (07) 873 7391

Website www.kiwihouse.org.nz

Admission $12

Open Jan-May 9am-4.30pm daily; Jun-Aug 9am-4pm daily; Sep-Dec 9am-4.30pm

Waitomo Caves

The Waitomo Caves are the most popular attraction in the Waikato region. There are around half a million visitors to the caves each year, most of whom come here for a fairly sedate tour to see the glow-worms, but most backpackers prefer the more adventurous activities like caving and black water rafting.

Waitomo is the small town closest to the caves and it has a couple of hostels and a limited range of eating and drinking options.

Practical Information

Museum of Caves Information Centre

21 Caves Road, Waitomo

Tel (07) 878 7640

Website http://waitomo-museum.co.nz/

Open 8am-5pm daily

Accommodation

Juno Hall

600 Waitomo Caves Road, Waitomo

Tel (07) 878 7649

Kiwipaka YHA

School Road, Waitomo

Tel (07) 878 3395

Rap, Raft N Rock Backpackers

95 Waitomo Caves Road (SH37), Waitomo

Tel (07) 873 9149

Sights

Aranui Cave

Aranui Cave is a quieter alternative to the Glowworm cave and is favoured by people who want to experience the cave's amazing subterranean rock formations.

Caves Road, Waitomo

Tel (07) 878 8227 or 0800 456 922

Website www.waitomocaves.co.nz

Admission $28; Aranui Cave & Glowworm Cave combined admission $46

Tours depart 10am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm daily

Waitomo Glowworm Cave

This is the main cave, which was first opened to tourists in 1889. It is the most touristy and least adventurous option and for many years was the only way to visit the caves. Admission is by a 45-minute tour that culminates in a boat ride through the glowworm grotto.

Caves Road, Waitomo

Tel (07) 878 8227 or 0800 456 922

Website www.waitomocaves.co.nz

Admission $28; Aranui Cave & Glowworm Cave combined admission $46

Open Jan-Easter Mon 9am-5.30pm daily; Easter Tue-Oct 9am-5pm; Nov-Dec 9am-5.30pm; tours depart every half hour

Waitomo Museum

This small, but interesting, museum specialises in caves and kaast landscape.

21 Caves Road, Waitomo

Tel (07) 878 7640

Website http://waitomo-museum.co.nz/

Admission $5

Open 8am-5pm daily

Activities

TOUR OPERATORS

There are four companies that operate various caving activities. All four companies offer underground rafting and adventure caving.

Cave World

This company offers cave rafting plus two different abseiling adventures.

Waitomo Caves Road, Waitomo

Tel (07) 878 6577 or 0800 CAVEFUN (0800 228 386)

Website www.caveworld.co.nz

The Legendary Black Water Rafting Co

This is the original cave rafting company that coined the phrase Black Water Rafting. The three cave activities they offer are the dry Spellbound trip and, for the more adventurous, the wet Black Abyss and Black Labyrinth adventures.

Waitomo Caves Road, Waitomo

Tel (07) 878 6219 or 0800 228 464

Website www.blackwaterrafting.co.nz

Waitomo Adventures

Waitomo Adventures offer a large range of caving activities including Blackwater Fever, Gruesome Twosome, Haggas Honking Holes, Lost World and Tumu Tumu Toobing.

Waitomo

Tel (07) 878 7788 or 0800 924866

Website www.waitomo.co.nz

Waitomo Wilderness Tours

This smaller operator runs Rap, Raft 'n' Rock, which combines abseiling, cave rafting and rock climbing in one tour.

95 Waitomo Caves Road, Waitomo Caves

Tel (07) 873 9149

Website www.caveraft.com

'DRY' TRIPS

'Dry' tours refer to activities where you don't get very wet. These activities can include abseiling and rafting in a regular raft (not an inner tube).

Drop Through

This daytime abseiling adventure is a challenging (150ft) abseil into the ‘Baby Grand'.

Cave World

Tel (07) 878 6577 or 0800 CAVEFUN (0800 228 386)

Cost $90

Duration 2hrs

Lost World Abseil

The Lost World Abseil involves a 100-metre abseil down a massive shaft followed by a journey through the Lost World Cave, reaching the surface via a 30-metre ladder.

Waitomo Adventures

Tel (07) 878 7788 or 0800 924 866

Cost $225

Duration 4hrs

Night-Glow Abseil

This night time abseil is a challenging (150ft) abseil into the ‘Baby Grand', but unlike the Drop Through it is a unique experience as you abseil into a galaxy of glowworms.

Cave World

Tel (07) 878 6577 or 0800 CAVEFUN (0800 228 386)

Cost $110

Duration 2hrs

Spellbound

This trip involves rafting on a regular raft (not in an inner tube) through the breathtaking Mangawhitikau cave system.

Spellbound Ltd

Tel (07) 878 7640 or 0800 773 55

Website www.waitomospellbound.co.nz

Cost $40

Duration 3hrs (1hr underground)

St Benedict's Caverns

St Benedict's Caverns are described as ‘the prettiest piece of known cave in New Zealand'. Waitomo Adventures' trip is a must for people who come to Waitomo to see spectacular caves. It involves two abseils and a bit of caving.

Waitomo Adventures

Tel (07) 878 7788 or 0800 924866

Cost $100

Duration 3hrs (1½hrs in cave)

'WET' TRIPS

Many 'wet' trips involve rafting in an inner tube, also known as Black Water Rafting, although some 'wet' trips involve swimming or abseiling down waterfalls. Some of the more tame 'wet' trips are just a leisurely float through the cave, but there are some that also involve other more adventurous activities such as abseiling or rock climbing.

Black Abyss

This is the most challenging of the Legendary Black Water Rafting Co's cave trips. It starts with an abseil into the Ruakuri Cave where you can go cave tubing among the glow worms and finishes off with a swim followed by squeezing and climbing out of the cave.

The Legendary Black Water Rafting Co.

Tel (07) 878 6219 or 0800 228 464

Cost $160

Duration 5hrs (2-3hrs underground)

Black Labyrinth

Black Labyrinth is based on the original Black Water Rafting trip. After climbing into the Ruakuri Cave you float down the underground river in an inner tube. The trip includes a drop down a waterfall as you float past thousands of glowworms.

The Legendary Black Water Rafting Co.

Tel (07) 878 6219 or 0800 228 464

Cost $85

Duration 3hrs (1hr underground)

Float Through

This trip is a leisurely float through Te Anaroa Cave (the Long Cave) in an inner tube.

Cave World

Tel (07) 878 6577 or 0800 CAVEFUN (0800 228 386)

Cost $90

Duration 3hrs (approx 1½ hrs in cave)

Haggas Honking Holes

Unlike other wet trips, Haggas Honking Holes doesn't involve cave rafting, but it is definitely an adventure. This fast paced trip involves three abseils in waterfalls while exploring the caves.

Waitomo Adventures

Tel (07) 878 7788 or 0800 924866

Cost $165

Duration 4hrs

Lost World Epic

This seven-hour adventure starts with a 100-metre abseil into the Lost World Cave, which is followed by walking, swimming and climbing through vast caverns where you can see fossils, waterfalls and lots of glowworms.

Waitomo Adventures

Tel (07) 878 7788 or 0800 924 866

Cost $355

Duration 7hrs

Rap, Raft 'n' Rock

This cave adventure combines a 27-metre abseil into the cave entrance with cave rafting and a 20-metre rock climb back. It is one of the best value cave trips.

Waitomo Wilderness Tours

Tel (07) 873 8012 or 0800 228 372

Cost $99

Duration 4½hrs

Tumu Tumu Toobing

This trip combines cave rafting in inner tubes with swimming and climbing through the dry sections of the Tumutumu Cave. It is the most active of the easy wet trips.

Waitomo Adventures

Tel (07) 878 7788 or 0800 924 866

Cost $95

Duration 4hrs

NON-CAVE ACTIVITIES

Most people come to Waitomo for cave-based activities, but there are also plenty of options for people who would rather stay above ground. These include horse riding, jet boating and 4WD biking.

Big Red 4WD Bikes

Big Red runs 4WD quad bikes trips through farmland near the Waitomo Caves. The Legendary Black Water Rafting Co bundles this with their cave trips for an under/over experience.

Big Red. Book through Waitomo Museum (tel (07) 878 7690) or the Legendary Black Water Rafting Co. (tel (07) 878 6219)

Cost $80

Duration 2hrs

Horse Riding

These horse-riding trips go through Waikato farmland. Most people take the one or two hour rides.

Waitomo Caves Horse Treks.

Tel (07) 878 5065.

Cost $40 1hr, $50 2hrs

The Shearing Shed

Plenty of places in New Zealand offer sheep shearing demonstrations, but not the Shearing Shed. Here they shear fluffy Angora rabbits instead.

Waitomo Caves Road, Waitomo

Tel (07) 878 8371

Admission free

Woodlyn Park

This agricultural theme park features a daily show with log sawing, sheep shearing and sheep dog demonstrations, but the main attraction is the jet boats. Sure it seems like every town and village in New Zealand offers jet boat rides, but only here can you drive them yourself around a 1½km course.

1177 Waitomo Valley Road, Waitomo

Tel (07) 878 6666

Website www.woodlynpark.co.nz

Jet boat $48; show $15; 1.30pm daily

Coromandel Peninsula

The Coromandel Peninsula is a popular weekend getaway for many Aucklanders. This peninsula at the eastern end of the Hauraki Gulf is home to dense forest that is perfect for hiking; horse riding and mountain biking while the coastal areas have beautiful secluded beaches including the unique Hot Water Beach.

Thames

Thames is one of the more accessible places on the peninsula. Although it's now a sleepy little town, during the 1870s, this former gold mining town was the biggest city in the country. Thames doesn't have a load of attractions, although the Grahamstown area at the northern end of the city centre has several historic buildings dating from the gold rush and there are a couple of museums that focus on the town's gold mining history.

If you're heading up the peninsula, buy some groceries, fill the car up with petrol and use the ATM, as facilities aren't so good further north.

Practical Information

Thames Information Centre

209 Pollen Street, Thames

Tel (07) 868 7284

Website www.thames-info.co.nz

Open Mon-Fri 8.30am-5pm, Sat-Sun 9am-4pm

Coming & Going

Coaches arrive at the transit centre next door to the information centre on Pollen Street.

Go Kiwi Shuttles (tel 0800 446 549; website www.go-kiwi.co.nz) operate minibuses to Auckland and Auckland Airport. The fare to Auckland is $32 ($27 BBH/VIP/YHA) and the trip to the airport costs $45 ($38 BBH, HI/YHA, VIP).

Sunkist Backpackers run the Sunkist Pinnacles Shuttle (tel (07) 868 8808) between Thames and the Kauaeranga Valley. This is ideal if you want to hike around the Pinnacles in the Coromandel Forest Park. The return shuttle costs $35.

Accommodation

Dickson Holiday Park

Victoria Street, Taruru, Thames

Tel (07) 868 7308

Gateway Backpackers

209 Mackay Street, Thames

Tel (07) 868 6339

Sunkist International Backpackers

506 Brown Street, Thames

Tel (07) 868 8808

Thames Central Backpackers

330 Pollen Street, Thames

Tel (07) 868 5330

Sights

Butterfly & Orchid Garden

This butterfly enclosure near the YHA hostel is the only butterfly house in New Zealand. It is home to around 400 butterflies as well as birds and up to 200 orchids.

Dickson Holiday Park, Victoria Street, Tararu, Thames

Tel (07) 868 8080

Website www.butterfly.co.nz

Admission $9 ($8 students)

Open summer 10am-4pm daily; winter 10am-3pm daily

Thames Gold Mine & Stamper Battery

This re-created gold mine sits on the original site of the 1868 Golden Crown claim and features working mining equipment dating from the 1870s. A visit includes a tour of three original tunnels.

Tararu Road, Thames

Tel (07) 868 8514

Admission $8

Open Jan-Mar 9am-5pm daily; Apr-Dec 10am-4pm daily

Thames Historical Museum

The Thames Historical Museum is a small museum that has displays about the town's colourful history including exhibits about the gold rush, the timber industry and the life of early settlers.

Corner Cochrane & Pollen Streets, Grahamstown, Thames

Tel (07) 868 8509

Admission $2.50

Open 1pm-4pm daily

Coromandel Town

This old gold mining town is a small peaceful place overlooking sparkling blue water of the Coromandel Harbour. It doesn't offer a lot to see or do, but it's a pleasant spot to relax for a couple of days.

Practical Information

Coromandel Information Centre

355 Kapanga Road Coromandel

Tel (07) 866 8598

Website www.coromandeltown.co.nz

Open Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-2pm

Accommodation

Anchor Lodge Backpackers

448 Wharf Road, Coromandel

Tel (07) 866 7992

Coromandel Town Backpackers

732 Rings Road, Coromandel

Tel (07) 866 8327

Lion's Den

126 Te Tiki Street, Coromandel

Tel (07) 866 8157 or (07) 866 8996

Tidewater Tourist Park (YHA)

Tiki Road, Coromandel

Tel (07) 866 8888

Tui Lodge

60 Whangapoua Road, Coromandel

Tel (07) 866 8237

Sights

Coromandel Gold Stamper Battery

If you missed the one in Thames, Coromandel's Gold Stamper Battery is a good spot to learn about the region's gold mining heritage. The museum features working 100-year mining machinery including New Zealand's biggest working water wheel.

Tel 025 2464 898

Website http://webtrails.co.nz/coromandel/coromandeltown/stamperbattery/

Admission $5

Open summer 10am-5pm daily; winter Sat-Sun 10am-5pm

Driving Creek Railway

Located just 3km north of Coromandel Town, the Driving Creek Railway is the creation of potter Barry Brickell, who built the country's only narrow gauge railway over a period of 26 years. The one-hour train trip passes replanted kauri forest and it includes a unique double-decker viaduct plus two spirals and a great view from the ridge-top terminus.

Tel (07) 866 8703

Website www.drivingcreekrailway.co.nz

Fare $17

Departures summer 10.15am, noon, 2pm, 4pm daily; winter 10.15am, 2pm daily

Waiau Waterworks

The unique sculpture garden on the 309 Road, 9km from Coromandel Town, features a whimsical collection of water-powered sculptures.

471 The 309 Road, Coromandel

Tel (07) 866 7191

Website www.waiauwaterworks.co.nz

Admission $10

Open 10am-5pm daily

Whitianga

Like other resort towns on the Coromandel Peninsula, Whitianga is a popular weekend destination and during the summer holidays the town is crowded with people from Auckland who bring their boats and spend their time fishing or just lazing by the beach.

Practical Information

Whitianga Information Centre

66 Albert Street, Whitianga

Tel (07) 866 5555

Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun 9am-4pm

Coming & Going

Coaches stop outside the information centre on Albert Street in the town centre. InterCity coaches go to Auckland twice a day. Go Kiwi Shuttles (tel 0800 446 549; website www.go-kiwi.co.nz) have a service to Rotorua and both Go Kiwi and Guthreys Express (tel 0800 759 999) have services to Tauranga/Mount Maunganui.

Accommodation

IN TOWN

Baywatch Backpackers

22 The Esplanade, Whitianga

Tel (07) 866 5481

Buffalo Peaks Backpackers Lodge

12 Albert Street, Whitianga

Tel (07) 866 2933

On the Beach Backpackers Lodge

46 Buffalo Beach Road, Whitianga

Tel (07) 866 5380

The Cat's Pyjamas

4 Monk Street, Whitianga

Tel (07) 866 4663

Turtle Cove Accommodation

14 Bryce Street, Whitianga

Tel (07) 867 1517

OUT OF TOWN

Black Jack Lodge

201 State Highway 25, Kuaotunu

Tel (07) 866 2988

Bush Creek Cottage

1694 The 309 Road, Whitianga

Tel (07) 866 5151

Sights & Activities

Boat trips to Cathedral Cove

Although Hahei is closer to the Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve, there are several boat trips that depart from Whitianga. Both Blue Boat Cruises (tel (07) 866 4904) and the Cave Cruzer (tel (07) 866 2574; website www.cavecruzer.co.nz) operate cruises departing Whitianga Wharf. Cruises cost $40-90.

High Zone

This high ropes course has a selection of activities such as trapeze and high wire exercises 12 metres above the ground.

49 Kaimarama Road, Whitianga

Tel (07) 866 2113

Website www.highzone.co.nz

Cost $15-60 depending on activity

Mercury Bay Museum

This small museum has displays on local history, including exhibits on shipwrecks and Māori history.

The Esplanade, Whitianga

Tel (07) 866 0730

Admission $2

Open summer 10am-4pm daily; winter Tue, Thu, Sun 11am-2pm

Hahei

This tiny town makes a convenient base for travellers visiting Hot Water Beach and the Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve.

Accommodation

Cathedral Cove Backpackers

Harsant Avenue, Hahei

Tel (07) 866 3889

Tatahi Lodge

Grange Road, Hahei

Tel (07) 866 3992

Hot Water Beach

This unique beach, 10km south of Hahei, is one of the more popular spots on the Coromandel Peninsula. The main attraction is the thermal pools that you can dig in the sand two hours either side of low tide. The water in the pools can get to around 65°C. During summer up to 1500 people may dig pools in the sand. If you don't have a shovel most hostels in Hahei, Tairua and Whitianga should be able to lend you one or you can rent one from the kiosk at the beach.

Conditions aren't always favourable and the hot water doesn't appear around 30% of the time, particularly in winter.

Tairua

Some travellers use this quiet seaside town as a base for visiting Hot Water Beach, which is only a 20-minute drive away. Tairua has a surf beach and there are a couple of good hiking trails in the nearby Broken Hills Recreation Area.

Practical Information

Tairua Information Centre

Main Road, Tairua

Tel (07) 864 7575

Open 8.30am-3.30pm daily

Coming & Going

Go Kiwi Shuttles (tel 0800 446 549; website www.go-kiwi.co.nz) run minibuses from Tairua to Auckland, Rotorua and Tauranga/Mount Maunganui.

Accommodation

Beach Villa Backpackers

200 Main Road, Tairua

Tel (07) 864 8345

Pinnacles Backpackers

305 Main Road, Tairua

Tel (07) 864 8448

Tairua Beach House

342A Main Road, Tairua

Hiking

There are several good hiking trails, including the Collins Creek Drive and Gem of Boom Creek walks, in the Broken Hills Recreation Area. You will need a car to get to these tracks.

Collins Creek Drive (3hrs) is a unique walk that passes through a 500-metre tunnel complete with glowworms. It's dark in the tunnel so you will need to bring along a torch.

The Gem of Boom Creek Loop Walk (30mins) is a shorter walk that goes through the bush to an old mining settlement.

Opoutere

Located between Tairua and Whangamata, this quiet spot has a lagoon and 5km of beach and it is a popular place for birdwatchers. There's a nice YHA hostel here and it is a lovely place to come and relax.

Coming & Going

Go Kiwi Shuttles (tel 0800 446 549; website www.go-kiwi.co.nz) run minibuses from Opoutere to Auckland, Rotorua and Tauranga/Mount Maunganui.

Accommodation

Opoutere YHA

389 Opoutere Road, Opoutere

Tel (07) 865 9072

Whangamata

On the east coast of the Coromandel, Whangamata is one of New Zealand's top surf spots. It is overrun by surfers during the summer holidays in January, but it's much quieter at other times of the year.

Practical Information

Visitor Information Centre

616 Port Road, Whangamata

Tel (07) 865 8340

Website www.whangamatainfo.co.nz

Open 9am-5pm daily

Coming & Going

Go Kiwi Shuttles (tel 0800 446 549; website www.go-kiwi.co.nz) run minibuses from Whangamata to Auckland, Rotorua and Tauranga/Mount Maunganui.

Accommodation

South Pacific Accommodation (Garden Tourist Lodge)

Corner Port Road & Mayfair Avenue, Whangamata

Tel (07) 865 9580

Whangamata Backpackers Hostel

227 Beverley Terrace, Whangamata

Tel (07) 865 8323

Lake Taupo

The area around Lake Taupo has some of the world’s best trout fishing and many backpackers stay a few days here to take advantage of excellent value adventure activities such as bungee jumping and sky diving.

Taupo

Most backpackers to this region stay in Taupo. This small city on the Lake has a good infrastructure for travellers with plenty of places to eat, some good bars, hostels and transport connections.

Taupo is also well set-up if you want to take part in any adventure activities in the region. From Taupo you can go bungy jumping, skydiving, kayaking, rafting, jet boating or do a Rock ‘n' Ropes course. In short, Taupo offers most of the activities that you can do in Queenstown at a lower price but the town itself isn't quite as pretty.

Fishing is another big attraction, Lake Taupo is full of both brown and rainbow trout and there's a big range of fly-fishing guides and trips available many of which can be booked from hostels. Some hostels also have fishing gear that you can use or you can hire a fishing rod from one of the local angling shops. You will also need to buy a fishing licence from the visitor centre or one of the angling or sports shops. You have a choice of spinning or fly-fishing on Lake Taupo, however only fly-fishing is allowed on the nearby rivers.

Nearby is the ever-popular Huka Falls, which is one of New Zealand's most powerful (and definitely the most visited) waterfalls. Although most buses and motorists stop off here en route to and from Taupo, the most rewarding way to visit is by hiking the Huka Falls Track that begins at the Spa Thermal Centre on Spa Road in Taupo.

There are also a number of other attractions in the area around Huka Falls and the power station, which is known as Wairakei Park. The Taupo Volcanic Activity Centre has fascinating exhibits on the region's volcanic and geothermal activity with some interesting interactive displays.

Practical Information

Taupo Visitor Centre

Tongariro Street, Taupo

Tel (07) 376 0027

Website www.laketauponz.com & www.backpacklaketaupo.com

Open 8.30am-5pm daily

INTERNET ACCESS

Cybershed

117 Tongariro Street, Taupo

Tel (07) 377 4168

Open 9am-8pm daily

Internet Outpost

11 Tuwharetoa Street, Taupo

Tel (07) 376 9920

Website www.internet-outpost.com

Open 9am-11pm daily

Log On

71 Tongariro Street, Taupo

Tel (07) 376 5901

Open 9am-9pm daily

Coming & Going

Taupo has good coach connections to destinations throughout the North Island. InterCity and Newmans coaches depart from the Taupo Travel Centre on Gascoigne Street.

Alpine Scenic Tours (tel (07) 386 8918; website www.alpinescenictours.co.nz) operates a daily shuttle bus for hikers tackling the Tongariro Crossing. It departs Taupo at 6.30am arriving at the trailhead at 8.30am and picking you up at the end of the track at 5.15pm. The return fare is $30.

Hitchhiking in and out of Taupo is easy with State Highways 1 and 5 passing through town.

Local Transport

The Hotbus (website www.hotbus.co.nz) runs an hourly shuttle service linking most of the main attractions. It stops at the Craters of the Moon, Huka Jet, Volcanic Activity Centre, Taupo Bungy, Huka Falls, the Visitor Information Centre and the following hostels: Berkehoff Lodge, Burke's Lodge, Rainbow Lodge and the YHA hostel. Tickets cost $4 one-way, $7 return or $10 for a day pass. It runs between 10am and 6pm during summer and between 11am and 5pm during winter.

Accommodation

Action Down Under YHA

Corner Kaimanawa & Tamamutu Streets, Taupo

Bus Hotbus

Tel (07) 378 3311

Berkenhoff Lodge

75 Scannell Street, Taupo

Bus Hotbus

Tel (07) 378 4909

Burke's Lodge

69 Spa Road, Taupo

Bus Hotbus

Tel (07) 378 9292

Go Global Central Backpackers

Corner Tongariro & Tuwharetoa Streets, Taupo

Tel (07) 377 0044

Rainbow Lodge

99 Titaraupenga Street, Taupo

Tel (07) 378 5754

Silver Fern Lodge

Tamamutu Street, Taupo

Tel (07) 377 4929

Sunset Lodge

5 Tremaine Avenue, Taupo

Tel (07) 378 5962

Taupo Central Backpackers

7 Tuwharetoa Street, Taupo

Tel (07) 378 3206

Taupo Urban Retreat Backpackers

65 Heuheu Street, Taupo

Tel 0800 872 261

Tiki Lodge

104 Tuwharetoa Street, Taupo

Tel (07) 377 4545 or 0800 845 456

Sights

Craters of the Moon

This unique lunar landscape is the result of the 1954 explosion during construction of the Wairakei geothermal power station. There is a loop track (1hr) that takes you through this active thermal area that features craters, mud pools and steam vents.

Karapiti Road, 7km north of Taupo

Bus Hotbus

Admission free

Orakei Korako Cave & Thermal Park

Access to the park is by a ferry trip across Lake Ohakuri. This impressive thermal park features a dazzling array of thermal features that include hot springs, geysers and silica terraces and there is also a rare geothermal cave with a warm mineral pool. The park is located about 25 minutes north of Taupo and is inaccessible unless you have a car.

494 Orakei Korako Road, 25min north of Taupo

Tel (07) 378 3131

Website www.orakeikorako.co.nz

Open summer 8am-4.30pm daily; winter 8am-4pm daily

Volcanic Activity Centre

This small science museum has exhibits on geothermal and volcanic activity. The centre boasts an earthquake simulator, a live model geyser and an interactive tornado machine.

Karetoto Road, Wairakei Park

Bus Hotbus

Tel (07) 374 8375

Website www.volcanoes.co.nz

Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4pm

Activities

Apart from Huka Falls and the lovely view across the lake, there's not a lot to see in Taupo. However there are loads of things to do with an emphasis on great value adventure activities.

If you're planning several activities there are a couple of package deals that are a good deal. The two main packages are Four Play and MaxBuzz Challenge.

Four Play (tel 0800 FOURPLAY (0800 368 775)) packs four activities into four hours, ideal if you want to pack as much action as possible into one morning. The activities in this package are a ride on the Huka Jet, a helicopter ride over the Huka Falls and the Craters of the Moon, a bungy jump and a skydive. This package costs $469.

MaxBuzz (website www.maxbuzz.co.nz) combines two to three activities followed by a free beer at Holy Cow. Packages include a 12000ft skydive and a ride on the Huka Jet boat for $258, a 12000ft skydive and a bungy jump for $299, a bungy jump and a Huka Jet boat ride for $159 and a 15000ft skydive, bungy jet and a ride on the Huka Jet boat for $358.

Skydive Lake Taupo/Taupo Tandem Skydiving is the skydive operator that is used for both of these packages.

Bungee Jumping

Taupo Bungy is a popular jump from a 47m platform above the Waikato River, north of town near the Huka Falls.

Spa Road, Taupo

Bus Hotbus

Tel (07) 377 1135 or 0800 888 408

Website www.taupobungy.co.nz

Solo jump $99; tandem jump $198 for two people

High Ropes Course

The Rock 'n' Ropes high ropes course features a number of activities that are designed to both build confidence and scare the shit out of anyone with a fear of heights. The three main activities are the high beam, the giant trapeze and the thrilling giant swing. It is a good value half day and a highly recommended activity that many people say is scarier than bungee jumping or skydiving.

Crazy Catz Adventure Park, State

Highway 5, 10 minutes north of Taupo

Tel (07) 374 8111 or 0800 244 508

Website www.rocknropes.co.nz

Half day $65

Jet Boating

Two jet boating operators are based in Taupo, both offer exciting trips on the Waikato River. The most popular is Huka Jet, which is based at Wairakei Park and goes right up to the base of the Huka Falls.

Huka Jet, Wairaki Park

Bus Hotbus

Tel (07) 374 8572 or 0800 485 2538

Website www.hukajet.co.nz

Cost $75 (30 minute ride)

Rapids Jet is the other jet boat operator in Taupo. They operate further upstream where they surf the Nga-awapurua Rapids – New Zealand's biggest commercially jet boated rapids.

Tel (07) 378 5828 or 0800 RAPIDS.

Website www.rapidsjet.co.nz

Kayaking

The Māori carving on the cliff face overlooking Lake Taupo is one of the highlights of the region and the best way to see them is on a half-day kayaking trip run by Kayaking Kiwi.

Kayaking Kiwi

Tel (07) 378 0909 or 0800 529 255

Website www.kayakingkiwi.co.nz

Half day trip $85

Kiwi River Safaris, is another kayaking company that offers kayaking trips from Taupo. Rather than kayaking on the lake, Kiwi River Safaris runs trips on the Waikato River that let you see bungy jumpers from underneath the platform and also give you the opportunity to try a cliff jump or just soak in hot pools.

Kiwi River Safaris

Tel (07) 377 6597

Website www.krs.co.nz

Two hour trip $40

Mountainboarding

A mountainboard is like a cross between a skateboard and a snowboard and Gravity Hill is New Zealand's first and only mountainboard park. The park features 12 acres of terrain with tracks for all skill levels.

872 Rakanui Road, Taupo

Tel (07) 377 4299 or 0800 GRAVITY (0800 472 848)

Website www.mountainboard.co.nz

Five rides $29; three hours $49; five hours $59; full day $69

SKY DIVING

Skydiving is Taupo's most popular activity. It is the cheapest place in New Zealand to jump out of a plane and the scenery is spectacular with views over Lake Taupo and the snow capped mountain peaks of Tongariro National Park.

Competition between the three skydive companies keeps the prices low and you usually get the choice of several jump heights. Generally the ripcord gets pulled at 5000ft, so a 6000ft jump gives you five seconds freefall, a 9000ft jump gives you 30 seconds of freefall, a 12000ft jump gives you 45 seconds and a 15000ft jump gives you one minute. However the 15000ft jump is not always possible, particularly in cold weather and most people choose to jump at 12000ft.

The quality of video footage is one of the main differences between the different operators. Lots of travellers recommend Skydive Taupo because it features a one-on-one video of your jump as opposed to a group video of everyone on the plane. Also the video is of the entire parachute jump and not just the freefall.

Skydiving companies only operate when the weather conditions are right, so be prepared to spend an extra day or two in Taupo waiting for the right conditions. Most tandem skydive companies impose a maximum weight of 100kg.

Great Lake Skydive Centre

Tel (07) 378 4662 or 0800 FREEFLY (0800 373 335)

Website www.freefly.co.nz

12000ft tandem jump $215 including ground video, $360 including freefall video; 15000ft tandem jump $345 including ground video, $489 including freefall video

Skydive Lake Taupo (Taupo Tandem Skydiving)

Tel 0800 275934

Website www.skydive.net.nz

6000ft tandem skydive $169; 12000ft tandem skydive $199; 15000ft tandem skydive $299 (ground video extra $25; freefall video extra $149)

Skydive Taupo

Tel 0800 JUMP NOW (0800 586 766)

Website www.skydivetaupo.co.nz

9000ft tandem skydive $190; 12000ft tandem skydive $200 (freefall video extra $130)

Turangi

Turangi marks the halfway point between Auckland and Wellington.

The self-proclaimed '‘Trout Fishing Capital of the World' is a popular destination for anyone who takes trout fishing seriously but for most backpackers it is an uninteresting and overly planned small town.

It's an alternative to Taupo with a couple of good hostels and many activities available in Taupo can be booked from here. Turangi is also a convenient base for anyone planning on tackling the Tongariro Crossing or any of the other walks in Tongariro National Park.

Practical Information

Turangi Visitor Centre

Ngwaka Place, Turangi

Tel (07) 386 8999

Website www.laketauponz.com

Open 8.30am-5pm daily

Department of Conservation

Turanga Place, Turangi

Tel (07) 386 8607

Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

Coming & Going

InterCity coaches stop at the Travel Centre across the road from Extreme Backpackers.

Alpine Scenic Tours (tel (07) 386 8918; website www.alpinescenictours.co.nz) operates a daily shuttle bus for hikers tackling the Tongariro Crossing. It departs Turangi at 7.30am arriving at the trailhead at 8.30am and picking you up at the end of the track at 5.15pm. The return fare is $25.

Accommodation

Backpackers Habitat

25 Ohuanga Road, Turangi

Tel (07) 386 7492

Bellbird Lodge

Corner Rangipoia Place & Tautahanga Road, Turangi

Tel (07) 386 8281

Extreme Backpackers

26 Ngawaka Place, Turangi

Tel (07) 386 8949

Riverstone Backpackers

222 Tautahanga Road, Turangi

Tel (07) 386 7004

Samurai Lodge

41 Iwiheke Place, Turangi

Tel (07) 386 8979

Activities

Most travellers use Turangi as a base for hiking in the Tongariro National Park (see Manuwatu-Wanganui section). Other activities include white water rafting on the Tongariro River.

White Water Rafting

Rapid Sensations (tel 0800 35 34 35; website www.rapids.co.nz) and Tongariro River Rafting (tel (07) 386 6409) operate rafting trips on the Tongariro River. This river has over 50 grade 3+ rapids that make a fun day of rafting although there are wilder rivers elsewhere in New Zealand. Trips cost $90.