Natalia V
Natalia V
​OTOROHANGA MUSEUM - Otorohanga
Otorohanga Museum has a collection of Otorohanga's pioneering buildings; an 1896 police lockup, 1912 police office and courthouse and a 1908 church building) there is also a collection of local historic artifacts and photos. Of these an historic wheelbarrow offers interest; used in 1885 at a ceremony on the Puniu River to mark the beginning of railway construction through the King Country. There is also a purpose-built Waka House which protects an important archaeological discovery "Te Waonui o Tane", a 200 year old partially constructed totara dugout canoe which was discovered deep in an ancient gravel pit near Otorohanga.

​Location: Kakamutu Rd, Otorohanga.
Hours: 1pm till 5pm Sundays, or by arrangement - 64-7-873 8849.
Price: free​
ED HILLARY WALKWAY - Otorohanga

The Ed Hillary Walkway, situated off the main street down its own alleyway-type situation in Otorohanga offers information panels on Sir Edward Hillary, the All Blacks and NZ competing in the America’s Cup.
Location: Maniapoto St, Otorohanga.
Hours: 24 hours
Price: free​

KAWHIA REGIONAL MUSEUM & GALLERY
- Kawhia​
The Kawhia museum is situated waterside and offers lots of local history, Maori and nautical artefacts as well as regular art exhibitions.
Worth a look while passing through. The museum also doubles as the visitor information centre enabling you to see what else is available in the area.
​
Location: Omimiti Reserve, Kawhia Wharf, Kawhia.
Hours: 12pm - 3pm Wed-Sun.
Price: admission by gold coin donation.​
​MAKETU MARAE - Kawhia
Maketu Marae has an impressively carved meeting house; Auaukiterangi. The Marae is on private property so permission is required. The Marae is also home to the burial place of the Tainui waka. Contact the Maketu Marae Committee here; (info@kawhia.maori.nz).
Location: Kaora St, Kawhia. Take the track from the wharf along the coast.
Price: permission required, admission by donation.
Hours: agreed upon when obtaining permission.

dennis kuhn
dennis kuhn
WAIRERE FALLS - Te Aroha​​
The Wairere Falls are situated 15km northeast of Matamata and have a height of 153m (the highest on the North Island). To view them you'll have a 45-minute walk through native bush to the lookout or if you wish to climb to the summit its a steep 90-minute climb. Definitely worth a look on that sunny day, especially when theres been some rain before hand to see them in their fullest effect.
Location: Goodwin Rd, Te Aroha; 20 minute drive south of Te Aroha.
Price: free
Hours: 24
Web: ​http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/bay-of-plenty/tauranga/wairere-falls-track/
nz museums
nz museums
TE AROHA MUSEUM - Te Aroha​
The Te Aroha museum is housed in the town's former thermal sanatorium (aka the 'Treasure of Te Aroha'). The museum consists of a variety of quirky displays including old spa water bottles, quirky ceramics, historic photos and an old printing press from the Te Aroha News. Worth a look while passing through.

Location: Te Aroha Domain
Price: adult $4.00, Child $2.00
Hours: 11am-4pm Nov-Mar, 12pm-3pm Apr-Oct
​
nz educated
nz educated
WAIKATO RIVER
The Waikato River is the longest river in New Zealand spanning a distance of 425 kilometres throughout the North Island. The river begins at Lake Taupo, forms the Huka Falls and skirts the Hamilton City Belt on its way to Port Waikato as it heads out to sea. In Hamilton the river is paired with bush-covered riverside walkways along both sides of the river providing a picturesque setting, great for the jogger or that scenic stroll.
For the water sport enthusiast there are tour operators who provide adventure sports on the river from kayaking to white water rafting.
Location: Waikato
Hours: 24
Price: free, tour operators will have a fee.​
nz roses organisation
nick hodge
nz roses organisation
TE AWAMUTU ROSE GARDEN - Te Awamutu
​The Rose Garden is next to the i-SITE and has 2500 bushes and 51 varieties with fabulous names like Big Daddy, Disco Dancer, Lady Gay and Sexy Rexy. The roses usually bloom from November to May.

Location: cnr Gorst Ave & Arawata St, Te Awamutu.
Price: free
Hours: 24
​
Web: http://www.teawamutu.co.nz/info/attractions/rose-gardens/
Te Awamutu Museum
Te Awamutu Museum
Te Awamutu Museum
​TE AWAMUTU MUSEUM - Te Awamutu
​The museum has an extensive exhibition on Neil Finn, including gold records, original lyrics and Finn memorabilia. The museum also houses a fine collection of Maori taonga (treasures), the revered ‘Uenuku’, as well as display's relating to the Waikato War. Worth a look.
Location: 135 Roche St Te Awamutu
Price: admission by donation
Hours: 10am-4pm Mon-Fri, 10am-2pm Sat

FIRTH TOWER MUSEUM - Matamata
Firth Tower was built by Auckland businessman Josiah Firth in 1882. The 18m concrete tower was a fashionable status symbol and is now filled with Maori and pioneer artefacts. Around it are 10 other historic buildings (closed Tuesday and Wednesday), including a schoolroom, church and jail.
​Location: 266 Tower Road, Matamata.
Price: $5.00 Adults, $3.00 Seniors, $1.00 Children.​
Hours: Grounds 10am till 4pm​, Buildings; Thurs-Mon 10am-4pm, Tu-Wed Closed.
mt pirongia national park
Hamilton & Waikato Tourism
mt pirongia national park
MT PIRONGIA FOREST PARK - Pirongia
​The park offers a multitude of walking tracks within the park. The main attraction of the 17,000-hectare Pirongina Forest Park is Mt Pirongia, its 959m summit clearly visible from much of the Waikato. The mountain is usually climbed from Corcoran Rd (three to five hours, one-way). Interestingly, NZ’s tallest known kahikatea tree (66.5m) grows on the mountainside. There’s a six-bunk DOC hut near the summit if you need to spend the night. Maps and information are available from DOC in Hamilton. Visit the website for walking track information.
Location: Pirongia. There are multiple entry points, see the site for details.
Price: free
Hours: 24
Helpful Links
Hamilton, Huntly, Ngaruawahia, Morrinsville, Te Aroha, Paeroa
Te Kauwhata, Tainui, Mokau, Tamahere, Matamata, Waitomo, Waikino, Cambridge
Ohaupo, Te Awamutu, Tirau, Taumarunui, Putaruru, Te Kuiti, Otorohunga, Raglan
Hamilton & Surrounds
Absolute Adventure