The Mighty Waikato
Explore our beautifully remote corner of the region with its dark skies, or head further afield to experience iconic New Zealand activities and cultural highlights.
There is plenty on offer in the Mighty Waikato…
A visit to Waikato (aka ‘the Shire’) isn’t complete without a visit to Hobbiton, the set for Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies. Take a guided tour around the ten-acre site and through the caves. Advance booking is required, especially for the feast.
Due to the drive, we recommend booking this experience either before or after your stay with us.
Hobbiton Movie Set
Hakarimata Scenic Reserve
Just over an hour’s drive from the Lodge is the 1,850 hectares of native forest protected in Hakarimata Scenic Reserve. Featuring tracks from short walks to the waterfall to a full day hike. Our chef can also prepare a hiker’s lunch for you.
Sunset Beach, Port Waikato
Known as a surfing and fishing hotspot, Port Waikato is roughly 40 minutes from the Lodge. You will see some amazing limestone rock formations along the way. Head towards Sunset Beach to experience soft black sand and stunning sunset views.
Just a short drive from Te Karaka Lodge, Nikau Cave is filled with stalactites, stalagmites and glow worms that twinkle like stars in the night sky. Take a 90-minute guided kiwi tour and be prepared to get your feet wet!
Nikau Cave & Cafe
Thundercross Dirt Bike Park
Based in Glen Murray, Thundercross Valley is the one-stop-shop for dirt biking, where you can hire bikes, learn from accredited coaches and ride a variety of trails, set in 750 acres of stunning Waikato countryside.
A cute surfing town, 1 hour 15 min drive south of Te Karaka Lodge. Raglan is both a surfing mecca and a dramatically scenic area of black sand coastline. It also offers an entertaining mix of cafés, bars, great fish and chips, surf shops, galleries and ice cream! Don’t forget to check out the beautiful Bridal Veil Falls.
Let us know if you are looking for a day trip so we can organise a 15 min helicopter ride for you!
Raglan
Cornerstone Alpacas
On the way down to Hamilton, experience the kiwi alpaca lifestyle. Book in a tour and meet the friendly alpacas and enjoy a family day trip and lunch in Gordonton Village.
Onewhero Golf Club
Located in Pukekawa, only eight minutes from SH1 at Mercer. The par 72 course is 5,488 meters long and makes superb use of the surrounding woodlands and land on which it was built.
Strategically placed water hazards and bunkers make accuracy a premium and the course rewarding for all standards of play.
Located alongside an attractive stretch of the Waikato River, visiting the beautiful Hamilton Gardens is a great day trip option . It is open from 9am to 5pm daily and is free of charge.
Hamilton Gardens
Nestled among the rolling green fields of the Waikato region is the Zealong Tea Estate, New Zealand’s only tea plantation. Learn how tea is made and all about its history during the 90-minute tour and sample some delicious flavours.
Zealong Tea Estate is an hour and 15 min drive from the Lodge