Great place to visit, lady there was very helpful and knowledgeable, giving us a great run down of its amazing history. Road to it was narrow and winding, but worth the journey. Really nice trails and water features, cool and peaceful. Ducks to feed. Highly recommend A+++

Beautiful place to spend some days. Caretaker and owner very friendly and helpful. The gardens are lush and beautiful to walk around.

Rapaura Water Gardens – He Taonga Ora A Living Treasure Rapaura Water Gardens in Tapu are a taonga, alive with wairua, history, and the mauri of the whenua. From the moment we arrived, the sound of the awa carried us into a different space — a place where past and present flow together.We climbed to the end of the track which we were blessed to view an opening of the shallow part of the opening of the waterfall, where the wai tumbled gently over the rocks. It was here that we acknowledged all that have been before us and left and the many stories and history this Awa has. Feeling completely blessed and appreciating the wairua and mauri of this space we felt this was a perfect time and place to karakia, give thanks and to cleanse our whanau, our greenstone taonga and really tune into this incredibly spiritual place. This was such a blessing, and a reminder of whakapapa and the timeless connection between people, land, and water.Standing there, with wai in our hands and our babies by our side, we felt the aroha of our tīpuna and the embrace of Papatūānuku. Rapaura Water Gardens in Tapu are more than a visitor attraction it is a sacred taonga where wai, whenua, people, and wairua flow together. The awa, now called the Tapu River (once known as Waipatukahu Stream), runs clear through the gardens, carrying with it stories of the land and its people.Since 1993, a whānau has lovingly carried the responsibility of kaitiakitanga (guardianship) for this whenua and awa. Their aroha and care can be felt everywhere – in the thriving native rākau, in the calls of ngā manu that echo through the gardens, and in the peaceful pathways that allow manuhiri to walk gently upon the land. Rapaura is not just a place you see — it is a place that touches you, cleanses you, and stays with you. A sanctuary of healing, grounding, and connection. 💧🌿✨ ❤️

We are blessed to have found this beautiful place to stay on our way to Driving Creek. The house was so cozy , clean and with character! Our appreciation to Serena (?Spelling ) for her warm and attentive service. We ordered food for BBQ dinner and they turned out excellent. The house was surrounded by the watergarden that we saw friendly little ducks , we enjoyed the walk there . Highly recommended to anyone looking for a place to stay in the Thames .

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Perfect Stay! We had an amazing time at this accommodation! The host was incredibly welcoming and made sure everything was perfect for our stay. The house itself is spacious, spotless, and beautifully decorated. every detail felt thoughtful and inviting. The view from the house overlooking the garden and river is just stunning. The garden is beautifully maintained, and the walk along the river was such a highlight, it leads to a breathtaking waterfall that’s absolutely worth the stroll. We couldn’t have asked for a better place to stay. Highly recommend this wonderful home to anyone looking for a peaceful and picturesque getaway.

Just visited the gardens. Restaurant was closed for main meals. Could do light fare only. Lovely day to visit in the mid 60's and overcast. A lot of stuff in bloom already and it's only end of Oct. Wheelchair/ Walker friendly to the lily ponds, but not the yellow track or up to the falls. I'd say to the falls you'd need to have decent knees. Maybe a 3 on scale of 1-10 for difficulty. Worth it for sure if you can make it. We spent 1.5 hours doing all the paths including feeding the ducks and sitting for awhile.

The host was welcoming, friendly and helpful. A beautiful tranquil garden and bush retreat with natural water features. Followed by a panini, cake and coffee. We loved our time here ❤️

Cheaper if you book with motel direct. We paid $42 extra booking travago website. The rooms are small and not laid out well. No armchairs and only bed to sit on apart from plastic dining chairs. Brown decor. That said it's very clean. Managers so friendly and helpful. Now we know what you get and at a better price we would book again.

Only stayed one night, pool closes early on colder days and spa was booked out. I only booked the place for my daughter to swim in the pool but even in the mornings pool not open only at 10am when checking out. So we had no chance at having a swim at all. Stayed in room one , toilet so noisy when flushing and bathroom very small had dirt in them when arrived and stove needs to be replaced. The soap and shampoo dispenser was not even working too they were full but not even working. There were ants all over the kitchen bench and by the fridge. The bed was the only best thing for me to be honest.

Practical with dated but fully serviceable rooms with all you need. Suitable for kids with pool and hot tub for adults. Good parking and no road noise when in back units and comfortable beds. Brilliant showers and water pressure. Lovely birdsong in mornings. Rail trail station is close by as well. Ideal place to spend a few days exploring all the area has to offer.

One tiny soap for 4 ladies body wash in shower did not work,bottom of shower not clean enough, but beds were very comfortable and covers were good,location good

The motel is run down and in need if maintenance. Door handles on kitchen broken net curtains decades old with holes and look grey with dust. Holes in blinds. Found last guests food in fridge and an unwashed microwave. No sound insulation between units. We had to ask for towels and teatowels when we arrived. On the plus side sheets and pillow cases were clean and fresh.

For 196 a night the only good thing i can say is the room was clean and so was the bathroom.10$ charge to use the hot tub....it says included In stay on website and in their booklet on arrival, all you need to do is book a time but when you get to reception you have to pay. It's $10 each time you book a time. I usually like to have one in the morning and night but at 10 each session. No thank you. Ive not read a single review so far thay says they were being charged to use spa. Was this only being charged to me if so im not happy at all.

One of the cleanest motels I have ever been in which is my No. 1 priority. Room slightly outdated, and have been done up very nicely, and I am very happy with the value received. Would not hesitate to stay there again. The staff very friendly and on the whole we had a great experience staying at the Pam Motel.

What a fun place! About 8 species of butterfly. Worth a stop.

Good for a warm up and interesting for kids under new friendly ownership

If you are planning on visiting he butterfly house in Thames NZ reconsider your options it has been closed for a month due to relocation in progress. unfortunate that there has been no notice been made on their website.... DISAPPOINTED.......

Was great to walk through, was able to take the buggy through so the little one could see. Lovely staff and quiet.

It is not there any more ! No signs at all. There was a brown signage on the Tararu rd. which has been painted white now.

Cool place to visit. Beautiful butterflies and the owner is okay too.

Best thing do on a cold day. Was awesome see so many different types of butterflies

What a lovely island! Beautiful swimmable beaches and nice walks with stunning views. Highly recommended! Almost forgot to mention the yummy ice lollies from the kiosk :)

Very neat spot with a long and interesting history! Lots of native birds, green paddocks, picnic tables and gas bbq's scattered around. A neat gem.

A great place to visit, stunning views, good to walk around and explore, nice beaches

What a hidden gem, just an hour away from Auckland by ferry and you are in a n area comparable to the Bay of Islands, the island is small with great beaches and picnic facilities so a perfect day trip destination, they also have overnight accommodation but we didn’t stay there, will definitely go again

Wow, this is a real hidden gem of an island - highly recommended! Our family stayed there for a long weekend in one of the houses (with some other forends at the nearby house too), and had an amazing time. The house itself was lovely, clean and comfortable with everything you need and more - better than most Airbnb's we've stayed at. Bird life is great with frequent weka and tīeke (saddleback) sightings, plus a super rare takahē (with chick) when we were there. Heard kiwi calls late at night too - bit freaky for the unwary! Stunning beaches - Ladies and Mens bays were favourites. Calm warm crystal clear water and golden sand - like Raro but a lot cheaper and just over an hour from Auckland! Fascinating history behind the island and the team running it are amazing - the guided tour is great. We will be back for sure!

Beautifully preserved piece of New Zealand History. Catch the ferry to the island and wander around freely enjoying the scenery. The island has an interesting history which is explained in the museum and colonial buildings that are perfectly restored and maintained. Enjoy the birdlife and see how the islands bird breading program is coming along. Bring a picnic or use the BBQ area and catch the ferry back when you are ready to head home.

Absolutely awesome. Great spot for a day trip. Lovey island with awesome views and beaches. The Saddleback birds are sweet little birds. Has moorings available if you want.

Honestly, I don’t like giving a low score or negative feedback, but I wasn’t particularly impressed with the spa. The sealed room felt too small for my family of three and offered no view. Additionally, there wasn’t enough space for changing or storing clothes. At $129 per hour (plus an extra charge for a towel), it’s not cheap. As other reviewers have mentioned, the water didn’t appear clean, with noticeable fragments, such as what looked like sawdust or dead skin, floating in it. On a positive note, the staff were friendly, and the nearby Domain is quite attractive.

Really enjoyed the spa here. The large wooden barrels were lovely and comfortable, as was the waft of essential oils in the air and the cool breeze perfectly offsetting the temperature of the water, which we were able to set to perfection. Would have rated it 5 stars if all the staff were friendly (not just the younger ones), there was no loud buzzer jarring us back to reality at the end (the blue light would do) and if the plants were real. Overall though, a lovely experience and highly recommended. We didn't upgrade to the Valentine's day package, and it was still great.

Service and staff were fantastic! Staff big on client safety which was great to see. Great place to Relax and recharge, and very Private, love the ability to self regulate the temperature of the water. Definitely coming back soon. Draw backs... no hair dryer available and the buzzer was a little frightening after a lovely quiet dip...lol

It is a great location for a weekend relaxation. The showers, toilet and the changing rooms are very clean The entry price is reasonable as well. We enjoyed both outdoor spa and pool. The Te Aroh domain is great as well. It is convenient as there is a cafe close by.

Had one of the last sessions of the day. The location is gorgeous situated on the domain whereas if we had an early booking we would’ve explored the domain. It is a run down place, tacky with some of the ornaments on the window sills. Not much information is given on the minerals in the spa. Usually you get abit of information and background so you know what you’re sitting in and its benefits. Having an in person interaction would have elevated the experience. Nevertheless, we had about an hour in the spa where we can control the bubbles and temperature which we loved! The booking also includes a private change room including toilet and shower which was also another bonus. With the price, we’d expect at least towel service just like other spas we’ve been to but there is an extra charge. Staff are friendly and welcoming. Overall, was an interesting experience but will not be returning.

We stopped here on the way, and since I adore thermal springs, I simply couldn’t drive past without trying it. But to be honest, I was a little disappointed. The water didn’t feel completely natural — there were some sanitizing additives that took away from the purity of the experience. The room itself was quite small and stuffy, with no drinking water inside, so I had to step out and drink straight from the tap. And to top it all off, the session ended with a loud, jarring sound that had absolutely nothing to do with relaxation. A moment I wanted to love… but it didn’t quite live up to the magic I hoped for.

Amazing!! After a day of cycling this was exactly what we needed! We booked a private spa for 30 minutes. It was spotlessly clean and the staff were very friendly and helpful. They showed us to our spa room and showed us how everything operated, including some safety info. Highly recommend visiting, especially if you are cycling or hiking in the area!!!

We had so much fun and memories are established here! Surely, the council work alongside the owners and develop a collaborative plan to restore a community resource! Let's find a solution and make this work so the fun times and memories return and remain sustainable. There should have been some legal obligation for maintenance, restoring and sustainability moving forward. Iconic places like this have a community responsibility. Just my thoughts and obviously just my opinion without legal knowledge but surely the message is restoration, reopen, maintain, and sustain. Places like this should have provisions before sale.

The staff were very friendly. I thought the drive was out the way and the prices a bit on the steep side. The facilities are adequate with a grass patch, some BBQs, tables and chairs, change rooms toilets and a single shower. Everything looks like it could do with a bit of a spruce up. I would have appreciated a bit of shade covering over the pool. The cafe had good food and wonderful service.

Lovely place💙 I've been going to this pool since I was a baby. Good times and great memories. Fun for the whole family. Really yummy food and kind staff members.

This beautiful Hot springs is definately the place to be to unwind, entertain and family friendly. Thermal pool with lots of play space for families and kiddies. Its a fair drive but it is soooo worth the gas. The prices are meh ok It is pretty expensive for private pools however, if you enjoy just relaxing and mingling with ethnic families you will love being there

A favourite place to visit since childhood. Food at cafe was good and reasonably priced. Entry prices are as is on website. Place was clean and tidy. Good for families.

No shelter over main pool is a bummer, and no cold water pool at all. But still loved it, spent an entire day there and went home feeling relaxed.

Out do or heated pool near the east coast lovely staff and hot food available. Family friendly business.

Just visited Hunua Falls with family and a few friends, what an awesome spot! It’s a bigger than usual NZ waterfalls and super impressive, even though the water was brown from the rain the day before. Still, the whole place has a really peaceful vibe and it’s amazing how close it is to Auckland. Would’ve been perfect if the weather was sunny and dry we were hanging out for a picnic right next to the falls! But even with the damp ground, there were some great seating areas around for picnics or just chilling out. Definitely worth the short drive. Loved it, and will be back for sure (hopefully with sunshine next time!)

Such a beautiful spot 🌿💦 Just a short walk from the car park and you’re greeted with this stunning waterfall. Kids loved running around the open space and watching the water crash down. Perfect for a little picnic or just to take in the fresh air. Definitely worth the trip! 😍

A must see if coming to Auckland, such a beautiful place to go for a trek along the different trails, or a quick dip to cool off on the hot days we have here, the waterfall is beautiful and such a nice backdrop for the family photo. Can get busy during the weekends so may have to park up the drive down and walk down, a fairly easy gradient too.

Visited Hunua Falls recently and it was such a refreshing experience! The waterfall is stunning, especially with the lush greenery all around. The walking tracks are well-maintained and easy to follow, making it great for a short scenic walk. The sound of the water crashing down is so calming, and it’s a perfect spot for photos or just to relax and enjoy nature. Parking was easy, and the area felt clean and well looked after. Definitely worth the drive if you’re looking for a peaceful outdoor getaway near Auckland!

Very organized, comfortable park we enjoyed spending time here!

The way going there too far from west Auckland. Take me 1hr driving but it’s worth it. I love going there. Don’t need to walk so far to get to waterfall. The toilet is so clean better than other waterfalls that I went before. Can picnic there with your lovely family.

Easy trail with option for only a few stairs(20min) or a long trek up to the dam (3hours). Absolutely stunning as you walking to the jungle and become surrounded by trees and birds. The roaring waters are only loud as you get close to them. Theres a clearing with picnic tables at the bottom of the falls. Very nice. Great for all ages.

Dry beautiful garden • Location: 102 Hill Road, Manurewa, Auckland.  • Size: ~ 64 hectares, including about 10 hectares of native forest.  • When established: The gardens were opened in 1982; land for them was purchased back in 1968.  ⸻ What’s There / Highlights • Plant collections: A wide diversity including native New Zealand plants, exotics, edibles, African plants, magnolias, camellias, roses, etc.  • Native Forest Trail: A bush/forest remnant walk that’s quite scenic.  • Threatened Native Plant Collection: For seeing rare and vulnerable local species.  • Gondwana Arboretum: Trees that reflect ancient lineage or plant families with long evolutionary histories.  • Potter Children’s Garden: A child-friendly themed garden to explore.  • Seasonal displays & gardens: Rose garden, Camellia, Magnolia, Edible Garden, African Garden etc.  • Visitor Centre (Huakaiwaka): Includes café (Café Miko), display/exhibition spaces, map & garden information.  • Outdoor sculpture: Large scale artworks are scattered throughout.  ⸻ Hours & Entry • Entry: Free entry for the gardens.  • Opening hours (Gardens): • Summer (October–March): ~ 6:30 am to 8:00 pm  • Winter (April–September): ~ 6:30 am to 6:00 pm  • Visitor Centre & Café have more limited hours; closed Christmas Day, café may close earlier.  ⸻ How to Get There • By car: Take the Southern Motorway (State Highway 1). If coming from the city heading south, exit at Manurewa / Hill Road (Exit 451), then left onto Hill Road; the gardens are the first driveway on the left.  From the south, exit at Takanini (exit 453), then follow a combination of roads (Great South Road → Alfriston Road → Claude Road → Hill Road) to reach the gardens. • By public transport: There’s a bus route (366) between Manurewa bus interchange and the Gardens. Also possible combination with train + bus + walking from Manurewa train station. Approximately 2 km ride or walk from the station. • By bike: You can take a bike on the train for free, then cycle a short distance from the station. There are bike parking facilities at the visitor centre.

Auckland Botanic Gardens is peaceful, beautiful, diverse garden experience that suits many interests, from families and casual visitors to plant lovers. If you visit, allow a few hours (or more!) so you can wander without rushing, stop to sit and take in the views, and perhaps have a picnic. Highly recommended.

Beautiful place to have a walk with your dogs and take pictures. Here’s a pro tip: the I cream van line is always very long so just go to the cafe and buy an ice cream tub or a popsicle. Overall, place is full of amazing flowers and trees and my dog had an absolute blast here. Just make sure the weather is nice before coming here!

Had a lovely time at Auckland Botanic Gardens! The gardens are so beautiful and peaceful, with lots of space to walk around and enjoy the flowers and greenery. My family really enjoyed exploring different sections, and the kids loved the playground. A perfect place to relax, take photos, and spend a quiet day surrounded by nature.

A Day Well Spent at the Auckland Botanic Gardens 🌳 My recent visit to the Auckland Botanic Gardens was an absolute delight and a perfect escape into nature. The images showcase the incredible variety and beauty of the gardens, making it clear why this is a must-visit spot. Overall, the Auckland Botanic Gardens are a spectacular place—a beautifully cultivated space that offers both horticultural interest and a peaceful retreat from the city. I highly recommend spending a few hours exploring its paths and diverse collections.

Beautiful day at the Gardens, the Camellias are blooming and very pretty to watch! Also the Magnolias are worth mentioning. Lovely for a quick or longer stroll. Easy to grab a coffee to go, parking in the morning is good and definitely will go to see more flowers bloom.

The Auckland Botanic Gardens is hands down my favorite spot in Auckland! 🌿🌸 It’s huge, filled with all kinds of plants and flowers, so no matter what season it is—spring, summer, autumn, or winter—you’ll always find something in bloom. The walking paths are easy to follow, and just wandering around here is such a relaxing and enjoyable experience.

We have been to Rainbows End a couple of times and have loved our time. An iconic place that was easy to go into no waiting we went straight in. The rides especially for the kids were amazing. Absolutely enjoyed the experience. Food and drink was great. Unfortunately the weather started to pack in but there was also undercover options as well. Great place to go to.

I had an amazing time at Rainbow’s End in Auckland truly one of the most fun, beautiful, and adventurous places in New Zealand. If you’re ever visiting Auckland, this is a must-visit attraction. Make sure to arrive as early as possible, because if you go late, you might not have enough time to enjoy all the rides and activities. There are several ticket options available, and I recommend checking online and buying in advance. The most popular option is the Day Pass, which costs around $75 per adult, and gives you access to all available rides within the park. The Log Flume was my favourite a beautiful, fairytale-like experience that no one should miss. For thrill seekers, Stratosfear is the most intense ride, spinning 30 meters up and rotating 360 degrees for an extreme adrenaline rush. There are also restaurants and cafés inside the park, plus fun claw machines and arcade-style games where you can win prizes for an extra fee. I had a lot of fun visiting with my partner, and it was definitely worth the money I spent. Highly recommended! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Super cool, loved the themed rides like "Gold Rush", as well as the fear fall, my personal favorite was the "Invader". While I didn't get the opportunity to ride the Stratosfear I've been told its incredibly fun, however the lines are long as you'd expect.

Nice day out for families, really expensive for tickets and food. Staff were pretty good and mostly polite. Didnt have to wait long for rides

Great day out, first time for the kids. They loved the Invader and everything bumper car/boat. Glad I could still do the stratosfear on last ride - enough recovery time in the traffic jam on the way home

Fearfall, family carts closed. Log fume, rollercoaster not operating till 12pm. Everthing else is packed with ppl before 12pm. Better put a sign at the gate before charging $70+ pp.

Great time with the family. We had a great time and was able to all but one of the rides (due to maintenance being performed on the ride, we were informed of this before entering park) Food was expensive but expected. Was able to enjoy a full day there with the family.

One of the cheapest and wonderful experience of sky dive near Auckland. They mostly work based on appointment so call before you go. They also have small airfield and airplane license classes.

Our super awesome experience so far in Aotearoa! Thank you GoSkyDive NZ for making this happen. Excellent communication during inquiry stage, very friendly staff, great pilot, and most importantly experienced and professional sky jumpers (Billy and Steven) - highly recommended team!!!

How do you not rate a sky diving experience excellent? I knew I was gonna have an experience of a life time but what made it even better was the professionalism, friendliness and stoke the guys had! Thank you for the best experience ever!

I have got great experience and life lasting memories after my first ever jump from 13,000 ft with 45 sec of free fall. This the event that blows mind, make life different and improve self-confidence greatly. The team is very friendly, the location is excellent. I would like to jump here again.

Loved it they made it so exciting and was so awesome so would do it again thank u guys

I did my first skydive earlier this week and can 100% recommend GoSkydive. The instructors were so friendly and supportive, and took the time to get to know you and make you feel comfortable. I felt safe the entire time and was really impressed with the whole operation. Couldn't recommend them enough A+++ amazing experience and I will definitely be back! :)

The guys at Go Skydive are awesome. The tandem jump with Billy was amazing. Friendly, highly experienced and chilled out. Darren communicated quite well and let me know when it would be the right time to jump. The whole experience was very well managed. Highly recommend this place if you want to skydive. It was the best jump ever and the video was well edited. Will definitely skydive again. What a thrill!!

Hobbiton was amazing! Beware though, it books up months in advance, so definitely book way ahead of time. For the tour itself, the Shire is stunning - it has truly breathtaking landscapes and gardens. Our tour guide Mira was fantastic and provided a lot of great LOTR facts. The complimentary drink from The Green Dragon Inn was very tasty and you can buy bottled drinks from their gift shop exclusive to Hobbiton. We wanted to do the Evening Banquet Tour but it was booked up so we did the day tour which was still great. We got lunch at the cafe after which had lots of tasty options. Walking through the houses was also a very special treat since it’s only been open since 2023. Overall, we are so happy we got to experience this!

Visited the Hobbiton Movie Set in September 2025 and it was a truly magical experience, a must-visit for any “Lord of the Rings” or “The Hobbit” fan! Even if you’re not a huge fan of the movies, the beauty and charm of this place will win you over instantly. From the moment we stepped off the bus and saw the rolling green hills dotted with colorful hobbit holes, it felt like stepping straight into Middle-earth. The guided tour was excellent — our guide was enthusiastic, funny and shared plenty of behind-the-scenes stories about how the movie set was built and filmed. Every detail was so well preserved, from the tiny mailboxes and laundry lines to the perfectly maintained gardens. The whole area looked exactly like it does in the films, only even more vibrant in person. We took tons of photos and every corner was picture-perfect. The weather in early spring was ideal, fresh air, blue skies and blooming flowers all around. The highlight for us was enjoying a complimentary drink at The Green Dragon Inn, which completed the magical experience. Everything was well-organized, from the ticketing to the bus transfer and tour timing. The staff were warm and welcoming, adding to the overall charm. Hobbiton is pure movie magic brought to life, charming, beautifully maintained and full of heart. Whether you’re a Tolkien fan or just love scenic spots, this is an experience you’ll never forget! Recommended 👍

Absolutely amazing!! Just magical and enchanting. The tour guide, Rob, was very knowledgeable, funny, kind, and super friendly as well. The hobbit holes are so incredibly detailed and well kept, it’s all very impressive! You get to go inside a hobbit house and take photos in it and see all the rooms, very cool. And a complimentary drink (I recommend the stout), just wow! I’ll definitely go back if I am ever in NZ again.

We did the behind the scenes tour and it was a truly magical experience. Our tour guide (Hayden) was enthusiastic, friendly, funny and very knowledgeable! We knew we were in for a good one when we saw his lotr tattoos! Hobbiton massively surpassed our expectations and The Green Dragon was a lovely cosy pub! The spread for the meal was really excellent and the food was absolutely delicious. My wife is a vegetarian and was very happy with the fried Tofu provided for her. It was a real treat to walk around the workshop seeing designs on the wall and the craftspeople in action working on fixing and repairing pieces for the hobbit holes. If you love Lord of the Rings this is an absolutely unmissable experience.

What am awesome experience. BOOK IN ADVANCE!!! I booked my nighttime banquet 6 months in advance and almost did not get a spot. You will not regret the banquet. Loved our tour guides, having the place practically to yourself (small group), actually going into a Hobbit hole and seeing the entire inside set up. And ending with dinner and an amazing lantern walk back to the busses.

Forget Disneyland, this place is the most magical spot in the world! Walking through the site is like stepping straight into Middle-earth. It’s so surreal; the whole experience is something you have to experience. I visited Hobbiton twice during my trip to New Zealand and each time it was just as enchanting. If you ever get the chance to visit, I absolutely cannot recommend it enough! It’s a must-see for any fan of the movies or anyone who just loves breathtaking scenery. Plus, they even give you a free mug at the end of the tour, which is a lovely little bonus! Honestly, it’s 100% worth it…such a special place. Just go!!!!! :)

A Truly Magical Experience at Hobbiton Movie Set We recently booked our tour of Hobbiton, and I can confidently say that the experience exceeded all expectations. Unfortunately, our flight to Auckland was delayed, and the traffic on the way to the set was much heavier than anticipated, causing us to arrive late. However, when we contacted the team, they were incredibly understanding and kind. They assured us that we'd still be able to take the full tour, and they made sure we had a complete, unforgettable experience. Hobbiton itself is already a magical place, with its lush landscapes and charming hobbit holes, but what really made our visit extraordinary was the warmth and charisma of the staff. The team’s enthusiasm and passion truly elevate the magic of the place, and it’s clear they love what they do. Their friendliness and dedication made all the difference and helped create a truly immersive experience. I would absolutely visit again and highly recommend anyone to make the trip to Hobbiton. It’s an enchanting place, and with the amazing people who work there, it's an experience you won’t forget!

Beautiful lakeside view , play ground, walking, cycling area. Picnic spot .

Great little gem of a walk. Similar size to Hamilton. Wide path no steps.

What a hidden gem, been driving through Huntly for years, never realised there was a lake there. What a lovely walking track around the lake, take a look if you have time.

Good family walk not too long not too short, good mix of wetland and gardens

This is a hidden gem. Fabulous walking track suitable for anyone. Native trees and birds plus more planned garden areas with mature trees. Takes around one hour to complete the walk.Parking and toilets available. Well worth the drive to Huntly.

A peaceful walk. Great with kids and young families. Good for walking, jogging amd biking but unfortunately not suitable for scooters though. The global garden part is very nice to view and very clean and tidy. Would be great to see more of that right the way around the lake.

The walk around the lake is great. There are many themed garden sections. It's flat and well maintained. It's certainly wide enough for all types of foot and bike traffic in both directions at all points. Good shoes are a must as it's mainly rough stones for the majority of the length. Not suitable for skateboards, scooters or other hard wheeled equipment. There are several rest areas and boardwalks. Some sections can be absolutely covered in duck and geese excrement, and you'll thank yourself if you bring a spare set of shoes if you're driving home. During the rainy season it can flood up to knee depth in a few places, but the path is obvious and I've walked it many times during flooding (just bring a plastic bag for your shoes and switch to jandals or something). The distance is marked on the ground in kilometres every few hundred meters. There are a few exit points as you walk around: one to the Kimihia Road area, and two to the Rayner Road area in the hills (which is a great place to walk through)! This makes for some interesting route options if you're a regular walker. The lake itself is best avoided as far as swimming is concerned. Your dog will absolutely love it, though. It's common to see at least a few people set up and fishing for carp (I think) on the park side of the walkway, so factor this in of you're letting your dog off to swim. There is a large, enclosed dog run available near the walkway entrance. There is a poop collection facility within including free bags (normally). It's not a good idea to let your dog run free or walk off the leash outside of this area, as there are many runners and bikers during most times of the day, as well as neighbourhood dogs running free in yards on the far side of the walk. The camping ground is located very close, which is great. There are a couple of excellent venues for events, including the Green Cathedral and the Yacht Club. It's all generally quite well maintained. There are public toilets available near the football field buildings and the skatepark. There is also a tap to fill water bottles and rinse your footwear off. For those inclined, there is also a fairly decent skate park and playground located near the Huntly Pools. There is a lot available in the area, really. It's also only a quick walk from Huntly's CBD should you want to grab a bite to eat at one of the MANY(!!) food places in town.

Amazing place! The team here is so passionate about protecting NZ’s native wildlife, and the guided walks are first class. A must-visit if you want to see the beauty of our forests and learn how we can help protect them. I will be back in late spring for sure.

This is an incredibly gorgeous and serene place to visit! We had a very knowledgeable tour guide and learned so much. There was a lot of birds to spot and different walking trails you could follow. The night tours are best for people interested in nocturnal creatures like arachnids and insects. You will definitely need comfortabke shoes and a reasonable amount of fitness if you're wanting to keep up with a tour - the walk is all uphill.

Great experience with our special guide "Lyn of Tawa"; very knowledgeable and tolerated my endless cheeky questions. Staff could not have been more friendly. Birdsong seems to be a given but catching them in photos is let's say "challenging" :)

This ecological preserve and trust is absolutely breathtaking and that applies to both its size and what can be seen within. The people who run the visitor center are incredibly knowledgeable and friendly, and can answer any question you could possibly have and them some. The land is surrounded by 26 miles of predator proof fence, so the wildlife inside is protected and thriving. We saw so many birds enjoying the space, even some endangered ones- a surprising and hopeful sight. Highly recommend. Donate on top of the admission fee, if possible.

A beautiful place to visit! Abundant bird song (and sightings) and lush green undergrowth. We did the Te Raki and Te Tonga tracks over the mountain which were a great little adventure (comparable to a DOC “tramping” track).

Nice spot. Definitely like what they are doing with the place & being my first time going there not knowing what to expect. Almost had it to myself arriving early. Wasn't expecting to pay that much to see it though. Tbh thought it was more a donation & not $32. But that wasn't a worry.

We journeyed from Mid Atlantic US. This was well worth the travel. Imogene was our guide. Our tour was highly educational and completely enjoyable as Imogene has a sense of humor about the sometimes shy avian residents. The fence, its size and its monitoring including volunteer involvement was truly impressive. Saw several birds, was able to identify more with our birdsong app with the NZ download which added approx. 60 bird calls. Fun to watch as they darted around the canopy. Binoculars are helpful and comfortable shoes a must. All in our party easily completed the walk. Visitor’s center is educational and fun as well.

Well worth a visit, the lake is lovely with little ducklings currently. We went into the enclosed garden (paid entry) and it was worth it. Stunning design and so fun to explore! We took a lunch break before heading back in. We ended up spending 5 hours there with my senior parents. Plenty of seats along the way to rest and sights and floral displays to photograph. Bring your power bank! One tip - Make sure you head to Mansfield Garden then to Picturesque Garden to follow the story. The cafe has menu and items in the cabinet. Highly recommend the apple feijoa smoothie! Parking was easy. A great experience and highly recommended!

Hamilton Gardens is one of the few places in the city that’s truly worth spending some time exploring. Each themed garden may not be a perfect replication of its cultural origin, but they do a great job showcasing the key elements within the limits of the space — from the pavilions and traditional structures in the Chinese Garden to the tatami-style layout in the Japanese Garden. I’ve visited many times — sometimes with friends, sometimes with family, and sometimes just by myself. Even within the same garden, the scenery can feel completely different depending on the season, which is part of the charm. It used to be free, but now non-residents need to purchase a ticket. Staff at the entrance will ask where you’re from and sell the appropriate ticket, and there’s a check at the gate before entry. The whole park is medium-sized. You can do a quick walk-through in about 30 minutes, or spend half a day strolling slowly through each garden. It’s a wonderful spot for families, offering both relaxation and a bit of education. A solid 5-star recommendation.

Such an amazing place with amazing spaces. A joy to wander around. You could easily spend the whole day here, there is so many wonderful sights to see. A photographers dream! The eatery has great food when you need to refuel. Well worth the entry fee.

Beautiful place with various gardens from multiple cultures. I was fascinated by the aesthetic and the upkeep of everything. Highly recommend checking this place out for a casual stroll. Admission fee was about NZ$20 You could spend up to a few hours here depending on if you just want to see all the gardens or just relax.

I have been to quite a few gardens all around the world. This one is now my favorite. So much to see and experience. So well laid out. Highly recommend a visit. 3hrs allowed us to walk the entire garden at a leisurely pace.

The Hamilton Gardens truly took me by surprise. I didn’t expect such a wonder — so full of unexpected diversity. The way each garden is shaped by its own culture and country feels absolutely unique, something I’ve never encountered before. Everything is beautifully cared for, charming, and delightfully unusual. And now, in spring, the blossoms add their own magic — a touch of fragrant mystery drifting through every corner.❤️

My wife dragged me here because we couldn't check-in to our hotel as early as we arrived. I'm really glad she did! It was a lovely walk around, plenty to see, and not overly crowded. I appreciated the variety of gardens and how each is unique. There are two little ice cream shops for kids of all ages, including husbands. If you're passing through, or just want a cool place to walk around and relax, I highly recommend stopping by here.

A great little museum with loads of information. During our visit, we had the chance to create our own art and photograph them as portraits. There is also a treasure hunt to spot particular items on a laminated sheet which keeps the young and old entertained. The astronomy photography was also on and that was truly spectacular to view. Bear in mind that it was an extra fee to view but well worth it. We also explored the kids area which was interesting and would also suit children of the younger age group. Overall a great place to visit especially if you’re looking for an indoor activity.

I really enjoyed the exhibitions in the museum, the one in the most of the photos is the Weaving Exhibition. Taken in February 2025. There were many other permanent and very informative displays in other rooms. Frankly I didn’t see the art gallery exhibits as I’d spent so long in the museum 😉 Spoke to a lovely gallery assistant on various subjects, she was very helpful.

This is a beautiful place with art, a good one for the kids to be out of the house and go read some history of this country and mostly thr Waikato area. Really beautiful art and good customer service as well they are very welcoming and informative 😀

The Waikato Museum in Hamilton is a captivating destination that offers a rich blend of art, history, and culture, making it an essential stop for anyone visiting the region. The museum showcases an impressive array of exhibitions, from local Māori history to contemporary art, providing insights into the diverse cultural tapestry of the Waikato area. One of the highlights is the museum's focus on Māori heritage, featuring artifacts and stories that celebrate the region's indigenous culture. The displays are thoughtfully curated, allowing visitors to engage with the history in a meaningful way. The interactive exhibits and hands-on activities are particularly enjoyable for families, making learning fun for all ages. In addition to its permanent collections, the museum frequently hosts temporary exhibitions, which adds to the excitement of returning for repeat visits. The layout is spacious and welcoming, with plenty of natural light enhancing the overall experience. The on-site café offers a pleasant spot to relax, with a menu that emphasizes local ingredients. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, always willing to provide insights into the exhibits or recommend nearby attractions. Overall, the Waikato Museum is a gem that beautifully reflects the spirit of the region. It’s well worth a visit, whether you’re a local or a tourist, as it provides a deeper understanding of the Waikato's cultural and historical significance.

Straddling the mighty Waikato River, Hamilton is a city of rich diversity, from its thriving cultural precincts, lush gardens and sweeping parklands, to award winning eateries, vibrant nightlife and colourful street art.

We come for Excite (separate interactive learning area for kids), my girl looooves it, it's $10per kid which seems a little steep for quite a small area, but there are family passes and I think the equipment and knowledge is worth it, and when she's soooo persistent with her requests to come here, its gotta be good. They could really do with more interaction, I understand from others reviews that there used to be a lot more to this section that was taken away,so hopefully, there's more to come...

Loving the Maori historic and the history of the Waikato! The museum needed abit more to it as it was too small and abit dull. Maybe just something we can connect with or use senses with as at the moment we were just looking. Overall it was real clean, toilets were clean, it was free entry and we learnt a thing or two about the Waikato.

Bird life, clean paths, range of shaded and non shaded areas. Flat walking track, perfect for any fitness level. Great place to watch the sunset

A sunny spring day at the end of September. Beautiful place to chill and have lunch with the kids. Awesome play areas for toddlers thru to bigger kids. Ice cream shop and cafe. Public toilets. Free parking.

Enjoyable walk around the lake, not too much foot traffic. Track looks maintained and taken care of. Stopped to feed the ducks but a Tuna come up to eat instead :)

We are SO LUCKY to have this asset in our city. Whether you are looking for somewhere to picnic, need a great playground, feel like an ice-cream, want to spend time in nature- or seeking a lovely walk- Hamilton Lake has it all.

Beautiful place for weekend outing with your family. Suddenly you feel like you are in Dubai.. because of the palm trees!

The children's playground I'd fabulous and offers children a safe place to play and exercise. There is a closed off area for smaller children to safely play.

Great venue for dragon boating event. Clean, tidy. Lots of grass. Good toilet facilities.Nice playground for kids.Thank you Tron!

Hamilton Zoo is a fantastic place for families and animal lovers. The enclosures are spacious and thoughtfully designed, giving the animals room to move and making the experience feel natural. The highlights include the big cats, giraffes, rhinos, and the incredible aviary walk-through. The staff are knowledgeable, friendly, and clearly passionate about conservation. Keeper talks are engaging and give you a deeper understanding of the animals and the zoo’s work. The grounds are well-kept, easy to walk, and there are plenty of shaded areas and picnic spots to relax. It’s not overcrowded like some larger zoos, which makes the visit more enjoyable and peaceful. A great balance of education, conservation, and family fun—definitely worth a visit if you’re in Hamilton.

This was my second visit, and I had a great time again. The grounds are quite large, so I recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes. I really love zoos, so I always take my time to look carefully at how the exhibits are designed and to make sure the animals don’t look bored. I was surprised to see so many peacocks freely roaming around right near the entrance, but they seemed very used to people and were quite friendly.

Spent a few hours here, my daughter had a blast. Wouldn't mind returning to see the tiger as we never got the chance too since there were so many people in the viewing window. In my eyes it was well worth it. Zoo keepers seem to take great care of the animals.

Had a fabulous family day out and were lucky enough to enjoy two of the animal encounters the zoo offers. Both our encounters and general viewing experiences were top notch. We got to see a variety of the animals being fed, playing, and living positive and enriched lives.

A wide variety of animals. All animals seemed healthy and with a reasonable amount of space and activities to do. I'm very torn over the chimps because most of the time they just don't look active or happy. We paid extra to do a lemur encounter as we have done in the past and it's a reasonable price to see the lemurs up close and hand feed them. The interaction is on the lemurs terms and the keepers have interesting information on their behaviour and hierachy. The takeaway is that all lemurs are now endangered due to deforestation in Madagascar (citified). For the animal encounters I recommend buying tickets in advance online to ensure you have enough for your party. The zoo entrance is a separate fee. Wear the shoes as stated on the ticket. You'll need good walking shoes anyway as the grounds are massive. The addition of a nice cafe at the entrance, improved parking and several wee playgrounds around the zoo have all improved the zoo immensely.

My daughter and grandson absolutely enjoyed a Sunday morning spent at the zoo. Loads of cute animals with play grounds in-between which was great for me to have a breather lol it's definitely a must do for the family. Thank you Hamilton zoo for the great experience, we'll be back

We loved Hamilton Zoo, even on a rainy day it was a really fun experience. We had half the displays to ourselves, given that not many people were out braving the weather. Totally worth it though, such a nice relaxed environment and the animals all appeared to be in good health! Definitely recommend the trip here

Dave is doing an awesome job keeping this amazing place running with almost all of his earnings. He is a true legend and he is living his dream making others dream. Loved this place and recommend all the people to visit this place that has a lot of knowledge and the virtual reality is great.

This was absolutely fabulous! We have all been raving about how fun an experience we all had - I honestly cannot recommend highly enough. Was a great experience for adults and kids alike. Dave has done a truly awesome job of curating a space that is incredibly kid friendly and super interactive plus interesting for the adults too! Costs $12 per adult, $8 per child and free for under 3 - so cheap and so worth it plus includes a cool VR experience too. We spent about an hour and a half here and honestly could have spent longer. Definitely pop in, you won’t regret it!

What an incredible accident treasure we happened upon after missing our turn off. Loved all the space info and the amount of live screens with data blew our minds. We were even lucky enough to be able to look through a sun telescope and see sun flares. Totally recommended

After months of encouragement/pestering from my 7 year old space mad boy we decided to come here as a family ( he had been before and had always wanted come back with the rest us to show us around). It may not be as fancy as some museums but you can tell it has been put together with a lot of passion and imagination. There is a huge amount of relevant information that is really well laid out and easy to follow, which is an aspect that has been overlooked in many museums I have been to. There is also a lot of interactive screens, interesting space memorabilia and a huge array of space books (as a mechanic I fell in love with the collection of Haynes Manuals on the space equipment, I could have read them for days) The VR show is really well done and is a must do also. I loved the fact that there is a lot geared towards kids including the opportunity to earn badges for doing quizzes and other trivial type worksheets. Great way to spend a few hours with the kids if they are into space and a great place for adults to expand their knowledge and their minds. Really enjoyed this place and we will return. Booking in online isn't necessary but it is appreciated if you do.

We had a fantastic day here, stayed for about two and a half hours. There is so much to do we could have easily stayed longer!! Will definitely be back, thanks Dave for sharing all your knowledge with us!!

Amazing place to visit, great service. Was a parent helper for a group of young primary school kids, really enjoyed and explored so much. Virtual reality was a breathtaking experience.

Such an awsome experience the VR headsets and the Lego displays were our favourite part. Highly recommend if you have children who are into learning about space.

Took miss 8yr niece there for the cave tour. She a little nervous, but the guide did a great job. Back to the Cafe afterwards, for a fantastic pizza home made lemonade and wild pork sausage stack.... great food. The grounds and facilities are great with plenty of outdoor seating, gardens and stream (with hungry eels in you can feed). Popular with motorbike riders as it's a great ride out n back.

A beautiful spot nested on the Waikaretu Valley Road. Visited quite a few times during motorcycle rides & a drive via Waikato Port. Peaceful ambience all around and a small stream to add to its beauty! Staff are kind & accomodating, and food is good too! Definately a place to visit if you haven't!

Stayed overnight here. What a great place to stay. The night is absolutely quiet as you are in the middle of nowhere. In the morning you wake up to the great golden view of the limestone hills and the grazing sheep. The host is very friendly. Also have mention the great and quiet scenery of the road to this place. Then you can have their roasted coffee for breakfast.

I went for the cafe and not the cave. If you’re looking for a tranquil escape paired with exceptional coffee and food, this cafe is the perfect spot. Nestled between towering rock faces, the setting alone is enough to take your breath away. The ambiance is serene and soothing, with the gentle babble of a stream out back adding a natural soundtrack to your visit. The outdoor seating by the stream is the real highlight, offering a peaceful retreat to savor your meal while soaking in the natural beauty. It’s the kind of place that feels like a secret hideaway, making it perfect for a relaxing morning or an afternoon recharge. Overall, this cafe is more than just a place to grab a coffee—it’s an experience. Highly recommended for anyone who appreciates great food, excellent coffee, and the serenity of nature.

Loved our stay in the White House! Such a peaceful spot with amazing views, perfect for enjoying an early coffee on the deck. The café food was great, and Philip and Anne were really accommodating with my wife’s food allergies. We also loved the bush walk nearby. Everyone was super friendly and welcoming. We’d love to come back later in the season!

This has been on our bucket list forever since seeing this place on seven sharp and today we finally did it. It was such am amazing experience. The cave tour was great and it was awesome to see spiders, cave Weta, many glow worms and we waited for Eddie the cave eel but he didn't want to appear today. Some spaces in the cave were tight and went through water, but Phillip and his trainee guide helped us feel confident and safe. Afterwards, we went to the Cafe for a very tasty lunch which we also enjoyed. Totally recommend this experience. It is amazing and well worth it.

The Nikau Cave tour is awesome. I think everyone should experience it. It took us about one hour to cross the one km cave. Prepare to get wet, as we need to crawl narrow section and squeeze through holes. The view inside is awesome. The cave is privately owned, and the owners took care of it extremely well. We are blessed to be able to enjoy it. Totally worth the trip. Philip, the tour guide is awesome. Very knowledgeable, joyous and experience guide. I would highly recommend everyone!

Beautiful black sand beach. Great shells and beautiful scenery. Nice rocks on the south end that create tidal pools at low tide. We had a great time exploring. Nice changing facilities, toilets, and showers at the car park and also down at the beach.

We visited Ngarunui Beach from Hamilton and it was absolutely worth the trip! There was plenty of parking which made things stress-free, and the beach itself was stunning. The ocean was so refreshing, the atmosphere so peaceful, it was exactly what I needed to unwind and clear my mind. An amazing spot to relax, recharge, and enjoy the beauty of the coast. Definitely recommend!

Amazing beach. You can do surfing and have a quite big car park. Dont stop at the first car park you see and go to the 2nd park. You can do surfing and sea bathing. I saw there is small place where they give surfing lessons with surf board

This is a stunning beach with its black sand and. on the day we visited, its wild surf. Unfortunately the weather wasn’t great so didn’t get to spend as much time as we would have liked looking around.

Ngarunui Beach is a must-visit if you’re near Hamilton. This beautiful, well-maintained beach offers a clean and relaxing environment, perfect for unwinding. It’s also an ideal spot to catch a stunning sunset. In short, a fantastic place to visit!

Beautiful black sand beach and a great day trip from Auckland or Hamilton.

Absolutely stunning place! The view from the top has to be one of the best scenic landscapes for any beach in NZ IMO. There are multiple carparks here and the walk to the beach goes down via a tarmac rd so the walk back can be a little tiring if one is not used to climbing gradients. There were plenty of surfers here and from what I saw no swimmers, you would have to be skilled to swim safely at this time of year.

Absolutely stunning place to visit! We went to Bridal Veil Falls with family and kids, and it was an unforgettable experience. The walk to the falls is easy and beautifully maintained, surrounded by lush greenery and peaceful nature sounds. The viewing platforms at different levels give breathtaking views of the waterfall — truly picture-perfect! It’s safe and family-friendly, with plenty of spots to stop, rest, and take photos. A must-visit if you’re exploring the Waikato region — nature at its finest!

Impressive waterfall! There is a small parking lot and then a beautiful walk through a rainforest to take you to the top of the waterfall in less than 10 minutes. The views are gorgeous! There are wooden steps to a middle viewpoint and then to the bottom. We loved it! Come on a cloudy day to appreciate the colors!

Nice place. Only a 5-10 mins stroll from the car park. There’s 4 different viewpoints, the bottom one is probably the best but it’s 235 steps down and back up again, although not overly strenuous. Waterfall was raging after all the recent rains.

This place is quite the gem and one of the highlights when visiting Raglan. A short relaxing walk through the forest followed by an option to view the waterfall from 3 different vantage points. Getting to ground level will be challenging for those with physical limitations as it’s a steep decent and climb back up to the car park. Viewing it from the top is already very majestic. Going to the base of the waterfall is definitely worth the effort if you are up for it. I got a good appreciation of the size and beauty of the waterfall from there. Highly recommended if you are in the area.

Bridal Veil Falls, also known as Wairēinga, is a stunning natural attraction located just 20 kilometres from Raglan Beach, making it an ideal addition to your travel itinerary if you're exploring the area. Surrounded by lush native bush, the falls drop an impressive 55 metres over a basalt cliff into a tranquil pool below, creating a breathtaking and peaceful setting. The site is free to visit, making it accessible for everyone. However, please note that dogs are not permitted, and personal promotions or campaigns are also restricted to preserve the natural beauty and serenity of the area. The walking track to the falls is well-maintained and suitable for most fitness levels, with several viewing platforms offering different perspectives of the waterfall—from above, mid-level, and base. Whether you're a nature lover, a photographer, or simply looking for a quiet escape, Bridal Veil Falls offers a serene experience away from busy city life. The sound of cascading water and the surrounding greenery create a calming atmosphere perfect for relaxation or reflection.

It was a great experience for us. Me and my wife really enjoyed the short walk. I am not that good at hiking or long walk but we didn’t get much tired of the stairs.

A family friendly, well maintained walk. The first section of the trek takes you through lovely native bush and you come out at the top of the falls with 2 viewing platforms, you can then walk down the stairs to a mid-way viewing platform and then right to the bottom.

Simply amazing. Such a fun way to go caving and what an amazing experience seeing the glow worms in the caves via the river. Floating is fun. The rapids are awesome but the tour guides made the trip. Chicago was heath and safety on the trip but gave great chat and was really nice. Locky fresh outta high school was knowledgeable and a great guide for a virgin.

This was easily one of the coolest things I have ever done. Crawling through caves, floating down underground rivers, jumping backwards off waterfalls, and then drifting under a ceiling of glowworms that looks like a galaxy… absolutely unreal. The guides were fun, safe, and very supportive the entire time. The wetsuits kept us warm and the whole experience felt like a full adventure from beginning to end. 10/10... A true bucket list experience you can only find in New Zealand. Do not miss it.

Absolutely amazing experience, we did the 5 hour black abyss tour. I was worried about the time but it went by quickly. Highly recommend it, it is a little physical but manageable. Our guides were amazing. Aaron and Harry were fun and hilarious Aaron was a ball of energy like I have never seen before and it made it a fun adventure. We got to rappel down to the cave, jump into a underground river, float around, see glow worms, and climb up some water falls to the exit. Absolutely must do when visiting.

Had a great time on the Abyss tour with our guides Kallie (sorry, might be spelling wrong) and Aaron! The tour involves absailing into the cave, a short zipline, black water rafting in cold water, as well as walking through lots of cold water (the wetsuits help, of course!) You get to see lots of glowworms, it's so cool! If you're looking for an intense and awesome experience, I would recommend the Abyss tour!

Myself and 4 teenagers (aged 13-15) went on this adventure and had an unforgettable time. Our guides were amazing, check in staff were friendly. One of the best experiences you can do in New Zealand. Thanks for having us.

Thank you to Alex, Leo and Owen, our magnificent fun guides on the adventure of a lifetime at The Legendary Blackwater Rafting Company in New Zealand … We were expertly and safely guided and entertained on journey down under, into the dark mysteries of Earth, back in time surrounded by 35,000 year old limestone caves which were magical ally lit by glow worms guiding us as we floated on tyre tubes down Blackwater streams looking up at what looked like a glow worm lit Milky Way above our heads … Sublime, Devine Adventure

The tour guides are amazing! It's hard to add much to the incredible experience you will receive from the caves themselves, but the tour guides managed to make this tour perfect! My 2 friends and I did a 3pm Black Water tour on a Thursday. I wish I had caught the name of the guides, but the red head lady, the bearded man, and the short haired aussie are awesome!! 10/10 would do again. Book this tour!

I did the 4-hour Lost World tour, and it was honestly one of the best experiences ever! The 100m abseil was absolutely wild and when you land inside the cave, it feels like stepping into a scene from Kong vs Godzilla if u ever watched it, so epic! The reception staff were super friendly, and our guides Shaun and Joel were just awesome — couldn’t have asked for better! If u visit waitomo this is a must visit.

Best adventure ever! My 13 year old son and I had the most incredible afternoon completing the half day tour (we will be back for the full day without question). A must do!! We also did the blackwater rafting and this was our favourite activity hands down. Huge thanks to the guides who made the experience incredible!

This was one of the most thrilling and exciting experiences I’ve ever had! The 100-metre abseil down into the cave was absolutely breathtaking. I joined the 4-hour trip — it was very safe, and the instructors were fantastic and made everyone feel well taken care of. Highly recommended!

The Lost World Half day tour was absolutely incredible. One of my best travel experiences ever! Joel and Erin our guides were just fantastic. I felt really nervous before the abseil down but they were both so calm and reassuring I felt really at ease the whole time. It’s such a unique way to see the glow caves. The 30m ladder climb at the end was a bit brutal on the hands so would recommend taking some gloves with you. Other than that they give you everything you need and really look after you. Thanks for an amazing experience!

An unforgettable experience, made perfect by our guides Joel and Shaun. Their expertise and great humour made the entire tour. Absolute legends!Amazing photoes and videos!!Perfect weather,perfect cave,perfect guides!!!!

I did both the Haggas Honking Holes in the morning and the Lost World Half-Day Adventure in the afternoon, and both were absolutely incredible experiences. Nick was really helpful and easy to coordinate with, and my guides Joel and Hagan were fantastic - knowledgeable, fun, and clearly experienced, which made the tours even better. Everything ran smoothly, felt adventurous but safe, and was just a great time overall. It was recommended to me by a friend, and I’ll definitely be recommending it to more of mine!

Waitomo adventures is an exhilarating, engaging and thrilling experience! If you crave adventure, something so exotic that you feel as if you have entered another world, then do not hesitate to book this tour. I found the tour to be highly unique and memorable. However, it is quite the physical challenge and can really humble you! The staff at Waitomo are exceptional. I especially enjoyed my guide who was very attentive, chill, kind, positive and always willing to give me a helping hand. I did this adventure, The Lost World, 22 years ago, and I can say that this time I enjoyed it even more thoroughly. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy in 2003, but this time was absolutely amazing and special.. The scenery down in the cave is surreal and like nothing you have ever seen before! It’s hard to say which part I enjoyed the most because it all was so beautiful and so unique. It would be unfair to say one moment stood out over another. The abseiling part is actually the easiest and least scariest part. Things can get a bit rough when you’re having to climb slick and muddy rocks but thanks to the industrial strength boots Waitomo Adventures provides it does help. However, you do need to be in fairly good shape to comfortably complete this adventure. It is not easy but the rewards far outweigh any discomfort or pain you may feel during the journey. I can guarantee you that you will leave with a sense of personal accomplishment once you see the light at the end of the cave. Overall 5/5 experience and perfect to those looking for something a bit extreme and exotic! I’ll be back again 🙂🥝🌿

I recently had the opportunity to visit the Waitomo Glowworm Caves with a tour group, and I wanted to share my experience. While it may be a bit of a journey from downtown Auckland, the adventure truly felt worthwhile. Before entering the cave, a photographer captures special moments for souvenirs. They do this because photography inside the cave is not permitted, primarily to protect the delicate habitat of the glowworms. It also helps support the local economy through tourism. I have to admit, the photos can sometimes be a little cheesy, but there’s no pressure to buy them. Once inside the cave, our guide warmly explained the importance of not touching the rock formations, as this could harm the unique ecosystem surrounding the glowworms. When the lights went off, the sight was nothing short of magical—glowworms twinkled like stars above us, creating an enchanting atmosphere. The walk was about 800 meters, so wearing comfortable, non-slip shoes is essential, especially since the ground can be quite slippery. At the end of the tour, we boarded a boat to exit the cave, and we were kindly reminded to keep our voices low to preserve the peaceful ambiance. As we emerged from the cave, a gift shop awaited us, which was a nice way to wrap up the visit. I found a lovely Christmas ornament there, and the prices were quite reasonable. Additionally, you can retrieve the photo taken before the tour, which is a nice touch. Overall, I found the experience to be quite fascinating and uplifting, connecting with such a unique aspect of nature.

An awe inspiring experience. Impressed with the professional moving deliverance of the presentation our guide Shawnee shared with us all. She connected well with international and local visitors with her humour, warmth and knowledge. As soon as it ended we wanted to go through again....in case we had missed something. We didn't want it to end.

Fantastic experience, great activity to do with the whole family, the cave and the river are beyond expectations and all the scenery walks around are something everyone should do at least once. Guides were super friendly and knowledgeable the place is super clean and they have everything to make it a lifetime experience. Thank you.

Good tour of the cave with Taylor who took us through the history and culture. No photos or video allowed until the very end due to respecting culture. The cave before the glow worm section is very ornate and interesting but it’s the glow worms that everyone comes to see. It was fascinating to see the worms and the light that they omit but the publicity photos do kind of over estimate the brightness of the glow. That’s said we enjoyed it. The boat handling via a series of ropes takes some doing. It does get busy so recommend booking tickets in advance if you can. Cafe, restaurant, parking and the obligatory gift shop as well.

Great set up. Interesting guides. Large cafe and gift shop. Parking down a huge slope! We did walking and boat tour to see the glow worms. Loved it but had manage so many stairs in the almost dark.

This is by far one of the best and most unique excursions that we have done during our various travels. The guides were all very knowledgeable and helpful throughout the tour. We were a little nervous about the water being too cold but you are in so many layers, including an optional fleece under your wetsuit, that you dont even notice! Definitely a must do while on the North Island.

When on holidays I make it a point to visit caves, as such I've seen heaps. As far as formations go, I can only remember one that had less to offer. Then there are the few minutes that you're under the glow worm ceiling. And for that the cave would deserve 3 stars, maybe 4 on a generous day. BUT. The experience is way overpriced, I have visited 5+ star caves for half the entrance fee. The guide was unmotivated and didn't even try to hide it. The caves are overcrowded. They are pretty short and with a tour starting every 10 minutes you can basically see and hear the tour in front and behind you. Outside the actual tour. The toilets were disgusting. The restaurant terrible, I can honestly say it was the worst meal I had during my 4 weeks in NZ. And by the way the photos you see online and in the brochures are not what you will see.

I can really recommend the Spellbound Glowworm and Cave Tour. our group had just four adults, which made it feel very relaxed and special. Unlike the more touristic caves, we were actually allowed to take our own photos here, which was great. Our guide was local and super knowledgeable. His father had already explored these caves, and their family helped make sure the caves were not turned into a mine. That makes the whole experience feel even more special. There are two caves to explore, one wet and one dry, and both are amazing in their own way. Even the short walk from the van to the cave is beautiful and totally worth it. At the end of the tour our guide also shared us his best pictures, even one taken from his front door. Overall, it was an authentic and unforgettable tour. Highly recommended!

Highly recommended! The best glowworm cave we have ever visited. We have seen glowworms in a few different locations before in Australia. However, the tour with Spellbound truly exceeded our expectations. The boat ride was amazing, and we were allowed to take photos with a very specific setting and without the flash; then everyone put their cameras away, just to enjoy the magnificent 'sky full of stars'!! It was truly magical🤩🤩🤩. Thanks to our very kind and knowledgeable tour guide Ross!🥰

Spellbound is the perfect name for this amazing tour. Five star from start to finish. Huge thanks to Dave our guide who was friendly, professional and patient, explaining so much and entertaining us with his great knowledge and enthusiasm. The Glow worms were incredible as were the caves and fantastic boat ride. An absolute highlight of our holiday. Thanks to all concerned 😊

My girlfriend and I really enjoyed our tour with Spellbound. Our guide Ross was very easy-going and gradually shared a wealth of interesting information throughout the experience. Everything was also well organized, and we especially appreciated the sense of intimacy within the small group – something that has become quite rare in tourism these days.

Visited Spellbound Glowworm Caves in September 2025 and it was one of the most enchanting experiences of our trip! Unlike the larger Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Spellbound offers a smaller, more personal tour with fewer people, which made it feel truly special and peaceful. Our guide was fantastic, knowledgeable, friendly and passionate about the caves and their history. The highlight was the boat ride through the glowworm cave. Drifting silently beneath thousands of glowing blue lights was absolutely magical , it felt like floating under a starry sky deep underground. The glowworms were bright, plentiful and close enough to really appreciate their beauty. We also explored a second cave filled with incredible limestone formations, stalactites and fossils, making the experience even more fascinating. Everything was well-organized, from the van transfer to the safety instructions. The pace was relaxed, giving us time to take in the surroundings and ask questions. Visiting in early spring was perfect, cool, comfortable weather and fewer crowds. Spellbound truly lives up to its name, it’s mesmerizing, intimateand unforgettable. Highly recommend for anyone wanting a more immersive and peaceful glowworm cave experience in the Waitomo area. A definite highlight of our New Zealand adventure!

An unexpected tour cancellation leads to an incredible adventure! Facing a last minute tour cancellation by another tour operator, we sought out an alternate Waitomo Glowworm Caves tour. Expedigo Tours and Transfers were prompt in replying to our message and answering all of our questions about what the tour covered, the costs, and availability. We were met the next morning by Matt who did an excellent job as our guide throughout the day providing info on the area and making a couple of special stops along the way - no spoilers here! Our Waitomo Glowworm Caves tour took place at Spellbound - a charming private farm with acres of rolling green hills and photographic farm animals in addition to some of the most exceptional glowworm caves. Ross took over as our cave guide and his knowledge of the glowworm caves, their formation, the topography of the region, and the importance of the caves existence was impressive. The tour first includes a walk above ground to see how the underground caves impact the land above, then you explore an active glowworm cave on foot to see glowworms up close. Next you board a boat for a long ride through the caverns - first time through you can take all the photos and videos you want (Ross helped everyone set up their cameras/phones to the best settings!) and the second time through (yes, you get TWO rides!) all devices are put away and you are left to nothing but your eyes and ears to experience the true magic of the experience - the glow of the lights, the sound of rushing water, the soft drops of water that periodically surprise you, and the slight breeze that pushes you through the caves. A truly magical experience! After a quick tea break, you will learn about local animals that lived in the area and then set off to explore another cave system. Spellbound gives you multiple ways to experience the glowworms, the caves, and the area and the small group size is perfect so you are never crowded or rushed. Expedigo did not disappoint in booking us on a tour that we will never forget!

Please book your glow worm experience with Spellbound! It was absolutely perfect. The area is beautiful. Doug was a fantastic tour guide. Pictures and words do not do this tour justice. You can take as many photos as you like here. It is truly a once in a lifetime experience.

We had a great day with these guys, our guide Emrys was really nice, knowledgeable, ensured safety but also allowed us freedom and fun. We did the 4 hour trip, abseiling, black water rafting, caving and rock climbing. We were a group of just 6 (which I believe is the largest group they allow) and this was great as much smaller than the big tour company groups which meant a more personal experience and more time in the caves with the Glowworms as not having to wait around for loads of people to complete the abseil etc. before doing the trip I was worried that we weren’t going into the more famous cave but this was unnecessary worry as we had so much time in the caves with the glowworms and the caves were covered in them! Back in 2008 when I was lay in NZ I did this trip with one of the ‘big’ companies, and I loved it, but this experience was better and this is hugely down to the smaller group size. Would definitely recommend.

A really amazing adventure experience with a great guide, Liz. It starts with some very clear instructions and practice on how to abseil. Then it was abseiling into the cave, 30 meters down. It's a little scary at first but completely fine once you know your weight is supported and you're not going to fall! Then tube upstream through the cave to see the glow worms which were amazing. Tube back downstream for more thrills. Rock climb back out of the cave. We were given a snack to eat down in the cave which was a nice treat to warm up! Plus squeezing through two rock formations which was fun! The price was excellent for all the activities. We were deciding on whether to go and see any of the other caves around this area - having had such a cool and awesome cave and glow worm experience here. If you want the beauty of a limestone cave then you definitely must see Ruakuri cave as well as doing this adventure! Lots of photos were taken by our guide which was included in the tour price, so that was a pretty cool bonus for the memories. Overall: Highly recommended!!

We had an amazing tour with Tim in the morning. He did a great job explaining us all about the geology of the caves, the animals which live inside and of course the adventures we came across. We loved the moment the glowworms start to shine. He made us feel safe at every moment but at the same time like little cave-explorers. Well worth the money!!

Wow what An amazing tour! This is easily the most inclusive and action packed black water cave rafting tour in the region. 4-5 hours of absailing, rock climbing, black water rafting and cave exploration. Our guide Kat was exceptional and very experienced in caving, she was a treat and made a fun day very special! This adventure tourist would recommend to anyone! A+++

Really nice and adventurous experience for me. Totally love it and recommend! Almost 4 hours down in the caves, thousands of Glowworms, absolutely fantastic guide (Krys) with sense of humour 👍thank you for perfect day.

Just a seriously incredible tour with Will. The light beams streaming through the canopy into the canyon, the glow worms reflecting off the cavern waters, the black water rafting through the caves - all were truly magical. We cannot recommend Kiwi Cave Rafting enough!

I went on this experience on the 11th April and absolutely loved it! I got out of my comfort zone and faced my fear of heights through completing some abseiling and climbing. Our guide Kat was amazing and so knowledgeable about lots of history aspects of the cave and about the glowworms. She made me feel at ease and less afraid to complete each task while always having a smile on her face! I would 100% recommend anybody to do this, doesn’t matter how fit you are!