While you’re in town for the NZMCA Motorhome Caravan and Leisure Show, make sure you check out some of the many local activities on offer. Alexia Santamaria takes a look.
The Mighty Waikato is a fun and varied region to travel around in a motorhome. You can be cycling by the river one moment, and visiting internationally renowned gardens or sitting in a cool cocktail bar the next. There’s plenty of rolling pastures, stunning coastline and geological wonders to explore as well as city fun – all within easy driving distances. Where else can you go from exploring caves to walking along a beach, to dining in an upmarket restaurant all in one day?
Dig at a hot water beach
Just a ten-minute drive from the tiny township of Kawhia is beautiful Ocean Beach. Vast sands and beautiful turquoise waves make it a gorgeous place to spend the day, but at low tide an extra surprise makes it even more delightful. Not everyone knows that when the water goes out at this stunning beach, the Te Puia Hot Spring bubbles to the surface and you can dig your own personal spa bath in the sand. There are spades to borrow at the entrance to the dunes – but they may all be in use, so take your own just in case. The best time to go is two hours either side of low tide.
More information: waikatonz.com/destinations/waitomo-caves-and-surrounds/kawhia-hot-water-beach/
Taste a piece of Italy
If you’re passing through Cambridge, don’t miss a stop at Alpino. You’ll need to book as this popular restaurant is always busy, and you’ll see why the moment you step through the door. This vibrant buzzy space really wouldn’t be out of place in Rome or Milan and the food is truly sublime. Riccardo Carminati and his team serve up generous portions of flavour-forward modern Italian fare, great wine and cocktails, all with a healthy dose of Italian hospitality. There’s a reason it was crowned Outstanding Restaurant of the Year in last year’s Waikato Hospitality Awards. Make sure you try the Cicchetti, like stringy mozzarella bites with lemon aioli or crumbed fried olives stuffed with feta; or bigger dishes like crispy skinned snapper with Jerusalem artichokes three ways and homemade pappardelle pasta with braised goat ragu, pomegranate and shaved parmesan.
More information: alpino.co.nz
Pamper yourself at a Mineral Spa
Te Aroha has been known for its therapeutic mineral water for more than a century. In the 1880s the land was gifted to New Zealand by Māori chief Mokena Hou for development as a health resort. And the beautiful wooden tubs at Te Aroha Mineral Spas are a great place to enjoy their benefits. They also have a beauty treatment facility where you can book in for all manner of treatments from massages to facials and body wraps.
More information: tearohamineralspas.co.nz
Visit a spectacular local waterfall
Half an hour from Waitomo, heading towards the coast, you’ll find the majestic Marokopa Falls. In New Zealand the word ‘falls’ can mean almost anything, from a small stream rushing over not-very-high rocks to impressive amounts of gushing water tumbling down a cliff face – and this is definitely at the wow factor end of the scale. At 35 metres high, the fast and furious Marokopa River cascades over undercut greywacke basement rock for a specular show. Take the short track through tawa and nikau forest down to the viewing platform and prepare to be impressed. Make sure you leave enough time for a stop at Mangapohue Natural Bridge on the way in or out – it’s well worth a stop. This spectacular feat of nature dates back millions of years, and now the arch is all that remains of an ancient cave system, the ceiling punctuated by gothic-looking stalactites. The view back down the gorge is stunning and the walk in and out is flat and easy.
More information: waikatonz.com/experiences/walking-hiking-trails/marokopa-falls-waitomo/
Discover a secret world where art meets nature
Just fifteen minutes from Cambridge, The Sculpture Park at Waitakaruru Arboretum is a magical 2km trail with the most amazing, often large, sculptures to admire. Wind your way around ponds, cliffs, rocks and more than 30,000 trees from around the world in this wonderland born from a former quarry. Sculptures range from tiny faces peeking out from the bush to large-scale installations. From the whimsical and fun, like sparkly glass knitting suspended from a tree, to a deeply provocative installation symbolising alarming domestic violence statistics in New Zealand, it’s a fascinating experience. A great way to stretch your legs and feed your soul.
More information: sculpturepark.co.nz
Have a locally brewed beer in a part of New Zealand’s history
It’s always great to drink craft beer at the source, and Bootleg’s beer is award-winning for a reason. But what makes this brewery experience 20 minutes out of Hamilton even more interesting is the fact that it’s located in the historic Matangi Dairy Factory. The original creamery, built in 1885, supplied cream to Waikato’s first butter factory run by Henry Reynolds – the beginning of the Anchor brand, which was inspired by a sailor’s tattoo. If you like your beer, don’t miss the award-winning Apehanger IPA, and make sure you check out their social media for rotating food trucks supplying great kai to go with your brew.
More information: bootlegbrewery.co.nz
Hang with some native birds
Sanctuary Mountain is a hidden gem half an hour from Cambridge. At 3400ha, it’s one of the largest pest-proof fenced projects in the world and offers a safe haven for many of our most endangered species. Walking through the bush amid tūī, kākā and pīwakawaka is magical and you may get to see takahē in their natural environment. A guided tour is great if you want to see the takahē being fed and hear fascinating stories of the volunteer work that’s gone into protecting some of our most precious feathered friends. Walking through the verdant, emerald bush with the soundtrack of native birdsong is almost meditative, and a quick climb up to the large viewing platform will reward you with stunning forest views.
More information: sanctuarymountain.co.nz/home
Visit a tea plantation
Just 15 minutes out of Hamilton is Zealong. You don’t find bona fide tea plantations in many – well any – other rural New Zealand settings. Zealong Tea Estate is so much more than a tourist attraction in an unexpected locale; the tea has won international acclaim for its quality and taste. The plantation tour is great and the tea ceremony fascinating. Round it all off with an amazing high tea.
More information: zealong.com
