Title: 10 TOP Things to Do in Waikato February 2026 | Expedia.ca # What to do in Waikato ## Activities, attractions and tours ## Visit Waikato Types of activities Where to stay [Waikato travel guide](https://expedia.ca/Waikato.dx6047974) ![Shakespeare Lookout showing a beach and a bay or harbour](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6108206/9dc30205-4f77-44df-980b-eda76cfc3a14.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Shakespeare Lookout showing a beach and a bay or harbour](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6108206/9dc30205-4f77-44df-980b-eda76cfc3a14.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Cathedral Cove Beach which includes a sunset, rocky coastline and general coastal views](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6108210/84a38bda-8566-44df-b84c-44ae2e14fc52.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Shakespeare Cliff Lookout showing a beach, a sunset and a bay or harbor](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6108206/70813de4-a404-493c-b61c-51e46d1aa2c0.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![New Zealand](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/10061/fbbd0346-31d6-4e59-86a0-8bbb504a2f5e.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) --- - ![find price illustration](https://a.travel-assets.com/travel-assets-manager/pictogram-bex/light__find_price.svg) ### Explore activities Explore thousands of experiences from activities and attractions to day tours and transfer. - ![calendar shield illustration](https://a.travel-assets.com/travel-assets-manager/pictogram-bex/light__calendar_shield.svg) ### Book with ease Skip the line- book tickets online in minutes to top attractions with free cancellation on many activities. - ![trophy illustration](https://a.travel-assets.com/travel-assets-manager/pictogram-bex/light__trophy.svg) ### Treat yourself Members save % or more when you book activities. --- ## What to do in Waikato --- ### Discover the most popular places to visit in Waikato ![New Zealand](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6320368/cbfda71a-3d86-4a45-988f-3cca0d216b57.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Hobbiton Movie Set Enjoy a trip to Hobbiton Movie Set, a well-known attraction in Matamata. Discover the area's hot springs and coffeehouses. [](https://expedia.ca/Hobbiton-Movie-Set-Matamata.d6320368.Vacation-Attraction) ![Waitomo Glowworm Caves featuring signage](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6111834/1fa89c33-6109-4e45-a9e9-0f19983cc0ff.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Waitomo Glowworm Caves Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Waitomo Glowworm Caves during your travels in Waitomo Caves. While in this quaint area, you can savor the top-notch restaurants. [](https://expedia.ca/Waitomo-Glowworm-Caves-Waitomo-Caves.d6111834.Vacation-Attraction) ![Cathedral Cove Beach which includes a sunset, rocky coastline and general coastal views](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6108210/84a38bda-8566-44df-b84c-44ae2e14fc52.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Cathedral Cove Enter the white sand beach through a natural rock archway, the perfect frame for your photos of the rocky islands and clear waters of this marine reserve. [](https://expedia.ca/Cathedral-Cove-Hahei.d6108210.Vacation-Attraction) ![Hahei Beach featuring a sandy beach, a bay or harbour and a sunset](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6108212/939e2140-3a93-4c63-8f3e-b7bf33b69d76.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Hahei Beach Nestled between some of the Bay of Plenty’s most popular attractions, this tiny coastal hamlet is a great base for exploring the North Island. [](https://expedia.ca/Hahei-Beach-Waikato.d6108212.Vacation-Attraction) ![Hot Water Beach showing a sandy beach, landscape views and tropical scenes](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6108208/d20d9da6-92bf-4642-a2b9-00c239ef9404.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Hot Water Beach Dig your own pool in the warm sand and soak in the waters of a natural hot springs when you visit one of New Zealand’s most beautiful beaches. [](https://expedia.ca/Hot-Water-Beach-Waikato.d6108208.Vacation-Attraction) ![Whangamata beach, North Island, New Zealand.; Shutterstock ID 575043175; Purchase Order: -](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6108226/86b63bef-e87f-49fc-809c-f558c55dab36.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Whangamata Beach If a restful vacation is part of your travel plans, Whangamata Beach might be the perfect place to seek out during your trip to Whangamata. Stroll along the waterfront or visit the spas while you're in the area. [](https://expedia.ca/Whangamata-Beach-Waikato.d6108226.Vacation-Attraction) ![Geothermal Landscape with hot boiling mud and sulphur springs due to volcanic activity in Wai-O-Tapu, Thermal Wonderland New Zealand](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6108150/01b29e58-e4a9-4240-a58d-af1c460f5475.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Taupō Hot Springs Enjoy an outing to Taupō Hot Springs during your stay in Taupō. Discover the mountain views and spas in this relaxing area. [](https://expedia.ca/Taupo-Hot-Springs-Hilltop.d6108150.Vacation-Attraction) ![Huka Falls which includes a bridge and rapids as well as a large group of people](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6108156/1a3a6bd3-337e-44f8-8099-4690880d2728.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Huka Falls Whether viewing from a boat, bridge or the riverbank, this set of waterfalls is a spectacular sight as a huge body of water surges forward and downward. [](https://expedia.ca/Huka-Falls-Rotokawa.d6108156.Vacation-Attraction) ![Hamilton Gardens showing a bridge and a pond as well as a small group of people](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6111820/b6f83733-5baa-47a6-95a1-5a5d7ba79bd8.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Hamilton Gardens From the peaceful Japanese Zen Garden to the explosion of color in the Indian Char Bagh Garden, anyone who loves nature will enjoy this man-made paradise. [](https://expedia.ca/Hamilton-Gardens-Hamilton-East.d6111820.Vacation-Attraction) ### Explore areas of Waikato ![View at the lake Taupo in the North Island in New Zealand](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/939465458804051968/83a52f39-aa5b-4678-bde7-1215e1551ef7.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=350&h=192&q=medium) ### Taupō Central While visiting Taupō Central, you might make a stop by sights like Taupō Marina and Boat Ramp and Lake Taupō. [](https://expedia.ca/Taupo-Taupo-Central.dx939465458804051968) ![The Waikato River flowing through central Hamilton](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/693039871457718272/f0033727-ad35-4fbd-a066-ee0e5c9a31b4.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=350&h=192&q=medium) ### Hamilton Central If you're spending some time in Hamilton Central, Hamilton Centre Place and SkyCity Hamilton are top sights worth seeing. [](https://expedia.ca/Hamilton-Hamilton-Central.dx693039871457718272) ![Jetty on Acacia Bay, North Island New Zealand](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6135429/45a698d4-a2c2-4a69-b3f0-9028acf737c3.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=350&h=192&q=medium) ### Acacia Bay Lake views and restaurants are notable features of Acacia Bay. You might consider a stop by Lake Taupō while you're exploring the neighborhood. [](https://expedia.ca/Taupo-Acacia-Bay.dx6135429) ![New Zealand travel tourists couple at Champagne pool at Wai-O-Tapu pools Sacred Waters. Tourist attraction in Waiotapu, Rotorua, north island. Panoramic banner, Okataina Volcanic Centre, Taupo.](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248635976386510/2f87efba-ec31-4882-a1e9-eb0df698121d.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=350&h=192&q=medium) ### Nukuhau If you're spending some time in Nukuhau, Lake Taupō and Waikato River are top sights worth seeing. [](https://expedia.ca/Taupo-Nukuhau.dx553248635976386510) ![Looking out across Lake Taupo at the Central North Island volcanoes, Mount Ruapehu, Mount Ngauruhoe, and Mount Tongariro. The town of Taupo is very nice, with plenty of cheap hostels, around $25-35 per night](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/3571/9d7f8185-fcaa-4d4a-a088-f235f61ae7e5.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=350&h=192&q=medium) ### Hilltop If you're spending some time in Hilltop, Taupō Hot Springs and Lake Taupō are top sights worth seeing. [](https://expedia.ca/Taupo-Hilltop.dx553248635976395772) ![Default Image](https://images.trvl-media.com/media/content/expus/graphics/deals/TE_Clouds_card_r1.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=350&h=192&q=medium) ### Wharewaka While visiting Wharewaka, you might make a stop by sights like Lake Taupō and The Landing Lake Taupō. [](https://expedia.ca/Taupo-Wharewaka.dx553248635976384188) --- Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check [things to do near me](https://www.expedia.ca/things-to-do-near-me) to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be. --- ## Day trip destinations from Waikato ![Huka Falls which includes a bridge and rapids as well as a large group of people](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6108156/1a3a6bd3-337e-44f8-8099-4690880d2728.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=512&h=288&q=medium) ### Taupō ![Waitomo Caves which includes caves, interior views and caving](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/10061/6bb37081-1f2d-4b68-b6b5-16c4e427fe79.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=512&h=288&q=medium) ### Waitomo Caves ![Sky Tower showing skyline, a city and city views](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6052693/8983defc-4575-4e41-9e88-654be3c68388.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=512&h=288&q=medium) ### Auckland ![Driving Creek Railway showing tranquil scenes, landscape views and general coastal views](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6323437/4d4d7217-ff52-4b4f-9b02-d9ba2f99788e.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=512&h=288&q=medium) ### Coromandel ![Sunset Seascape with Shoe and Slipper Islands from Mt Paku Summit Walk Lookout, Coromandel, New Zealand](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/181327/e28145ee-2d9c-4df7-ae3d-3b61fd7a4e9b.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=512&h=288&q=medium) ### Tairua ![Lake Karapiro on a beautiful sunny day, New Zealand](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6034435/e3132b31-14b7-445c-b29d-6f312e1188e6.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=512&h=288&q=medium) ### Cambridge ![Rotorua which includes a hot spring](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6048125/9a8a8a74-9f75-477d-8283-18de79bd5c68.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=512&h=288&q=medium) ### Rotorua ![Aerial view of the sandy beach bustling with people digging near the rocky shoreline, edged by verdant cliffs, Hot Water Beach, Waikato Region, New Zealand.](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6049317/9d1c8559-f3e3-4d0b-945f-06d2271127aa.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=512&h=288&q=medium) ### Hot Water Beach ![](https://a.travel-assets.com/mad-service/footer/bnaBanners/BEX_Footer.jpg) ## Go further with the Expedia app Save on select hotels and earn double points when you book on the app. Our app deals help you to save on trips so you can travel more and manage it all on the go. 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