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Waikato River
Bush-covered river-side walkways run along both sides of the river and provide the city’s green belt. Jogging paths continue to the boardwalk circling Lake Rotoroa, west of the centre. Memorial Park is closer to town and has the remains of PS Rangiriri – an iron-clad, steam-powered
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Aranui Cave
Three kilometres west from the Glowworm Cave is Aranui Cave. This cave is dry (hence no glowworms) but compensates with an incredible array of limestone formations. Thousands of tiny ‘straw’ stalactites hang from the ceiling. Book tours at the visitor centre, from where there is al
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Hiona St Stephen’s Church
White-weatherboard St Stephens (1862) is an Anglican church with a perfectly proportioned timber-lined interior. Reverend Carl Volkner, known by the local Whakatohea tribe to have acted as a government spy, was murdered here in 1865. In 1992 the governor-general granted Mokomoko, t
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Zealong Tea Estate
Interesting tours learning about the only tea plantation in New Zealand, located around 10km northeast of Hamilton. For an extra $35, partner the tea experience with a Tiffin-style high tea spread of sweet and savoury snacks. There’s also a good on-site cafe serving high tea withou
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National Tobacco Company Building
Around the shore at Ahuriri, the National Tobacco Company Building (1932) is arguably the region’s deco masterpiece, combining art-deco forms with the natural motifs of art nouveau. Roses, raupo (bulrushes) and grapevines frame the elegantly curved entrance. During business hours,
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Otari
About 3km west of the city is Otari-Wilton’s Bush, the only botanic gardens in NZ specialising in native flora. There are more than 1200 plant species sprouting forth here, including some of the citys oldest trees, as well as an 18m-high canopy walkway, 11km of walking trails and s
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Opua Forest
Just behind Paihia, this regenerating forest has walking trails ranging from 10 minutes to five hours. A few large trees have escaped axe and fire, including some big kauri. Walk up from School Rd for about 30 minutes to good lookouts. Information on Opua Forest walks is available
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Bastion Point
Politics, harbour views and lush lawns combine on this pretty headland with a chequered history. An elaborate cliff-top garden mausoleum honours Michael Joseph Savage (1872–1940), the country’s first Labour prime minister, whose socialist reforms left him adored by the populace. Fo
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Kiwi360
For the low-down on all things kiwifruit, swing into Kiwi360 at the turn-off for Maketu. Sitting among orchards of nashi pears, citrus, avocados and (you guessed it) kiwifruit, this visitor centre peels off a range of attractions including a 35-minute kiwicart orchard tour, kiwifru
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Waireinga
Just past Te Mata (a short drive south of the main Raglan–Hamilton road) is the turn-off to the 55m-high Waireinga, 4km from the main road. From the car park, it’s an easy 10-minute walk through mossy native bush to the top of the falls (not suitable for swimming). A further 10-min
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Muriwai’s Cave
The partially collapsed Te Ana o Muriwa (Muriwai’s Cave) once extended 122m into the hillside and sheltered 60 people, including Muriwai, a famous seer and aunt of Wairaka . Along with Wairere Falls and a rock in the harbour-mouth, the cave was one of three landmarks Toroa was told
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Steampunk HQ
Discover an alternative past – or maybe a quirky version of the future – in this fascinating art project celebrating steampunk culture. Ancient machines wheeze and splutter, and the industrial detritus of the last century or so is repurposed and reimagined to creepy effect. Bring a
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Cobblestones Museum
Sporting a spruce new exhibition space and shop, this endearing museum on the main street comprises an enclave of transplanted period buildings and donated old-time objects, dotted around pretty grounds just begging for a lie-down on a picnic blanket. Theres a blacksmiths, a school
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Volcanic Hills Winery
Excellent wines sourced from iconic NZ viticulture areas including Marlborough, Central Otago and Hawkes Bay; the stupendous views of the lake and the city definitely add to the occasion. It can be only be reached by the gondola – additional fees apply – but if you purchase the fiv
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Tupare
Tupare is a Tudor-style house designed by the renowned architect James Chapman-Taylor. Its as pretty as a picture, but the highlight of this 7km trip south of New Plymouth will likely be the rambling 3.6-hectare garden surrounding it. Bluebells and birdsong under the boughs…picnic
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Kurow Heritage & Information Centre
While Richie McCaw might get all the attention these days, Kurows other famous son was Arnold Nordmeyer (1901–1989), a Labour Party leader who was one of the key architects of NZs welfare and public health system. His memory is honoured in this interesting community museum, which j
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Dunedin Railway Station
Featuring mosaic-tile floors and glorious stained-glass windows, Dunedin’s striking bluestone railway station (built between 1903 and 1906) claims to be NZ’s most photographed building. Head upstairs for the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame , a small museum devoted to the nations ob
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Dome Forest
Two kilometres north of Warkworth, a track leads through this regenerating forest to the Dome summit (336m). On a fine day you can see the Sky Tower from a lookout near the top. The summit walk takes about 1½ hours return, or you can continue for a gruelling seven-hour one-way tram
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Christ Church
English naturalist Charles Darwin made a donation towards the cost of building the country’s oldest church (1836). The graveyards biggest memorial commemorates Tamati Waka Nene, a powerful Ngapuhi chief from the Hokianga who sided against Hone Heke in the Northland War. The churchs
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Chinese Settlement
Arrowtown has NZ’s best example of an early Chinese settlement. Interpretive signs explain the lives of Chinese diggers during and after the gold rush (the last resident died in 1932), while restored huts and shops make the story more tangible. Subjected to significant racism, the
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