Activities in Waikato
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Te Aroha Mineral Spa Bath House
The Te Aroha Mineral Spa Bath House offers relaxing private tubs, massage, beauty therapies and aromatherapy. Near the entrance a drinking fountain allows you to try the warm soda water – an acquired taste but reputedly good for constipation. Also here is the temperamental Mokena Geyser – the world’s only known soda geyser – blows its top every 40 minutes or so, shooting water 3m into the air (the most ardent eruptions are between noon and 2pm).
reviewed
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Bryce’s Rockclimbing
Bryce’s Rockclimbing is suited to the serious climber. On site is NZ’s largest retail climbing store that sells and hires out a full range of gear and has an indoor bouldering cave (free to those staying out back in the ship-shape accommodation) and a licensed cafe (light meals $4 to $10; open for lunch). A day’s instruction for one or two people costs $365.
reviewed
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Raglan Surf School
The instructors at Raglan Surf School pride themselves on getting 95% of first-timers standing during their first lesson. Experienced wave hounds can rent surfboards (from $15 per hour), boogie boards ($5 per hour) and wet suits ($5 per hour). They’re based at Karioi Lodge in Whale Bay.
reviewed
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Cambridge Thoroughbred Lodge
Cambridge Thoroughbred Lodge, 6km south of town on SH1, is a top-notch horse stud. Book ahead for hour-long tours, or ‘NZ Horse Magic’ shows which take place several times a week.
reviewed
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Opal Hot Springs
Opal Hot Springs isn’t nearly as glamorous as it sounds but it does have three large thermal pools. Turn off just north of Firth Tower and follow the road for 2km.
reviewed
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Leisure Pools
Lower down the Hot Springs Domain, a park behind the i-SITE, the Leisure Pools have outdoor heated freshwater pools for splashing about in.
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Skydive Waikato
Skydive Waikato offers thrilling gravity-powered plummets from Matamata Airfield, 10km north of Matamata on SH27.
reviewed
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Magic Mountain Horse Treks
In Te Mata, Magic Mountain Horse Treks runs horse treks around the hills, plus a ride to Bridal Veil Falls ($80).
reviewed
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Dropzone
Dropzone offers thrilling gravity-powered plummets from Matamata Airfield, 10km north of Matamata on SH27.
reviewed
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Solscape
Solscape offers 2½-hour surf lessons, as well as board and wetsuit hire (per half-day $40).
reviewed
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Waterworld
Waterworld has indoor and outdoor pools, water slides, a gym, spa and crèche.
reviewed
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Wiseway Canoe Adventures
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Raglan Kayak
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Kiwi Balloon Company
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City Bridges River Tour
Another river option is the City Bridges River Tour, a guided kayak ride through the city.
reviewed
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Raglan Kite Surf School
If you’d rather spend more time above the water than in it, xxx runs one-on-one lessons wherever the wind’s blowing.
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Cruise Waikato MV Waipa Delta
The strong-flowing Waikato River is well worth investigating. Cruise Waikato runs a range of cruises, focussed variously on sightseeing, history or your belly (coffee and muffins, sausage sizzles or picnics).
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