Visit Waikato Region with Mighway

Orakei Korako Geothermal Park

Come and explore a world of gushing geysers, hot springs, bubbling mud pools and some of the largest and most amazing silica terraces in the world.Wander through the Hidden Valley and veiw the thermal Ruatapu Cave which extends more than 36m down to the 'Waiwhakaata' or 'Pool of Mirrors' hot pool at the bottom.

Orakei Korako boasts the most active geysers of any geothermal park in New Zealand. Up to 23 active natural geysers play freely through the area, which is constantly changing. Marvel at the number of boiling hot springs and the vibrant colours all around you. Lonely Planet writes "Arguably the best Thermal area in New Zealand" Trip Advisor Award of Excellence 2011 to 2017.

The Legendary Black Water Rafting Company

The Legendary Black Water Rafting Company is New Zealand’s first black water cave rafting adventure operator.

With exhilarating caving & rafting tours, namely Black Abyss, Black Labyrinth and the Black Odyssey, to choose from, there is something to suit all adventurous spirits. The Legendary Black Water Rafting Co. is New Zealand's first black water rafting adventure operator. And it's also the only tour that takes you through the incomparable Ruakuri Cave.

Each Waitomo Caves Black Water Rafting expedition includes around 6-12 people guided by expert guides who will support and encourage you through the whole breathtaking caving tour.

Our friendly, knowledgeable local guides have helped The Legendary Black Water Rafting Co. achieve an excellent safety record over many years. They can help you step outside yourself and leave with a huge sense of accomplishment.​​​​​​​​​​​​

Waikite Valley Campground

Adjoining our pool complex is a 26-site campground featuring powered and non-powered sites. There are shower, laundry and kitchen facilities plus a thermally-heated drying room available for campers to use during their stay. NO pets.

Reservations are essential over busy seasonal periods and can be made via email or phone. At the time of reservation please nominate either powered or non-powered site and provide a clear description of your camping mode, i.e Campervan (size), Caravan, tent etc.

We also offer our campers unlimited free access to the pool complex (excluding our private pools) to enjoy the luxurious ‘Living Waters’ of Waikite Valley Thermal Pools.

Don’t forget to take advantage of our Pukeko in a Ponga Tree Café and experience some fresh Kiwi cuisine during your stay with us.

Hamilton Gardens

Explore an enchanting world of secret gardens at Waikato's most visited tourist destination. In the 1960s, Hamilton Gardens was a bleak city rubbish dump covered in blackberries with seagulls circling above. Remnants of the Gardens’ earlier history as a pre-European Pa, British military post, Victorian rifle-range and dog-dosing station lay scattered across the site. Four acres had been part of the Hamilton East Town Belt and was passed over to Hamilton City Council for the purposes of a public garden; an opening ceremony for Hamilton Gardens was held on 24th July 1960. The site now extends over 54 hectares. Today, more than 40 years later, these humble beginnings have been overshadowed by the development of the Gardens’ internationally unique concept: The History, Context and Meaning of Gardens.

Hamilton Gardens is not a botanical garden. Instead, its concept acknowledges there is a story to tell about gardens, their development over time and across cultures, and their use. This concept was conceived in the early 1980s by Hamilton Gardens director Dr Peter Sergel and met with significant enthusiasm from city councillors. Some of its inspiration came from the Bundesgartenschau of Germany and other international garden shows, where many differing approaches to gardening and garden design are brought together on one site. The concept has also been compared to a museum, where each garden collection has historic integrity and provides a window into the story of civilisations, their arts, beliefs and lifestyles. More than 30 years later, Sergel’s sketchbook designs are almost identical to the themed gardens existing today.

Assistance from the community, and trusts formed to support specific garden developments, has been invaluable to the Gardens development. For 20 years the Gardens benefitted from the labour provided by Taskforce Green and Pre-Employment Programmes which subsidised the wages of young workers while they developed skills on the job.