Central Waikato has a couple of well known short walking tracks, including the exceptional Waireinga Bridal Veil Falls between Hamilton and Raglan and Te Waihou Blue Pools just outside Putaruru. There are also walking tracks on Maungatautari, a large fence-enclosed bird sanctuary south of Cambridge, but after that the options are less obvious. Some of our favourites include Lake Rotoroa near downtown Hamilton and three short walks around Cambridge. Cambridge is also a hotbed of good cafes and restaurants.
Each of these options typically take from 30 minutes to 2 hours. They provide access to two urban lakes, a stunning waterfall, a river with exceptionally pure water, and regenerating native forest with a number of rare NZ bird species. A good mix for what is mostly dairy country.
Lake Rotoroa
Lake Rotoroa (also Hamilton Lake) is on the southwest side of downtown Hamilton and is one of the many of the shallow lakes scattered around the Waikato. There is a walking track and loop road, Lake Domain Drive, all the way around the lake, with two larger areas of parkland on the eastern and western sides. There is also a rose garden, playground and cafe on the southeast side near the main entrance off Ruakiwi Road. On the west side, you can access the lake from Killarney Road or Lake Crescent by car.
It takes 50 minutes to stroll all the way around the lake, as many locals obviously do. But there is plenty of room on both sides to find a quiet spot for a picnic with shelter provided by a number of mature trees.
The Lake Domain is also the home of Balloons over Waikato, which takes place in March.
Wairēinga Bridal Veil Falls
Bridal Veil Falls is in the Wairēinga Scenic Reserve, established in the mid 1880s, when most of the rest of the region was being converted to farmland. The waterfall tumbles over a basalt cliff that was created by an eruption on the nearby Okete vent, blocking the valley, about two million years ago.
It is an easy short walk through mostly tawa native forest to the top of a 55 metre waterfall on the Pakoka River. After standing on the platform over the top of the falls, it is a steep series of 261 steps to the base, with more fantastic viewing platforms part way down and at the bottom. However, although the waterfall is particularly picturesque, it is not safe to swim in the pool at the bottom. The Pakoka River travels through farmland before reaching the falls and the water quality is poor.
To get to Wairēinga, coming from Hamilton, take SH23 towards Raglan, then turn left onto Te Mata Road shortly before reaching Raglan. Follow Te Mata until you turn left again onto Kawhia Road, with the car park shortly after. The walk only takes about 20 minutes each way and is very popular, so try and avoid peak holiday times.
Cambridge
Many of the towns around the Waikato have built a bit of a local thematic identity. For example, the Morrinsville “herd of cows”, hobbits near Matamata, Tirau as the centre of corrugated iron. For Cambridge, it has historically been horse breeding, although arguably today it is great cafes and restaurants.
The best thing to happen to the town was the Waikato Expressway, which made it easier to get there while bypassing the town centre. Now, it is one of the prettiest town centres to explore in the region, without having to worry about heavy traffic.
There are also two good short walks at either end of the main street, Victoria Road, as it runs through the town centre. There is one loop around Lake Te Ko Utu and a second loop that takes you over and alongside the Waikato River at the south end of the town centre.
Soldiers Track
From the Cambridge town centre, walk south of Victoria Street to Victoria Bridge. This bridge was built in the early 1900s and is about 50 metres above the Waikato River. You will get a great view as you walk across. On the south side, there is an information panel about the bridge and, nearby, you should be able to see the entrance to the track. Follow this as it passes through mature exotic trees and then into native replanting as it drops down close to the river.
Continue on the track until it climbs back up to the river bank near Low Level Bridge (that name!). Cross the bridge for another view of the river, then walk back up along the short metal road next to the river. You will end up at a track running along the north side. This low track takes you back to below the Victoria Bridge and is surprisingly photogenic. There were steps near the bridge back up to the road, but these were washed out and may not have been repaired. If not, walk back down the track to Dominion Avenue, then head west to the north end of Victoria Bridge.
This walk takes about 30 minutes or so.
Lake Te Ko Utu
At the north end of the Cambridge town centre is Lake Te Ko Utu (also Lake Te Koutu and even Te Koo Utu). This translates as “ladle dipping into water” and was an important source of eels, kōura and fresh water to local Māori.
The lake is a bit of a surprise for a first time visitor. It sits inside a large half bowl with steep high sides covered in a mix of exotic trees, and native bush on the west end. Consequently, you cannot see it from Victoria Road as you drive into the town centre, although there is a large sign and plenty of nearby parking.
From Victoria Street, head around the south side of the lake to find the loop track that runs around the lake. We prefer to walk clockwise around the track, ending at the grassed park area at the east, perfect for a picnic. From there, you can finish the loop or walk up to the west end of Lake Street with views from above the southside of the lake.
Maungatautari North
Maungatautari is a 797 metre high, 1.8 million year old volcanic mountain immediately to the southeast of Cambridge. It is now known as Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari and has a 47 km long predator-proof fence around the entire peak, at about 400 metres, which protects 3,400 hectares of native forest.
The maunga was first recognised as a reserve in 1912. In 2001, the Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust (MEIT) was formed by the local community, landowners, and iwi. The goal of the Trust is to eliminate all pests and predators on Maungatautari, thereby restoring the ecosystem to pre-human conditions.
There are two options for entering Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari; from the north side on Hicks Road, off Maungatautari road, or from the south on Tari Road off Arapuni Road. There is a small fee to access the south side via the reception centre, but access is free on the north side.
From the north, drive to the marae on Hicks Road where there is parking. The track initially crosses a very pretty section of farmland (1.5 kms), with great views, but it will be muddy when wet. You will come to a double door in the predator-proof fence around the maunga which provides access to a 30 minute loop track through the forest. Alternatively, you can walk all the way to the peak (Pukeatua) on Te Raki, a tougher tramping track, and then on to the south side entrance (5 to 6 hours).
Maungatautari South
The Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari visitor centre is on the south side of the maunga. There is a $25 fee per adult to enter the best section of the bird sanctuary, Te Tūī a Tāne, with access from 9am to 4pm. There are several easy short trails through the forest with bird feeders.
Watching kākā parrots from a lookout in the treetops is a highlight. Other rare native birds you may see or hear include pītoitoi (robins), hīhī, tīeke and kōkako, plus tākahe in the separate Tautari wetland enclosure.
There is also free entrance to the Wairere Traverse, which connects to Te Tonga Track, a tramping track that will get up to the maunga highpoint Pukeatua in about 90 minutes. You can use Wairere for an easier return.
Te Waihou Blue Springs
Thanks to @julia.garnier23 for several of the photos.
Te Waihou Blue Springs has become one of the most popular short walks in the Waikato, largely thanks to Instagram. The track follows a section of the Waihou River as it passes through farmland, despite which the water remains extremely pure and crystal clear.
You can take a short option from the car park on Leslie Road, off SH28 (Whites Road) northeast of Putaruru, which only takes about 10 minutes to walk to the Waihou River. There is also a longer version that follows the river from the Leslie Road access to SH 28 (4.7 kms, 90 minutes one way). The walking is mostly flat and always easy.
The river is very striking, clear but with intense blues and greens from river plants. The spring-fed water starts its journey on the Mamaku Plateau and takes 50 to 100 years to reach the river. It is so pure, it supplies around 60% of New Zealand’s bottled water and you will see a small pumping station along the track. The native bird life is also rich, although there is limited native forest and scrub along the river.
Inevitably, photos tend to focus on the river but there are other points of interest, such as Rose Milligan’s “Dust if you Must”, part of a memorial to Linda Pearce that can be seen above the river, under redwood trees towards the Leslie Road end. Reprinted here as it also captures our own spirit.
Dust if you must, but wouldn’t it be better
To paint a picture, or write a letter,
Bake a cake, or plant a seed;
Ponder the difference between want and need?
Dust if you must, but there’s not much time,
With rivers to swim, and mountains to climb;
Music to hear, and books to read;
Friends to cherish, and life to lead.
Dust if you must, but the world’s out there
With the sun in your eyes, and the wind in your hair;
A flutter of snow, a shower of rain,
This day will not come around again.
Dust if you must, but bear in mind,
Old age will come and it’s not kind.
And when you go (and go you must)
You, yourself, will make more dust.
Want more Waikato Trip Ideas?
Check out Short but Sweet: Quick Walks in Northern Waikato and our series on the mighty Waikato River: Port Waikato or Historic Sites of Northern Waikato.