Hamilton's central location in the North Island makes it an exceptional base for day trips. Waitomo Caves, about 80 km south-west, is the most popular excursion — allow a full day for the caves plus a black-water rafting session. Hobbiton, the Lord of the Rings movie set near Matamata, is 40 km east and easy to combine with a visit to the geothermal attractions around Rotorua (90 km further east). The Coromandel Peninsula, with its beaches and the dramatic Cathedral Cove, is about 90 minutes north-east. Raglan on the west coast, one of New Zealand's best surfing beaches, is 45 km west.
Destinations
