📷 Daderot, Public domainWaikato circuit: Hobbiton, Waitomo caves, Kawhia and Raglan
A three-day circuit in the Waikato with a famous film set, glowworm caves, a hot-water beach and a surf town.
- Distance
- 246 km (153 mi)
- Driving
- 2 h 41 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 11
- States
- New Zealand
- Updated
- May 10, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 246 km (153 mi) with 11 stops, from Hamilton Gardens to Manu Bay, Raglan. About 2 h 41 min of driving in total.
More road trips in New Zealand
Route description
Start with Hamilton Gardens, free to enter and on the Waikato River in the city, where the car park takes motorhomes. Then drive south-east on SH1 and SH1B to Cambridge, a tree-lined town with a village green and a good selection of cafés. Maungatautari lies about 25 km south on local roads; its guided tours into the fenced forest need advance booking.
Take SH1 and local roads east to Matamata, where Hobbiton sits on a working farm about 15 minutes outside town. Tours are guided only and sell out in summer, so reserve before you arrive and plan to be at the gate a little before your start time. Matamata has fuel, supermarkets and a holiday park. The farm roads are narrow, but coaches take visitors from the Shire’s Rest centre, so the drive in poses no problem for a campervan.
From Matamata, drive west and then south via Te Awamutu on SH3 to Ōtorohanga, about 1.5 hours, with its kiwi house in the town. Waitomo Caves lie 16 km east; allow most of a day for a guided tour, and book ahead in summer. Photography is not permitted in the glowworm cave, and the village has holiday parks and cafés.
Return to Ōtorohanga and take SH31 west to Kawhia, about 55 km on a winding road with views of the harbour. At low tide, dig your own hot pool at Te Puia on the ocean beach; bring a spade and avoid the surf. Then follow SH31 along the coast to Raglan, about an hour, and watch surfers at Manu Bay.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Hamilton Gardens
NatureHamilton, New ZealandA collection of themed gardens on the Waikato River, from Japanese and Italian Renaissance to a Māori productive garden and an Indian Char Bagh. The gardens are free to enter. Allow several hours, and use the car parks on Cobham Drive.
- 220 km
Cambridge
New Zealand - 317 km
Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari
NatureCambridge, New ZealandAn extinct volcano ringed by a predator-proof fence, protecting kiwi, tīeke, tuatara and other rare species. Guided and self-guided walks start from the main entrance. Book the guided tours, and take care not to carry in seeds or pests.
- 431 km
Matamata
New Zealand - 513 km
Hobbiton Movie Set
OdditiesMatamata, New ZealandThe village built for the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films, on a working sheep farm, with hobbit holes, a mill and the Green Dragon inn. Visits are by guided tour only. Reserve in advance and allow about two and a half hours.
- 665 km
Ōtorohanga
New Zealand - 71 km
Ōtorohanga Kiwi House
NatureŌtorohanga, New ZealandA bird park with a nocturnal house where kiwi are active in dim light, plus tuatara, kea and native birds in walk-through aviaries. It is a useful wet-weather stop on SH3. Allow an hour and check opening times.
- 815 km
Waitomo Glowworm Caves
NatureŌtorohanga, New ZealandLimestone caves where a boat glides under thousands of glowworm lights, one of several cave tours in the village. Tours are guided only and photography is not allowed inside. Book ahead in summer, and arrive early for the quieter sessions.
- 939 km
Te Puia Hot Water Beach, Kawhia
NatureKawhia, New ZealandHot springs rise through the sand at the Kawhia ocean beach. Dig a pool about two hours either side of low tide, and bring your own spade. Rips are strong, so do not swim here, and the spring water can be hot enough to burn.
- 1039 km
Raglan
New Zealand - 117 km
Manu Bay, Raglan
ViewsRaglan, New ZealandOne of the world’s best-known left-hand surf breaks, with a long wave that peels along the point. A lookout above the car park offers a view of the surfers. The break is for experienced surfers, and beginners use Ngarunui Beach.
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Hamilton Gardens → Hobbiton Movie Set · 81 km · 0 h 53 minOn the way: Cambridge, Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, Matamata.
- Day 2: Hobbiton Movie Set → Waitomo Glowworm Caves · 80 km · 0 h 52 minOn the way: Ōtorohanga, Ōtorohanga Kiwi House.
- Day 3: Waitomo Glowworm Caves → Manu Bay, Raglan · 85 km · 0 h 55 minOn the way: Te Puia Hot Water Beach, Kawhia, Raglan.
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in February–March and June–August. Hot in January. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
FAQs
How long is Waikato circuit: Hobbiton, Waitomo caves, Kawhia and Raglan?
3-day road trip of about 246 km (153 mi) with 11 stops, from Hamilton Gardens to Manu Bay, Raglan. About 2 h 41 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Waikato circuit: Hobbiton, Waitomo caves, Kawhia and Raglan?
We suggest 3 days: about 2 h 41 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Waikato circuit: Hobbiton, Waitomo caves, Kawhia and Raglan start and end?
It starts in Hamilton Gardens and ends in Manu Bay, Raglan.
Which states does Waikato circuit: Hobbiton, Waitomo caves, Kawhia and Raglan pass through?
New Zealand.
When is the best time for Waikato circuit: Hobbiton, Waitomo caves, Kawhia and Raglan?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in February–March and June–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
