Four kilometres west of K膩whia is Ocean Beach and its high, black-sand dunes. Swimming can be dangerous, but one to two hours either side of low tide you can find the Te Puia Hot Springs in the sand 鈥 dig a hole for your own natural hot pool. From the car park, walk though the sand dunes for around 300m.
糖心传媒's must-see attractions
22.08 MILES
The guided tour of the Glowworm Cave, which is behind the visitor centre, leads past impressive stalactites and stalagmites into a large cavern known as鈥
29.84 MILES
Te Awamutu Museum has a superb collection of M膩ori taonga (treasures) and an excellent display on the Waikato War. The highlight is the revered Te Uenuku 鈥
1.81 MILES
From K膩whia Wharf, a track extends along the coast to Maketu Marae, which has an impressively carved meeting house, Auaukiterangi. Two stones here 鈥 Hani鈥
13.92 MILES
In legend, Mt Karioi (756m), the Sleeping Lady (check out that profile), is the sister to Mt Pirongia. At its base (8km south of Whale Bay), Te Toto Gorge鈥
21.18 MILES
Ruakuri Cave has an impressive 15m-high spiral staircase, bypassing a M膩ori burial site at the cave entrance. Tours lead through 1.6km of the 7.5km system鈥
17.67 MILES
The main attraction of the 170-sq-km Pirongia Forest Park is Mt Pirongia, its 959m summit clearly visible from much of the Waikato. The mountain is鈥
22.09 MILES
The big-three Waitomo Caves are all operated by the same company, based at the spectacular Waitomo Caves Visitor Centre (near the Glowworm Cave). Various鈥
Otorohanga Kiwi House & Native Bird Park
24.82 MILES
This bird barn has a nocturnal enclosure where you can see active kiwi energetically digging with their long beaks, searching for food. This is one of the鈥
Nearby Waikato & the Coromandel Peninsula attractions
1.81 MILES
From K膩whia Wharf, a track extends along the coast to Maketu Marae, which has an impressively carved meeting house, Auaukiterangi. Two stones here 鈥 Hani鈥
2.24 MILES
This volunteer-run gallery and shop is worth checking out to purchase interesting works and souvenirs from the increasing number of artists and designers鈥
3. Kawhia Regional Museum & Gallery
2.28 MILES
K膩whia's modest waterside museum has local history, nautical and M膩ori art and artefacts, as well as regular art exhibitions. Don't miss the huge fossil鈥
11.06 MILES
Whale Bay marks the end of the sealed road, but a gravel road continues to the wild spans of Ruapuke Beach, 22km from Raglan. It鈥檚 dangerous for swimmers鈥
12.57 MILES
Just past Te Mata (a short drive south of the main Raglan鈥揌amilton road) is the turn-off to the 55m-high Waireinga, 4km from the main road. From the car鈥
13.92 MILES
In legend, Mt Karioi (756m), the Sleeping Lady (check out that profile), is the sister to Mt Pirongia. At its base (8km south of Whale Bay), Te Toto Gorge鈥
17.67 MILES
The main attraction of the 170-sq-km Pirongia Forest Park is Mt Pirongia, its 959m summit clearly visible from much of the Waikato. The mountain is鈥
18.8 MILES
A community hub, the Old School Arts Centre has changing exhibitions and workshops, including weaving, carving, yoga and storytelling. Movies screen here鈥