Waikato Valley

Where to find: Waikato, New Zealand

Valley Waikato - a place where the most beautiful colors of nature are embodied, which, as if did not touch the costs of urban life and fuss. Located on the territory of one of the two main New Zealand islands - on the North Island , the Waikato Valley attracts tourists from all over the world with its beauty, who decided to visit this truly paradise.

What to see in the Waikato Valley?

The Waikato Valley is bounded on one side by the Pacific Ocean, and on the other - adjacent to the shores of the Tasman Sea. Lovers of exquisite natural landscapes will have something to see here, such local attractions undoubtedly include:

One of the main attractions of the region is the lake, called Taupo . It truly can be called unique, since it is in the present crater of a once active volcano and is located at a height a little bit at 357 meters above sea level. The area of ​​the lake is 606 square meters. From the waters of Lake Taupo the river Waikato, which is the longest in New Zealand - 425 meters, originates. It was this river that gave the name to the entire valley.

Getting into the valley, tourists probably will be surprised by the diversity of the relief, which represents successive plains and mountains. This place is also called the "milk valley" because of the widespread development of dairy cattle breeding. By the way, to the gourmets and lovers of overseas products the name of the valley may seem familiar, because the butter produced here is also called "Waikato".

Another reason why tourists are rushing to see what a beautiful valley is like is that in the local neighborhoods, in the city of Matamata, they were filming the cult trilogy "The Lord of the Rings", and therefore plunge into the fantasy world that seems completely unreal , here more than possible.

Plains in the valley alternate with hills and high mountains, overgrown with dense forest. The highest point here is Mount Patutu, reaching a height of 1708 meters. This mountainous giant also attracts the attention of tourists and often becomes a place for organizations of amateur and professional photo sessions.

How to get to the Waikato Valley?

You can get to the Waikato Valley by car and by bus. When traveling alone, the main thing is not to miss the turn from Mangate Road to Le Héroon Road - the road that runs parallel to the valley itself. You can also use the services of municipal buses, the ticket price will be a little over three dollars. Along the roads leading to the Waikato Valley, there are many cozy cafes and souvenir shops, where you can rest and buy a souvenir to commemorate an unforgettable visit to a unique place where the reality seems to end and the world of this natural fairy tale opens.