Location: Te Kuiti
Top Things to do in Te Kuiti
Top 10 Things to do in Te Kuiti, New Zealand
Te Kuiti is a small town in the north of the King Country region of the North Island of New Zealand. It lies at the junction of State Highways 3 and 30 and on the North Island Main Trunk railway, 80 kilometres (50 mi) south of Hamilton. At the 2001 census it had a resident population of 4,374, a decrease of 5.1% since 1991. The town promotes itself as the sheep shearing capital of the world and is host to the annual New Zealand National Shearing Championships.
Restaurants in Te Kuiti
1. Te Kuiti i-SITE Visitor Information Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
2. Waitomo Adventures
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
Waitomo’s Premier activities. Waitomo Adventures has been operating safely and reliably for over 30 yrs and has been granted exclusive access to these special caves. Overall there are 7 options described in more detail on our website each with different levels of physicality and challenge. Some are “DRY” (you wear overalls) and some are “WET” (you wear a wetsuit). No prior experience required. We supply everything including boots; overalls or wetsuits. Photos are provided to clients completely FREE. Lost World – our flagship - within the Lost World Cave there are 3 Options: Lost World 4 Hr Option; Lost World 7 Hr Epic & Lost World Through The Window; Other Caves: TumuTumu ToObing – a slightly more adventurous version of Blackwater Rafting. Haggas Honking Holes - Waitomo’s most concentrated action. St Benedicts Caverns – Surprisingly gentle. Abseil then explore NZ’s prettiest cave Trollcave – A fantasy adventure for the young at heart in the world's first underground eco-sanctuary
Reviewed By Liza B
We were privileged to take the 7hr Lost World tour today....what an incredible space, like nothing we have ever seen before! The whole tour was very well planned and delivered, with thrills and spills as well as time to appreciate the splendour of our surroundings....MoreHi Liza - thanks so much for your generous words. As the Philosopher George Santayana said: "The earth has music for those who listen"...you've clearly got a fine talent for hearing !
3. Aranui Cave
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 138 reviews
Reviewed By cngj - Chelmsford, United Kingdom
This was a real find. We did the three main attractions at Waitomo and this one was very impressive. Here you see lots of different cave formations of varying sizes in every direction you look.
We also did the nearby walk up the river through several short tunnels. On this you can see a few glow worms up close in the daylight.
Note that this cave is a 5-10 min drive from the main Waitomo visitor centre.
4. Sir Colin Meads Statue
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
Sir Colin Meads Bronze Statue All Black legend & New Zealand’s Player of the 20th Century Come see him immortalised in bronze in Te Kuiti’s main street. Te Kuiti – in the heart of the North King Country on SH3 – 15 minutes from the Waitomo Caves, 1 hour from Hamilton, 2.5 hours from Auckland
Reviewed By Ah62 - Wellington, New Zealand
A trip through Te Kuiti is now not complete without a stop at this iconic sculpture. Its incredibly lifelike! Very detailed. A tribute to one of NZ's greatest sporting heroes.
5. Spellbound Glowworm & Cave Tours
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
Our tours are friendly, informative and fun. With no more than 12 people on board, raft beneath many thousands of fabulous glowworms to see them at their very best. We visit private caves away from the regular, more commercial tours. Our caves are on a beautiful hill country farm and your guide is also your host, so expect a really enjoyable and memorable tour of our two magical caves.
Reviewed By Claire D
We’ve previously done a couple of tours at Waitomo caves, but this trip, with a two year old, our options were limited. Spellbound ended up suiting our needs perfectly. Although they mention their tours are aimed at 4 years +, they will take younger children. The small group size (12 max) and lack of steps and stairs made it easy for a small child to partake. Our guide, Hop, was friendly, funny and knowledgeable. The tour goes through two caves - a wet cave (includes boat trip) with easily the most glow worms we’ve seen in any cave in Waitomo. Then a “dry” cave with great stalactite and stalagmite formations.
We never felt rushed, nor did the trip feel too long for a small child to handle. It’s a great option to see the best of what the caves have to offer whilst not feeling like you’re being herded through amongst the crowds.
6. Statue of shearer
Overall Ratings
4 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By NJTravellingfool - Ridgewood, NJ
On our trip up the west coast from New Plymouth to Hamilton, we stopped in Te Kuiti for a break and a look at the largest statute of a sheep shearer in NZ. We asked someone where it was and were eventually directed to a place at the end of the main street. There in a park by itself stood this concrete statue that we were looking for. It was indeed massive and had been built in 4 pieces that were assembled on site. There are some descriptive panels in this little park that tell about the sheep industry and the feats of shearing that have taken place around the country. There are some benches where you can sit and look at the statute and have a lunch and a bit of sun.
As a historical attraction, it will fill up a nice 10 or 15 minute break in your drive.
7. Kiwi Cave Rafting
Overall Ratings
5 based on 952 reviews
Kiwi Cave Rafting (origionally Rap Raft 'n' Rock) combines 5 spectacular caving adventures into one great value 5 hour tour. Clients abseil down into the cave then go caving, blackwater rafting, see a huge glow worm display and rock climb out. We are 100% locally owned and operated. Our cave is totally natural. We take small groups with a maximum of 6 people. To join the adventure call: 0800 228 372.
Reviewed By adamfr0my0rkshire - Driffield, United Kingdom
First of all, all the ‘squeezing through tight spaces’ are optional, so don’t let that stop you booking this awesome tour!
Our guide Sam was so nice, she knew everything about the cave, glow worms, local area all sorts! And she made us feel safe and relaxed doing loads of stuff, like abseiling, for the first time ever!
Would highly recommend this place, best 4/5hrs of fun we’ve had in New Zealand and we’ve lived here for nearly a year!
8. The Gallagher Meads Brothers Exhibition
Overall Ratings
5 based on 4 reviews
The Gallagher Meads Brothers Exhibition Sir Colin & Stan Meads - legends of the game - June 19, 2017 – May, 31, 2018 Featuring memorabilia from Sir Colin and his All Black brother and locking partner Stan – they are Te Kuiti’s most famous sporting legends. This personal collection is on loan from the Meads family and is a rare glimpse into the brothers’ rugby careers and lives.
Reviewed By judithbergman18 - Wellington, New Zealand
This is a cultural history exhibition and not just about rugby. Tells the story of nz farming brothers who walked the international stage while remaining humble and true to their roots. Te kuiti should be proud. So much charitable work done by this family also.
9. Caveworld
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 392 reviews
Caveworld offer two fantastic tours with the aim to create memorable caving and glowworm experiences for all our customers. Either choose our fun-filled black water rafting adventure Tube It, or bring your family and friends along and join our Footwhistle Glowworm Cave Tour, a relaxed one hour guided walk down through glowworm displays and formations. We are A family-run, locally owned and operated business, Cave World specialises in providing the personal and professional touch on our authentic Waitomo tours, with over 10,000 satisfied visitors experiencing our unique piece of New Zealand each year.
Reviewed By Emsy5 - Brisbane, Australia
We went to Waitomo specifically to see the glowworms; our only decision was which company we would go with. We booked the Tube It tour with Caveworld purely based on availability, but we had a great time. You are suited up with wetsuits on-site and then driven out to the cave. A small amount of walking to the cave entrance is required (in a wetsuit and carrying a tube, not easy!) before you make your descent. Once inside, we turned our headlamps off - the glow worms were amazing to see. We waded through water until it became chest deep. After a small jump into the water, our tubes were connected up and our guide towed us along, so we could concentrate on staring at the glow worms above us. The tour finishes off with a waterslide at the end. Our guide (whose name I’ve forgotten!) was entertaining and informative. He took photos throughout our trip and I was impressed that at the end we were given a link to download them for free.
10. Waitomo Big Bird & Miniature Animal Petting Farm
Overall Ratings
5 based on 24 reviews
Waitomo Big Birds (Ostrich & Emu & Giant Moa) and Miniature animals provide an hours petting experience for animal lovers with lots of photo opportunities with animals - miniature horses, donkeys, llama & alpacas, baby-doll & dwarf sheep, goats, miniature highland cows, mini-bulls, and small petting animals - mini-lop rabbits, tortoise, and mini-munchkin cats with kittens in season.
Reviewed By Colin M - Jakarta, Indonesia
Enjoyed it, although a little disorganised. We had booked at the local tourist office, and this seemed to irritate the host (presumably they get a cut), and she didn't seem to have been expecting us, which was a little bizarre, recognising we wouldn't have visited there otherwise... But after that awkward start, everything was fine, we were shown around the farm well, and a nice selection of animals I think the owner could do with some help, and the price is very cheap, ie could increase the price to support that.
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