Things to do nearby
Walks on the maunga, surf beaches, glowworm caves and the Shire — all within an easy drive.
A great base
The Waikato on your doorstep
The cottage sits right at the foot of Mt Pirongia, so the walks start at the door — and some of the North Island's best days out are all within an hour. Here's where our guests go.
At the doorstep
Mt Pirongia & Forest Park
Native bush walks and hikes on the maunga rise straight up behind you — from short loops to the summit track.
ExploreAbout 10 min
Pirongia village
A classic country village with a good café, the pub, and the local store for anything you've forgotten.
ExploreAbout 25 min
Hamilton
The city when you want it — Hamilton Gardens, restaurants, the river walks and the shops.
ExploreAbout 45 min
Raglan
Black-sand surf beaches, Bridal Veil Falls and one of the country's best little seaside towns for a lazy lunch.
ExploreAbout 1 hour
Waitomo Caves
World-famous glowworm caves, black-water rafting and limestone walks — an easy day out from the cottage.
ExploreAbout 1 hour
Hobbiton, Matamata
The Lord of the Rings movie set and Shire — book ahead and make a day of the drive over.
Explore
Driving times are approximate and depend on the roads and the weather.
Local guides
Plan the day out
Written from the cottage — the walks, the caves, the coast and the Shire, with the practical bits sorted.
- Mt Pirongia walks & things to doThe maunga rises straight up behind the cottage, so the walks genuinely start at the door. Here's how to make the most of Pirongia Forest Park, whatever your legs are up for.Read the guide
- A day trip to the Waitomo CavesThe Waitomo glowworm caves are one of the North Island's great days out, and about an hour's easy drive south of the cottage. Here's how to plan it.Read the guide
- Visiting Hobbiton from the cottageThe Hobbiton Movie Set at Matamata is a bucket-list day for a lot of visitors, and about an hour's drive from the cottage. A little planning makes it easy.Read the guide
- A day out in RaglanRaglan is the Waikato's favourite beach town, about 45 minutes from the cottage over the Pirongia hills. Here's how to spend a day on the coast.Read the guide
- Kawhia & Ocean BeachKawhia is a quiet west-coast harbour about 50 minutes from the cottage — and home to one of the Waikato's best-kept secrets, a hot-water beach you can dig yourself.Read the guide
Make it a weekend
Base yourself at the cottage and pick a different direction each day. Check the dates and book your stay.