Lenvor B&B

South of Greater Auckland the traveller comes to the waikato region. It is dominated by the serenity of the Waikato River and rich rolling green farmland. The main centre is Hamilton - a city that serves the thriving farming and university community.

Travel the mighty Waikato river on a 19th century paddle steamer. While the world passes by, an interesting commentary will tell you about local landmarks, the history and current day life of the region. The region's main city, Hamilton, is famous for its themed gardens, and the local zoo which has the largest free flight aviary in the Southern Hemisphere.

Travelling south to the Waitomo area, there is a natural labyrinth to discover. Massive subterranean caverns are adorned with stalactites and stalagmites - formations that have been millions of years in the making. Visitors can glide through the darkness on a water-borne barge and admire the beauty and deep silence of the cave where the glow-worms overhead give the effect of an eerie underground sky.

The quirky West Coast beach town of Raglan is known throughout the international surfing community for its rare left-hand break. As a result, the local township is laid back, crafty and well furnished with good eating places. Even if you don't surf, you'll want to sample the idyllic Raglan lifestyle.