National Wetland Trust Homepage

Wetlands you can visit in the Waikato Region

Download a list of wetlands you can visit in the Waikato Region (316 kb), and see our top picks below.

Find their location on Google Maps or take our Google Earth tour of wetlands in this region.

Find out more about wetlands in the Waikato Region and see a list of wetlands to visit on the Department of Conservation's website.

Know of a New Zealand wetland with public access? Tell us

This page is sponsored by the Waikato Conservancy of the Department of Conservation and the Norah Howell Charitable Trust.

Blue Springs, Waihou River

Freshwater Springs

Crystal clear springs and river in a farmland setting. The springs supply 60% of NZ’s bottled water.

Walkway (15 mins to Blue Springs, 3 hours return along Waihou River, one-way option), picnic area, viewing platform at springs.

More information

Miranda, Firth of Thames

Intertidal mudflats

Internationally significant wetland. Summer feeding grounds for thousands of migrant wader birds.

Miranda Shorebird Centre has information, bunkroom accomodation, birdwatching, school group visits, guided walks, conference facilities, educational courses.

More information

Waihora Lagoon

Forest lagoon

Stunning setting - a seasonal lagoon surrounded by tall mature kahikatea forest. The water is stained dark from tannin, giving the site a mysterious and serene quality. In dry spells the lagoon dries to a damp meadow in a forest glade. Short, easy walk and boardwalk. Good forest birdlife.

Waihora Lagoon is actually in the Manawatu Region, but access is from State Highway 32 in the Waikato Region.

More information

Lake Ngaroto

Peat lake and restored wetland margin

The largest of the Waipa peat lakes, in a pastoral setting. Undergoing restoration, weir at the main outflow to regulate water levels, sediment traps on several main inflows, riparian planting, spraying pest willow species, fencing.

Walks (90-minute walk around the lake), information boards, picnics, walks, sailing, duckshooting, kayaking.

More information

Google Earth Tour

Click here to take our Google Earth tour of wetlands in this region. Follow these simple steps.
For best results select the Terrain box in the Layers folder on the right hand menu.

You will need to have access to Google Earth 5 to run this programme. You can download it for free.

You can either view individual sites and associated information by clicking on them, or select the Play Tour button

that appears when you click on the Waikato folder.

Last updated 6 February 2010