Wetlands you can visit

Waikato Region

Download a list of wetlands you can visit in the Waikato Region and see our top picks below.

Find their location on Google Maps or take a virtual tour on Google Earth.

Find out more about wetlands in the Waikato Region.

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

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.

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.

Lake Rotopiko

Peat lake and restored wetland margin

The National Wetland Trust is developing visitor facilities at Rotopiko/Lake Serpentine near Hamilton to create the National Wetland Centre.

To add extra fun and learning to our visitors’ experience, we have installed a Self-guided Discovery Trail for families and school groups. The trail has activity stations where visitors can read a story about a wetland creature or feature, and then try some hands-on activities.

Rotopiko is also one of the Waikato Kiwi Guardians sites, where visitors can search for a hidden code word to claim a medal.

Lake Ngaroto

Peat lake and restored wetland margin

The largest of the Waipa peat lakes, Ngaroto is in a pastoral setting and undergoing restoration. A weir at the main outflow maintains water levels, sediment traps on several main inflows help protect water quality, while fencing, riparian planting and pest willow spraying is improving the lake ecology.

Popular with joggers, dog-walkers and those looking for longer walks. The site has information boards, picnic sites, walks, sailing, duckshooting, and kayaking opportunities.

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 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.