10 Fun Things to Do in Piopio© russellstreet on Flickr
10 Fun Things to Do in Piopio

10 Best Things to Do in Piopio

© russellstreet on Flickr

What to Do in Piopio: A Quaint Village in the Waikato

Named after a native extinct songbird, Piopio is a quiet village in the King Country of the Waikato. The village has a lot of charm, from streets named after New Zealand native birds to friendly locals operating attractive cafes, fruit orchards and art galleries. There’s plenty of reasons to stop in the town while passing through on a North Island road trip, but it’s worth making a special side trip down theMangaotaki Road for spectacular limestone cliff, riverside and forest scenery. You’ll also see waterfalls, giant boulders and a Hobbit filming location! Find out more with this list of things to do in Piopio.

While you’re here, check out the nearby towns and their attractions in 5 Fun Things to Do in Te Kuiti and 5 Fun Things to Do in Otorohanga.

1. Visit the Piopio Museum

Part of the fun is getting into the museum! Collect the key at the Piopio Superette then step inside this treasure trove located in the old blacksmith’s shop. The museum holds pioneering relics from all around the area, as well as an early photograph collection an early settler’s hut and much more! Admission is by a small donation.

Location: Ruru Street

pixabay© pixabay

2. Taste Delicious Fresh Berries at the Piopio Berry Orchard

Open from late October to early May, the Piopio Berry Orchard is the ideal road trip pitstop with real fruit ice cream, coffee, home-baked goods and picking up fresh strawberries, raspberries and blueberries for a healthy snack for the road.

Location: 1772 State Highway 3, 3km (1.8 miles) east of Piopio

pixabay © pixabay

3. Check Out the Art Gallery at The Old Post Office

Pop into this lovingly resorted post office building in the heart of Piopio to check out local artwork, jewellery and antiques at The Old Post Office Gallery. Stop in to find some unique souvenirs to take home. You might also be interested in stopping by The Crafty Pigeon another local art shop nearby The Old Post Office.

Location: 45 Moa Street

NZPocketGuide.com© NZPocketGuide.com

4. Sample the Local Cafes

Like any real Kiwi town, Piopio has its fair share of cafes with great coffee! Try the Fat Pigeon Cafe with a picturesque setting overlooking Kara Park. Alternatively, the Cloverleaf Cafe is in the centre of the village selling ice creams, drinks homemade sandwiches, pastries and more.

Location: Fat Pigeon Cafe – 41 Moa Street, Cloverleaf Cafe – 54 Moa Street

Pexels © Pexels

5. Soak in the Scenery at the Mangaotaki Scenic Reserve

Stretch your legs and embrace the interesting boulder, forest and river scenery in the Mangaotaki Scenic Reserve. The reserve holds the Mangaotaki Walk, which is a 30-minute loop walk winding over tree roots, passing giant boulders and sheltered by giant kahikatea trees – New Zealand’s tallest species of tree.

Location: Mangaotaki Road, 8km (5 miles) from Piopio

NZPocketGuide.com© NZPocketGuide.com

6. Visit a Hobbit Filming Location at Hairy Feet Waitomo

Get your Lord of the Rings fix at one of the most breathtaking filming locations in the North Island, Hairy Feet Waitomo. This attraction was a filming location for The Hobbit movies, easily defined by the towering limestone cliffs and picturesque forest. Take a tour to see the exact filming locations, get interesting insights into the film-making process, and get photos with Lord of the Rings props and weapons! Find out more in The Hobbit Location Guide.

Location: Mangaotaki Road, 14km (9 miles) from Piopio

10 Fun Things to Do in Piopio© NZPocketGuide.com

7. See Waitanguru Falls

Another attraction on the Mangaotaki Road which is not to be missed is the magnificent Waitanguru Falls. A 15-minute return walk takes you down to a platform overlooking a stunning 15m tiered waterfall. The walk is well-signposted on the side of the road. Check out more waterfalls to add to the must-see list in 12 Most Wonderful Waterfalls in New Zealand.

Location: Mangaotaki Road, 20km (12 miles) from Piopio

russellstreet on Flickr© russellstreet on Flickr

8. Hike the Leitch’s Track

For a longer walk in the Piopio area, try the Leitch’s Track to Leitch’s Clearing. This walk starts in farmland before quickly heading into the protected Whareorino Forest. The walk is well-graded and takes approximately three hours to reach Leitch’s Hut. The hut can be stayed in overnight, bookings are not required. The hut connects to three other hiking trails.

Location: Leitch Road off Mangaotaki Road, 23km (14 miles) from Piopio

NZPocketGuide.com© NZPocketGuide.com

9. Go on a Llama Trek

Discover the joys of trekking with a gentle llama with Greenmount Llamas. Choose from 2-hour to full-day treks among peaceful surrounds and while enjoying homemade treats and New Zealand wine or beer. Your guides will share more about Piopio and the King Country, as well as what it’s like to live a Kiwi farming lifestyle.

Location: 142 Paekaka Road, 10km (6 miles) south of Piopio

pixabay © pixabay

10. See Omaru Falls

Yes, more waterfall wonders await! See the 45m (147ft) Omaru Falls, your prize for walking a 30-minute track over grassy farmland and rimu and fern-filled forest. The 1-hour return walk features a swing bridge and a picturesque picnic spot beside a smaller terraced waterfall.

Location: Omaru Road off State Highway 4, 32km (20 miles) south of Piopio

russellstreet on Flickr© russellstreet on Flickr

More Things to Do Near Piopio

That’s it for the best things to do in Piopio. Find more activities for your travels in the 51 Best Things to Do on the North Island.

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

Laura S.

This article has been reviewed and published by Laura, the editor-in-chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Laura is a first-class honours journalism graduate and a travel journalist with expertise in New Zealand and South Pacific tourism for over 10 years. She also runs travel guides for five of the top destinations in the South Pacific and is the co-host of over 250 episodes of the NZ Travel Show on YouTube.

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