Hamilton Gardens
This fantastic world of horticulture began humbly in 1960 when an empty landfill was handed over to Hamilton City Council for development.
In the early 1980s, Dr. Peter Sergel set a groundbreaking path for Hamilton Gardens . Instead of focusing on botany, he proposed to create a theatrical collection of gardens from around the world, describing the evolution of garden design and planting over the centuries of horticultural history.
Fifty years later, Hamilton Gardens now spans 54 hectares with more than twenty gardens and walks. These beautiful retreats include everything from the exquisite Italian, Tudor and Japanese gardens to the inventive Kitchen, Herb and Te Parapara production gardens.
A stroll through Hamilton Gardens is educational, entertaining and relaxing, and you’ll soon see why it won the prestigious Garden of the Year award at the International Garden Tourism Awards!
Museum of Classics
With beautiful roads, a strong import market, and a resourceful “fix it, don’t throw it away” attitude, it’s no wonder New Zealand is home to many of the world’s most desirable and defining classic cars.
Created from a personal collection of cars and automotive memorabilia, the Hamilton Classic Museum celebrates the history of the automobile and the spirit of freedom it brought, recreating those gloriously colorful days when cars brought liberation.
With more than 100 cars and an authentic 50s American diner serving classic dishes with great modern standards, the classic museum is a must-see in Hamilton for all ages.
Hamilton Zoo
The Hamilton Zoo has over 25 acres of lush, green and tranquil grounds to stroll through and 600 local and exotic animals to keep you entertained for the day.
The zoo is open daily from 9:30 to 16:30 and is located on the northeastern outskirts of the city, a couple of kilometers from the center.
Waikato Museum
At the award-winning Waikato Museum, you can get a detailed look at regional and international history and end up with science, art and culture where you can get a detailed look at the region and much more.
Waikato River Explorer
The 425km-long Waikato River is New Zealand’s longest and most important river. Starting on the slopes of Mount Ruapehu, the river merges with the Tongariro River, flows into Lake Taupo, and descends to Huka Falls. It then flows into several more lakes, passing through King Country, before meandering through Cambridge and Hamilton and finally emptying into the Tasman Sea halfway between Hamilton and Auckland.
This incredible course has made the Waikato River very important in history, providing water transportation from the forest-rich interior of New Zealand to the sea for export. With so much history and many stories taking place on and around the river, there is no better way to learn about Hamilton and Waikato than by traveling on this mighty waterway.
Waikato River Explorer runs 90-minute cruises exploring the river. Departing from Hamilton Gardens, the Waikato River Explorer pairs perfectly with walks through Hamilton’s famous gardens.
Hiking and cycling in Hamilton
Hamilton has an extensive network of walking and cycling paths and trails that run along the river. There’s nothing easier than renting a bike or e-bike and exploring the city’s tranquil trails and riverside parks for a leisurely evening.
You won’t need a map, as the trails run along the river for the entire length of the city. On the west bank, the trail is continuous, and the trails on the east bank connect to Hamilton Gardens, Memorial Park and the Munroe Trail. The seven city bridges make it easy to zigzag from side to side and explore this entire beautiful bike network.