Christine’s Guidebook
Sightseeing
Hamilton Zoo
Allow 1-2 hrs, and it's free! An ecological 'island' where you will enjoy native wildlife, plants and great walking trails. I recommend the Southern Enclosure (Te Tuia a Taane) get up close with native kaka, peek inside weta nest boxes and climb the canopy viewing tower for a birds eye view of the forest below. Guided tours available. If using GPS enter 99 Tari Road, Pukeatua.
41 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Sanctuary Mountain
99 Tari RdAllow 1-2 hrs, and it's free! An ecological 'island' where you will enjoy native wildlife, plants and great walking trails. I recommend the Southern Enclosure (Te Tuia a Taane) get up close with native kaka, peek inside weta nest boxes and climb the canopy viewing tower for a birds eye view of the forest below. Guided tours available. If using GPS enter 99 Tari Road, Pukeatua.
A must see, it's world renowned and most visited tourist attraction in the Waikato. Stunning botanical gardens. Bring a re-usable water bottle to top up at free drinking water stations. Enclosed themed gardens a must see especially the new Ancient Egyptian Gardens. Great walks through the gardens alongside the Waikato River. Finish your visit with a cuppa at The Verandah Cafe at the Hamilton Gardens overlooking lake, highly recommended. Waikato River cruises available from here too.
193 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Jardines de Hamilton
A must see, it's world renowned and most visited tourist attraction in the Waikato. Stunning botanical gardens. Bring a re-usable water bottle to top up at free drinking water stations. Enclosed themed gardens a must see especially the new Ancient Egyptian Gardens. Great walks through the gardens alongside the Waikato River. Finish your visit with a cuppa at The Verandah Cafe at the Hamilton Gardens overlooking lake, highly recommended. Waikato River cruises available from here too.
Recommend taking in full beauty of the Waikato River with a 2 hr cycle from Hamilton Gardens to Ngaruawahia or between Cambridge and Karapiro, Cambridge I-site offer bike hire and River Riders hire bikes and run a shuttle service cell 021 38 5554. Trail map in folder in studio. More competent riders would enjoy the 60 km ride between Karapiro and Ngaruawahia. Very cool just riding sections of the trail.
Te Awa River Ride
360 Tristram StreetRecommend taking in full beauty of the Waikato River with a 2 hr cycle from Hamilton Gardens to Ngaruawahia or between Cambridge and Karapiro, Cambridge I-site offer bike hire and River Riders hire bikes and run a shuttle service cell 021 38 5554. Trail map in folder in studio. More competent riders would enjoy the 60 km ride between Karapiro and Ngaruawahia. Very cool just riding sections of the trail.
Also known as Lake Tikatapu. Highly recommend but can be crowded in peak summertime. 5 minutes drive from Putaruru and walk is 3 hrs return walk. You won't believe the gorgeous colour of these famous Blue Springs. If you like the idea of travelling riverside and experiencing crystal clear streams this is not to be missed.
13 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Te Waihou Walkway
303 Whites RdAlso known as Lake Tikatapu. Highly recommend but can be crowded in peak summertime. 5 minutes drive from Putaruru and walk is 3 hrs return walk. You won't believe the gorgeous colour of these famous Blue Springs. If you like the idea of travelling riverside and experiencing crystal clear streams this is not to be missed.
Lovely quirkiness place to visit. Highly recommend. The corrugated capital of the world. You can't miss the huge Big Dog, Sheep and the new Ram. Also visit the boutique gift shops, cafes, sculptures, galleries and antique shops. As a treat visit Trelise Cooper Designer Outlet, Stretton Clothing Store, Georgia Boutique, Bendon Outlet, Kilt Sale, Magazine Clothing, MYstyle NZ, Ma and Pa's Second Hand Collectibles. Tirau Museum is a private collection that is well worth a visit.
Tirau i-SITE Visitor Information Centre
65 Main RdLovely quirkiness place to visit. Highly recommend. The corrugated capital of the world. You can't miss the huge Big Dog, Sheep and the new Ram. Also visit the boutique gift shops, cafes, sculptures, galleries and antique shops. As a treat visit Trelise Cooper Designer Outlet, Stretton Clothing Store, Georgia Boutique, Bendon Outlet, Kilt Sale, Magazine Clothing, MYstyle NZ, Ma and Pa's Second Hand Collectibles. Tirau Museum is a private collection that is well worth a visit.
Recommend this Art-in-Nature experience with over 100 sculptures and installations within one of NZ's largest outdoor galleries. It's 2km trail winds amongst a landscape of ponds, cliffs, rocks and 1000's of trees created from a former derelict quarry.
Waitakaruru Arboretum and Sculpture Park
207 Scotsman Valley RdRecommend this Art-in-Nature experience with over 100 sculptures and installations within one of NZ's largest outdoor galleries. It's 2km trail winds amongst a landscape of ponds, cliffs, rocks and 1000's of trees created from a former derelict quarry.
Highly recommend. This main zoological garden of Hamilton covers 25 hectares. Allow 3 hrs. Definitely see the monkeys. Enjoy seeing the animals in their natural looking environment with lots of trees for shelter and privacy and most importantly lots of space. Bring water bottle, hat and sunscreen. Don't miss visiting this fabulous Zoo.
64 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Zoológico de Hamilton
183 Brymer RdHighly recommend. This main zoological garden of Hamilton covers 25 hectares. Allow 3 hrs. Definitely see the monkeys. Enjoy seeing the animals in their natural looking environment with lots of trees for shelter and privacy and most importantly lots of space. Bring water bottle, hat and sunscreen. Don't miss visiting this fabulous Zoo.
Experience the Waikato River on the Explorer, get up close and personal with the birdlife and flaura.
13 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Waikato River Explorer
1 Hungerford CresExperience the Waikato River on the Explorer, get up close and personal with the birdlife and flaura.
Don't miss this lovely 3.8km flat easy walk around the lake. Enjoy the birdlife and the flora. A beautiful spot. Finish with a coffee at The Verandah Cafe.
14 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque Hamilton Lake Domain
Ruakiwi RoadDon't miss this lovely 3.8km flat easy walk around the lake. Enjoy the birdlife and the flora. A beautiful spot. Finish with a coffee at The Verandah Cafe.
Explore Raglan. Known for black sand Ngarunui Beach and the long world class surf break at Manu Bay. Enjoy a thriving art scene supported by local weekend visitors, burgeoning food scene with locally sourced ingredients creating a culinary hit with visitors as well as stunning scenery.
28 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Raglan Wharf
92 Wallis StreetExplore Raglan. Known for black sand Ngarunui Beach and the long world class surf break at Manu Bay. Enjoy a thriving art scene supported by local weekend visitors, burgeoning food scene with locally sourced ingredients creating a culinary hit with visitors as well as stunning scenery.
Only 15 mins drive from Raglan, the spectacular 55 mtr high Bridal Veil Falls also known as the Waireinga Falls is a popular Waikato walking track.
119 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Bridal Veil Falls
Kawhia RoadOnly 15 mins drive from Raglan, the spectacular 55 mtr high Bridal Veil Falls also known as the Waireinga Falls is a popular Waikato walking track.
Fabulous views, well worth the effort. Start your walk from Mokena Geyser in Te Aroha Domain.
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Mount Te Aroha Summit & Broadcast Tower
196 Tui RdFabulous views, well worth the effort. Start your walk from Mokena Geyser in Te Aroha Domain.
Victoria on the River
Victoria StreetIf you want a lovely atmosphere this is your place.
A trip back in time, allow plenty of time.
13 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Classics Museum
11 Railside PlA trip back in time, allow plenty of time.
The Toothbrush Fence
305 Limeworks Loop RdIf you like quirky, visit the fence.
Tree Church
119 West RdCheck opening times b4 you visit. Nice gardens too.
City/town information
Visit Cambridge to experience its leafy streets, parks and gardens, heritage buildings, antique and art shops, thoroughbred horse studs and jet boat rides. Enjoy this very quaint town characterized by quaint charms and tree lined streets.
62 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cambridge
Visit Cambridge to experience its leafy streets, parks and gardens, heritage buildings, antique and art shops, thoroughbred horse studs and jet boat rides. Enjoy this very quaint town characterized by quaint charms and tree lined streets.
Food scene
Try their real fruit icecreams, freshly picked berries or have a go a picking your own berries. Ring first to make sure they are open for fresh berries or pick your own berries as this is seasonal. Frozen berries available year round for ice cream. Fabulous playground too!
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Ruakura Berry Shop
11 Davison RdTry their real fruit icecreams, freshly picked berries or have a go a picking your own berries. Ring first to make sure they are open for fresh berries or pick your own berries as this is seasonal. Frozen berries available year round for ice cream. Fabulous playground too!
Authentic Euro-styled Cafe. Try their great coffee and Dutch inspired foodie delights. Need to ring and book.
Zenders Cafe and Venue
439 Ruakura RdAuthentic Euro-styled Cafe. Try their great coffee and Dutch inspired foodie delights. Need to ring and book.
Elegant Cafe and restaurant. Gorgeous restaurant and food, fabulous ambience and service but must book as very popular.
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Camarosa
11 Davison RdElegant Cafe and restaurant. Gorgeous restaurant and food, fabulous ambience and service but must book as very popular.
Matangi Road
Matangi RoadMatangi General Store where you can by most essentials including beer and wine.
New World Hillcrest
280 Cambridge RdLarge supermarket
This rustic, industrial taproom and brewery is a diamond in the rough amongst huge factory buildings and leftover relics from the days of the NZ Dairy Co-op. Proud to brew award winning beers. An enchanting place lit with fairy lights.
Bootleg Brewery Ltd
452b Tauwhare RdThis rustic, industrial taproom and brewery is a diamond in the rough amongst huge factory buildings and leftover relics from the days of the NZ Dairy Co-op. Proud to brew award winning beers. An enchanting place lit with fairy lights.
Four Square Matangi
453 Tauwhare RdHas most of the essentials including beer and wine!
Te Ara Hou Village, 100 Morrinsville Road, Silverdale, Hamilton. A cafe with a heart for social justice. This theme is reflected in the decor of the Cafe with humourouse, serious, lively quotes and photos around the room, also a mini art gallery. Staff are friendly and caring, menue is varied and suprisingly inexpensive. A favourite local cafe.
Ethos
100 Morrinsville RoadTe Ara Hou Village, 100 Morrinsville Road, Silverdale, Hamilton. A cafe with a heart for social justice. This theme is reflected in the decor of the Cafe with humourouse, serious, lively quotes and photos around the room, also a mini art gallery. Staff are friendly and caring, menue is varied and suprisingly inexpensive. A favourite local cafe.