Hamilton Attractions
You are spoilt for choice with things to do in Hamilton with a wide range of attractions and activities.
Check out our Top 10 Attractions
Events
Hamilton is NZ's premier events city with local, national and international events staged throughout the year - from the V8 streetrace and balloons festival, theatre festival through to an ethnic soccer festival, craft and quilt fair and summer arts festival.
Check out what events are happening:
Hamilton Gardens
Stunning paths and passageways lead you to gardens designed and created to tell The Story of the Garden from around the world. Savour the Paradise Collection which features gardens including: the Chinese Scholars, English Flower, Japanese Garden of Contemplation, American Modernist, Italian Renaissance and Indian Char Bagh. Enjoy the culture of Te Parapara (Maori Garden), the first of its kind in New Zealand. Guided tours available.
State Highway 1, Cobham Drive
Waikato Museum
Nau mai,haere mai.
Visit the Waikato Museum for an inspirational art and cultural experience. A network of galleries tell stories of our art, culture, history and innovation.
Visit Riff Raff
Located at the south end of Hamilton's main Victoria Street is a statue of the iconic Riff Raff character from the cult status movie The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
The statue commemorates the development of the idea and the writing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show by Richard O'Brien - who lived in Hamilton and worked next door to the site of the now demolished Embassy Theatre where the statue is.
Hami
lton Zoo
- The Zoo with personality is home to over 600 native NZ and exotic animals set amidst 25ha of lush and tranquil surroundings.
Visit Australasia’s largest free-flight walk-through aviary, book a close encounter of the animal kind, meet the keepers or enjoy a nibble at the zoo cafe.
Brymer Rd. - Hamilton zoo website
- Map location
Waterworld
Waterworld hosts one of the largest indoor/outdoor aquatic facilities in NZ. Features include: Python hydroslides and screamer speedslides, splashpad, the ultimate water playground for under eight year olds, indoor and outdoor pools, children's playground, bbq and picinic areas, a cafe and gym facilities.
History & Heritage
Visit and find out more about the city's rich history and heritage buildings by taking yourself on a tour.
Hamilton East Heritage Trail leaflets are available from the i-SITE, Hamilton City Council, Waikato Museum, all libraries and The Cook Cafe & Bar in Hamilton East.
Experience the arts
Hamilton has a growing collection of public art, numerous art galleries, as well as an eclectic range of talented local artists.
The city has a wide range of theatres which cater for large shows to the more intimate, as well as being home to large cinema complexes and smaller independent art house cinemas. Film and theatre festivals run at different times in the year.
- Public art information
- Hamilton art trail
- Waikato Museum and ArtsPost
- Art galleries
- Theatres
- Cinemas
Sporting acti
on
Take your seat at Hamilton's world class sporting venues - or take part yourself. The city hosts international, national and local sporting events at its premier facilities and sports fever is a big part of Hamilton life.
Visit the city's libraries
Hamilton city is well supplied with libraries with one in the centre of the city in Garden Place and 5 community libraries. They offer free membership to people living in the city and provide access to books, DVDs, CDs, archives, magazines, and more.
Canoe & Kayak Waikato
Join two hour guided kayak tours through Hamilton. You will glide beneath the city's bridges on the Waikato River. No experience necessary, as the guides are trained professionals. O
ther tours available include magical spots around the Waikato region including Raglan, as well as Lake Karapiro incorporating Glow worm viewing at night (March to October). Canoe & Kayak offer day or night tours, self-guided trips, personalised group plans and more...
- Phone: 07 847 5565
- Website
Cruise Waikato
Generations of Maoris knew the Waikato as a capricious and venerated accomplice in survival; generations were buried within sight and sound of the river, which means' flowing water', but the name of the river in full was Waikato-taniwha-rau, 'the flowing water of a hundred water monsters'.
Cruise Waikato offers a 1 hour general cruise, coffee/tea and muffin cruise and a sausage sizzle and coffee/tea cruise with commentary and music. All departures leave from Memorial Park Jetty only on weekends, unless arranged with operator.
- Freephone: 0508 HAMILTON (0508 426 458)
- Website
Kiwi Balloon Company
The ultimate experience touched with serenity and romance. Imagine floating on the breeze above the earth without a care in the world, experiencing the peace and tranquility. The balloon flight is around one hour with a glass of bubbles and snacks to finish. The whole experience takes about 4 hours.
This day will be remembered for a lifetime!
- Mobile: 021 912 679
- Website
Wiseway Canoe Adventures
Meander along at your own pace with our freedom hire, self-guided trips, or we can tailor a guided trip to suit your needs.
So come and learn how to paddle a canoe on the Waikato and see the beauty that is hidden from its banks, only to be discovered from the peaceful waters of New Zealand's longest river.
- Mobile 021 988 335
- Website
Hamilton Lake
Hamilton Lake, or Lake Rotoroa (Long Lake), situated in the heart of Hamilton, is used for a wide variety of recreational activitiesand is an important habitat for wildlife. Edged with a wonderful 3.8km path creating an approximate 45 minute circular walk around one of the city's hidden paradises. Relax in the picnic area, enjoy the playground, or choose a bench and enjoy the scenery.
Waikato River Walkways
A recently completed 11km walkway along both banks of the Waikato River which runs through the centre of Hamilton offers endless oppurtunitiesto walk, ride bikes and watch boats on the river. Whether you want to relax and unwind, or burn off some energy with a run or walk, this is the perfect place for that.
Heliworx Waikato
Heliworx Waikato is based at the foothills of Mt. Pirongia and offers a range of scenic flight options over the Waikato countryside, and the rugged west coast (beautiful Kawhia, Aotea and Raglan Harbours). Learn to flyor trial a flight with an experienced instructor. Fleet: 1 R44 Helicopter (4 seater), 1 R22 Helicopter (2 seater)
Phone: 07 825 9997
Address: 427 Te Pahu Road, RD5, Hamilton
Hinterland Adventures & Paintball Hamilton
Alternatively, choose Clay Bird Shooting which will put your skills and focus to the test. Using live ammunition and a variety of guns you’ll blast those clays out of the sky. If you’re after Team Building that will motivate and inspire consider our Fun Corporate Events - an interactive, laughter filled session focusing on fun and team work.
Great packages, relocatable to a venue of your choice, convenient off road parking, BBQ area, night Paintball games and all groups are very welcome. Liven up your event with Hinterlands fun activities.
Phone: 0800 22 66 54
Email
Website
Claybird Address: Driver Road, off River Road, Ngaruawahia
Paintball Address: End of Hutchinson Road, Horotiu, North Hamilton
SKYCITY
Hamilton's riverfront entertainment complex features a wide variety of bars and restaurants, ten pin bowling alley, Timezone, Megazone and ever popular Casino.
Go gigging
Take in some Hamilton music and nightlife - there's plenty on offer to suit all tastes at bars and venues throughout the city
Shopping
Those in need of serious retail therapy are in good hands with a world of choice in Hamilton from boutiques and high-end fashion stores to large shopping malls.
In particular the European inspired Cassabella Lane running between Barton and Anglesea Sts is a hidden shoppers gem with diverse boutiques and cafes.
Speciality markets can be found peppered around the outskirts of the city during weekends.
Golf
Hamilton is home to many golf courses - to suit all playing levels, and in some of the country's most beautiful and relaxing countryside. A well know golf course in Hamilton is the Hamilton Club (St Andrews), St Andrews golf course is know to be one of the best conditioned courses in the country and is very popular with Hamiltonians.
Waikato Equestrian Centre
Go and enjoy a wonderful horse trek alongside the beautiful Waikato River! Situated 15 minutes from Hamilton's central city, the Waikato Equestrian Centre offers horse treks to all ages and abilities from non-riders to the experienced on well cared for, well trained horses. Whatever your needs their frinedly trained professionals will look after you. Individuals, families, groups and businesses are all welcome. Bookings are essential, so please call first.
- Phone: 07 849 6756
- Website
And more...
Other activities for those who love a challenge might be to visit an indoor climbing centre, challenge your friends to some go-carting or rent a kayak and hit the water!
Visit our Hamilton Business Directory to find listings for these activities - and more.
