Waikato

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The hills of Waikato are perfect for a rural escape. Hamilton, the region’s epicentre, enjoys the best of urban and rural life. Explore lush countryside or beautiful gardens. Waikato Museum offers exhibitions from its collection of New Zealand art, Tainui Maori cultural history and Waikato history.

Main Centres

Hamilton – main centre, boasts gardens and cultural experiences.
Cambridge – quaint country town known for antiques, arts and crafts.
Raglan – laid-back surf community.

Getting There

By Air – Hamilton Airport, 15 – 20 minutes from the city, has domestic and trans-Tasman flights.
By Rail – daily services between Auckland and Wellington.
By Road – 1 hour, 30 minutes from Auckland or Rotorua. Coaches offer regular services.

Getting Around

This region is ideal for driving. It’s also well served by coaches. Within Hamilton, a bus service and taxis make getting around easy.

Eating Out

Exclusive

Tables on the River (12 Alma St, Hamilton, t +64 7 839 6555) – NZ cuisine beside the Waikato River.
Domaine Restaurant (575 Victoria St, Hamilton, t +64 7 839 2100) – stylish and popular.
Canvas Restaurant (Waikato Museum, Grantham St, Hamilton, t +64 7 839 2535).

Casual

Iguana Restaurant (203 Victoria St, Hamilton, t +64 7 834 2280) – street bar popular for gourmet pizzas.
The Bank Bar & Brasserie (Cnr Victoria & Hood, Hamilton, t +64 7 839 4740).
EMBARGO (Garden Pl, Hamilton, t +64 7 834 1353).

Where to Drink

Granite (231 Victoria St, Hamilton).
Fuel (31 Alexander St, Hamilton).
Fox & Hound (Cnr Alma & Victoria St, Hamilton).
Le Dome Belgian Bar & Café (Riverside Complex, Victoria St, Hamilton).
Cock ‘n’ Bull (Maui St, Hamilton, t +64 7 850 5254).

Coffee Fix

Scotts Epicurean (181 Victoria St, Hamilton).
Rocket Coffee (Cnr Hood & Victoria St, Hamilton).
Hydro Majestic (33 Jellicoe Dr, Hamilton, t +64 7 859 0020).
The French House (548 River Rd, Hamilton, t +64 7 853 5325).
Machina Espresso (67 London St, Hamilton, t +64 7 838 9212).

Something to Take Home

Zigilinis (265 Grey St, Hamilton, t +64 7 856 5722).
The French Tart (River Rd). Platters Inc (Queenwood).
Artpost (120 Victoria St, Hamilton). Mixed Media (Casabella Ln, Hamilton).
Donovans Chocolates (137 Maui St, Pukete Estate, Hamilton).

Sights

The Matamata region stood in for Hobbiton in the Lord of the Rings trilogy – one look at the pretty rolling hills and you’ll know why.
Sleek Thoroughbred racehorses grazing in neatly railed paddocks are an archetypical sight in this heartland of champion Thoroughbred racehorses.

Admire the mighty Waikato River. 425km in length, it’s New Zealand’s longest river. Starting 2797m above sea level in the central North Island volcanic plateau, the river flows 425km from Lake Taupo to the Tasman Sea at Port Waikato. The river drives 8 hydro-electric dams.

Action

Go surfing at Raglan – not for the faint-hearted, the wild west coast features one of the longest left-hand breaks in the Southern Hemisphere.

Head to Lake Karapiro to try your hand at kayaking or water-skiing.

Relax

Search for antiques in the pretty country towns of Cambridge and Tirau.
Get an insight into a prestigious industry with a tour of a Thoroughbred horse stud.

THE experience

Explore the gardens and riverside walkways of Hamilton City. The 58ha Hamilton Gardens are particularly popular with visitors – the six fascinating themed gardens, from a Chinese Scholars’ Garden to an Italian Renaissance Garden and an Indian Char Bagh Garden, are well worth a look.

Did you know?

Notable Culture

The Turangawaewae Marae at Ngaruawahia is home to the Maori Queen – Dame Te Atairangikaahu. The marae is not open to visitors.

Moment in History

In the 1850s, Waikato Maori responded to the arrival of European settlers by forming a united front – the ‘King Movement’ – and waging war against the Europeans.

Websites to Check Out

www.waikatonz.com
Waikato Travel Information

www.whatsonhamilton.co.nz Events in Hamilton

www.hamilton.co.nz
Hamilton City Information