Explore one of our most exciting cities and discover the top 10 things to do in Hamilton and the surrounding Waikato region.
Dine like a hobbit
Immerse yourself in an unparalleled evening of Middle Earth™ magic on the Hobbiton set in Matamata with an evening dinner tour. Discover Bag End, Party Tree and the Green Dragon Inn on your guided tour, then enjoy a banquet in the Green Dragon Dining Room. Standard tours are also available during the day.
Admire the twinkling fireflies in Waitomo
Beneath Waitomo’s verdant farmland lies an underground labyrinth of spectacular limestone caves. Take a guided tour to the heart of the Waitomo Caves and marvel at the limestone formations and the huge cave before taking a boat ride under thousands of flickering fireflies.
Learn to surf at Raglan
To the west of Hamilton lies Raglan, a beautifully scenic stretch of black sand coastline. Featured in the 1966 surf movie The Endless Summer, Raglan is a surfing mecca and home to one of the longest and most consistent left-handers in the world. See what all the fuss is about with a surf lesson from Raglan Surf School (opens in new window).
Take a stroll through Hamilton Gardens
Learn about the history of the gardens at one of the region’s most visited sites. Instead of focusing on a variety of plants, Hamilton Gardens showcases different types of garden design through themed collections. Step into another world in their Fantasy collection or explore different civilizations in their Paradise collection.
Enjoy afternoon tea at Zealong Tea Estate
Visit New Zealand’s only tea plantation, Zealong Tea Estate, and enjoy a delicious afternoon tea. Created by passionate tea masters, Zealong tea is one of the purest teas in the world and is organically grown on the fertile land of the Waikato region.
Visit the Maungatautari Mountain Sanctuary
A refuge for many of New Zealand’s endangered bird species, the conservation mountain is a mainland “island” formed by a pest-proof fence. Get up close and personal with takahē, tuatara, giant wētā and kākā amidst the beauty of Mount Maungatautari, an ancient forested volcano.
Spend a day at the Waikato Museum and Hamilton Zoo
Immerse yourself in the rich art and culture of the Waikato region at the Waikato Museum. Highlights include a majestic military waka (Mā ori canoe), galleries with local artwork, and Waikato’s World War II history, For Us They Fell. If you want to spend the day outdoors and have fun, visit the Hamilton Zoo, home to over 600 native and exotic animals. With New Zealand’s largest walk-through enclosure and free zookeeper talks, there’s plenty to see and do with the family.
Ride one of Waikato’s cycling routes
In the Waikato region, you can find forest trails, Waikato River trails and the Hauraki Railroad. Go through the center of the North Island on the forest trail that winds through the Pureora forest. Try the Waikato River Trails for an adventurous walk along the mighty Waikato River. Or take a more leisurely ride through New Zealand’s pioneering history on the Hauraki Railway.
Take in the stunning views on a hot air balloon tour
There’s no better way to start the day than with a hot air balloon ride as the sun rises. This unique adventure will give you breathtaking views of the Mighty Waikato River, vast farmland and see the city of Hamilton waking up to a new day. If you’re in the region in March, be sure to check out Balloons Over Waikato (opens in new window), an annual festival that showcases the best hot air balloons.
Explore Waikato with Lake District Adventures
Whether you’re looking to kayak on Lake Karapiro, take a guided mountain bike ride along New Zealand’s longest river, or a little bit of both, Lake District Adventures offers a range of exciting outdoor experiences. With tours that offer insight into the local history, culture, flora and fauna of the region, it’s a great way to see what makes Waikato so special.