A geographically and culturally diverse area, the Hamilton & Waikato region has a wide range of activities and attractions to suit all ages and tastes-from surfing world class breaks and strolling through caves to wine tasting and heritage trails.
As a local Hamilton web design company, Liquid Web Hamilton know the area very well and have listed some interesting places to check out below.
The Waikato Museum and the Gardens Hamilton
Soak up the Waikato community's rich arts and culture in the Waikato Museum (opens in new window). Highlights include the majestic waka war (Maori canoe), local artwork exhibition galleries, and the Waikato WW1 floor,' For Us They Break.' Then go to the area's most visited attraction, the Hamilton Gardens (opened in a new window) that tell the Garden History from various cultures through thematic garden collections.
Ride the Timber Trail
Venture through the middle of North Island on the Timber Trail, an 87-kilometre bike path winding through the Pureora Trees. Tracing the route of old logging routes, the trail includes relics of the logging history of the area as well as ancient trees, natural woods and eight large suspension bridges.
Enjoy the Waikato River cruise
Soak up the majesty of New Zealand's longest canal, the Waikato River, which flows through the heart of Hamilton on a Waikato River Explorer cruise.
Photo Courtesy of: Petro Venter
Ben Highlander
5/5
3 months ago
Went to the farmer's market. I just love the breakfast fried bread and sweet pancakes. Lots to make a Sunday morning special.nstarts at 8am I think. Also somebody singing usually. Fresh produce ad organic stuff. Worth a visit. Great coffee.
Harmony Rawiri
5/5
in the last week
Super easy to find, my children absolutely love it there, has a Free BBQ and we visit here often xo
T Wilson
5/5
3 weeks ago
Excellent location. I visited here for a Covid test. Easy to drive in, plenty of space for locals to get a Covid test here, safely. Claudelands also has farmers markets (in Covid level 1) and has a beautiful big grassy field where families can enjoy the kiwi life. It also has a massive free playground for children (of all sizes). Parks like this make city living enjoyable.
Photo Courtesy of: Riff Raff Statue & Embassy Park - Celebrating Richard O'Brien & The Rocky Horror Show
Daniel Coulthard Jr
5/5
9 months ago
I love that Frankenfurter's lab is the public toilet. Great community feature
André van der Colff
3/5
9 months ago
Pretty nice statue, makes you wonder where the closest stocking shop is... A few nice movie related things strewn around will make you giggle to yourself a bit.
Oh and instructions for the time warp.
Bobby G
4/5
a year ago
Good spot to wait for your ride after a big night out
Photo Courtesy of: Escape HQ
Delia Demers
5/5
4 months ago
We've done a lot of escape rooms, and we really enjoyed the "dark side of the room". The puzzles were challenging and unique, every clue fit into the storyline. This escape room involves a lot more than just locks, which we really appreciated. On top of this, the staff is incredibly accommodating and friendly. From complimentary snacks, to accommodating us when we couldn't find the venue. We highly recommend this escape room!!! (Rock on!)
Jo Vreede
5/5
2 months ago
Escape HQ were amazing, I honestly don't fully know what I was expecting. but they went above and beyond my expectations. The puzzles were difficult but not frustratingly so. All of the clues really fit the theme of the room and the automation was really fun. I would absolutely recommend them and would love to go back and do another room. Mike was super lovely and helped heaps ((rock on?!))
Kayla Mackey
5/5
3 months ago
Over the weekend we did the Utterly Grazing room which we loved! We were skeptical at first but, it turned out to be great! Very challenging and having to think outside of the box.
The service was also exceptional!!
Will definately be returning to do the other one
Photo Courtesy of: Waikato Museum Te Whare Taonga o Waikato
Luna Hughes
4/5
a month ago
A nice museum to visit whilst in Hamilton because whilst we were there the entry was free except for one section which was for kids.
Good insight into Maori culture, traditions and their interactions with the pakeha that lead to the events post signing of the treaty. Also interesting art and sculptural exhibits featuring iconic local NZ artists.
Frying Kiwi
5/5
7 months ago
Great place to spend a chilly winter's day, keep my son entertained and engaged for the whole afternoon
Mathieu Williams
5/5
8 months ago
It was cool but ya have to pay to get into a section seeing the history is definitely worth going to.
Photo Courtesy of: Alan Isaac
Maria Da Silveira
5/5
3 months ago
Such a beautiful place of worship and praise.
The structure is unique and the beautiful stain glass windows hold their own magnificent meaning.
I went one afternoon around 1500hrs and the place was serene. One could just sit and unload one's anxieties to God and contemplate.
Roger MacDonald
5/5
4 months ago
Simply a stunningly beautiful cathedral, timeless in design, acoustically flawless, dignified in structure, warm, a lovely place for reflection and worship. A credit to the Catholic Church as the hub of the Catholic diocese for the Waikato region. I recently attended a family funeral at the cathedral and couldn't think of a nicer place to be to be amongst family and traverse and witness all the feelings of grief, reflection and celebration.
Stephanie Fong
5/5
2 months ago
Beautiful cathedral , wheelchair accessible and very close to city centre
Photo Courtesy of: Shayline Engelbrecht
Loran McLay
5/5
2 months ago
We travelled to Hamilton as we are big escape room fans and tried all 4 rooms over 24 hours. Here are the rooms in order of our favourite:
* Murdoch manor
* Cigar Lounge
* Camp Amity
* Lost Villa
We found there was at least one puzzle type we hadn’t seen before in each room which is always great to see. Staff were great and tablets used meant we got hints when needed without spoiling the fun of solving the puzzle ourselves. Highly recommend.
Jo Vreede
5/5
2 months ago
I went during the school holidays with some family as they were visiting, we had so much fun. The Murdoch Manor room was super challenging but had a great environment. Loved it!
Danny Burt
3/5
4 months ago
It wasn't really my thing, but had fun with the family. However, great to get the brain engaged like it was.
Photo Courtesy of: Dejan Nakarada-Kordic
Nayro 80
4/5
7 months ago
The park itself is full of amazing things from the past and filled with many different types of flowers and trees that are pleasing to the human eye.
Many different trails to jog and run on, just absolutely breathtaking. The park is great for kids, they love going on the swings and slides and seeing those cute little birds. I'm just lost for words at this point so go and see it for your self.
brian cunningham
5/5
a week ago
Beautiful, quiet, well kept, almost serene compared to the madness of the city such a short distance away. A jewel of a walk in a city of beautiful walks
Daniel Willoughby
5/5
in the last week
This park is bloody brilliant. Kids love it close to town stroll down by the river go see the gardens and kids get to cool down in the summer
Photo Courtesy of: Hamilton Lake Domain
Sheena Maru
5/5
a year ago
Been coming here since a baby now I bring my baby's here
AJay Kumar
4/5
a year ago
Gud view n long track for walking.
Vern Atkinson (Varni)
5/5
6 months ago
A great place for family or yourself to just relax by the water and enjoy the views or feed the ducks or go for a pleasant walk by the water. Cafe and icecream is close by or bring your own food and have a picnic, plenty of spots to set up and relax. A lot of fun activities for the kids and all to learn while they play as well as a couple of great swings and play ground areas.
Photo Courtesy of: Balloons over Waikato
David Lazar
5/5
a month ago
I love balloons over Waikato I wish year iwi the Kiwi Comes back I love that balloon And I love SpongeBob balloon it’s the best
Jack Johnson
5/5
a month ago
I love the darth vader balloon it's the best balloon ever darth vader balloon and I whant to see darth Vader balloon again when it comes back to Hamilton city
Giri _KakiKereta
5/5
a year ago
It is very exciting when New Zealand has this festival