Somersal Bed & Breakfast / Wedding Venue

From ancient Egypt to a 21-century Concept Garden. Admission to the enclosed gardens requires a paid entry fee for visitors who live outside of Hamilton, with children under 16 years of age free. Unlike any botanical garden, our unique attraction is rated among the top 3 things to do in New Zealand and is in the top 1% of attractions globally on TripAdvisor. Discover the magic of Hamilton Gardens with one of our tours. Whether you're a first-time explorer or a returning visitor, this immersive journey unveils fascinating tales, discovering the cultural significance woven into every petal and pathway.  Or opt for an Audio Guide to enjoy a narrated journey through the ages and across the continents, exploring at your own pace. 

Haere mai! Welcome to Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum & Gallery. Perched above the mighty Waikato River, this world-class museum and art gallery is the artistic and cultural heart of the Waikato. Visit us to experience visual stories and guided activities that bring our art, history, culture and science to life through an inspirational programme that aims to challenge and inspire you.

Our morning begins with a journey to the South Waikato for a gentle walk along the banks of Te Waihou river that leads to the famous Blue Springs. We find a tucked away pocket of nature to enjoy a hot brew with a view. Waikato is a region renown for it's dairy farming and local produce, so it's only natural that we visit a local cheese maker to sample some of the best cheeses in New Zealand. A visit to the largest mainland ecological island in New Zealand is a must when in the Waikato, and we've got a special experience lined up for you. Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari is home to our rarest birds and the forest is pristine. Our afternoon is rounded off with a visit to the largest organic blueberry orchard in the southern hemisphere.

Always wanted to try archery? Then come join one of our taster sessions and learn how to shoot an Olympic style bow. We offer the very best quality equipment and expertise to give you a great fun introduction to archery, whether you just want to try something new or find out how to get into the sport and make the next Olympics. These sessions are run outdoors at Archers' Hill in Ōhaupō or indoors in Cambridge whenever we get enough interest, so just email or call us for more information.

This workshop is designed for entry-level carvers with zero carving experience, and will take up to 2 - 3 hours. In this workshop, we will cover the basic skills necessary for stone-carving and will guide participants through the process of creating a basic traditional Māori pendant - the hei toki: an adze. By the end of the workshop, participants will have a fully completed and bound greenstone hei toki to take home.

The exhibition features images and costumes from the film ‘Ka Whawhai Tonu’ – ‘Struggle without end’ directed by Michael Jonathan. Come in and visit the exhibit and immerse yourself in the local history of this story today. Please note the film has an M rating, hence parental supervision is recommended when viewing this exhibition with young children.