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.

Agri Travel is a full-service company specialising in tailor-made agricultural, horticultural and special interest itineraries for group travellers. We design and implement tours throughout New Zealand covering a vast array of interests and business sectors; dairy, sheep and beef, wine, cropping and forestry and a variety of special interests to suit each group. Tours can include technical visits to farms, orchards, research units and agribusinesses, and we can incorporate the best of New Zealand sightseeing to compliment the programme. We arrange all transport (including domestic air flights if required), accommodation, and site visits. We can provide specialist guides and translators.

Carve your own traditional Māori pendant - the hei toki: an adze. This workshop is designed for entry-level carvers with next to no carving experience, and will take up to 4 - 6 hours. In this workshop, we will cover the cultural history of the form, the tools and skills necessary for stone-carving and will guide participants through the process of creating a pounamu hei toki. By the end of the workshop, participants will have a fully completed and bound hei toki to take home.

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.

Join our friendly and knowledgeable tour guides for a journey of hidden stories, secret symbols, interesting snippets, and new insights into some of our most popular gardens. Perfect for first-time visitors or those who want to uncover the deeper meaning behind our beautiful gardens. Book your tour today for the ultimate Hamilton Gardens experience.