Somersal Bed & Breakfast / Wedding Venue

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.

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. 

Set in rural Waikato, the Tree Church and Gardens are a haven for those who love gardens, love trees and love nature. At the heart of the 2.5 hectare (6 acre) garden is a living chapel made of trees grown over an iron frame and adorned with red roses. Visitors find peace and serenity here in the Tree Church, walking the labyrinth or simply resting on the lawns and gazing up at the trees. Joy and beauty are found in the flower beds, the avenues of blossoms and trees, the waterlilies in the pond, the circles of trees. Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic, to walk or to sit on the park benches and marvel at the beauty of the garden. Many couples are married in the Tree Church and then celebrate in the indoor and outdoor reception spaces.

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.

Enjoy a panoramic view over the beautiful Waikato area from a hot air balloon. We take off from Innes Common, by the lake in Hamilton, New Zealand. Flights are at sunrise when the air is still and quiet. Experience the breathtaking views of the mountain ranges, various lakes and green fields. The flight duration is around an hour. Plenty of time to soak up the surroundings. After the flight, enjoy sipping on a glass of champagne. What a way to start the day.

Carve your own traditional Māori pendant - the roimata: a teardrop. This workshop is designed for entry-level carvers with next to no carving experience, and will take up to 4 - 6 hrs. 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 roimata. By the end of the workshop, participants will have a fully completed and bound roimata to take home.