Hamilton City River Rides

Months of operation

All Year

Trail length:

10km

Trail grade:

Grade 1-2

This shared walkway and cycleway runs for 10km through central Hamilton, along the banks of the Waikato River.

The track is well signposted and can be accessed at multiple points along the river. It stretches between Pukete in the north, where it links with the nearby Hamilton Mountain Bike Track in Pukete Farm Park, and Hamilton Gardens in the south. It is suitable for riders of all fitness and experience levels.

There are park benches and grassy areas along the track for riders who want to stop to picnic, or sit and watch the boats, birds and people go by.

The track is shared by walkers, and cyclists should ride with care to ensure the safety of all users.

Highlights

Located in the heart of Hamilton
Hamilton Gardens, at the trails southern end

Pricing

Free

Trail access:

This ride can be accessed at various points along the trail.

Hamilton Gardens

Hamilton Gardens

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. 

SkyCity Hamilton

SkyCity Hamilton

SkyCity Hamilton is situated inside the former Chief Post Office, in a building designed to maximise a superb riverside location on the banks of the Waikato River. With a range of dining and entertainment outlets, including EATBurger - voted the Waikato's best burger and The Local Taphouse - the first Good George bar in the CBD, there is something for everyone at SkyCity Hamilton! Enjoy the excitement and atmosphere of the Main Gaming Floor with over 300 gaming machines and 23 table games (R20 to enter the casino) or strike up a little competition on level two with Hamilton's only bowling alley, Bowl and Social, a world-class venue offering non-stop fun and state of the art technology!

Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum & Gallery

Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum & Gallery

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.

Sands Carving Studio

Carve Your Own Niho (Simple)

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 niho: a tooth. By the end of the workshop, participants will have a fully completed and bound greenstone niho to take home.

Rotor Work

Waikato Helicopter Experiences

Gather up friends or family and treat yourself to your own personal helicopter flight to your destination of choice. Travel to a destination of your choice in a helicopter via a scenic route. Relax and soak up the local attractions and eateries followed by a return flight.

Phillip Bartlett

2026 New Zealand Photo Workshop - Ocean Birds of Kaikōura 3 Days

Kaikōura is often considered the best place in New Zealand to photograph a wide variety of albatross, and other pelagic bird species, in their natural habitat. This is your chance to photograph these amazing seabirds close up. On this workshop we take two private boat trips to the feeding grounds where the birds congregate, and we enjoy ample opportunities to capture in-flight and on-the-water behaviours. This wildlife bird photography workshop is limited to just 6 participants so book your place today. We welcome you to join us on this exciting photography adventure.

All things to do

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