Hamilton City River Rides

Two people are cycling along a riverside path beside the Waikato River. They ride past the central city jetty located near the Waikato Museum in Hamilton, surrounded by lush greenery and trees.

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. 

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.

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!

Avantidrome

Grassroots Trust Velodrome – Guided Tour

Your guide will take you through areas not usually accessible to the public, sharing the history of the venue, how the unique 250-metre cycling track was built, and what makes it one of the fastest tracks in the world. Get up close to the track bikes used in competition, learn how the venue operates behind the scenes, and gain an insight into the technology, facilities and preparation that support world-class cycling. As the home venue for many national and international cycling events, there's also the chance to see riders training or competition preparations underway, depending on the day's activities. Group tours are available year-round, with options to combine your visit with an on-track Have-a-Go experience.

Sands Carving Studio

Carve Your Own Mere

Carve your own traditional Māori weapon - the mere: a greenstone club. This workshop is designed with entry-level carvers in mind, but some carving experience is highly recommended, and will take a minimum of 7 - 8 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 mere. By the end of the workshop, participants will have a fully completed and bound mere to take home.

Sands Carving Studio

Carve Your Own Hei Matau

Carve your own traditional Māori pendant - the hei matau: a fishhook. This workshop is designed for entry-level carvers with next to no carving experience, and will take up to 7 - 8 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 matau. By the end of the workshop, participants will have a fully completed and bound hei matau to take home.

All things to do

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