Balloons over Waikato
19 - 23 March 2024 - Hamilton
Big ones, bright ones, crazily shaped ones – they’re all there putting on a magnificent show. It’s part of the hugely successful five-day Balloons over Waikato, the premier ballooning festival in New Zealand.
Activity Suggestions
Make the most of your visit to the Mighty Waikato with these great activity suggestions. From underground wonders and Middle-earth Movie Magic to wildlife encounters, indoor activities and much more.
Indoor Activities:
- Bowl & Social at SkyCity Hamilton: Check out SkyCity Hamilton's Bowl & Social for ten pin bowling, great food and timezone games.
- Waikato Museum: With top art, history and interactive kids exhibitions the Waikato Museum is a perfect indoor activity for the entire family.
- Zealong Tea Estate: Treat yourself to a high tea overlooking the stunning tea plantation.
Outdoor Activities:
- Waitomo Glowworm Caves: Visit the world famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves and gaze in awe at the galaxy of glowworms.
- Hobbiton Movie Set: Discover movie magic with a guided tour through the permanent set as seen in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film trilogies.
- Hamilton Gardens: Explore the award-winning Hamilton Gardens and discover different civilisations and historically important garden styles from the farthest reaches of the world.
- Hamilton Zoo: Home to over 600 native and exotic animals and set amidst 25ha of lush and tranquil surroundings, Hamilton Zoo is the destination for a memorable day out.
- Waitomo Adventures: Get your adrenaline pumping with a zipline, abseil or black water rafting trip with Waitomo Adventures.
- Spellbound Glowworm and Cave Tours: Raft gently beneath Waitomo’s largest and most impressive glowworm display.
- Riverside Adventures: Riverside Adventure’s shuttle service is available to pick up and drop off any adventurers at Te Awa River Ride, Hauraki Rail Trail and the Timber Trail. If you’re after gear hire, Riverside Adventures has got regular bikes, e-bikes and accessories to make a day of it.
- Hampton Downs: Challenge friends and family to a few laps of go-karting at Hampton Downs and get the blood pumping with a V8 Muscle Car or Supercar experience.
- Cornerstone Alpaca Stud: Experience the ultimate alpaca experience with one of Cornerstone Alpaca Farm Tours, where you can meet and feed beautiful alpacas.
- Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari: Discover walks through native forest for close encounters with birdlife and reptiles.
Camjet: Take an Extreme Jet Boat Tour - a breathtaking adrenaline rush to the base of the Karapiro Dam and back to Cambridge. - Woodlands Historic Homestead and Gardens: Experience a journey into history and appreciate the timeless beauty and refinement of early Victorian lifestyle in rural New Zealand.
- Grassroot Trust Velodrome: If you’re keen to experience riding on a world class velodrome, book in to a Have A Go session at the Velodrome.
- Raglan Kayak & Paddleboard: Explore Raglan's stunning Limestone Coast, secluded bays, black sand beaches and more with Raglan Kayak's Tours & Rentals.
- Takapoto Estate: At Takapoto Estate you can experience a guided tour of the expansive property and its associated eco-initiatives.
- The Red Barn: Enjoy a delightfully authentic rural New Zealand experience on our fully operational 500-acre A2 dairy farm, followed by a delectable morning tea, or country-style lunch.
- Camjet: Take an Extreme Jet Boat Tour - a breathtaking adrenaline rush to the base of the Karapiro Dam and back to Cambridge.
- Plus much more.
Visiting from out of town?
From inner city hotels and motels to rural lodges and beachside holiday parks, the region boasts a range of accommodation to suit all budgets and tastes.
- Novotel Tainui Hamilton: On the banks of the Waikato River, within a short distance of the Hamilton City section of the Te Awa cycleway, Novotel offers all the creature comforts of a large hotel.
- Jet Park Hotel Hamilton Airport: Conveniently located adjacent to Hamilton Airport. Enjoy a quiet setting, home-style food, and replenishing outdoor spaces at Jet Park Hotel Hamilton Airport.
- Distinction Hotel Hamilton: Boasting 147 rooms and suites, many refurbished in 2017, free unlimited Wi-Fi, restaurant & bar, fitness centre, indoor swimming pool & spa pools.
- Ibis Tainui Hamilton: The hotel presents the only restaurant in the city with breath taking views of the Waikato River - a great place to enjoy unique local flavours
- Te Karaka Lodge: Luxurious rural escape into nature, surrounded by breathtaking landscape.
- Podium Lodge: Modern 86-bed facility, offering a unique accommodation experience in a peaceful rural setting.
- Ramada by Wyndham: 69-room, 3+ star hotel features a variety of room categories to suit every traveller.
- Heartland Ambassador Hotel Hamilton: Located in the heart of the city, Heartland Ambassador Hotel Hamilton is within a short walking distance to FMG Waikato Stadium
- Hidden Lake Hotel & Apartments: Boutique and contemporary accommodation situated in the heritage town of Cambridge.
- Castaways Resort: Enjoy ocean front studio or chalet accommodation. All accommodation has sea views, super king beds, wireless internet, Sky TV, kitchenettes as well as private decks.
- Waitomo TOP 10 Holiday Park: Clean family friendly holiday park offering motels, ensuite units, cabins, powered and non-powered camp sites.
- Waitomo Village Chalets: Offers a range of options including private chalets with en ensuites.
Flying to Hamilton?
With direct flights daily from Wellington, Christchurch and more, it's easy for the extended family to fly to the Waikato for a visit this summer.
- Find Flights: Fly direct to Hamilton airport. With taxis and Uber it is super easy to get to the city centre from the airport.
- Hertz Hamilton: Conveniently located at Hamilton Airport, you can hop off the plane and grab a rental car from Hertz.