Zealong Tea Estate
Whether you’re looking for the complete luxurious package or a little bit of indulgence to complement your holiday, you can find it in the Waikato region. Five star accommodation, top golf courses, high-end fashion stores, hot air balloon rides, gourmet eateries and fine vineyards can be found throughout, while the regions’ natural mineral spas are a true treat that will leave you completely rejuvenated.
Luxury accommodation includes hidden gems tucked away around the region and a selection of beautiful five-star lodgings. Whether your style is a romantic B&B hideaway amongst the peaceful rolling hills, an exclusive retreat overlooking the dramatic west coast or a luxurious lodge with stunning vistas of Lake Karapiro, peace and relaxation will be at the forefront of your stay.
Te Aroha Mineral Spas
Excellent restaurants are also plentiful throughout the region, reflecting the locals’ love of fine cuisine. A multitude of cafes and restaurants serve the best of New Zealand and international cuisine in Hamilton’s central precinct, while other regional restaurants have become a destination in their own right, often pairing with gourmet producers, such as Zealong Tea Estate, to offer fine dining in a unique setting. Artisan producers and cheesemakers are also dotted throughout the region and bustling weekend markets sell fresh local produce as well as local crafts and gifts.
When it comes to pampering, there are several beauty spas whose blissful treatments will eradicate the stresses of life in no time. Divine body treatments are just one of the spoils available at the Te Aroha Mineral Spas which draws on New Zealand’s only natural soda spring deep under the bush-clad mountain. The therapeutic waters have been drawing visitors for centuries for their unique remedial properties, and the mineral spas have furthered the experience with aromatherapy options to leave you completely revived and rejuvenated.
Hot Air Balloon Ride
For a truly indulgent experience, a hot air balloon ride will create lasting memories as you float calmly over the green countryside, enjoying magical views of the Waikato River, Lake Karapiro and the wonderful mountains of Maungatautari and Pirongia, over the rolling green farmland to the west coast.
If your idea of relaxation takes the form of a leisurely round of golf then you’re in luck. Lush fareways and manicured greens are a feature of the region and there is a wide variety of courses on offer. For those in a shopping frame of mind, a world of retail outlets awaits, with boutique shopping in Hamilton, Cambridge and Te Awamutu, high street fashion stores in Hamilton Central, The Base and Westfield Chartwell Shopping Centres, the famed Anna Stretton headquarters in Morrinsville and unique gift stores throughout the region including the charming Casabella Lane in Central Hamilton.
If an arts excursion is your kind of indulgence, there are a number of galleries and studios to be found throughout Hamilton & Waikato featuring unique local art pieces and original works. Browse the varied exhibitions of art, history and culture at your leisure at the region’s local museums or enjoy the performing arts at one of Hamilton’s city theatres.