Heliworx Waikato

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. 

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 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!

Starting at Waikato Museum, this guided walking tour offers an insight into the varied stories of Hamilton's past, from the traditions and legends of Kirikiriroa, through the early days of the settlement by Europeans, to the booming central city of the glory days in the 1950s. Learn about the quirky characters of Hamilton's past, hear stories about the major events that shaped the areas around the Museum and view the stunning public art, original architectural features and mighty river. This is an external guided walking tour that is wheelchair conducive.

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

Hamilton’s Classic Car Museum - venue hire - themed diner. A classic car museum with something designed to cater for every member of the family. We have over 100 cars for display and an extensive collection of petrol memorabilia – signs, tins, petrol pumps, pedal cars and early pin ball machines. The Jukebox Diner is situated inside the museum, a themed 1950s diner, the perfect spot to relax and enjoy a meal or a coffee. The Diner also has a fenced off children’s area with rides to help keep your younger family members entertained why you relax and enjoy your experience. We have a conference room available for hire with seating for up to 100 people and for those larger groups full hireage of the venue is available for up to 300 people.