Hamilton City River Walks

A scenic walking and cycling track follows the banks of the Waikato River through the heart of Hamilton.

The walk offers great views of the Waikato River and there are park benches and grassy areas along the track for those who want to sit and watch the boats, birds and people go by.

Towards the south of the river track are the Hamilton Gardens. These themed gardens are renowned internationally, especially for the Paradise Garden Collection – designed to showcase a history of gardens through time and a range of cultures, including Maori horticultural, Italian renaissance, English, Indian Char Bagh, and American modernist. Explore the garden’s peaceful meandering walks, or enjoy the many picnic spots.

These walks are wheelchair friendly, with many entry points, car parking, and conveniently located toilets.

Whether you walk the whole trail or just a portion, these Hamilton walks will leave you refreshed and renewed.

Pricing

Free

Proximity to Town:

Hamilton City: Along the western & eastern banks of the Waikato River with various entry points

Activity Duration:

Varies depending on track taken

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!

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.

Sands Carving Studio

Carve Your Own Roimata

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

Tourism New Zealand

Hobbiton, Rotorua, Taupō & Waitomo: 3-Day Private Highlights

Embark on a premier 3-day private journey through New Zealand’s iconic "Golden Triangle." This tour offers a seamless blend of cinematic magic, cultural immersion, and natural wonders with professional door-to-door service. Day 1 features the Hobbiton Movie Set with a buffet lunch and an evening of Māori culture at Mitai Village. Day 2 explores Rotorua and Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland before heading to the adventure hub of Taupō. Day 3 concludes with the magical Waitomo Glowworm Caves and the world-renowned Hamilton Gardens. Travelling in our premium Mercedes-Benz fleet, you enjoy total flexibility. We manage all logistics and transport, allowing you to relax and enjoy the lush Waikato landscape.

Good George Brewing

Good George Brewery Tour

For just $35 per person, you’ll hear the story of how Good George began, walk through the working brewery and distillery, and taste the magic for yourself while learning the techniques behind what we do best. To keep the Good times rolling, after the tour you’ll receive 10% off any of our take-home goodies. Our Tour times are as follows: 4.30pm, Thursdays and Fridays and 11am & 3pm, Saturdays and Sundays.

All things to do

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