Pukemako Scenic Reserve / Maungakawa Scenic Reserve

What was once a TB Sanatorium for returned servicemen, the Maungakawa scenic reserve boasts regenerating native forest with a scattering of exotic trees, plenty of native birdlife and the 30 minute loop walk.

The Pukemako Scenic Reserve Loop walk is set in the Pukemako Scenic Reserve (also known as Maungakawa Scenic Reserve) near Cambridge. This easy bush walk includes descriptive signage identifying native trees along the way and is perfect for young families.

The nearby Gudex Memorial Park is a fitting picnic spot, with wide open space, clear views of the Waikato and Hauraki Plains and stunning flowering cherries in the spring.

The reserve also boasts a rich heritage, with a magnificent Japanese walnut tree, camellia hedge, rhododendrons, bluebells and snowdrops all a legacy of the Thornton Garden. Old concrete footings and the shell of an old building are also visible remains of the TB sanatorium that gave the reserve the name Sanatorium Hill.

Please Note: Many of the walking trails in the Waikato region do not allow dogs. Hamilton & Waikato Tourism recommend checking with the Department of Conservation before taking your dog on any of the trails in the region.

Pricing

Free

Proximity to Town:

15 minutes from Cambridge, on Gudex Road, off Maungakawa Road

Activity Duration:

30 minutes / 1.2kms

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!

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.

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 Awamutu Museum

Resilience, Resistance, Remembrance

A temporary focused exhibition highlighting local stories that inspire, confront, and challenge our historical knowledge around New Zealand’s Land Wars here in the Waipā district, and how we can remember this important event in our history.

Waikato Tourism

The Sculpture Park at Waitakaruru Arboretum

Carved out of a hillside, this 42 acre former hard rock quarry has been transformed into a magnificent park with collections of trees and shrubs from around the world. The dramatic landscape provides the setting for the more than 70 sculptures on display - the park is the most extensive outdoor sculpture gallery in New Zealand. Featuring three new curated exhibitions per year, the park is open every day of the year. All weather walking tracks (sturdy shoes recommended) and ample parking; most sections accessible by wheelchair. The self-guided tour of at least 2km, provides a full-on sensory experience.

Sands Carving Studio

Carve Your Own Hei Toki (Simple)

This workshop is designed for entry-level carvers with zero carving experience, and will take up to 2 - 3 hours. In this workshop, we will cover the basic skills necessary for stone-carving and will guide participants through the process of creating a basic traditional Māori pendant - the hei toki: an adze. By the end of the workshop, participants will have a fully completed and bound greenstone hei toki to take home.

All things to do

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