Victoria on the River

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.

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. 

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!

Avoid the crowds and travel at your own pace with our custom private day tour departing from Hamilton. This premium experience combines the North Island’s most iconic sites with hidden natural wonders. Begin your day at the Hobbiton Movie Set for a fully guided tour of the Shire. Next, enjoy a relaxed, custom lunch at the local-favourite Fat Kiwi in Ōtorohanga or a café in Matamata. Discover the crystal-clear beauty of the Blue Spring (Te Waihou Walkway) before heading underground to the world-famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves. You’ll travel in a modern, late-model vehicle selected for space and comfort. With door-to-door Hamilton pickup and a flexible itinerary, this is the ultimate way to see the Waikato’s best highlights in a single day.

Te Puna Wai Tours offers educational, interactive guided tours in the Waikato region showcasing local legacy and history. Our friendly, professional guides have a wealth of experience and knowledge of significance places, customs and practices in this captivating corner of Aotearoa. Enjoy exhilarating activities such as guided walking tours, E bike excursions, cultural competency workshops and the ever-popular West Coast Fishing Tour. There truly is something for everyone and we can’t wait to share our world with you – a unique adventure awaits, unlike any other cultural, historical, or outdoors experience you’ve had. Nau mai, haere mai.

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.