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City in Waikato, New Zealand
Photo: Nzwj, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Hamilton (Kirikiriroa in Māori) is an inland city in the Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island. In 2020, Hamilton was awarded the title of most beautiful large city in New Zealand. Hamilton Gardens is the region's most popular tourist attraction.
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In addition to 'normal' gardens such as a rose garden and the Rhododendron Lawn, you can see 'themed' gardens, such as the Chinese Scholar Garden, or the American Revolutionist Garden, among others.
Home to over 600 native New Zealand and exotic animals. Kids especially enjoy it. To get there, enter Hamilton from the north or south on SH1, and look for the signs on the section of SH1 called Avalon Drive (Te Rapa area in the north).
General art and culture displays and exhibits about New Zealand and international cultures.
Only commercial tea farm in NZ. Tours, restaurant and retail shop.
Hosted at Mystery Creek, brings thousands of people (130,000 in 2016) from around the world. Taking place every June, this is a must-see for an insight to farming in New Zealand.
Each April is worth a look, especially the night glow event.
Takes place every year at the end of February. Hosted in the renowned Hamilton Gardens, it includes music, theatre and film.
FMG Stadium Waikato
The home stadium of the Chiefs (Super Rugby) and the Waikato Rugby Union (Mitre 10 Cup). In 2023 it staged matches in the Women's World Cup for soccer, co-hosted by NZ and Australia.
The annual rugby sevens tournament, the fourth on the World Rugby Sevens Series circuit, will be played in Tauranga in 2020. The event, held in early February, involves teams from 16 countries. When held in Wellington, the event attracted over thirty thousand spectators annually. The tournament has become one of New Zealand's leading sporting events. It also has a reputation for a party atmosphere, with a large proportion of attendees choosing to wear fancy dress. Large groups of costumes have varied from Fred Flintstone and Wilma to Care Bears, dance troops, wrestlers and items of recent media interest or advertisements.
This cricket ground occasionally hosts Tests. Its capacity is only 10,000, so it's often likened to a village green.
A central city restaurant offering mainly pizza and salads.
An English-style pub at the end of Victoria Street.
A typical student bar and the main bar for the university orientation week.
The main sport bar in the city, in the Skycity casino building. Includes a deck with views over the river. Also on the same floor as a bowling alley and laser tag activities.
formerly YHA
Nice hostel, but single rooms are tiny.
Central location and breakfast is included, but some rooms don't have windows and so get hot in summer
A studio cottage sleeping up to three people and includes a kitchenette, bathroom, off-street parking, free Internet access. Five minutes walk from central Hamilton.
Luxury homestay or farmstay 12 minutes drive from Hamilton, in the heart of New Zealand's most fertile region, the Waikato. Tours of the three-hundred cow dairy farm.
26 1-bedroom units and 3 studio units in central Hamilton. Easy access to the main bars, casinos, shopping and Hamilton's information centre.
Free WiFi, outdoor pool, hot tub, BBQ facilities.
Many rooms include a view of the city's majestic river.
The city's largest hotel and the only 4.5-star rated hotel, next to Hamilton's only casino.
Centrally located.
The mall includes cafes, restaurants and clothing stores.
The Base includes a mall (Te Awa) and many department stores.
An art gallery showcasing local work. Well worth a visit, and also offers a range of items for sale, from paintings to glass blown paperweights.
By car
Because New Zealand's major highway (SH 1) skirts the city, getting to Hamilton is simple. Drive south down State Highway 1 (SH 1) from Auckland.
By train
The Northern Explorer train runs 3 days a week from Auckland to Hamilton (departs 7:45AM, arrives 10:15AM), at $48 per person one way, then continues to Wellington.
By plane
Hamilton Airport hosts domestic flights, as well as low-cost carrier flights to/from Australia. Air New Zealand has regular direct flights from:
A bus service is provided by Environment Waikato.nz/hamilton-routes, and cover the whole city.
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Hamilton · Regional · HLZ
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