Top Things to do in Hamilton & Waikato Region
Top Hotels in Hamilton & Waikato Region
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Top 10 Things to do Good for Big Groups in Hamilton & Waikato Region, North Island
Discover the best top things to do in Hamilton & Waikato Region, New Zealand including Hamilton Gardens, Ruakuri Walk, Wildcoast Ruapuke Horse Riding, Blue Spring, Hamilton Zoo, Aranui Cave, Alphra Lavenders, Ruakuri Cave, Waikato Stadium, Caveworld.
Restaurants in Hamilton & Waikato Region
1. Hamilton Gardens
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,439 reviews
Explore an enchanting world of secret gardens. Transport yourself through time and to far-flung corners of the world. Meander through a lush tropical jungle, visit ancient China and indulge yourself in a Renaissance Prince's 16th century garden. Five garden collections have been created to delight the senses, with some garden concepts reaching back 4,000 years. Hamilton Gardens is a conceptual garden based in the Waikato that explores the context, history and meaning of gardens through time, and from around the world. It is internationally recognised for its unique concept and is the Waikato region's most popular tourist destination. Only five minutes drive from Hamilton's CBD, the Gardens is open 7 days a week during daylight hours and entry and parking is free. Access is off SH1, alongside Cobham Drive on the southern side of Hamilton.
Reviewed By Adamc7651
The gardens are a good activity to do for the whole family! Our friends and family enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and stunning gardens
2. Ruakuri Walk
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 374 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By Lula444 - London, United Kingdom
Lovey short walk through beautiful forest with a couple of viewing decks - very well maintained paths, lots of steps
3. Wildcoast Ruapuke Horse Riding
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 76 reviews
Reviewed By marktG1878KF
Amazing afternoon ride with Wayne and the team. Epic scenery and great hosts. The horses were in great condition and well behaved. We stayed at one of the cabins on site as well and it was awesome as well. Such a magic spot. Highly recommended!
4. Blue Spring
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 55 reviews
Reviewed By 83nikk - Auckland Central, New Zealand
I've driven past here so many times and never stopped, I'm so glad we finally did. There are 2 entrances, one is a 15 min walk and the other 1.5 hours - so make sure you get the right one. Beautiful river and springs, hopefully the sun ☀️ is shining when you visit to make the crystal clear water really glow.
5. Hamilton Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 842 reviews
The North Island's largest Zoo is home to over 600 native and exotic animals and set amidst 25ha of lush and tranquil surroundings
Reviewed By gaysie2013 - Braidwood, Australia
Loved this zoo So clean and well maintained The animals have large enclosures and look healthy and happy Highly recommend
6. Aranui Cave
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 170 reviews
Reviewed By 29Kathie - Christchurch, New Zealand
Enjoyed our cave tour, very pretty inside, great tour guide, we did 2 caves including the glowworms boat tour
7. Alphra Lavenders
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By NaliniG127
We enjoyed visiting this lavender farm. The owners were really friendly and even gave us a quick tour/info session. There are also a wide range of high quality lavender based products on sale at a very reasonable price. We were pleasantly surprised that there was no entry fee. It was worth the 40 minute drive from Hamilton.
8. Ruakuri Cave
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 872 reviews
Reviewed By Hulij - New Zealand, null
Absolutely recommend Ruakuri Cave. We did the 90 min walking tour of this amazing cave. Hannah our guide was superb and so enthusiastic, really made the tour for us. Great engineering feat with the spiral entrance way and saw loads glow worms close up, better than the boat trip tour of Waitomo Cave we did straight after this tour. Able to take loads photos too. Kids loved it. A must do!
9. Waikato Stadium
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 166 reviews
Reviewed By mrscarolg - Ashby de la Zouch, United Kingdom
Visited for the GB lions rugby league tour arch against Tonga. Atmosphere fantastic, such a shame about the score! Food and drinks reasonably priced compared to many other stadiums. Also not too big so you feel more part of the action.
10. Caveworld
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 452 reviews
Caveworld offer two fantastic tours with the aim to create memorable caving and glowworm experiences for all our customers. Either choose our fun-filled black water rafting adventure Tube It, or bring your family and friends along and join our Footwhistle Glowworm Cave Tour, a relaxed one hour guided walk down through glowworm displays and formations. We are A family-run, locally owned and operated business, Cave World specialises in providing the personal and professional touch on our authentic Waitomo tours, with over 10,000 satisfied visitors experiencing our unique piece of New Zealand each year.
Reviewed By Paradise33065083454
The Footwhistle Cave is owned by a local family and is an excellent tour as well as being exceptional value for money. We were met at Waitomo Village by Ross (the Boss) and taken by van to the cave on private property. This is a very safe and educational tour with thousands of glow worms and a very good spoken history from Ross. The tour is followed by a refreshing cup of freshly brewed Kawakawa tea. We took three children with us and they thoroughly enjoyed the tour. I recommend it.
