Explore Hamilton City, New Zealand, With These 4 Great Activities!

1.Visit Middle Earth in Matamata

The Lord of The Rings movies were an international hit, and in Matamata you can visit the set for the village of Hobbiton, also known as Middle Earth.

For fans and fanatics of the films this is a must do on your list. The film set is located on a beautiful sheep farm, and the natural surroundings will stun and awe you. There are buses and tours that run daily to and from the town of Matamata.

There are several different tours on offer and you can book onsite at Hobbiton or online, prices start from 79 NZD (52 USD). Tours run for an hour, so plan ahead on getting there early as you will meet your friendly guide at the Shire’s Rest.

The tour itself is interesting and you get to see all the main buildings as featured in the movies, including Bilbo Baggins’ house! The tour guide will give you plenty of in depth knowledge about the village and filming, so enjoy getting more familiar with the epic movies! There are also plenty of photo opportunities and the guides are very happy to take your photo at any of the areas for you.

Just keep in mind that some of the set’s features have been removed due to being weathered over time but have been replaced with replicas or look-alikes.

At the end of your tour you will receive a complimentary themed beverage and then you are free to explore the shop and cafe areas. This is a good opportunity to explore the shop for memorabilia and keepsakes of the experience and movies.

2. Stroll through the delightful Hamilton Gardens

The Hamilton Gardens have to be one my personal favorite activities to do in Hamilton. They are updated and changed on a regular basis, but there are a few areas that are kept within the same theme. Entry to the gardens is free, but you can make a donation at the information centre.

Allocate a whole day here, if you can, as there are many walking tracks and different garden areas to see and explore! Getting here early is the trick to getting a good parking space, the main car park is located not very far from the information centre so you can grab a map and begin your journey. A good cafe is located here, as well as a large man-made lake where you can feed the ducks, swans, and geese.

The first place to head to should be the themed gardens; these are kept as traditional as possible, and made to look exactly like a garden from the country it is named after. There is an old English Country Garden with herbs and roses climbing along the walls, a Japanese Contemplation Garden, a Chinese Scholar’s Garden, a vibrant colourful Indian Garden, and a beautiful Italian Renaissance Garden. These are spectacular and in the Indian and Italian Gardens you can sit on a marble viewing platform to look out over the Waikato River.

Afterwards, there are plenty of other areas to see including a traditional Maori garden area, tropical gardens, and gardens dedicated to different purposes such as medicinal or food plants. The newest garden is based on fantasies and includes book characters such as Alice in Wonderland and more!

Guided tours that can be booked at the information centre are available if you would like to find out more. River boat cruises are available from here as well. I would suggest making your own way through the gardens, that way you can return to your favorites or do several round trips – it is that enjoyable!

3. Watch an event at the FMG Waikato Stadium

The FMG Waikato Stadium is located right in the city centre and is a perfect way to get involved with New Zealand culture. The Waikato is known for its sporting events and there is no shortage of games here!

The Waikato Rugby Union Team is popular in New Zealand, and watching a game will bring you into the heart of New Zealand’s sporting culture. It’s no surprise that most New Zealanders are mad about rugby and are dedicated supporters!

Major international events, such as Nitro Circus, hold regular shows here, so do check out their website to find out what’s on around the time you’re visiting and check something out!

It’s very easy to get here and the next street over from the stadium, Ulster Street, is bursting with accommodation options.

4. Enjoy a cruise down New Zealand's longest river!

If you’re in Hamilton on a Saturday you have to go and explore the river on a scenic cruise on the Waikato River Explorer! The Waikato River Explorer runs scenic cruises every two hours and is a great way to enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the New Zealand bush. It also allows you to see the city from a different point of view! It is a budget-friendly activity with adult tickets costing 26 NZD (17 USD). There are also plenty of options to destination points such as a tour of the popular events area Mystery Creek.

Start your tour from the Hamilton Gardens and enjoy the relaxing lap of the water as you cruise up the river towards the city. With a fully licensed bar and cafe on board there isn’t a better way to enjoy the Waikato River.