Top Hamilton Outdoor Activities

Enjoy on a morning guided tour of Hamilton Gardens, a 133-acre (54-hectare) site located along the Waikato River. Stroll among 21 themed gardens that exemplify botanical history and style. You’ll explore museum-style exhibitions of garden collections that represent civilizations throughout the world, from a Chinese dynasty to the Italian Renaissance. Learn from your docent how the garden was transformed from a garbage dump to this international treasure and popular attraction.

With only three tours a week and a handful of spots on each tour, make sure to book in advance for this small-group gourmet experience on the Coromandel coast. Spend the morning on a tranquil bush walk from Homunga Bay to the Waihi Beach, then stop on the beach for a picnic lunch full of locally-sourced produce. Afterward, enjoy the complex tastes of a ‘garden-to-plate’ dining experience at a local bistro, and pick your own complimentary gelato at a nearby creamery for dessert.

Explore the Waikato region on this all-day guided tour. First, hike to the top of the tallest waterfall in the North Island then take a short walk along the banks of the Te Waihou stream before sitting down for a gourmet picnic lunch at the Blue Spring. Since the region is known for its dairy farming, visit a local cheesemaker to sample some wares before heading to Vilagrads, a family-owned winery where you can sample a selection of wines and ports.