Hamilton Arts Festival

Activity Suggestions

Make the most of your visit to the Mighty Waikato with these great activity suggestions. From underground wonders and Middle-earth Movie Magic to wildlife encounters, indoor activities and much more.

Indoor Activities:

• Treasures in the Landscape at The Sculpture Park at Waitakaruru Arboretum: A rare opportunity to experience exceptional New Zealand sculpture.
• Bowl & Social at SkyCity Hamilton: Check out SkyCity Hamilton's Bowl & Social for ten pin bowling, great food and timezone games.
• Waikato Museum: With top art, history and interactive kids exhibitions the Waikato Museum is a perfect indoor activity for the entire family.
• Zealong Tea Estate: Treat yourself to a high tea overlooking the stunning tea plantation.
• Morrinsville Art Gallery: Free contemporary art gallery.

Outdoor Activities:

• Hobbiton Movie Set: Discover movie magic with a guided tour through the permanent set as seen in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film trilogies.
• Hamilton Gardens: Explore the award-winning Hamilton Gardens and discover different civilisations and historically important garden styles from the farthest reaches of the world.
• Hamilton Zoo: Home to over 600 native and exotic animals and set amidst 25ha of lush and tranquil surroundings, Hamilton Zoo is the destination for a memorable day out.
• Riverside Adventures: Riverside Adventure’s shuttle service is available to pick up and drop off any adventurers at Te Awa River Ride and Hauraki Rail Trail. If you’re after gear hire, Riverside Adventures has got regular bikes, e-bikes and accessories to make a day of it.
• Cornerstone Alpaca Stud: Experience the ultimate alpaca experience with one of Cornerstone Alpaca Farm Tours, where you can meet and feed beautiful alpacas.
• Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari: Discover walks through native forest for close encounters with birdlife and reptiles.
• Camjet: Take an Extreme Jet Boat Tour - a breathtaking adrenaline rush to the base of the Karapiro Dam and back to Cambridge. 
• Woodlands Historic Homestead and Gardens: Experience a journey into history and appreciate the timeless beauty and refinement of early Victorian lifestyle in rural New Zealand.
• Takapoto Estate: At Takapoto Estate you can experience a guided tour of the expansive property and its associated eco-initiatives. 
• The Red Barn: Enjoy a delightfully authentic rural New Zealand experience on our fully operational 500-acre A2 dairy farm, followed by a delectable morning tea, or country-style lunch.
• Tieke Golf Estate: a world-class golf course in Hamilton, New Zealand.
• City Loop Cultural Tour with RiverRiders: a captivating tour that begins at the iconic Hamilton Gardens, setting the stage for an unforgettable experience.
• Helicorp: luxury helicopter flights throughout New Zealand.
• Kiwi Balloon Company: Enjoy a panoramic view over the beautiful Waikato area from a hot air balloon.
• Nikau Cave & Cafe: Enjoy a guided cave tour and cafe, in a stunning limestone landscape.
• Plus much more.

Visiting from out of town?

From inner city hotels and motels to rural lodges and beachside holiday parks, the region boasts a range of accommodation to suit all budgets and tastes.

• Novotel Tainui Hamilton: On the banks of the Waikato River, within a short distance of the Hamilton City section of the Te Awa cycleway, Novotel offers all the creature comforts of a large hotel.
• Jet Park Hotel Hamilton Airport: Conveniently located adjacent to Hamilton Airport. Enjoy a quiet setting, home-style food, and replenishing outdoor spaces at Jet Park Hotel Hamilton Airport. 
• Ibis Tainui Hamilton: The hotel presents the only restaurant in the city with breath taking views of the Waikato River - a great place to enjoy unique local flavours
• Te Karaka Lodge: Luxurious rural escape into nature, surrounded by breathtaking landscape.
• Heartland Ambassador Hotel Hamilton: Located in the heart of the city, Heartland Ambassador Hotel Hamilton is within a short walking distance to FMG Waikato Stadium
• Hidden Lake Hotel & Apartments: Boutique and contemporary accommodation situated in the heritage town of Cambridge.
• Castaways Resort: Enjoy ocean front studio or chalet accommodation. All accommodation has sea views, super king beds, wireless internet, Sky TV, kitchenettes as well as private decks.
• Tuakau Hotel: A boutique hotel with warm, friendly hospitality at the Gateway to Waikato within a short drive from Auckland.

Top places to eat

• Hayes Common (33 Jellicoe Drive, Hamilton East)
• Gothenburg Restaurant (17 Grantham Street, Hamilton Centra)

Flying to Hamilton?

With direct flights daily from Wellington, Christchurch and more, it's easy for the extended family to fly to the Waikato for a visit this summer.

• Find Flights: Fly direct to Hamilton airport. With taxis and Uber it is super easy to get to the city centre from the airport.