Nature Lovers: 1 day
If your perfect holiday is full immersion in some of the best Mother Nature has to offer, this is the itinerary for you. It takes the road south from Hamilton City, calling first in Te Awamutu, famed for its beautiful rose gardens and where the museum is also well worth a visit. From there head to the award-winning nature experience that is Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari.
Hamilton to Te Awamutu
Depart Hamilton, driving south along SH3 to Te Awamutu and spend the morning checking out this rural town.
In Te Awamutu
- Visit Te Awamutu Rose Gardens, in full bloom between November and April but pleasant any time of the year.
- Visit Te Awamutu Museum (open daily except Sundays). Long-term exhibitions include the Te Ara Wai Journey gallery - the first stop on your free self-guided journey of culturally significant sites through the Waipā district as well as a gallery with Māori taonga (treasures) and a New Zealand Wars display.
- Alternatively, head for nearby Mt Pirongia where you will find a wide variety of walking and hiking trails through native forest, ranging from short and easy to longer and more challenging.
- The local golf clubs in Te Awamutu and Pirongia also welcome visitors if a morning of golf is your preference.
Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari
After lunch, head for the acclaimed Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari
Here you can take a guided tour or go walkabout by yourself. Ensure you visit the southern enclosure to see the native birdlife that makes the mountain home, including the rare stitchbird, or hihi in Māori.
Return to Hamilton.
