Hamilton City

Oceania

/

New Zealand

/

Hamilton City

Hamilton, New Zealand, is the largest metropolitan area in the country. It is located in the Waikato district, about an hour and a half drive from Auckland. Originally, Hamilton was one of the Maori villages, including Kikiriroa. When British settlers arrived, some of the villages were abandoned. The area where the British settled was later named Hamilton, in honor of Commander Fane Charles Hamilton who was killed at the battle of Gate Pa.

One popular tourist destination in Hamilton is Hamilton Gardens. In the 1960s, Hamilton Gardens used to be a garbage dump. However, it has since been transformed into a beautiful garden and is now considered one of the best gardens in the world, covering an area of 54 hectares. Hamilton Gardens is also home to Te Parapara, New Zealand's first traditional Maori garden, where traditional ceremonies related to food production and storage are often held.

Another attraction in Hamilton is the beautiful Waikato River. In this area, you can find Hobbiton, the original Village Movie Set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movie trilogies. It is a must-visit for travelers coming to New Zealand.

Hamilton also offers other exciting activities for travelers, such as soaking in natural hot springs to relieve fatigue, watching world horse racing, and surfing at Raglan beach. With its diverse range of attractions, Hamilton has everything that tourists need, making it a great destination for your next vacation.

Get to Know Hamilton City

Take a tour of this destination's highlights

Travel Tips for Hamilton City

What you need to know before traveling here

Getting Around Hamilton City

A guide to Hamilton City's local transportation

Busit (Local Bus)

Intercity (National Bus)

Te Huia Train

Hamilton Taxi

Rent a Car

Hamilton has a total of 24 local bus services and 12 regional services. The local bus service in Hamilton, known as Busit, operates more than 1,000 stops and carries around four million passengers annually. Most bus services operate to and from the Hamilton Transport Centre. The Busit counter is open from 08.00 am to 04.30 pm, Monday to Friday. Passengers can visit the Busit counter for bus-related information and to top up their Bee Card, which is used for payment on this transportation system.

Busit services can be used to travel to and from the Hamilton CBD on Friday and Saturday evenings, as well as from the Hamilton Transport Centre to the Hamilton Airport.

Practical Tips for Hamilton City

Things to prepare and best way to visit

Weather in Hamilton throughout the year

Hamilton has a mild and temperate climate with generally warm temperatures. The area receives significant rainfall, even during months that historically have low levels of rainfall. The average temperature in Hamilton ranges from 14 to 15 degrees Celsius. The highest temperatures occur between November and March, while the lowest temperatures occur between May and September.

Top attractions to visit in Hamilton

One of the top attractions in Hamilton is Hamilton Garden, a public park located in the southern part of the city. Situated on the banks of the Waikato River, the garden features an indoor garden, lake, kindergarten, convention center, and Hamilton East Cemetery. It is the most popular attraction in the area, attracting over 1 million visitors annually. The park also offers a waterfall lookout and a lake walkway.

Another popular destination is Hobbiton, the filming location for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movie trilogies. This site draws hundreds of thousands of tourists who are fans of these films. It showcases 39 meticulously designed Hobbit houses, with Bag End being the most famous. Inside Hobbiton, visitors can explore the Alexander family farm, which offers a picturesque, green, grassy, and hilly landscape.

Must-try cuisines in Hamilton

Hamilton boasts a variety of dining experiences that are worth exploring. Some must-try meals while on vacation there include Hereford Prime Beef, Gouda, White Asparagus, and Te Matuku Bay Oysters.

Best areas to stay in Hamilton

There are several areas in Hamilton where you can choose to stay. Firstly, the Central Business District (CBD) is the historical, cultural, shopping, and business center of the city. It is filled with cafes, restaurants, casinos, and pubs. The CBD offers the advantage of being very walkable. Secondly, the area near Hamilton Garden, located southeast of the city center. This garden complex showcases replicas that depict the history of landscapes around the world.

North Hamilton is a typical suburban area that offers some interesting attractions, such as the Hamilton Zoo. Lastly, there is the area near the Hobbiton Movie Set, where The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies were filmed.

Do's and don'ts in Hamilton

While visiting Hamilton, it is important to follow basic hygiene practices to prevent the transmission of Covid-19. Treat people with respect regardless of their race, gender, or social status. Remember to drive on the left side of the road and consider learning a few Maori words and phrases, although English is widely spoken. It is advised not to antagonize the locals, especially by making racist, sexist, or unwelcome jokes, and to adhere to the speed limit while driving.