Hamilton Central Travel Guide

Hamilton

The Waikato River flowing through central Hamilton
The Waikato River flowing through central Hamilton
I would not usually consider a garden a must-see experience, but I am really glad a local told us to visit Hamilton Gardens. The experience of wandering through a maze of hedges that open into perfectly cultivated gardens plucked complete from other countries and other eras was quite possibly the closest I will ever come to feeling like Alice in Wonderland come to life. You never know what magical sight waits around the next bend in the path.
It's just a jump to the left...and then a step to your right. Tucked away off Victoria Street, you'll find the unlikely statue of Riff Raff from The Rocky Horror Picture Show in downtown Hamilton. Apparently it's creator, Richard O'Brien, lived and cut hair here in the spot of the now gone Embassy Theatre, which housed the Late Night Double Feature Picture Show. It's astounding!
Waikato featuring fishing and a lake or waterhole

Popular places to visit

I would not usually consider a garden a must-see experience, but I am really glad a local told us to visit Hamilton Gardens. The experience of wandering through a maze of hedges that open into perfectly cultivated gardens plucked complete from other countries and other eras was quite possibly the closest I will ever come to feeling like Alice in Wonderland come to life. You never know what magical sight waits around the next bend in the path.

Hamilton Central Business District

Hamilton Central Business District is just one of the places to see in Hamilton, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Stroll along the riverfront or visit the casinos in the area.

Hamilton Central Business District
Hamilton Gardens showing a bridge and a pond as well as a small group of people

Hamilton Gardens

From the peaceful Japanese Zen Garden to the explosion of color in the Indian Char Bagh Garden, anyone who loves nature will enjoy this man-made paradise.

Hamilton Gardens
the closeup image of auckland new zealand temple. A temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Hamilton New Zealand LDS Temple

Find out about the history of Hamilton when you take a trip to Hamilton New Zealand LDS Temple. While in this relaxing area, find time to visit its spas.

Hamilton New Zealand LDS Temple

SkyCity Hamilton

Why not roll the dice with a visit to SkyCity Hamilton during your visit to Hamilton? Visit the area's spas or amble around its riverfront.

SkyCity Hamilton

Hamilton Centre Place

You can enjoy retail therapy at Hamilton Centre Place during your stay in Hamilton. Visit the area's spas or amble around its riverfront.

Hamilton Centre Place

Waikato Museum of Art and History

Learn about the area’s rich Māori history, take in over 3,000 works of art and interact with the wonders of science in this ever-changing cultural center.

Waikato Museum of Art and History

Things to do

Lake Karapiro: Evening Kayak Glowworm Tour

Lake Karapiro: Evening Kayak Glowworm Tour

฿2,817
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Lake Karapiro: Evening Kayak Glowworm Tour
Raglan: Sunset Canyoning Tour and Glowworm Experience

Raglan: Sunset Canyoning Tour and Glowworm Experience

฿2,817
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Raglan: Sunset Canyoning Tour and Glowworm Experience
The best of Hamilton walking tour

The best of Hamilton Private walking tour

฿67,343
per adult
The best of Hamilton Private walking tour
Romantic tour in Hamilton

Romantic Private tour in Hamilton

฿66,106
per adult
Romantic Private tour in Hamilton
Cambridge, Matamata, Waitomo: 1-Hour Ecological River Cruise

Cambridge, Matamata, Waitomo: 1-Hour Ecological River Cruise

฿2,776
per adult
Cambridge, Matamata, Waitomo: 1-Hour Ecological River Cruise
Cambridge: Waikato River 45-Minute Extreme Jet Boat Ride

Cambridge Waikato New Zealand: Tour -45 Min Extreme Jet Boat

฿2,779
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Cambridge Waikato New Zealand: Tour -45 Min Extreme Jet Boat
See all activities in Hamilton

Top hotels in Hamilton Central

Ashwood Manor Motor Lodge

Ashwood Manor Motor Lodge

4 out of 5
16 Thackeray Street Hamilton
The price is ฿2,026 per night from 4 Mar to 5 Mar
฿2,026
฿2,330 total
4 Mar - 5 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Hamilton. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, room service and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions ArtsPost and Waikato Museum of Art and History are ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (843 reviews)
The room was spotless staff i met was friendly and helpful Geat stay thanks a lot

Reviewed on 23 Feb 2026

Ashwood Manor Motor Lodge
Ramada by Wyndham Hamilton City Center

Ramada by Wyndham Hamilton City Center

3.5 out of 5
287 Victoria Street Hamilton
The price is ฿2,097 per night from 8 Mar to 9 Mar
฿2,097
฿2,412 total
8 Mar - 9 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Hamilton. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 bars/lounges and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,000 reviews)
Very clean and comfortable bed! Thanks

Reviewed on 26 Feb 2026

Ramada by Wyndham Hamilton City Center
Anglesea Motel and Conference Centre

Anglesea Motel and Conference Centre

4.5 out of 5
36 Liverpool Street Hamilton
The price is ฿1,707 per night from 1 Mar to 2 Mar
฿1,707
฿1,963 total
1 Mar - 2 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury aparthotel in Hamilton. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and room service. Popular attractions Founders Theatre and FMG Stadium Waikato are ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (455 reviews)
Brilliant value right in cbd, easy walk to main street for food options. Polite staff. Glad to be given nice size bottle of milk, not the tiny uht bottles! Great sized rooms,nicely rennovated. Clean and lovely bathroom with spa bath. Would definitely recommend 👌

Reviewed on 22 Feb 2026

Anglesea Motel and Conference Centre
ibis Hamilton Tainui

ibis Hamilton Tainui

3.5 out of 5
18 Alma Street Hamilton
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ฿3,469 per night from 28 Mar to 29 Mar
฿3,469
฿3,989 total
28 Mar - 29 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Hamilton. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), valet parking (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
Professional service and a clean and comfortable room that was as described before I booked it.

Reviewed on 24 Feb 2026

ibis Hamilton Tainui
Ventura Inn & Suites Hamilton

Ventura Inn & Suites Hamilton

4 out of 5
23 Clarence Street Hamilton
The price is ฿2,497 per night from 1 Mar to 2 Mar
฿2,497
฿2,871 total
1 Mar - 2 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Hamilton. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)
The room needed a renovation!!! The walls at the floor, at the carpet were swollen, there must have been a very bad water/flood to damage them like that. Therefore, there could be mold in the walls!!! Fixtures in the bathroom very old style...old jet tub, Etc.!!!

Reviewed on 25 Feb 2026

Ventura Inn & Suites Hamilton
VR Hamilton

VR Hamilton

4 out of 5
237 Victoria Street Hamilton
The price is ฿1,386 per night from 2 Mar to 3 Mar
฿1,386
฿1,594 total
2 Mar - 3 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Hamilton. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and an airport shuttle (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
6.6/10 (1,003 reviews)
Everything was exellent!

Reviewed on 25 Feb 2026

VR Hamilton
See all 300 properties in Hamilton Central
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Hamilton Central

Aerial drone panoramic view looking at Whitiora Bridge over the Waikato River as it cuts through the city of Hamilton, in the Waikato region of New Zealand

Whitiora

When in Whitiora, you can plan a visit to FMG Stadium Waikato and Hamilton Centre Place, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Whitiora
Seamless 360 degree aerial drone panoramic view over the city of Hamilton, captured over the Waikato River in Fairfield, in the Waikato region of New Zealand.

Fairfield

Fairfield might not have many top sights, but Claudelands Park and Globox Arena are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Fairfield
Aerial drone view, from Claudelands Bridge, over Hamilton City

Claudelands

While visiting Claudelands, you might make a stop by sights like Globox Arena and Claudelands Park.

Claudelands
Dusk along the Waikato River in Hamilton, New Zealand

Frankton

4/5(1 area review)

While visiting Frankton, you might make a stop by sights like FMG Stadium Waikato and Seddon Park.

Frankton
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Hamilton Lake

While Hamilton Lake isn't home to many top sights, Lake Rotoroa and SkyCity Hamilton are some notable places to visit nearby.

Hamilton Lake
Te Parapara Garden #hiking

Hamilton East

While visiting Hamilton East, you might make a stop by sights like Hamilton Gardens and Waikato River.

Hamilton East

Hamilton Central Travel Guide