Three Days in Hamilton

Spending time in Hamilton/Kirikiriroa? Welcome to the home of the Waikato River, the country’s longest river, spanning 425 km. Often referred to as the ‘gateway to the Central North Island’, Hamilton is a bustling hub with attractions around every corner. With a Thrifty branch at Hamilton Airport, it’s a cinch to set off on your adventure soon after you touch down.

See Hamilton Through Colour and Shape

Begin your first day nice and early with breakfast at The Kirk Cafe, a locally loved eatery renowned for its French toast and eggs benny. After settling in and savouring the sights and sounds of your holiday destination, wander over the road to see the Waikato River in all its glory before heading off on your first adventure. From here, it’s a ten-minute drive in your Thrifty rental car to Hamilton Gardens, one of the city’s most iconic features. The Gardens boast an expansive collection of plants in themed gardens across 54 acres, calling visitors from near and far to admire the blooming flora and wandering fauna. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the Gardens, exploring everything from the Indian Char Bagh Garden within the Paradise Collection to the Rogers Rose Garden in the Cultivar Collection. With so much to see, you can choose to join a guided tour or just roam at your own pace. Next, head back into town for a dose of local history and culture at the Waikato Museum. Whether you’re travelling with mates or kids, it’s the perfect place to learn about the region’s history through art exhibitions, interactive installations and science collections. With four levels to explore including the Te Winika exhibition, which displays a carved waka taua (Māori war canoe), and the Shaping Hamilton - Huringa Kirikiriroa exhibition, which tells the story of how Hamilton became the town that it is today, an afternoon spent here guarantees an engaging, in-depth look at the city’s important history. 

Adrenalin-Filled Adventure

Spend your second day delving into natural beauty and discovering the city’s hidden gems. Put your Thrifty rental vehicle to good use with a drive to Waitomo Caves, about an hour south of Hamilton. Here, you’ll journey through dark caves on an underground adventure to see bioluminescent glow worms, but before you put your helmets on and gear up, enjoy breakfast surrounded by gardenscapes at Waitomo Homestead. Once you’re fueled up and ready to go, choose from activities including guided cave tours, zip lines and black water rafting to make the most of your time in the caves and experience an adventure like no other. If you’re still craving adventure after your cave exploration, head back up north to Pirongia Forest Park where Mt Karioi, Mt Pirongia and the Kaniwhaniwha Caves are located. The park offers various trails and opportunities to explore even more caves. Enjoy a picnic lunch amidst the natural beauty of the park, before making your way back to Hamilton for the evening. After a full day of cave discovery and outdoor exploration, unwind with a relaxing evening. Dine at a riverside restaurant like Adriana’s Caffe & Ristorante, where you can enjoy the comfort of authentic Italian cuisine like spaghetti marinara with NZ green-lipped mussels and delectable desserts like Italian apple compote. Wrap up your night with a sunset walk along the Waikato River as you look forward to your last day in Hamilton. 

Wilderness Exploration

If you’re a big Lord of the Rings fan, you’re in luck. Just a 45-minute drive away is  ‘Hobbiton’,  the movie set where The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film trilogies were filmed.. Explore Middle-Earth and the wonderful world of the LOTR on a fully guided walking tour with add-ons available including a buffet lunch served inside the Party Marquee or an evening banquet feast inside The Green Dragon Inn. Roam the hills of Hobbiton, step inside Hobbit Holes, and say ‘cheers’ with a glass of ginger beer. Pop by the Shire’s Rest Cafe on your way out and don’t forget to pick up some memorabilia! Following your magical Middle-Earth adventure, drive south to Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, a predator-free ecological reserve. Here you’ll hear the calls of native birds like the Kākāpō and Hihi/Stitchbird and can choose from five-hour mountain hikes to short walks through the wetlands. Keen to get even more involved? Learn about Māori herbal medicine on the rongoā rākau experience, immerse yourself in nature on the Forest Immersion experience or discover the secrets of the forest at night on the Sanctuary Mountain at Night tour. If time allows, consider stopping by the Hamilton Zoo before the day ends. Here you’ll see mammals, reptiles and amphibians, as well as native and exotic birds, and can wind down with a cuppa from the Everyday Eatery.

From strolling the banks of the Waikato River to swinging through glowing worm-lit caves, your holiday in Hamilton guarantees adventure at every turn.