'''Hamilton''' [http://www.hamiltoninfo.co.nz] (''Kirikiriroa in M?ori'') is an inland city in the Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island. The Waikato River, New Zealand's longest river, flows through the middle of the city. This effectively cuts the city in half, with Hamilton West containing the Central Business District and main shopping areas. Hamilton East, among other things, is home to The University of Waikato, resulting in a large student population.

Get in

By bus

Buses can be sometimes full, and sometimes empty, so it can pay to book a few days in advance. Booking in advance (particularly on the internet) can also save money - up to half the fare in some cases. In any case, travelling by bus is generally a cheap option, albeit a bit slow at times.

  • Newmans Coach Lines [http://www.newmanscoach.co.nz/], +64 9 623 1503, operates a premium sightseeing tours throughout the North Island.
  • InterCity Coachlines [http://www.intercity.co.nz/], +64 9 583 5780, is New Zealand's national coach company and operates over 150 services to more than 600 destinations nationwide.
  • As at May 2008 prices on these two coachlines cost:

  • Buses to/from Auckland (City Centre) are slightly under $30 full price. The journey takes approximately 2 hours.
  • Buses to/from Tauranga are $30 at full price, with the journey taking just under 2 hours as well. However, buses from *Tauranga are often directed through Rotorua, in which case the journey can take up to 3 hours.
  • Buses to/from Rotorua are $33 at full price, with the journey taking approximately 90 mins (1.5 hours).
  • Buses to/from Taupo are just over $40 at full price, for a 2.5 hour journey.
  • Buses to/from Wellington (City Centre) are $80-100 at full price. The journey lasts about 9-10 hours.
  • As mentioned though, by booking in advance or online, or buying a concession (student/over 60 etc) ticket, the price can be reduced significantly - usually up to or even more than 50%. This is particularly true for booking online, so use the internet if you have it at your disposal.

    However, Naked Bus [http://www.nakedbus.com/] is also another option, particularly for budget travellers. Similar to discount airlines, Naked Bus fares start off low (at $1 for the first customer to buy a ticket on a route) and then increase as more tickets are bought. So, provided you book early, Naked Bus can be a significant cost saving. They do, however, offer less services than Newmans and Intercity. You can catch a Naked Bus direct from Auckland International Airport [http://www.auckland-airport.co.nz/] to Hamilton.

    By car

    Because New Zealand's major highway (SH 1) cuts through the city, getting to Hamilton is simple. Drive south down State Highway 1 (SH 1) from Auckland. Drive northbound on SH 1 from Taupo, or connect to SH 1 from Rotorua or the Bay of Plenty.

    By train

    Tranz Scenic [http://www.tranzscenic.co.nz/] offer one daily service from Auckland to Hamilton (departs 7:25AM, arrives 9:50AM), at $49 per person, one way. The journey takes an hour and a half, and isn't terribly exciting. There is also one daily service from Wellington to Hamilton (departs 7:25AM, arrives 5:00PM), which costing $89, provides an opportunity to take in some beautiful New Zealand scenery, and the famous Raurimu Rail Spiral. See also: Train travel in New Zealand.

    By plane

    Hamilton International Airport hosts mostly domestic flights, with regular direct flights from:
  • Auckland - fares begin at $65 one way for a journey of 30 minutes
  • Wellington - fares start at $70 one way for a 1 hour journey
  • Christchurch - fares start at $135 one way direct for a 1 hr 40 minute journey (Fares start at $70 if you stop in Wellington for half an hour)
  • There are also occasional direct flights from other cities.
  • There are often limited specials available to/from Hamilton available on Grab-a-seat [http://www.grabaseat.co.nz/], Air New Zealand's website for its specials.

    The airport is about 10 km out of town, so allow plenty of time for airport transfers. A taxi or shuttle bus service is available but a rental car might be cheaper. Passengers who arrive on flights late in the evening on Fridays and Saturdays should arrange transport in advance as taxis can be scarce. Also, be aware that fog can close the airport on winter mornings.

    Get around

    Hamilton is a moderately sized city, however the CBD and shopping area is easily walkable. To get to other destinations, there is a bus service, provided by Environment Waikato. Bus routes and times are available online [[http://www.ew.govt.nz/regionalservices/passengertransport/hamiltoncity/index.htm], but cover the whole city. A single way ticket costs $2.60 and lasts 2 hours. If you intend to be using the bus service frequently, it may be worth investing in a BusIt card [http://www.ew.govt.nz/regionalservices/passengertransport/fares.htm], an electronic card that although costs $5, will possibly save you money due to the discounts it provides on fares - a single way ticket with a BusIt card costs $1.80 and there is an opportunity to buy a 4 ride "Day Pass" for $4.60.

    See

  • '''Hamilton Gardens''' [http://www.hamiltongardens.co.nz] are a really nice place to go and see. In addition to 'normal' gardens such as a rose garden and the Rhododendron Lawn, visitors can also go and see 'themed' gardens, such as the Chinese Scholar Garden, or the American Revolutionist Garden, among others. Entrance is free, although beware that some of the themed gardens are inaccessible after 7:30PM (8PM in the summer).
  • '''Hamilton Zoo''' [http://www.hamiltonzoo.co.nz/index.asp], Brymer Road, +64 7 7 838 6720, is home to over 600 native New Zealand and exotic animals. Kids especially enjoy it. To get there, simply enter Hamilton from the North or South on SH1, and look for the signs, on the section of SH1 called Avalon Drive (Te Rapa area in the North). Open Daily, 9-5PM, with the last admission at 3:30PM. Adults $12, Children $6.
  • '''Waikato Museum''' [http://www.waikatomuseum.org.nz/], 1 Grantham Street (South end of Victoria Street), +64 7 838 6606. General Art and Culture Displays and Exhibits about New Zealand and International Cultures. Open Daily 10-4:30PM, General Entry is free, though charges may apply for some exhibitions.
  • '''Waikato Stadium''', Gate 5 Waikato Stadium, 128 Seddon Road, Whitiora. The home stadium of the Chiefs (Super 14), A place to visit if you are a fan of NRL or Rugby Union.
  • Do

    Activities

  • '''The Waipa Delta''' [http://www.waipadelta.co.nz/], +64 7 854 7813 or 0800 472 335, is a paddle steamer offering cruises down the Waikato River. Choose from either the midday cruise with lunch provided (Mon-Sun 12-2PM) or the evening cruise where dinner is provided (Mon-Sat 7-9PM, Sunday 6-8PM. Although a bit expensive (for Hamilton) at $39 adults/$20 children, it is definitely worth it. Reservations required.
  • Events

    Hamilton is home to many of New Zealand's events, including:
  • '''The Agricultural Fieldays''' [http://www.fieldays.co.nz/], which are hosted at Mystery Creek, bring thousands of people (125 000 in 2007) every year to Hamilton.
  • '''Hamilton 400 V8 Supercars''' [http://www.v8supercar.co.nz/] is the annual V8 Street car race. The inaugural 2008 race brought an estimated 175 000 people to the city, so book your accommodation early.
  • '''The Hot Air Balloon Festival'''* [http://www.balloonsoverwaikato.co.nz] in April each year is also worth a look, especially the night glow event.
  • '''The Parachute Music Festival''' [http://websites.parachutemusic.com/festival/2008/intro.html] is one of the largest Christian Music Festivals hosted outside of the United States, featuring both international and national acts. Occurs late January, every year.
  • Buy

  • '''ArtsPost Galleries''' [http://www.waikatomuseum.co.nz/page/pageid/2145836022/ArtsPost_Galleries], 120 Victoria Street, +64 7 838 6928, is an art gallery showcasing local work. Well worth a visit, and also offers a range of items for sale, from paintings to glass blown paperweights. Open Daily 10-4:30PM, Free Entry.
  • Eat

  • '''Armadillo''', Victoria Street
  • '''Iguana''', 203 Victoria Street, +64 7 8342280 [http://www.iguana.co.nz], is a central city restaurant offering mainly pizza and salads.
  • '''The Londoner''', 596 Victoria St, +64 7 839 9941, is an English style Pub at the end of Victoria Street.
  • '''Metropolis''', 211 Victoria Street, +64 7 834 2081 [http://www.metropoliscaffe.co.nz/], offers decent coffee and cafe food.
  • '''Domaine Restaurant''', 575 Victoria Street [http://www.menumania.co.nz/restaurants/domaine-restaurant]
  • Drink

    Most of Hamilton's clubs are located with easy walking distance of each other, in the Victoria/Hood/Alexandra Street area.

  • '''The Outback''', Cnr. Victoria & Hood Streets [http://www.outback.co.nz/], is a student pub/club that is often swarming with first year students late at night, particularly on Saturdays. Hosts a myriad of events throughout the year to encourage patronage. Nevertheless, has half decent pub food and is quite quiet during the day/afternoon.
  • '''The Bahama Hut''', 31 Alexandra Street, [http://www.thebahamahut.co.nz/] is pretty much the same as the Outback, though plays slightly different music.
  • '''Altitude''', 30 Alexandra Street [http://www.altitude.net.nz], is slightly different. Though still catering to the student market, it is on the second storey of a building, which means it can be more amusing than the Outback and Bahama Hut simply because one can watch intoxicated students failing to climb up the stairs. Sometimes has live bands.
  • Sleep

    '''Hotel'''

  • ''' Le Grand Hamilton''', 237 Victoria Street, ph: 1300 857 922, [http://rydges.com/hotel/0/RZHAMI/Rydges-Le-Grand-Hamilton.htm]. Located in the city centre, Le Grand Hamilton is surrounded by the Hamilton Gardens, Hamilton Zoo, and the Waikato Museum of Art and History.
  • '''Ventura Inn & Suites Hamilton''', 23 Clarence Street, ph: +64 7 838 0110. [http://www.venturainns.co.nz] Centrally located hotel.
  • '''Budget'''

  • '''J's Backpackers''', 8 Grey Street, ph: +64 7 856 8934, [http://www.jsbackpackers.co.nz/] offer cheap accommodation. They're located in Hamilton East, about a half hour walk from the city centre. Prices start from $25 per person per night for a dormitory bed, and are about $50 per night for a room for two people.
  • '''Bed & Breakfast'''

  • City Centre Hamilton Bed and Breakfast. ed & Breakfast. Anglesea Street, Central, Hamilton. 64 7 8381671. ttp://www.citycentrebnb.co.nz. A studio cottage sleeping up to three people and includes a kitchenette, bathroom, off-street parking, free Internet access. Five minutes walk from central Hamilton.
  • ''' Halletts Bed & Breakfast''', 1380 Kakaramea Road, Ngahinapouri, ph: +64 7 825 2727, [http://www.halletts.co.nz]. Halletts Bed & Breakfast is a boutique lifestyle B&B, surrounded by views of green rolling pastures and mountain backdrops.
  • ''' Shailers Bed & Breakfast''', 1447 Kakaramea Road, RD 10, ph: +64 7 825 2729, [http://www.shailers.co.nz]. Luxury homestay / farmstay just twelve minutes from Hamilton City. It is in the Heart of New Zealand's most fertile region, the Waikato. Your hosts Charlie & Dianna Shailer offer tours of their three-hundred cow dairy farm.
  • '''Serviced Apartments'''

  • Quest Apartments Hamilton. 2-47 Ward Street Hamilton North Island 3204. 64 (0)7 8391676 . ttp://www.questapartments.co.nz/. Features 29 apartments (26 x 1 bedroom units and 3 studio units) in central Hamilton. Easy access to the main bars, casinos, shopping and Hamilton's information centre

    Get out

  • '''Matamata''' is about 45 minutes away - follow SH 1, turning off towards Tauranga onto SH 29, and then turning off towards Matamata onto SH 27. A small rural community of about 12 000 people, its main claim to fame is that it was the filming site for the Lord of the Rings - in particular the Shire. Visitors are able to visit Hobbiton, [http://www.hobbitontours.com/], though reservations need to made in advance.
  • '''Raglan''' is a beachside town about 50km away. Simply follow SH 23 out of Hamilton to get there. The town is well known for its excellent surf beaches, including Indicators, Whale Bay, and Manu Bay. There are several busses a day here, provided by Environment Waikato [http://www.ew.govt.nz/regionalservices/passengertransport/raglan.htm]. Fares range from $5 - $10 one way, dependent on when in Hamilton you get on the bus!
  • '''Rotorua''' is roughly an hour and a half. Follow SH 1 and then turn onto SH 5 at Tirau. Definitely worth a visit, though more than a day trip is probably required.