Hamilton Gardens is a 58-hectare world of horticultural skill and imagination, and one of the Waikato region's most visited attractions.
Unlike conventional botanic gardens, Hamilton Gardens explores the relationships between people and plants, telling the story of gardens through different civilizations in five garden collections that are spread over 58 hectares. The garden collections include Paradise Garden Collection, Productive Garden Collection, Fantasy Garden Collection, Landscape Garden Collection, and Cultivar Garden Collection.
The Paradise Garden Collection tells the story of gardens in the Islamic world, from Spain to India. The Productive Garden Collection showcases the history of food production and how it has evolved over time. The Landscape Garden Collection tells the story of gardens in Europe and America, from the Renaissance to the 19th century. Hamilton Gardens is also home to Te Parapara, New Zealand's first traditional Maori garden. Finally, the Fantasy Garden Collection is possibly the most memorable of all.
Visitors can take a self-guided tour with the map they can download from the Hamilton Gardens website. For a different view of the gardens, they can jump on board the Waikato River Explorer, a riverboat that offers a unique perspective on the gardens. Hamilton Gardens is also a great destination for keen walkers and cyclists, with a network of bridges and walkways along the Waikato River. Hamilton Gardens is located in the heart of the mighty Waikato region, which makes it the ultimate base of operations to explore more of central North Island.
In addition to its existing garden collections, Hamilton Gardens recently celebrated the opening of their stunning ancient Egyptian Temple, which is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in ancient Egyptian culture. Visitors can enjoy scenic walks around Lake Rotoroa (Hamilton Lake) and Lake Rotopiko (Lake Serpentine). In summary, Hamilton Gardens is a world of horticultural skill and imagination that tells the story of gardens through different civilizations. It is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Hamilton, New Zealand, and offers a unique perspective on the relationships between people and plants.
Visitors can take a self-guided tour or jump on board the Waikato River Explorer to explore the gardens. Hamilton Gardens is also a great destination for keen walkers and cyclists, with a network of bridges and walkways along the Waikato River. Hamilton's proximity to nearby towns like Cambridge, Raglan, and Matamata means there's plenty to see and do around Hamilton.