Hamilton may be New Zealand’s fourth largest city, but you’ll struggle to find many tourists who’ve spent time here. Inland and without major distinguishing geographical features—except the mighty Waikato River that runs through it—Hamilton is usually bypassed and overlooked. But travelers who end up in Hamilton will find some pleasant things to do. Picnic in Hamilton Gardens (they’re free), surf at nearby Raglan, and learn about early colonial and Māori history at the Waikato Museum.
The weather in Hamilton is most pleasant between late spring (October) and mid-fall (April). At this time, you can enjoy Hamilton’s beautiful parks and gardens, visit the coast a short drive away, and dine outdoors in the central city’s bars and restaurants. Hamilton is less busy in midsummer than most other parts of New Zealand, so getting accommodation probably won’t be an issue. However, it’s still a good idea to book ahead for late December and early January, when more people pass through.
Hamilton has a public bus service (BUSIT) that’s handy for getting around the city, and to and from the airport. Inter-city buses also connect Hamilton with other North Island cities, including Auckland. The city itself is flat and quite compact, so getting around on foot is easy enough. Having your own vehicle is most convenient for North Island travel, though; most travelers rely on having their own vehicles to get to, from, and around Hamilton.
Hamilton may not be a tourist hot spot but there are many good reasons to use the city as a base for exploring Waikato and the central North Island. Several popular tourist destinations are accessible from here. The Hobbiton Movie Set in Matamata and Waitomo Caves are both about an hour’s drive away (in different directions), the popular surf beach at Raglan is a 30-minute drive away, and Rotorua is a 1.5-hour drive away.
