School Groups at Hamilton Gardens
Hamilton Gardens is an ideal destination for school groups, full of educational opportunities: from geometry in the Italian Renaissance Garden to history in Te Parapara, Aotearoa's only Maaori productive garden that demonstrates pre-European techniques.
If you're planning a school trip to Hamilton Gardens, you can find all the details that you need below. If you are a tertiary or adult education group, please contact us to discuss your options and available rates.
Access to the Enclosed Gardens
The Enclosed Gardens have 18 beautiful and inspiring gardens, spanning 4,000 years of history and each with stories to tell. Perfect for curious minds and creative offsite learning.
Bookings essential to get the most from your visit and avoid any upcoming maintenance or garden closures.
Early childhood, primary, intermediate and secondary school groups up to Year 11 can book their visit to the Enclosed Gardens for a $120 flat rate.
ECE up to Year 11
- $120 flat rate includes single entry access to the Enclosed Gardens for your entire group (students, teachers and parent helpers), regardless of where the school is located or where the adults in the group live.
- There are no minimum or maximum numbers.
- Option to pay via invoice either pre or post visit. Or you are welcome to pay on the day if you prefer.
- Fast track into the Gardens; a team member will meet you at the Gallagher Visitor Centre to orientate your group and check you in. No need to verify addresses, pre-print tickets or queue for entry.
- Bag storage subject to availability.
- Available weekdays during the school term.
Year 12 & 13 High School Groups
- If your school is located within the Hamilton City boundary, the same pricing applies as above.
- If your school is located outside of Hamilton, $7 per person (discounted from $20pp standard entry fee for 16 years and above) will be payable for entry into the Enclosed Gardens, in addition to the booking fee.
Kura Koorero
In addition to access to the Enclosed Gardens, we offer tour guides who can lead your group on an inspiring journey through 1-3 of the gardens for an additional $4 per person.
Our guides are passionate about uncovering deeper meanings and sparking imagination. If your students are exploring a particular topic, let us know! We will do our best to tailor the content to suit their learning needs and bring your classroom to life.
· $4pp is payable by each person in the group (students, teachers and parent helpers).
How to book
To book, email HGTours@hcc.govt.nz with your school name, booking contact, student age range, estimated group size, proposed visit date and any other relevant details.
Don’t forget to let us know if you would like to book the Kura Koorero or would prefer to self-guide.
Planning your Visit
We want to ensure all your students have a safe and enjoyable visit to the gardens. Please ensure you have read, completed or shared the below before your visit:
- Stay safe at Hamilton Gardens - Please download, complete and return a Risk Analysis and Management checklist prior to your visit.
- Download the Hamilton Gardens Map and plan your route through the Gardens in advance.
- Please advise everyone to stick to the paths, stay out of the garden beds and water features, and not to pick or damage the plants.
- Be aware of uneven paths and take care around water features.
- Be considerate of other visitors: walk, don’t run around the gardens.
- If holding a scavenger hunt, please use the Outer Gardens rather than the Enclosed Gardens.
- Hamilton Gardens Conditions of Entry can be viewed here.
- Hamilton Gardens is covered by Hamilton City Council's Smokefree and Vapefree Outdoor areas policy, you can read a copy here: Smokefree and Vapefree Outdoor Areas Policy.
