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Hamilton Gardens

Experience a day of unexpected delights at Hamilton Gardens, where you'll journey through 18 Enclosed Gardens showcasing diverse cultures and times. With over 45-hectares of parklands there's something for everyone, no matter your age or interests - walking, picnicking, learning, and dining. 

Whether you choose a Guided Highlights Tour or wander at your own pace, you'll discover hidden stories and create cherished memories. Just 1.5 hours from Auckland, Hamilton Gardens invites you to explore, indulge, and share in its magic. 

Whether you’re looking for things to do this weekend in Hamilton, or planning a bigger trip to Waikato or New Zealand, Hamilton Gardens should be at the top of your travel bucket list. Here's why:

Take a journey from the surreal to the serene

Beautiful award-winning gardens

Explore award-winning gardens meticulously designed to capture the essence of various cultures and historical periods. Wander through themed gardens, marvel at seasonal blooms, and discover hidden pathways - a feast for the senses awaits.

A uniquely New Zealand experience

Step into Te Parapara, New Zealand’s only example of a traditional Maaori garden, showcasing pre-European gardening techniques. Learn about indigenous planting practices, food production methods, and the cultural significance of its plants. This garden offers a glimpse into New Zealand's rich heritage.

Seasonal delights on offer

Hamilton Gardens offers something special year-round. Witness the vibrant spring blooms, the lush greenery of summer, the fiery hues of autumn, and the serene beauty of winter.

Tailor your Hamilton Gardens experience

Take a Guided Highlights Tour for an in-depth experience

Join our knowledgeable guides for an enriching journey through The Gardens. Learn about the symbolism behind their designs, the cultural influences, and the stories behind each garden's creation.

Enrich your visit with our Audio Guide

Gain fascinating insights into the history and design of the gardens with our informative Audio Guide. Go at your own pace while learning each garden's secrets, background, and hidden gems as you journey throughout the gardens.

Explore at your own pace

Whether you have a few hours or an entire day to spare, Hamilton Gardens offers a variety of exploration options to suit your timeframe. Take a stroll through our Enclosed Gardens or extend your visit to explore the Outer Gardens.

Relax and refuel at The Café

Enjoy a delicious coffee or a light meal at The Café overlooking the picturesque Turtle Lake. Hamilton Gardens Café is the perfect place to unwind after exploring the gardens with a delightful treat to rest, recharge, and replenish.

Your family-fun zone

Unforgettable family fun

Hamilton Gardens offers a wonderland of exploration and discovery for families of all ages from toddlers to teens. With wide pathways suitable for strollers and wheelchairs, Hamilton Gardens offers an accessible, fun day out with spaces the whole family will enjoy.

Engaging activities for kids

From scavenger hunts to whimsical displays, there's something to keep every child entertained and learning. Visit the Hamilton Gardens playground, The Café or the Enclosed Gardens with spaces for all to enjoy. If you're a local, it's a great choice for a school holiday activity too.

Pack a picnic and find your perfect spot

Spread out a blanket under a shady tree or by the lake and enjoy a delightful picnic surrounded by beautiful scenery. The Rhododendron Lawn, Roger's Rose Garden, or the gentle slopes of the Hillside Lawn are some of our favourites.

Top walkways at Hamilton Gardens

Embark on a family adventure through the gardens' network of walkways. Lace up your shoes, bring a drink bottle, and enjoy the fresh air, scenic views, and hidden surprises along the way as you stroll through our picturesque grounds.

Find a delight around every corner

Capture picture-perfect photo moments

Hamilton Gardens is a photographer's paradise. From the vibrant colours of the Indian Charbagh Garden to showstopping grandeur of the Italian Renaissance Garden, there's a stunning backdrop for every shot. And what better place for a romantic engagement setting than here?

A journey through time for history buffs

Along with our stunning garden attractions, Hamilton Gardens also boasts an impressive array of historic sculptures and other points of interest with cultural, social or political significance.

A paradise for plant enthusiasts

Hamilton Gardens is a haven for gardening enthusiasts. Explore native New Zealand flora and exotic plant species from around the world. Witness a variety of planting techniques, landscaping styles, and seasonal blooms.

A World of Discovery Awaits

With a variety of structures from different eras and regions, as well as intriguing focal points scattered throughout the grounds, there's something to captivate every visitor.

Journey from the surreal to the serene, explore our Gardens…

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Discover all our Gardens

The best family-friendly events and activities are held at Hamilton Gardens.

All Events
05 April 2025

Friends of Hamilton Gardens Plant Sale

Saturday 5 April - 10.00am - 2.00pm

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05 April 2025

Hamilton Gardens Highlights Tour

Discover the magic of Hamilton Gardens on one of our tours.

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06 April 2025

Hamilton Gardens Highlights Tour

Imagine a garden bursting with secrets, waiting to unveil its fascinating stories.

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Our world-class gardens are a must-do

A different world awaits you

Beautiful gardens where you can stay one hour or several hours. You can pick or choose a few themed gardens or hit each one. A map is a must, small charge of $1 or $2. Great photo opportunities. No admission so be sure I throw some in the donation bin. Perfect stop on your way to Rotorua or Waitomo from Auckland.

KJD

28/11/2023

Needed more time in this magical place!

What a stunning way to spend an afternoon. Deceptive from the outside, you're not getting a standard botanical garden experience here. Each garden is themed - no, not by plant type or ecosystem, but regions of the world, periods of time, etc. Our favorites were the 16th century Italian garden, the Egyptian garden, and the Indian garden. We also loved the kitchen garden, full of edible herbs, spices and vegetables. I only wish we had more time here - stopped en route on our road trip and could have easily spent hours and hours discovering new corners of this place. Highly recommend!

Jamie Clower

25/11/2023

Beautiful themed gardens in Hamilton

Our friends who live near Hamilton took us here. They have visited many times before, which is recommendation in itself. We had visited beautiful botanical gardens in Australia and Christchurch but these are on another level. A $2 map is useful to ensure you see it all, which I strongly recommend you do. They are amazing. Really well set out with clear divisions between the different themes. It was free when we went but our friends said there is going to be a charge soon. Really recommend a few hours here.

guennie3

02/11/2023

A magical garden

It is such an amazing privilege to go to such an exquisite place …. For free ! What a privilege to walk through such magnificent gardens created obviously by very passionate and creative people. I loved it so much that will try and visit at least once more before venturing back home. Well done to all involved creating this magic and of course many thanks. Absolutely beautiful.

Julie S

02/10/2023

A colour of beauty and amazement

WOW! I was blown away. I read in tour books about the gardens and how wonderful they were but had not seen any pictures. In some way I was glad as any photos do NOT do the gardens justice. One just has to walk through the different themed walled gardens and be amazed at the splendor of their creation and the amount of effort that goes into keeping the gardens maintained. Currently the gardens are free but next year there will be a fee and rightly so. My favourite was the Indian and Japanese Gardens.

Anne W

01/10/2023

I feels like I’ve traveled the world in few hours! 😄

A must visit place if you are in Hamilton. Some of the gardens reminded me of countries that I’ve visited 😊

Rosden

01/10/2023

What a FANTASTIC tour!! and Tour Guide

What a fantastic tour!! So very informative, gives that extra insight into the history of the gardens and meaning.

carlyjanejackson

12/09/2023

Great self-guided tour option

Great option to experience the gardens - have been to Hamilton Gardens multiple times before but the audio tour had so many interesting facts I have never heard before! Would 100% recommend to other explorers

Amber O

10/09/2023

Great Tour!

Thoroughly enjoyed the highlights tour with Tour Guide Chrissen today. I learnt lots of new things about the gardens, despite having visited on my own many times. I think a highlights tour is a "must do" for regular visitors. It's nice to slow down and take time to really explore the spaces, it's special corners and amazing plants. Thanks Chrissen!

04/09/2023

It’s unlike anywhere else in New Zealand or in the world. I have not been to a garden as good anywhere, and I mean anywhere. Immaculately presented. Just stunning. They’ve quietly created a revolutionary new garden under everyone’s noses.

Lynda Hallinan, New Zealand’s leading garden writer

16/09/2016

The concept is, by far, the most exciting I have seen in my twenty-year career as a researcher in the field of garden tourism. Hamilton could join the ranks of the five international destination gardens... this is because the vision, as stated, is indeed

Professor Richard Benfield, Central Connecticut State University, World authority on Garden Tourism

16/05/2016

The potential for this place is so exciting. I think this is the best-kept secret in New Zealand.

Sir Michael Hill, Patron Hamilton Gardens Development Trust

02/12/2015