Hamilton Central

Hamilton

The Waikato River flowing through central Hamilton
I would not usually consider a garden a must-see experience, but I am really glad a local told us to visit Hamilton Gardens.  The experience of wandering through a maze of hedges that open into perfectly cultivated gardens plucked complete from other countries and other eras was quite possibly the closest I will ever come to feeling like Alice in Wonderland come to life.  You never know what magical sight waits around the next bend in the path.
It's just a jump to the left...and then a step to your right.

Tucked away off Victoria Street, you'll find the unlikely statue of Riff Raff from The Rocky Horror Picture Show in downtown Hamilton. Apparently it's creator, Richard O'Brien, lived and cut hair here in the spot of the now gone Embassy Theatre, which housed the Late Night Double Feature Picture Show. It's astounding!
Waikato featuring fishing and a lake or waterhole
Waikato which includes general coastal views, a sunset and landscape views

Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Hamilton Central

Ashwood Manor Motor Lodge

Ashwood Manor Motor Lodge

4 out of 5
16 Thackeray Street Hamilton
The price is P4,565 per night from Mar 31 to Apr 1
P4,565
P5,250 total
Mar 31 - Apr 1
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Hamilton. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions ArtsPost and Waikato Museum of Art and History are ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (866 reviews)
Clean and tidy. Location is convenient too.

Reviewed on Mar 23, 2026

Ashwood Manor Motor Lodge
Ramada by Wyndham Hamilton City Center

Ramada by Wyndham Hamilton City Center

3.5 out of 5
287 Victoria Street Hamilton
The price is P4,881 per night from Apr 3 to Apr 4
P4,881
P5,614 total
Apr 3 - Apr 4
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Hamilton. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 bars/lounges, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,003 reviews)
Overall we were very pleased with our [short] stay. So let's try and divide the great from the less so. We had the family two bed apartment and it was enormous for the price. The downside is that the building the hotel sits in was built originally in the 1800's - it is very old. Not a problem, just ...

Reviewed on Mar 25, 2026

Ramada by Wyndham Hamilton City Center
Ventura Inn & Suites Hamilton

Ventura Inn & Suites Hamilton

4 out of 5
23 Clarence Street Hamilton
The price is P5,448 per night from Mar 29 to Mar 30
P5,448
P6,265 total
Mar 29 - Mar 30
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Hamilton. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)
Friendly breakfast attendent

Reviewed on Mar 24, 2026

Ventura Inn & Suites Hamilton
ibis Hamilton Tainui

ibis Hamilton Tainui

3.5 out of 5
18 Alma Street Hamilton
The price is P6,972 per night from Apr 3 to Apr 4
P6,972
P8,018 total
Apr 3 - Apr 4
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Hamilton. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), valet parking (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
Modern, clean hotel with helpful, friendly staff. Restaurant and bar available. Lovely second floor open seating and lounge area on the river side. Other restaurants and cafes not far away. Valet parking for $40. Would stay again!

Reviewed on Mar 21, 2026

ibis Hamilton Tainui
Anglesea Motel and Conference Centre

Anglesea Motel and Conference Centre

4.5 out of 5
36 Liverpool Street Hamilton
The price is P3,287 per night from Mar 29 to Mar 30
P3,287
P3,780 total
Mar 29 - Mar 30
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this luxury aparthotel in Hamilton. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and room service. Popular attractions Founders Theatre and FMG Stadium Waikato ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (463 reviews)
The room I was in felt like it had 'emergency housing' people staying next door which did not feel very safe.

Reviewed on Mar 25, 2026

Anglesea Motel and Conference Centre
Quest on London

Quest on London

4 out of 5
51 London Street Hamilton
The price is P6,087 per night from Mar 29 to Mar 30
P6,087
P7,000 total
Mar 29 - Mar 30
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Hamilton. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (438 reviews)
Poor check in experience, staff member didn't know what she was doing and it took ages. Car park is small, very tight and cars are up on hoists, felt the parking charge was excessive. Room was mostly clean but tired. Old single glazed windows meant the outside noise was quite loud even when closed. ...

Reviewed on Mar 9, 2026

Quest on London
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Hamilton Central

Aerial drone panoramic view looking at Whitiora Bridge over the Waikato River as it cuts through the city of Hamilton, in the Waikato region of New Zealand

Whitiora

While Whitiora isn't home to many top sights, FMG Stadium Waikato and Hamilton Centre Place are some notable places to visit nearby.

Whitiora
Seamless 360 degree aerial drone panoramic view over the city of Hamilton, captured over the Waikato River in Fairfield, in the Waikato region of New Zealand.

Fairfield

While Fairfield might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Claudelands Park and Globox Arena.

Fairfield
Aerial drone view, from Claudelands Bridge, over Hamilton City

Claudelands

If you're spending some time in Claudelands, Globox Arena and Claudelands Park are top sights worth seeing.

Claudelands
Dusk along the Waikato River in Hamilton, New Zealand

Frankton

While visiting Frankton, you might make a stop by sights like FMG Stadium Waikato and Seddon Park.

Frankton
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Hamilton Lake

While Hamilton Lake isn't home to many top sights, Lake Rotoroa and SkyCity Hamilton are some notable places to visit nearby.

Hamilton Lake
Te Parapara Garden
#hiking

Hamilton East

While visiting Hamilton East, you might make a stop by sights like Hamilton Gardens and Waikato River.

Hamilton East


Hamilton Central