Attractions

Local Attractions

Hamilton has a wonderful array activities and things to do all year round. From family friendly escapades to romantic adults only escapes, Hamilton has it all. Our staff will happy to assist you in planning your Hamilton trip and will clue you in on one or two local secrets.
Here are the top eight Hamilton attractions handpicked by our team at Argent Motor Lodge.

Hamilton Gardens

Argent Motor Lodge is only a short distance from the world-famous Hamilton Gardens. Set amongst 54 hectares, Hamilton Gardens is made up of over 18 stunning landscapes gardens fitting into five different collections: Paradise, Productive, Fantasy, Cultivar and Landscape.

Hobbiton

Step into the world of Middle-earth, the Shire, and Hobbiton as you head to the film set where acclaimed director Peter Jackson brought J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved books to life. Find out how this once-sleepy sheep farm was turned into a film set and take an up-close look at real sets and props.

Waitomo Caves

Waitomo is a village on the North Island of New Zealand. It’s known for its extensive underground cave systems. Thousands of glow-worms light up the Glowworm Caves. The vast Ruakuri Cave features waterfalls and limestone formations. West, Mangapohue Natural Bridge is a high limestone arch over Mangapohue Stream.

Zealong

Located in Gordonton 10km north-east of Hamilton, you will discover New Zealand’s only tea plantation, Zealong. Set amongst beautiful Waikato countryside, Zealong highlights include the tea walk, Zealong story video, traditional tea ceremony and Zealong tea tasting.

Hamilton Zoo

Hamilton Zoo is the main zoological garden of Hamilton, New Zealand. Covering 25 hectares, it is situated on Brymer Road in the Hamilton suburb of Rotokauri, on the outskirts of the metropolitan area towards the northwest.

Waikato River

Hamilton’s most recognisable feature is the iconic Waikato River. The Waikato River is a remarkable natural asset and a defining feature of our city. Popular with runners, walkers and cyclists, take a walk along the flowing heart of Hamilton city, with Hamilton’s river paths.

Hamilton River Market

Hamilton Lake

Lake Rotoroa is a lake in Hamilton, Waikato, North Island, New Zealand. It has a surface area of about 54 hectares and an average depth of 2.4 metres. It is the home of the Hamilton Yacht Club, which holds regular sailing in the summer.

Waikato Museum

Featuring 13 indoor galleries, including a hands-on science gallery for children, Waikato Museum (Te Whare Taonga o Waikato) is one the region’s premier arts and culture experiences. Nestled on banks of the Waikato River, Waikato Museum hosts more than 100 events a year and opens a new exhibition every two week.

Classics Museum

Hamilton’s Classic Car Museum is home to more than 100 classic cars and all the petrol memorabilia imaginable; enamel signs, pumps, tins and oil bottles and more. With a 1950’s style diner attached to the museum, the Classic Car Museum is the perfect destination for day out with the family.

Hamilton Landmarks

Taking a leisurely stroll Hamilton’s Victoria street, you will come across two iconic Hamilton landmarks First up is Riff Raff statue which is a tribute to cult status movie The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Outside of Waikato museum, it will be hard to miss the three-story high sculpture – the Tongue of The Dog. Created by artist Michael Parekowhai, the sculpture gives the impression of being constructed from giant-sized versions of Cuisenaire rods.

Family Fun (trampolining, jump&leap, movie etc.)

Make the most of family outings and holidays with the abundance of family-friendly activities in the region, whether it’s urban adventures, the great outdoors, water experiences or getting up close and personal with wildlife. The majestic parks, mountains, gardens and Waikato River offer relaxing spaces and beautiful surrounds, and the friendly atmosphere and ease of accessibility make it a great place to spend time in as a family.

Top Winter Activities in Waikato

Waikato’s winter invites visitors to embrace a season of cosy comfort, cultural exploration, and outdoor beauty. Whether you're travelling as a family or planning a relaxing getaway, the region offers something for everyone.

Top Walks and Cycle Trails Near Hamilton and the Waikato Region

The Waikato region is home to some of New Zealand’s most scenic walking and cycling trails, offering something for every fitness level and adventure style. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly stroll, a riverside ride, or a forest escape, there are countless tracks and trails to explore just a short distance from Hamilton.

Escape Rooms

Corporate teams staying at Argent Motor Lodge are discovering Hamilton's escape rooms, Area 54 and Lady Luna, at Confinement Hamilton where team building happens naturally through shared problem-solving rather than forced interaction.

Waterworld Leisure & Fitness

Families staying at Argent Motor Lodge have discovered Waterworld Leisure & Fitness – where genuine family fun meets parent-friendly relaxation without the premium pricing of tourist-trap attractions.

FMG Stadium Waikato

Corporate travellers staying at Argent Motor Lodge are discovering FMG Stadium Waikato, home of the Waikato Chiefs Super Rugby team and the Waikato NPC Rugby Team, affectionately nicknamed the Mooloo’s. Break out your cowbells!

Social Giving

Social Giving is an initiative encouraging businesses the opportunity to give back to their community and make a difference. Being located so close to Waikato and Braemar Hospitals, at Argent Motor Lodge we want to be active in our community and we understand the importance of giving back.

Argent Motor Lodge supports The Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter with financial donations to the helicopter trust which aids them to continue the remarkable work they do everyday. Due to our close location we can often hear them taking off, going to save people’s lives. We feel very honoured to be supporting the vitally important work they do.

Argent Motor Lodge has shown its support for local women and children by making a donation towards Rainbow Place. Rainbow Place, part of the Waikato Community Hospice located on Cobham Drive in Hamilton, is a provider of specialist nursing care, therapeutic support and counselling for children and young people living through change, loss and grief around serious illness and bereavement. Rainbow place provides support for children throughout the Waikato, King Country and Thames/Coromandel regions.

Argent Motor Lodge also supported the Cancer Society’s Relay for Life 2016, a charity which brings together members of the community to celebrate survivors of cancer, their caregivers, loved ones lost to cancer, and raise awareness and funds to support the work of Cancer Society.

In 2016 Argent Motor Lodge supported the Make-a-Wish charity, an organisation which gives children with life-threatening conditions the opportunity to make their one true wish come true.