Blogs from Hamilton, North Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 3

I love Cambridge. I live only 20 minutes away but have tended to drive right through it on my way to other places - Tirau, Tauranga, Rotorua, Taupo...... But recently I spent time there and fell in love with it. For all the best information on what attractions are available in and around Cambridge, you need to visit www.cambridge.co.nz. When you get to Cambridge, go and chat to the very helpful people at the iSite. Their local knowledge will help you make great decisions about what you can do and what you absolutely HAVE to do! Hire a bike, book a tour, discover what the region has to offer. One thing you HAVE to do is visit Maungatautari. It is essential for both Kiwis and overseas visitors. See www.sanctuarymountain.co.nz for more information. Walking: Visit the iSite ... read more

http://hamiltonzoo.co.nz/ Everyone knows what a zoo is/does, so I won't bore you with mindless details or stories of my time there as a zoo host. The link will give you all the information you need and my photos will hopefully encourage you to visit and experience it for yourself. Hamilton Zoo is easy to get to by car or by bus. It is surprising how many visitors come from the Auckland area as it is quicker for them to get to our zoo and it is more user-friendly and easier to get round, especially with children. Don't worry if you only have a few hours to spare - you can easily see the zoo in that time. Or stay and spend the day. Children: play area, bbq area, pushchair available. My best advice it to convince ... read more

http://www.hamilton.govt.nz/our-city/parks/parksandgardens/Pages/Taitua-Arboretum.aspx Just a few minutes from Hamilton is the beautiful Taitua Arboretum. It is a place you can visit again and again as it is constantly changing. I prefer it in the cooler months, when the ponds are full (as they can dry out during out hot summers) and when it is more pleasant to be outdoors. Regardless of the season, you will always be enthusiastically greeted by an endless line of demanding hens and roosters. And then you come across the ducks and swans - if they are nesting, you do NOT want to get in the swans' way. How will you know if they are? You won't have to worry - they will let you know! Dogs: you can take your dog for a walk through the arboretum. But I would not do this ... read more

One of the most photographed sites around Hamilton has to be the temple at Temple View. Easy to find, easy to photograph, with an interesting information centre where everyone is welcome to sit and pray or simply enjoy the peace and tranquility. If you can manage it, the best time to visit the Temple is at Christmas, in the evening. Why? Because you will be dazzled by the Christmas lights and displays around the Temple grounds. It is one of the highlights of Christmas for my family. http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/hamilton/ This website will give you all the information you need.... read more

There will be some who throw their hands in the air in horror at having Geocaches and Munzees mentioned in the same blog. But here are some hints for those who want to play both games in and around Hamilton. Geocachers are great people who always seem willing to help others. Before visiting, check out the various FB pages and make contact with fellow Geocachers who can give you hints, help you plan your trip and recommend the ones they think will best suit you. There are geocaches for everyone, regardless of how easy or difficult you like them to be, with plenty of drive-by ones that you quickly grab on your way past. Hamilton is also fortunate that many of them take you to amazing places you would never normally visit or even know about: ... read more