Hamilton Central Travel Guide

Hamilton

The Waikato River flowing through 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

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 Rp1.094.388 per night from 4 Mar to 5 Mar
Rp1.094.388
Rp1.258.546 total
4 Mar - 5 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Hamilton. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, room service and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions ArtsPost and Waikato Museum of Art and History are ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (843 reviews)
The room was spotless staff i met was friendly and helpful Geat stay thanks a lot

Reviewed on 23 Feb 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 Rp1.355.685 per night from 8 Mar to 9 Mar
Rp1.355.685
Rp1.559.038 total
8 Mar - 9 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Hamilton. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 bars/lounges and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,001 reviews)
We had no complaints about the room,service,and so handy to everything we wanted to do thank you

Reviewed on 27 Feb 2026

Ramada by Wyndham Hamilton City Center
Anglesea Motel and Conference Centre

Anglesea Motel and Conference Centre

4.5 out of 5
36 Liverpool Street Hamilton
The price is Rp921.912 per night from 1 Mar to 2 Mar
Rp921.912
Rp1.060.199 total
1 Mar - 2 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury aparthotel in Hamilton. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and room service. Popular attractions Founders Theatre and FMG Stadium Waikato are ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (457 reviews)
clean, walkable access to stores and food.

Reviewed on 27 Feb 2026

Anglesea Motel and Conference Centre
ibis Hamilton Tainui

ibis Hamilton Tainui

3.5 out of 5
18 Alma Street Hamilton
The price is Rp1.874.374 per night from 28 Mar to 29 Mar
Rp1.874.374
Rp2.155.530 total
28 Mar - 29 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Hamilton. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), valet parking (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
The room was clean and tidy. Everyone was plenty and helpful. Right in the middle of town. Breakfast good the next morning. Overall a nice present place to stay.

Reviewed on 28 Feb 2026

ibis Hamilton Tainui
Ventura Inn & Suites Hamilton

Ventura Inn & Suites Hamilton

4 out of 5
23 Clarence Street Hamilton
The price is Rp1.348.287 per night from 8 Mar to 9 Mar
Rp1.348.287
Rp1.550.530 total
8 Mar - 9 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Hamilton. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)
The room needed a renovation!!! The walls at the floor, at the carpet were swollen, there must have been a very bad water/flood to damage them like that. Therefore, there could be mold in the walls!!! Fixtures in the bathroom very old style...old jet tub, Etc.!!!

Reviewed on 25 Feb 2026

Ventura Inn & Suites Hamilton
VR Hamilton

VR Hamilton

4 out of 5
237 Victoria Street Hamilton
The price is Rp669.766 per night from 2 Mar to 3 Mar
Rp669.766
Rp770.231 total
2 Mar - 3 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Hamilton. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and an airport shuttle (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
6.6/10 (1,004 reviews)
Staff couldn’t understand English.. room had tea and coffee no milk what’s the point of having it and staff couldn’t direct to nearest dairy

Reviewed on 27 Feb 2026

VR Hamilton
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

When in Whitiora, you can plan a visit to FMG Stadium Waikato and Hamilton Centre Place, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

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

Fairfield might not have many top sights, but Claudelands Park and Globox Arena are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

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

Claudelands

While visiting Claudelands, you might make a stop by sights like Globox Arena and Claudelands Park.

Claudelands
Dusk along the Waikato River in Hamilton, New Zealand

Frankton

4/5(1 area review)

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

Frankton
Default Image

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 Travel Guide