Hamilton Gardens, New Zealand is one of a kind. It’s not your usual botanical garden. Instead, this internationally acclaimed, well-manicured series of themed gardens tells a story. Interestingly, it’s the story of gardens over time and across cultures.
While some of the 21 themed gardens are exactly as I would expect from their name, others took me by surprise. The Hamilton Gardens are something that needs to be experienced and enjoyed. While you could rush through in an hour, my advice is don’t. Take the time to soak it all in and appreciate the detail and cultural differences.
There are 54-hectares comprising the Hamilton Gardens NZ. The 21-themed gardens are located in an enclosed gardens section that is free to enter during the day and generally closed at night.
Hamilton Gardens, New Zealand
We focused our time on the enclosed gardens. Here, we strolled through one themed garden after the next, as we were taken on a journey through time. The gardens include:
- Paradise Collection includes six gardens: Indian Char Bagh Garden, Italian Renaissance, Japanese Garden of Contemplation, Chinese Scholars’, and English Flower, and a Modernist Garden.
- Productive Collection features five gardens: Te Parapara, Sustainable Backyard, Herb, and a Kitchen Garden.
- Fantasy Collection includes 8 impressive gardens: Surrealist, Picturesque, Tudor, Tropical, Chinoiserie, Concept, and a Mansfield Garden.
- Cultivar Collection features the Rogers Rose Gardon, Hammond Camellia Garden, Rhododendron Lawn and a Victorian Flower Garden.
- Landscape Collection also has four gardens: Bussaco Woodland, Valley Walk, Hamilton East Cemetery and Echo Bank Bush.
With attention paid to every detail, we know we missed as much as we took in. I am already thinking about my next visit when I am sure to take a 75-minute guided tour from Klook.
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Photo tour of some of Hamilton Garden’s enclosed gardens
Featured here in the order we strolled through the gardens.
Japanese Garden of Contemplation
Often referred to as Zen Gardens, these dry landscape gardens represent the Muromachi era of Japanese history. With minimal vegetation, they are peaceful.
Chinese Scholars’ Garden
There is a similarity between the Chinese gardens we have seen around New Zealand and the world that is based on over 2000 years of tradition. This garden is no exception, from its winding pathways to its bridges.
Modernist Garden
Instantly different from the other gardens, the Modernist garden is fun and lively, and full of non-traditional shapes.
Italian Renaissance Garden
Sculptured and perfect, the Italian Renaissance Garden, to my surprise was my favourite of the gardens. With an emphasis on both Greek and Roman achievements, there is a detailed statue of Romulus and Remus.
Te Parapara Garden
Te Parapara is the country’s only traditional productive Māori garden on display. Our visit was just after the kumara (Māori sweet potato) harvest, so there was nothing growing. Perhaps next time.
Tudor Garden
Another sculptured garden, this one had a more playful feel to it. The self-opening doors lead to the Time Court, with a bit of an Alice in Wonderland feel to them.
Concept Garden
This garden’s motivation came from two Maaori whakataukii (proverbs)and map legends. The whakataukii on the wall reads, “He peke tangata, apa he peke titoki” (The human family lives on while the branch of the titoki falls and decays.) While the second whakataukii is on a pipe and reads, “Whatungarongaro te tangata toituu te whenua” (As man disappears from sight, the land remains.)
Kitchen Garden
An old fashion garden that I wish grew in my yard. Filled with herbs and vegetables, it is what every chef desires.
Tropical Garden
There is something impressive about tropical plants growing in this sub-tropical climate.
Where is Hamilton Gardens?
Hamilton Gardens’ address is Hungerford Crescent, Hamilton. The city itself is located 125 km southwest of Auckland, about 100 km northwest of Rotorua, and 500 km north of Wellington.
Practical information on visiting the Hamilton Gardens, New Zealand
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- Entry to the gardens is free, although there is an option to join an 11 am tour on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. While pre-booking is not required, if you are one who prefers to prebook, you can do it with Klook for the Hamilton Gardens.
- Hamilton Gardens has plenty of free parking.
- Open daily, the Hamilton Gardens hours are:
- Information Centre and Shop: 10 am to 5 pm.
- Enclosed Gardens: open at 10 am and close at 5 pm.
Taking a tour from Auckland to Hamilton Gardens
If you don’t have your own transportation, you can visit Hamilton Gardens as one of the stops on a tour from Auckland. Here are two we like:
- Hamilton Gardens & Hobbiton Exclusive Luxury Day Tour: This all-day tour takes you from Auckland to beautiful Hamilton Gardens. Then it’s onto historic St Andrews Anglican Church in the “English” town of Cambridge. Lunch is included before a quick photo stop at a hydro-electric power station on Waikato River/Lake Karapiro. Finally, what many consider the highlight, a guided tour of the Hobbiton Movie set. (This tour includes two hours at the Hamilton Gardens) Check price for this tour.
- Sanctuary Mountain (Mt Maungatautari) & Hamilton Gardens Day trip from Auckland: Also an all-day tour, this option is more about nature than Hobbits. It starts with a viewpoint photo stop and a walk across a swing bridge to view the Arapuni hydroelectric power station. Then on to a 1.5 hour guided tour of Sanctuary Mountain, a mainland ecological island enclosed with a predator-proof fence, thus allowing some of New Zealand’s rarest flora and fauna to flourish. There are endangered plants, insects, birds, bats, frogs, and geckos here. It is the largest of its type in the world. A picnic lunch is provided. Next, cross a dam over a second hydroelectric station before making your way to Hamilton Gardens. (This tour includes one hour at the Hamilton Gardens). Check price for this tour.
More about the Hamilton Gardens New Zealand
- Hamilton Gardens won the prestigious ‘International Garden Tourism Award’ in 2014.
- Allow enough time for a meal, or at least a coffee at the Hamilton Gardens Cafe. We enjoyed the outdoor seating overlooking Turtle Lake.
- We picked up a Hamilton Gardens map at the Information Centre for a small fee, or you can click here to download a map.
- A Hamilton Gardens wedding or other special events can be booked at the Hamilton Gardens Pavilion.
From riverside walks to exotic teas, there are plenty of other things to do in Hamilton.
Read next: Enjoy an Auckland to Wellington Drive with These Stops
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Will you visit Hamilton Gardens or one of the other things to do in Hamilton?
Kelsey
What a joy to read. You take such lovely photos which really capture the essence of the Hamilton Gardens. Your article really gave an accurate insight into the beauty and uniqueness of the place. They are one of my favourite locations to visit, and you are absolutely right, you certainly need to take your time here to explore and discover all that is so carefully cultivated. Have you seen the recent additions to the themed gardens?
Jessi
Wow! I have to say I have more often passed through or around Hamilton than actually visited it – but now I will definitely make a stop to see those beautiful gardens!
Travel Tuesday
We loved Hamilton, Rhonda and yur photos are lovely!
betty - NZ
It’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed Hamilton Gardens. Great images.
Esther
Oooh, these gardens are really cool! I like the modernist garden and Italian garden best I think. What a great day out!
Sarah
These gardens look gorgeous!! I especially love visiting ‘kitchen’ gardens haha. Will have to save this for a future visit to NZ!
Dora
Lovely photo what an interesting place, Hamilton garden.
Laura
What lovely gardens! I love the contrast of wild looking gardens Vs some very manicured ones too. And the colour of the water is beautiful
Lisa
Honestly…I learn something new every time I visit your blog!
I loved it!
– Lisa
Lady Fi
Those gardens are just amazing!
Marie-OR
The gardens are absolutely amazing…so unique! I really loved that yellow door! 🙂 Anyway, how interesting that the creator of Rocky Horror was from Hamilton also. Wow…that is enduring the test of time, too!
Ana Ojha
Hamilton Gardens look like a beautiful place to spend some time with nature. I really loved that yellow door and would love to get myself captured there!
Jim, Sydney, Australia
Beautiful gardens. I especially like the Tudor one.
italiafinlandia
What a beautiful place!
Lydia C. Lee
What gorgeous gardens – i was unaware of those sort of gardens in NZ (normally thinking natural beauty and adventure when I think of NZ tourism…). They’re fabulous! Great post!
stevebethere
What fabulous gardens so clever and artistic I liked them all but particularly the Tudor Garden,
Have an artistictastic week Rhonda and thanks for the tour 🙂
Obligatory Traveler
What a fantastic looking gardens. I love that they have a fun variety of themed areas.
Sharon
I love the bridge in the last photo. And the formal gardens are so pretty. What a fun place to explore!
Anna
I love the look of Modernist Garden. Will keep this in my list for next time I am traveling Nz. Thanks for sharing, great images too.
Michael
I loved the Hamilton Gardens and like you was pleasantly surprised! The Japanese one was definitely my favourite. Have pinned this so we can go check it out when we are back in NZ. Thanks for sharing!
Alexander Popkov
Nice, I like Asian style gardens. They hold a lot of authenticity, at least for a European eye. Would love to get there with my camera.
Kellee @ LifeAdventurers
New Zealand is one of the destinations we must visit soon so I’m glad I read this post. I was wondering what we could do while in Hamilton and these gardens look like a peaceful option! We always like a zoo or gardens to be able relax without needing to hit the beach.
Rhonda Albom
The biggest difference between the gardens and the zoo, is that the gardens are free. (and the animals, of course).
Elizabeth
Wow! That is an impressive garden, and the steampunk-like dirigible bringing plants from one part of the garden to another is amazing!
Rhonda Albom
I would love to see it actually flying and delivering the plants.
Luke Wilkinson
Yay! My home town <3 If you in NZ in February, head to the Hamilton Gardens Arts Festival. All those enclosed gardens get set up like stages with plays, concerts and comedy. Its' been a few years since I was there last, but there's usually a big band over at Turtle lake.
Rhonda Albom
I have heard great things about the Arts Festival. Maybe this year we will get back. Hamilton is only about 2 hours from my home.
Anda
I really love manicured gardens like the Hamilton Gardens. We have something very similar here, in Pasadena. They are called the Huntington Gardens. Maybe next time you come to California we can take you there.
Kristen
I wasn’t expecting the gardens to be that beautiful! I’ll definitely have to check these out when I finally head to New Zealand.
Pat
Such beautiful gardens and sights to see! I sent your blog to a freind who will be tra eling to NZ soon
Joanne - Travel with Joanne
Well I never knew. The gardens look amazing. Will add them to my list.
Rhonda Albom
The gardens are amazing, and it was a surprise to me too.
georgie watts
WOW!
I want to go there…and take A MILLION PICS! Yet again, you’ve showed me something about my fathers birth nation that I wasn’t aware of! Thanks Rhonda!
Rhonda Albom
You really do need to come here to New Zealand soon.
Margarita
What a great idea to have differently-themed gardens! Like a brief history of the world tour in one place. I would much prefer to visit gardens like this to the uniform botanic gardens we tend to have in Australia.
Rhonda Albom
The Hamilton Gardens are quite unique, even in New Zealand.
Anisa
Wow, I love the gardens! I bet that guided tour would be really interesting. I am so terrible at gardening, so I think it makes me appreciate nice gardens even more.
Rhonda Albom
I would love to take a guided tour next time I visit. I am not one who likes to do lots of reading, I do better listening.
Soumya Gayatri
I love the concept of having all kinds of gardens in one place. Brought back memories of all the gardens that I have seen across the world. I would love to see the Hamilton Gardens some day. I had no idea there was something so beautiful in Hamilton.
Rhonda Albom
I had no idea there is something so beautiful in Hamilton either. 🙂
Emese
Beautiful gardens, I’d love to be there! Love your photos.
Rhonda Albom
And, there are many other beautiful areas to these gardens that aren’t featured here.
Christina
Hamilton Gardens looks lovely! It reminds me of the structured gardens you typically find in Europe. I’m as so surprised to learn that there’s such a grand garden in Hamilton.
Ryan Biddulph
Astounding how many free things you can do in New Zealand Rhonda. Amazing really. So many other countries base their tourism on premium/paid trips or locations. I still cannot believe the national parks are free. In the US we’re talking 10 to 20 smackers, for some of these breath-taking spots.
Ryan
Rhonda Albom
Very true. It is one of the things I love about living here, so much is free to be enjoyed.
Hilary
Hi Rhonda – looks to be a wonderful place to visit … and I can see I’d need a few days there. How magnificent the gardens look … let alone the rest of the area – definitely on the ‘wish list’ … thanks for the great photos and descriptions … love the Tudor one … but all of them – cheers Hilary
Priya Florence Shah
OMG! These amazing gardens plus the tour of Hobbiton just catapulted the Hamilton Gardens to the #1 spot on my bucket list. I don’t know when I’ll get to go to New Zealand, but it’s something I simply must do.
Sage Scott
Having never been to NZ (long at the top of my bucket list), I can’t help but insert European gardens as a comparison. From Monet’s gardens at Giverny to those that wrap around French castles in the Loire Valley. I see things that are similar — a curved foot bridge, a maze-like arrangement of shrubs — but the plants and environment are so very different from Europe. I bet this was an amazing experience!
Revati Victor
Wow! What blew my mind the most was the sheer variety of styles. My favourite was the Italian Renaissance Garden (especially the little statue of the wolf).
Jill Chapman
What beautiful gardens! And I certainly didn’t know that Rocky Horror’s creator was from Hamilton. I’ll never forget the first time seeing that wacky show! Or for that matter, the times since. It’s truly unforgettable.
Comedy Plus
What a lovely place and your photographs are fabulous. I would love to visit here.
Have a fabulous day, Rhonda. ♥
Alex J. Cavanaugh
The airship is really cool.
Such a unique gardens. Very immersive.