Overview
Hamilton, the country's largest inland city with 130.000
inhabitants, sprawls pleasantly across the Waikato River in the heart of the
lush Waikato plains, among the world's richest farmland. The city grew up as
a military settlement on the banks of the river, once the district's
principal means of access, and a feature of the city today is its restful
riverside parks.
Hamilton's natural role as a farming and administrative centre is
supplemented by a wide variety of industries, farming experimentation and
research and a major university. In recent times the region's long tradition
of dairy farming has been giving way to goat and deer farming, orcharding,
and berry and market gardening.
Key Attractions
The Key Attractions of Hamilton are Hamilton Gardens - the region's most
popular visitor attraction and shady world of lakes, flowers and exotic
pavilions. Waikato Museum of Art and History, the Museum presents a
programme of changing exhibitions presented from its large collections of
New Zealand art, Tainui Maaori taonga and Waikato History. Waingaro Hot
Springs, the total year-round resort with something for everyone.
The “New Zealand Horse Magic Show” gives visitors to this
magnificent farm an insight into the wonderful world of the horse where you
are entertained by a Ringmaster.
Hamilton Lake (Rotoroa): A wildlife sanctuary not far from the city
centre offers a variety of pastimes ranging from yachting and boating to
roller-skating and miniature golf.
Te Rapa Milk Powder Factory: One of the world's largest and most
automated dried milk powder factories, it processes about 1.8 million litres
of milk daily.
