The Best Things to Do in Hamilton for Couples
Couples who prefer to adventure, relax or enjoy fine food (or a bit of everything) will love the diversity Hamilton can bring to date night. The North Island city might be known as just a base to explore popular attractions like Hobbiton, Waitomo and Raglan, but it has its own gems that couples are privileged to discover. Whatever your budget and whatever the occasion, you’ll find something to suit both of you in this list of romantic activities in Hamilton for couples.
For more advice on planning a romantic trip, take a look at The Honeymoon Guide to Hamilton.
1. Surround Yourselves in Beauty at the Hamilton Gardens
A must-do in Hamilton is visiting the Hamilton Gardens, which incidentally, provides beautiful surroundings for a romantic day out. The Hamilton Gardens are made up of around 21 different cultural and historical themed gardens that are free to visit. What’s more, guided tours are available to make the most out of the experience. Find out more about the guided tour on Viator and Tripadvisor. Plus, for more experiences like this, see the 10 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Hamilton.
Location: Hungerford Crescent, approximately 3km (2 miles) from Hamilton city centre.
© Hamilton - Waikato Tourism2. Smell the Flowers at the Lavender Backyard Farm or Clandon Daffodils
Enjoy an effortlessly romantic day among the vibrant colours of Clandon Daffodils or the Lavender Backyard Farm. The former offers affordable tours of their farm, best seen in August, September and October, as well as daffodil bunches to purchase. If you have more time to spare, take a trip to the Lavender Backyard Farm which offers pick-your-own lavender and blueberries during the summer months. They also have a farm shop and coffee kart selling real fruit blueberry ice cream.
Location: Clandon Daffodils – 745 Gordonton Road, Gordonton, RD 1, Hamilton. Lavender Backyard Farm – 398 Marshmeadow Rd, RD6, Hamilton. Both are within 15km (9 miles) of Hamilton city centre.
© Unsplash3. Enjoy a Romantic Stroll
There are many picture-perfect places in and around Hamilton to enjoy a romantic stroll. Visit the Tautua Arboretum to see hundreds of mature trees throughout the various-lengthed walks. The walk around Hamilton Lake is also a popular one that can be wrapped up with a coffee at the end. For something more adventurous, head to the Hakarimata Range which has a range of walks through the forest, over bubbling streams and with impressive views of the countryside.
Location: Tautua Arboretum – Taitua Road, Temple View. Hamilton Lake – Ruakiwi Road or Lake Cresent. Hakarimata Range – Hakarimata Road, Ngaruawahia.
© Unsplash4. Be Inspired at the City’s Art Galleries
Inspire yourselves at one of Hamilton’s art galleries, such as the Waikato Museum and the ArtsPost Galleries in the city centre, each located next to each other with ever-changing exhibitions. It’s also worth venturing beyond the city centre to discover gems like the contemporary art gallery, the Calder and Lawson Gallery at the university campus and the Inspirit Studio and Gallery with a sculpture lawn.
Location: Waikato Museum – 1 Grantham Street. ArtsPost Galleries – 120 Victoria Street. Calder and Lawson Gallery – University of Waikato, Hillcrest Road. Inspirit Studio and Gallery – 360 Pencarrow Road, Tamahere.
© Hamilton - Waikato Tourism5. Discover the Sculpture Park at Waitakaruru Arboretum Together
Take a picnic to the Sculpture Park at Waitakaruru Arboretum just outside the city. This former quarry has been transformed into a stunning display of more than 100 sculptures, 20,000 native and exotic trees, gardens and more. There are undercover areas to enjoy a picnic whatever the weather, while the environment attracts New Zealand birds like wood pigeons, kaka, herons and more. Note that there is a small entry fee.
Location: 207 Scotsman Valley Road, Tauwhare, approximately 20km (12 miles) from Hamilton city centre.
© NZPocketGuide.com6. Enjoy High Tea and a Plantation Tour at Zealong
Treat your loved one to high tea at the Zealong Tea Plantation. Try an array of gourmet Southeast Asian savouries and delectable cakes served with New Zealand tea grown and processed on-site. It’s also worth elevating the experience with a tour of the tea plantation, concluded with a ceremonial tea tasting.
Location: 495 Gordonton Road, approximately 11km (7 miles) from Hamilton city centre.
© NZPocketGuide.com7. Cruise Down the Waikato River
Rain or shine, a cruise along the Waikato River is a picturesque journey and a romantic thing to do in Hamilton. Join Waikato River Explorer for a scenic cruise down the river between the Hamilton Gardens and the Waikato Museum. The undercover boat features a cafe and a fully-licensed bar so you can indulge in some goodies while you enjoy the views. Trips depart every 90 minutes, making this an easy activity to fit into your schedule.
Location: Hamilton Gardens, Hungerford Crescent, approximately 3km (2 miles) from Hamilton city centre.
© Hamilton - Waikato Tourism8. See the Glowworms
Seeing a grotto of glistening glowworms is undoubtedly a romantic experience and there are a couple of exceptional ways to experience them near Hamilton. For instance, team up with your partner in a double kayak and embark on a kayaking tour with The Boatshed Kayaks on Lake Karapiro. Alternatively, the Waitomo Caves are less than an hour’s drive away, famous for its array of glowworm experiences. Check out The Honeymoon Guide to Waitomo for more information.
Location: The Boatshed Kayaks – 116 Finlay Road, Maungatautari, approximately 48km (30 miles) from Hamilton city centre.
© Hamilton - Waikato Tourism9. Fly Over the Waikato in a Hot Air Balloon
Enjoy the intimate, serene and spellbinding experience of floating over the North Island in a hot air balloon. Launching from beside Hamilton Lake, a hot air balloon experience with the Kiwi Balloon Company takes you on a scenic journey above the city to wherever the wind takes you. You could be floating high about the mighty Waikato River or even see as far as the central North Island volcanos. See more experiences like this in the 8 Luxury Activities in Hamilton.
Location: 15 Hastings Place, Hamilton Lake, approximately 3km (2 miles) from Hamilton city centre.
© Hamilton - Waikato Tourism10. Treat Your Loved One to Dinner at Hamilton’s Delectable Restaurants
And what romantic getaway is complete without date night? While we list some of our favourite eateries in The Foodie Guide to Hamilton and some fine dining options in The Luxury Guide to Hamilton, a great one for dates is the Victoria Street Bistro in the city centre. Dress to impress and enjoy a candlelit dinner in its dark yet intimately romantic interior as you dine on international dishes. Alternatively, Gothenburg is a hit with couples, offering a diverse menu of sharing plates. Check out more romantic recommendations for couples in The Honeymoon Guide to Hamilton.
Location: Victoria Street Bistro – 153 Victoria Street South. Gothenburg – 17 Grantham Street.
© Hamilton - Waikato TourismMore About Hamilton for Couples
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
- Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2024])
- AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2024])
- Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2024])
- NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2024])
- Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Road and transport tips - Updated [2024])
- DriveSafe (Road safety - Updated [2024])
- Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
- Safe Travel (NZ travel advisories - Updated [2024])
- Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2024])
- TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2024])
- Tourism Hamilton (Regional tourism website)
- Hamilton City Council (Local council website)
- Hamilton & Waikato Visitor Information (Regional tourism website)
- Waikato Regional Council (Local council website)
- Waikato District Council (Local council website)
- Matamata NZ (Regional tourism website)
- Matamata-Piako District Council (Local council website)
- South Waikato District Council (Local council website)
- Waipā District Council (Local council website)
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