6 Best Things to Do in Morrinsville

Last Updated: 1 December, 2024

What to Do in Morrinsville: The “Cream of the Country”

Written by Real Travellers, Not Algorithms

Surrounded by lush green dairy paddocks as far as the eye can see, Morrinsville adds a splash of colour to the Waikato region. Located 30 km (19 mi) east of Hamilton, Morrinsville is brimming with creativity, from a contemporary art gallery to colourful cow sculptures seen around the town. The town has unique stories to tell through its art and museum, as well as quirky cafés, making it a worthwhile pitstop on your road trip around the North Island. Find out more in this list of things to do in Morrinsville, New Zealand!

While you’re here, you might also be interested in 10 Free or Cheap Things to Do in Hamilton and 20 Places Off the Beaten Track on the North Island.

Side note: Our insights come from experienced travel writers, as well as a few that have been recommended to us. Scroll to the bottom of the page to learn more about us.

1. Find All of the Colourful Cows!

Herd of Cows? is an open-air exhibition of colourful cows scattered across the town of Morrinsville! As you’re wandering around, you’ll most likely notice the life-size cow sculptures, each showcasing part of the town’s dairy industry heritage. Pop into the local i-SITE to get your Herd of Cows? trail map or even book yourself a personalised tour around the sculptures. It’s sure to be one of the most unique (and hilarious) things you do in New Zealand!

Location: Morrinsville town centre.

2. Check Out the Art at The Morrinsville Gallery

Another display of Morrinsville’s creative side is showcased in The Morrinsville Gallery. The contemporary gallery has three large display areas showing works from local New Zealand artists. Check out the museum from 10 am to 3 pm Tuesday to Friday, and 11 am to 3 pm weekends.

Location: 167 Thames Street, Morrinsville.

3. Visit the Morrinsville Museum

Learn more about the history of the dairy industry that the town holds so dearly at the fantastic Morrinsville Museum. Not only will you learn about one of New Zealand’s largest industries through a short film and dairy farming machinery through the ages, but you’ll also get the chance to learn about life in Morrinsville as a soldier settlement and through education and medical displays. The 1873 McDonald Cottage is also a highlight, giving you an insight into early settler life.

Location: 41 Canada Street, Morrinsville.

4. Do the Morrinsville River Walk

Delight is a scenic adventure along the Morrinsville River Walk, an easy-going trail that offers a mix of native bush and recreational grounds. This 1.8 km (1.1 mi) walk takes about 40 minutes one way and treats you to picturesque views, including a charming waterfall. You can even extend your stroll across the swing bridge to a section that goes under the road, connecting to the Holmwood Park area.

Location: Start at Avenue Road South, Studholme Street or Kereone Road (opposite the Morrinsville Light Horse Club) after the bridge or Holmwood Park.

5. Stop by One of the Quirky Cafes

If you’re looking for a place to stop for a bite to eat while road tripping around the North Island, then make it Morrinsville! You won’t regret it once you see the array of characterful cafés. Try the Annah Stretton Flagship Store & Café Frock, a boutique meets café run by a local fashion designer, or Loxies, a contemporary café bringing a bit of the big city vibes to Morrinsville.

Location: Cafe Frock – 2 Marshall Street. Loxies – 292 Thames Street.

6. Take a Trip to Te Aroha or Matamata

The great thing about Morrinsville is that it’s located in the middle of more Waikato towns, each with its own charms. Try the nearby Edwardian spa town of Te Aroha or “real Middle-earth” at Matamata, where The Lord of the Rings was filmed. Get more inspiration from our 10 Things to Do in Matamata (That Doesn’t Involve Hobbits) and 5 Fun Things to Do in Te Aroha.

Location: Te Aroha is 21 km (13 mi) from Morrinsville. Matamata is 33 km (20.5 mi) from Morrinsville.

More Things to Do Near Morrinsville

That’s it for the best things to do in Morrinsville. For more activities nearby, check out the following:

Finally, find more activities for your travels in the 51 Best Things to Do on the North Island.

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 [2025])
Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2025])
AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2025])
Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2025])
NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2025])
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Road and transport tips - Updated [2025])
DriveSafe (Road safety - Updated [2025])
Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2025])
Safe Travel (NZ travel advisories - Updated [2025])
Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2025])
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)

Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

Laura S.

This article has been reviewed and published by Laura, the editor-in-chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Laura is a first-class honours journalism graduate and a travel journalist with expertise in New Zealand and South Pacific tourism for over 10 years. She also runs travel guides for five of the top destinations in the South Pacific and is the co-host of over 250 episodes of the NZ Travel Show on YouTube.

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