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The Honeymoon Guide to Hamilton© Hamilton - Waikato Tourism
The Honeymoon Guide to Hamilton

The Honeymoon Guide to Hamilton

© Hamilton – Waikato Tourism
Article Single Pages© NZPocketGuide.com
Article Single Pages© NZPocketGuide.com
NZ Pocket Guide is 10 years old. Thank you for trusting us with your trip for over a decade!

Plan a Honeymoon or Romantic Getaway to Hamilton

Locals in New Zealand would probably scoff at the thought of a romantic getaway to Hamilton, a city in the centre of the Waikato region of the North Island. Those who know a little more about the city, however, know where to find picturesque gardens, romantic adventures to have, and arguably where to find some of the most romantic restaurants in the North Island. We, at NZ Pocket Guide, just happen to be some of those people. What’s more, Hamilton makes a great base for exploring some of the North Island’s highlights, from Hobbiton to Waitomo.

So, let us guide you through the experiences, food and accommodations for a romantic getaway in this honeymoon guide to Hamilton.

Things to Do in Hamilton for Couples

  • Surround yourselves in beauty at the Hamilton Gardens
  • Smell the flowers at the Lavender Backyard Farm or Clandon Daffodils
  • Enjoy a romantic stroll through Tautua Arboretum, around Hamilton Lake, on the Hakarimata Range or the Riverside Walkway
  • Be inspired at the city’s art galleries
  • Discover the Sculpture Park at Waitakaruru Arboretum
  • Enjoy high tea and a plantation tour at Zealong
  • Cruise down the Waikato River with the Waikato River Explorer
  • See the glowworms on Lake Karapiro or the Waitomo Caves
  • Fly over the Waikato in a hot air balloon
  • Treat your loved one to dinner at Hamilton’s delectable restaurants.

For elaboration on each experience, see the 10 Romantic Activities in Hamilton for Couples.

The Honeymoon Guide to Hamilton© Hamilton - Waikato Tourism

Romantic Adventure Activities

Hamilton sets the scene for many romantic outdoor adventures, from flowering gardens to tranquil lakes. Before we get started on those, make sure to add some glowworm experiences to the itinerary. Team up with your partner in a double kayak and embark on a kayaking tour with The Boatshed Kayaks. You’ll delve into a seemingly magical canyon lit up by glowworms on this evening tour. Alternatively, the Waitomo Caves are less than an hour’s drive away, famous for its array of glowworm walking and caving tours. Check out The Honeymoon Guide to Waitomo for more information.

A must-do in Hamilton is visiting some of the stunning gardens, which incidentally, provides beautiful surroundings for a romantic day out. Some of your options include the Hamilton Gardens made up of around 21 different cultural and historical themed gardens. The attraction is free but guided tours are available to make the most out of the experience. Find out more about the guided tour on Viator and Tripadvisor.

Additionally, Clandon Daffodils offers affordable tours of their farm, best seen in August, September and October. If you have more time to spare, take a trip to the Lavender Backyard Farm which offers pick-your-own lavender and blueberries in the summer months.

Finally, 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, trees and more. There is a small entry fee.

For more of where that came from, see the 10 Romantic Activities in Hamilton for Couples.

The Honeymoon Guide to Hamilton© Hamilton - Waikato Tourism

Romantic All-weather Activities

It’s true, the weather doesn’t always play nice in Hamilton. Luckily, the city has a decent range of romantic all-weather activities so you can enjoy your getaway undisrupted.

Inspire yourselves at one of Hamilton’s heartening art galleries, such as the Waikato Museum (1 Grantham Street) and the ArtsPost Galleries (120 Victoria Street) in the city centre. It’s also worth venturing beyond the city centre to discover gems like the Calder and Lawson Gallery (University of Waikato, Hillcrest Road) and the Inspirit Studio and Gallery (360 Pencarrow Road, Tamahere) with a sculpture lawn.

Rain or shine, a cruise along the Waikato River is a picturesque journey. Join Waikato River Explorer for a scenic cruise down the river between the Hamilton Gardens and the Waikato Museum. The undercover boat features an onboard cafe and a fully-licensed bar so you can indulge in some goodies while you enjoy the views.

Finally, treat your loved one to high tea at the Zealong Tea Plantation. Their high tea experience with an array of gourmet savouries and cakes served with New Zealand-grown tea are to die for. It’s also worth elevating the experience with a tour of the tea plantation so you can learn more about the plantation.

For more ideas, check out the 10 Things to Do in Hamilton on a Rainy Day.

The Honeymoon Guide to Hamilton© Hamilton - Waikato Tourism

Romantic Restaurants in Hamilton

And what honeymoon or romantic getaway is complete without date night? Treat your tastebuds and your loved one to a night on the town at some of Hamilton’s most romantic eateries.

Victoria Street Bistro (153 Victoria Street South) in the city centre is a good excuse to dress up and enjoy a candlelit dinner in its dark yet romantic interior. Serving international cuisine, there’s something on the menu to suit most tastes.

With plates designed for sharing, Gothenburg (17 Grantham Street) is a hit with couples, offering a diverse menu of tapas to suit a range of dietary requirements and, of course, tastes.

For creative cocktails to go with your meals, check out Mr. Pickles Bar & Eatery (298 Victoria Street) and its sophisticated-yet-relaxing ambience. Or head to Banh Mi Caphe (River Bank Lane, 298 Victoria Street) for flavoursome Vietnamese cuisine.

For some of your fine dining options, check out The Luxury Guide to Hamilton and more recommendations are available in The Foodie Guide to Hamilton.

Honeymoon Accommodation in Hamilton

For more information on each, take a look at the 5 Best Romantic Accommodation in Hamilton.

More About Hamilton

That’s it for our honeymoon guide to Hamilton. You can find even more honeymoon tips in The Honeymoon Guide to New Zealand.

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:

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.

Contact Laura About Our Team

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Honeymoon Accommodation in Hamilton

For more information on each, take a look at the 5 Best Romantic Accommodation in Hamilton.

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