Self Drive Hamilton | Avis Car Rental

Hamilton Self Drive Holiday

New Zealand's largest Inland city sits astride the mighty Waikato - New Zealand's longest river. Waikato means "Flowing Water", and is also the name of the surrounding region. Hamilton is the centre of the dairy industry so make sure to visit a local restaurant and try the beef and cheeses - the best in the world as the locals will tell you. Hamilton is also a great base for some of the country's best driving journeys. With forest, farmland, magnificent harbours and the underground wonderland of Waitomo all on your doorstep, this is a dream driver's destination.

 

SELF DRIVE HOLIDAYS HAMILTON - ONE DAY IN HAMILTON

 

     

Hamilton Gardens

The Hamilton Gardens are the most popular visitor attraction in the Waikato - and it's not hard to see why. The gardens are arranged in collections that are at times beautiful, tranquil, clever and surprising. Visit the Fantasy Collection for whimsy and the Paradise Collection for a trip around the world of landscaping style with Japanese, Indian, American Modernist and English arrangements all represented. This attraction is free and is located just south of central Hamilton on State Highway 1, an easy drive with ample parking available.

Hamilton Gardens Website



     

 

Hamilton Zoo

Handy to the City, the Hamilton Zoo is a great way to spend a calm afternoon visiting the nearly 600 local and exotic animals. A special highlight is the largest walk-through aviary in Australasia - a wonderful encounter with New Zealand native plant life and indigenous birds. This character-filled Zoo started life as a wildlife park belonging to a local couple in the 1960s and has the charming feel of a much-loved project. Located just 7 minutes from downtown Hamilton.

Hamilton Zoo Website



     

Waikato Museum


The Museum is a great place to learn about the local Maori Iwi, the Tainui. There you'll find a wonderful story of how the land, the river and the people meet to make Waikato the region it is today. Waikato is home to the Maori King movement and a highlight is the 200-year-old carved waka taua (Maori war canoe), Te Whare Waka o Te Winika, which was gifted by the late Maori Queen Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu. Parking is reasonable and the Museum is central.

Waikato Museum Website



     

Cruise the Waikato


The best way to get a feel for Hamilton is from the river. One of the best known cruises, and deservedly so, is "Te Awa Kuini" (The River Queen). If you like the idea of some romance in your evening you can even Bring Your Own champagne for their twilight cruise!

Cruise Waikato Website





SELF DRIVE HOLIDAYS HAMILTON - RECOMMENDED ATTRACTIONS



     

Waitomo Caves


No visit to the Waikato is complete without a visit to the Waitomo Caves, one of New Zealand's great attractions. Visit one of three major caves. This can involve an eerie boat-trip, a walk through forest to astounding stalactites and stalagmites, or simply a chance to marvel at the millions of points of living light. There is also a range of terrifyingly enjoyable black water activities on offer for the more adventurous traveller. On the way back from this hour long, smooth drive be sure to visit Otarahonga and their famous Kiwihouse, where you'll catch the New Zealand national bird as close as you're likely to get.

Waitomo Website



     

Raglan - Surf Town


45 minutes' drive to the West Coast, Raglan is home to some of the best Surf Breaks in the country - and some might say the world!
Visit Raglan for the laid back culture - take a surfing lesson, walk along the beautiful beaches or just grab a coffee. If you're feeling like a stroll to remember be sure to check out the Bridal Veil Falls walk - just fifteen minutes' drive and ten minutes' easy walk to see this magnificent waterfall. Remember, before doing any walks in New Zealand be sure to let someone know your plans and follow the advice on the Department of Conversation website.

Raglan Website



     

Cambridge


Cambridge is a horse-breeding and racing town just 20 minutes South-East of Hamilton. It is known as The Town of Trees - a deserved title for this most English of destinations. Visit the museum and the heritage buildings for a feel of yesteryear - and make time to visit the mountain wildlife sanctuary Maungatautari just 15 minutes to the south. It has a 16m high forest-canopy viewing platform. There you can see firsthand the attempts to reforest and repopulate the area with native birds while attempting to remove all predators. At night you might even hear a Kiwi..

Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari Website



     

Te Aroha and Hobbiton


Head east on SH26 and straight up to Te Aroha. They have a world-class spa, with water from a Soda spring. It has been renovated with a heritage feel - a great spot to revive the romance of the past with modern comfort. Then head south through Matamata towards Cambridge. Soon you will find Hobbiton. That's right - parts of the Lord of the Rings movies were filmed near here and the set has been preserved as an attraction on private land.

Hobbiton Tours Website





SELF DRIVE HOLIDAYS HAMILTON - LOCAL FAVOURITES



     

Visit Riff Raff


The Rocky Horror Picture Show - the worldwide smash hit - has a local connection: it was inspired by a double feature at Hamilton's Embassy Theatre. Richard O'Brien - creator of the show and known for his portrayal of the character Riff Raff - spent his formative young-adult years as a resident of Hamilton. A statue of Riff Raff commemorates O'Brien and stands where the theatre once did.

Riff Raff Statue Website



     

Port Waikato

The Waikato meets the sea North-West of Hamilton. It is a lovely and often overlooked drive to Port Waikato, and once on the coast you can enjoy a truly special and private escape. There's great surfing to be had here, and you might be able to guess the other attraction at Sunset Beach? Be sure to grab fish'n'chips and enjoy the end of the day in a truly breathtaking spot.
If you can, come for the Whitebait season between the middle of August and end of November and sample a local delicacy.



     

Rugby - Waikato Chiefs / Mooloos


The Waikato is a rugby-mad region. The local National Provincial Championship (NPC) side - the Mooloos - inspires fierce loyalty. Get yourself some of their red, yellow and black colours and head to a home game to see them or, in the same colours, the Super Rugby team The Chiefs. To really fit in be sure to take a cow-bell!

The Chiefs Website



     

Taitua Arboretum


A short distance west of Hamilton you'll find this 20-hectare garden complex - complete with lakes, established trees, woodland gardens, bridges and walks.
This mature treescape is a secret gem in the region.


View Location Map

Hamilton City Website




POPULAR SELF DRIVE NEW ZEALAND HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS

 

Self Drive Holidays New Zealand Self Drive Holidays Tauranga Self Drive Holidays New Plymouth Self Drive Holidays Canterbury
Self Drive Holidays Northland Self Drive Holidays Rotorua Self Drive Holidays Whanganui Self Drive Holidays West Coast
Self Drive Holidays Whangarei & Matakana Self Drive Holidays Taupo Self Drive Holidays Palmerston North Self Drive Holidays Queenstown
Self Drive Holidays Auckland Self Drive Holidays Gisborne Self Drive Holidays Wellington Self Drive Holidays Dunedin
Self Drive Holidays Hamilton Self Drive Holidays Napier & Hastings Self Drive Holidays Marlborough Self Drive Holidays Invercargill



And to help you make the most of your New Zealand driving holiday, Avis operates 40 car rental locations throughout New Zealand, so we're everywhere you need to be.

AVIS NEW ZEALAND CAR RENTAL LOCATIONS


North Island Car Rental Locations:

Auckland City Car Hire Auckland Airport Car Hire Auckland North Shore Car Hire  
Auckland Penrose Car Hire Gisborne Airport Car Hire Hamilton City Car Hire Hamilton Airport Car Hire
Kerikeri City Car Hire Kerikeri Airport Car Hire Napier Airport Car Hire New Plymouth City Car Hire
New Plymouth Airport Car Hire Palmerston North Car Hire Rotorua Airport Car Hire Taupo City Car Hire
Taupo Airport Car Hire Tauranga City Car Hire Tauranga Airport Car Hire Wellington City Car Hire
Wellington Airport Car Hire Wellington Ferry Car Hire Whangarei Airport Car Hire  


South Island Car Rental Locations:

Blenheim Airport Car Hire Christchurch Airport Car Hire Christchurch Sheffield Car Hire Dunedin City Car Hire
Dunedin Airport Car Hire Greymouth Car Hire Hokitika Airport Car Hire Invercargill Airport Car Hire
Nelson Airport Car Hire Picton Ferry Car Hire Queenstown City Car Hire Queenstown Airport Car Hire
Timaru City Car Hire Timaru Airport Car Hire    



Book with Avis for the best New Zealand Car Rental experience.