Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
POP 206,400
Landlocked cities in an island nation are never going to have the glamorous appeal of
their coastal cousins. Rotorua compensates with boiling mud and Taupo has its lake, but
Hamilton, despite the majestic Waikato River, is more prosaic.
However, the city definitely has appeal. The main street has vibrant bars around Hood
St and Victoria St, and excellent restaurants and cafes mean you're guaranteed to eat
really well in the city after visiting highlights like the Hamilton Gardens.
Oddly, the great grey-green greasy Waikato River rolls right through town, but the
city's layout largely ignores its presence: unless you're driving across a bridge you'll
hardly know it's there.
