Zoo in Hamilton

“A wonderful place to visit!! We couldn't believe that it was free to visit. A lovely place to stay for either a short or long time. As well as seeing the animals there are many places to sit and have a picnic as well as a lovely childrens' play area. Highly recommend.”

“The upgrades to this facility are fantastic. It's clean, the animals are well cared for and happy, and the staff are knowledgeable and friendly. The map is well laid out with plenty of play areas sprinkled throughout, as well as restrooms and snack opportunities. Disability access is decent, but there are some steep areas. The cafe is good, with a smaller outlet next to the playground. There is a decent selection of gluten and dairy free snacks, as well as alternative milks for surprisingly good coffee.”

“We had the best time at the zoo, we nearly didn’t even know it existed but someone told us about it. Had the most surreal experience with the lions, I hope they get their pool filled up soon hehe. They were nibbling on a carcass which was unreal and then someone came out and gave them some meat right before we left. Was so bloody cool. There’s also a neat little 10 minute trail walk at the back, was lovely.”

“Sarah could not have been more helpful, so easy to deal with and her knowledge and professionalism really made this experience so much easier, I would encourage anyone who is looking to join the job market contact Sarah to help you sell yourself to your future employer.”

“Good experience - Reception lady was nice and helpful, We did the dairy room, had a great time - good interaction level.”

“Stayed overnight in a lovely clean and warm unit. Was lovely to arrive after a long drive and the heat pump was on and the room felt very welcoming. Plenty of towels and extra pillows and blankets. Was extremely quiet! Will be back”

“Amazing place! The team here is so passionate about protecting NZ’s native wildlife, and the guided walks are first class. A must-visit if you want to see the beauty of our forests and learn how we can help protect them. I will be back in late spring for sure.”

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ We had such a great time at Confinement Escape Room! We did the Haunted House room and it was such a fun and exciting experience. A special shout-out to Luca — he was absolutely amazing! He was so kind, welcoming, and lovely, which made the whole experience even better. I’d highly recommend this escape room to anyone looking for a fun challenge — we’ll definitely be back!”

“This is a great nature walk for people of all ages and great for dog owners except those who don't adhere to the rules by letting there dogs of the leash which I saw today while walking my dog it only takes one incident of an attack of any kind and legislation will bank dogs from entering the park there are plenty of signs informing dog owners that dogs must be on a leash at all times while in the park and for those few who ignore this simple rule jeopardize the park for the rest of us dog owners who use the place to exercise our pets thanks lady you know who you are”

“It is with a heavy heart that we learned of Cornerstone Alpaca Stud’s upcoming closure next month. From Singapore, we extend our deepest gratitude for the unforgettable experience and warm hospitality we received during our visit. The story of how Dave and Sonja transformed a simple piece of land into a haven for alpacas & llamas, guided by their faith and the Almighty’s vision, is truly inspiring and a testament to their dedication. Our time at Cornerstone was nothing short of magical. Interacting with the friendly, and occasionally shy, alpacas and llamas was a joy that warmed our hearts especially the little one. A special shout-out to Sam and (I believe) Gunther—please forgive me if I’ve gotten the name wrong—Their enthusiasm for educating us of these friendly alpacas made our visit truly memorable. The Cornerstone Kitchen was not open but thanks for the lovely recommendation to try Woodlands Estate which is a few minutes away. We also loved browsing the Alpaca Shop, where the hand-felted scarves and other alpaca products showcased the care and artistry behind this unique farm. Thank you, Cornerstone Alpaca Stud, for creating such a beautiful space and sharing it with the world. Your legacy will live on in the hearts of all who visited. We wish Dave, Sonja, and the entire team all the best in their future endeavors. Hope the beautiful alpacas, llamas are in good hands. Please visit Cornerstone if you want to be a shepherd to the friendly alpacas.”

“Great place to get your self dive into astronomy if you’re an astronomy lover around Hamilton New Zealand. Great resources for you to learn astronomy.”

“Wonderful story of Arboretums history. Lovely walk around - about 2 hrs with kids. Plenty art installations to see. Lovely Cafe with cake & ice cream. There's also Ruru Retreat - a cottage on site you can book through booking .com ( recommended).”

“A magical place! I climb up carrying my toddler in my hiking carrier. There are quite a few steps but it's not difficult. Hour round trip with a snack and a break to soak in the 360 view up the top. Well worth it. 30 mins drive from central Hamilton. Will return again soon ❤️”

“The children's playground I'd fabulous and offers children a safe place to play and exercise. There is a closed off area for smaller children to safely play.”

“An absolute must for any one age ethnicity. Absolutely loved it. Felt sorry for grandpa who left because he didn't understand how it works. Might pay to have a person who welcomes you.”

“This is a pretty little urban lake with plenty of free parking so you can enjoy the loop track and walk around the whole lake!”

“WOW. Amber is living every animal lovers dream, and has the kindness to share her world with others. We loved the little lambies so much I wanted to take one home. You can tell Amber loves her animals, and has great knowledge of their needs. I would give this place more stars if I could. Thank you for such a great experience!!! Feeding all the lambs was our favorite thing!!!”

“Great playground for the kids, Big field to run the dogs and tucked away in the corner is a steep incline hill ideal for excercise. Roadside parking only.”

“Amazing "lavender-everything" shop, super friendly and enthusiastic owner. We got there just as the lavender was going over but it was a great little place to stumble on along our drive. Definitely worth a stop if you're in the area.”

“Lovely farm which is well maintained, animals are all very healthy, friendly staff, overall very good experience and would recommend to all ages ☺️☺️”

“Nature walk located opposite the Hamilton Zoo, A lovely quiet scenic walk with plenty of bird life and a small lake, toilets available”

“Birdsong, natural beauty, an easy path, this is a fabulous walk. Perfect bike ride for 5 year olds. Dogs allowed, on leads. Surprises provided by creative maimai and artistic fairy houses. Picnic areas by the main car park and rest seats around the lake, allow us to soak in the views. Loved it.”

“Amazing . Birds friendly. Track good.”

“Blueberry country have the most delicious berries. We are there often from when they open in December to get our blueberry fix. PYO when we have time, or we just stop by their shop when we don’t. Well worth a visit!”

“A hidden surprise! A friend convinced me to come to see the birds and try to find a kiwi. Lovely little place, helpful staff and some cool birds. I saw a kiwi!! Well worth coming at the right time for their talk (there are 3 talks a day for the kiwi) because they throw out some snacks and the kiwi was active and easy to see. Way better than the enclosure at Auckland Zoo. Well worth stopping by if youre in the area or passing through!”

“A wonderful place for outdoor activities and to relax.”

“Nice place! This garden is both attractive and beautiful. It offers plenty of parking space and features a lavender garden along with a blueberry farm. Visitors can enjoy picking blueberries directly from the trees. It’s also a great spot for photography!”

“Lovely place to sit and have lunch”

“Super friendly and helpful host. Room was warm and comfortable for our short stay. Thank you we will be back.”