Hamilton is located at the centre of the Waikato Region, which lies on the mid west coast of New Zealand’s North Island, 130 kilometres south of Auckland. Hamilton was once the regional centre of a fertile and productive agricultural region and has, over the last few years, undergone a major change, becoming a busy, bustling and rapidly growing centre and New Zealand’s largest inland city. With a population of approximately 160,000 residents, it is the main commercial, industrial and administrative centre, and transport hub of the Waikato Region. Straddling the Waikato River and surrounded by the beautiful rural landscapes of this productive agricultural area, Hamilton offers visitors a broad variety of services. These include of course good shopping, a thriving cafe culture, excellent restaurants and bars, a good range of accommodation, cinemas, theatres and local entertainment, plus a central location from which to explore this extremely popular tourist area. The Waikato Region is home to several of New Zealand’s major tourist areas such as the Lake Taupo volcanic region, the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula and the spectacular Waitomo Caves. It also provides easy access to the amazing surf beaches of the west coast, the popular seaside towns of the Bay of Plenty and the unique thermal attractions of Rotorua, all of which attract hundreds of thousands of local and international visitors each year.
Centred around Garden Place, Hamilton boasts an abundance of parks, gardens and walkways, many following the river’s edge and running besides the lake, both of which can also be enjoyed from a river cruise or by paddle boat. Known for its interesting stretch of cafes and bars, Hamilton’s nightlife is somewhat influenced by its large student population. Recognised as an important university and research centre, the city is home to over 25,000 tertiary students, which provides the city with a unique vibrancy and ample late night entertainment for those looking for a little action!!
Within the city visitors can also enjoy the popular and well known, themed Hamilton Gardens - Waikato Museum - ArtsPost, Hamilton’s premier art gallery - and Hamilton Zoo, which includes one of the largest free flight aviaries in the Southern Hemisphere. Throughout the year the city hosts several festivals such as the colourful and well known Hamilton Gardens Summer Festival which is held during February - the picturesque Balloons over Waikato during March - the annual Hamilton Film Festival and the Underground Film Festival. Mystery Creek Events Centre, which is located adjacent to the Hamilton International Airport, offers several annual events, such as the - New Zealand National Agricultural Fieldays which is the largest agri-business exhibition in the Southern Hemisphere - the Transport and Heavy Equipment Expo - the Parachute Music Festival which is one of the largest music festivals held in New Zealand - and the Waikato Boat Fishing and Leisure Show. Mystery Creek also offers a historical look at the early life of settlers through the Heritage Village, Dairy Museum, Colonial Rooms and the Agriculture Innovation and DC3 exhibition.
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