Hamilton City

  • Walking
Difficulties
Easy , Medium
Length
8.6 km
Journey Time
5 hours
Region
Waikato
Sub-Region
Hamilton
Part of Collections
Te Araroa - New Zealand's Trail , Te Araroa - North Island
Track maintained by
Te Araroa Trail Trust

Te Araroa section: Located on the banks of the Waikato River, Hamilton is one of the most populous cities in New Zealand. Hamilton is known for its award-winning Hamilton Gardens, green spaces, river banks, gourmet eateries and colourful street art.

Follow Te Awa (a combined walk-cycle way) south through Braithwaite Park along the (true left) bank of the Waikato River to just south of (having passed under) the Claudelands Road Bridge. From here, you will travel through the city as follows:

Leave the walkway and take the Centennial Steps up onto Alma Street. Head past the Novotel Tainui and turn left/southeast into Victoria Street. Almost immediately, turn right (southwest) into Garden Place, an open-space mall. At the far side of Garden Place, turn right and walk through the Centre Place Shopping Centre to Ward Street (or if after hours, continue through Garden Place past the Hamilton City Council building to the Ward Street/Anglesea Street intersection). Follow Ward Street southwest to the corner of Ward and Tristram Streets.

Here, walk west through Norris Ward Park and the far side of the park on Seddon Road. Follow signs onto the Western Rail Trail, which runs adjacent to the railway line, past the Hamilton Railway Station to Killarney Road. Walk west along Killarney Road and through the Dinsdale Roundabout to Whatawhata Road on the southwest side.

Follow Whatawhata Road until turning left (south) into Melva Street. At the end of this street is Tills Lookout. 

Continue south-westward across farmland on a paved city walk-cycleway, turn left (southwest) into Wallace Road, turn right (northwest) into Taitua Road and walk down the road to the Taitua Arboretum.

Conditions

Potential hazards

  • Vehicles on road or track - some walkways are shared with bicycles. Take care crossing roads.

How to get here

Northern Start: Pukete Road, Hamilton
Southern End: Taitua Arboretum, Taitua Road

Transport

Hamilton Transport Centre - National/regional bus services, shuttle services and taxis - Corner of Bryce and Anglesea Sts - P: 07 839 6650 - Facilities include - Café, toilets, showers, bike and luggage lockers, telephones and parking.

Local transport

  • Free Hamilton City Centre buses - leave every 10 minutes Monday - Friday: 7am-6pm Mon-Fri and 9am-1pm Sat-Sun
  • BusIt - P: 0800 205 305
  • Hamilton Taxis - P: 0800 477 477

Accommodation

There are many options available at a variety of levels, including the below:

  • Microtel Backpackers - 140 Ulster St, Hamilton - P: 027 957 4848 - E: info@microtel.co.nz
  • Backpackers Central - 846 Victoria St, Hamilton - P: 07 839 1928 E - info@backpackerscentral.co.nz
  • Eagles Nest backpackers - 937 Victoria St, Hamilton - P: 07 838 2704
  • YWCA Hostel - Corner of Clarence and Pembroke Sts, Hamilton - single or twin share rooms at $50 per person, per night P: 0277564402 - E: hostel@ywcahamilton.org.nz
  • Forty winks Backpackers Hostel - 267 River Rd, Claudelands, Hamilton - P: 07 855 2033
  • Liam and Hannah - Located near Km 773/774. Can provide tent space for most sized groups. Washer/drier/showers available. Covered areas to escape the rain. No donation required. Please text or call to confirm availability.  027 208 8447

Detour to campsite

Food And Supply

  • Pak'nSave Supermarket - Clarence St, Hamilton - P: 07 839 4056 Open 7.00am -10.00pm daily. 
  • Countdown Supermarket - Cnr Anglesea and Liverpool Sts, Hamilton - P: 07 834 1490 Open 7.00am -10.00pm Daily
  • Ginger and Honey Cafe - 1369 Victoria Street, Beerescourt, Hamilton - 10% off food and drink when Te Araroa trail pass is shown.

Track Elevation and Map

Total 2 photos. Click image above to view them all.

More information

  • Hamilton’s Taitua Arboretum is a collection of mature trees on 20 hectares of open pasture, lakes and woodland gardens linked by a network of walking tracks and bridges. The park also features great views and wonderful birdlife. Open 7 days from 8am to half an hour before dusk. Admission free.
  • i-SITE Visitor Information Centre — 120 Victoria Street, Hamilton — P: 0800 426 45866 E— info@visithamilton.co.nz
  • DOC Waikato Area Office — 73 Rostrevor Street, Hamilton — P: 07 858 1000 

Before starting Te Araroa either as a through-walker of the whole country or a section walker, please register on Te Araroa website. Please also visit the website or download the app for detailed maps, trail alerts and other relevant information.  

This track is part of the Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa track database. Herenga ā Nuku has maps and advice about public access to the outdoors.

We encourage you to continue gaining the skills and knowledge required for a safe trip. The NZ Mountain Safety Council has lots of free resources and information you can use. These can be accessed via www.mountainsafety.org.nz.

We recommend trying these online learning tools:

Additionally, check out the range of helpful videos available from the NZ Mountain Safety Council YouTube channel.

Mountain Safety Council Plan My Trip
Page last updated: 13/11/2024, 7:22 pm