A Waikato Renaissance if you will – cast all aspersions aside people, stop and smell the coffee.
Not words you might expect to hear in the same sentence, but pay attention, and disregard all those things you have been hearing about ‘The Tron’ for twenty years. Hamilton is a great destination from an arts and culture perspective, and worth way more time than the easily taken by-pass to Cambridge.
Many people will stop for the world class Hamilton Gardens with its amazingly themed and decorated courtyards and gardens.
If you want a Bamboo Grove, Japanese Garden or to experience the Italian Renaissance, Hamilton Gardens is your place.
But there is so much more though……head into the city proper, aiming for Victoria on the River.
A central location that really showcases the more sophisticated and aware Kirikiriroa / Hamilton is the area around Victoria on The River. Located right downtown, a few hundred metres from the Waikato Museum and beautifully terraced down to the riverwalk.
Pride of place here is a large sculpture by esteemed New Zealand artist Robert Jahnke.
This work is funded by local organisation MESH, whose culturally civic mindedness has provided the city with several world class sculptures. Their byline says it all about the pride and opportunity that can help bring a community together using art and uplift for the benefit of all.
MESH Sculpture Hamilton is bringing the best of contemporary public art to the Waikato through projects that tell local stories, stimulate a culture of generosity and inspire community involvement and collaboration.
The site provides a gateway to the river, opening up the views and access, which have previously been neglected. The area is flanked by contemporary street art by the likes of Charles and Janine Williams.
Hamiltons premiere dealer gallery is located here too. Pop into Laree Payne Gallery and view works by contemporary artists from across New Zealand.
In the same building development is Kopi Café for excellent coffee, and Browsers Bookshop and Mr Pickles Bar and Eatery.
This block is a destination in itself!
Central Hamilton has a 2 hours free parking in many locations – so you can cover many of the downtown sights in that time in short distance.
If Victoria on the River is the centre of activity, the Waikato Museum and Artspost are only 300 metres along the road, and Ramp Gallery is two blocks away.
The Waikato Museum is a great place discover the history of Hamilton and the Waikato and learn about the long and proud Maori culture and history in the region.
A quick visit to Thingstodo.events will give you a selection of the creative output available in the Hamilton and Waikato region.
It’s a must, and gives welcome depth to the general Waikato tourism information.
Creativity in the Waikato seems to sneak under the radar of many it seems.
Across the river on one of the backstreets is Framing House, with locally made ceramics, picture framing and gallery space and worthy of a visit to see what is on and meet the locals.
Last but not least, really emphasising the emerging urban sophistication is Made.
Made is an urban precinct of refurbished buildings that provide an opportunity to house some of Waikato’s most creative makers and doers. Made is a diverse business community, populated by a mix of produce markets, artisan eateries, boutique retail, light industrial and commercial spaces.
Further afield across the Waikato region you can come across a range of art, culture and history options to add to your Waikato journey.
Waitakaruru Sculpture Trail and Arboretum
Raglan Arts Centre
Find out what else is happening in Hamilton and the Waikato
