We spent a few days in Hamilton which sits along the Waikato River.  There are lots of lovely walks, hikes, and bike rides you can do in Hamilton!

Rolling green hills, spectacular limestone caves and black sand surf beaches surround Hamilton’s vibrant city hub.

We find a place on Air BnB right in the City Center.  It was conveniently located by many shops and eateries.

Hamilton Gardens

There are 18 individual and unique gardens within Hamilton Gardens.  Each garden is a journey through time, culture, and imagination.

Originally, I thought I’d fall in love with a bevy of beautiful flowers, plants, and shrubs. 

However, I mostly fell in love with the statues, overall scenery, and architecture. 

I did not manage to note which gardens each photo was from so I grouped them into different categories.

The Gardens

The Surrealist Garden was my favorite because it was so whimsical and creative. 

Poor Matt couldn’t open the door, then he got stabbed by a pitch fork, then he was ignored by the waving trees.

Another favorite of mine was the Tudor Garden with all of their protective guardians.

Everywhere you turned there were statues with magnificent stories. 

Our blog posts run 6 weeks behind actual live events.  

We visited the Hamilton Gardens in early February 2026.