Hamilton Overview

The home of Waikato University, Hamilton has a reputation as a lively town; the extraordinary number of bars is a testament to its youthful exuberance. Due in part to all these youngsters, Hamilton is the fourth-largest city (pop. 188,000) in New Zealand. Other than the scenic Waikato River and winter’s mystically foggy nights, Hamilton has few noteworthy geographical features. It does, however, have a central location—half of North Island and its wonders are a few hours’ drive away. Weekends are when the town really jumps, so if you’re hoping for an exciting layover here, shoot for a Friday or Saturday night.

Trains: Hamilton Railway Station, at the end of Frasier St. From Tainui St., go right on Lake St. and left onto Queens Ave. Frasier St. is on the right. TranzScenic (☎0800 872 467) heads daily to Auckland (2hr., 1 per day, $41) and Wellington (9hr., 2 per day, $135) via Palmerston North (6hr., $100) and National Park (3hr., $54).
Buses: InterCity/Newmans (☎834 3457) head daily to: Auckland (2hr., 11 per day, $21-32); Gisborne (7hr., noon, $58-70); Palmerston North (7hr., 3 per day, $52-66); Rotorua (2hr., 5 per day, $30-40); Wellington (9hr., 3 per day, $65-85). Guthreys (☎0800 759 999) runs to Auckland (2hr., 2 per day, $20-22) and Rotorua (1hr., 2 per day, $22-25). Dalroy Express (☎06 755 0009 or 0508 465 622) runs to Auckland (2hr.; M-Sa 11am, Su 1pm; $20) and Hawera (4hr.; M-Sa 3:20pm, Su 5:20pm; $44) via New Plymouth (3hr.) and Stratford (4hr.).
Public Transportation: From the transportation depot next to the visitors center, Hamilton City Buses ($2) stop around the city, including the university (#13) and the gardens (#10). They also go to Raglan (#23; 55min.; M-Sa 3 per day, Su 2 per day; $5.50).
Taxis: Taxis gather at Victoria and Hood St. during evening hours and in front of the Hamilton i-Site. Try Hamilton Taxis (☎847 7477 or 0800 477 477).
Car Rental: Rent-a-Dent, 838 Anglesea St. (☎839 1049 or 0800 736 822). From $55 per day. Unlimited km.
Hitchhiking: Let’s Go does not recommend it, but hitching to Raglan is reportedly easiest along SH23/Whatawhata Rd. Follow Norton Rd. away from the city center and go left on Hall St., which turns into Whatawhata Rd. To go north, many try from SH1 past the junction of Te Rapa St. and Avalon Dr., though some say chances are better taking a bus to the outskirts of town. Southbound thumbers try Cambridge or Ohaupo Rd.

Orientation And Practical Information

Hamilton lies northeast of SH1 (Cobham Drive) and is bisected by the Waikato River. Most commercial activity and nightlife is on the river’s west bank. Victoria Street is the main drag, with the stretch between Ward and Hood Streets prime for shopping and nighttime carousing. East Hamilton houses Waikato University and many cafes.

Visitors Center: Hamilton i-Site (☎839 3580; www.visithamilton.co.nz), in the ultra-modern Transport Centre at Bryce and Anglesea St. Internet $3 per 30min., $5 per hr. Open M-Th 7:15am-5:30pm, F 7:15am-6:45, Sa 9am-4:45pm, Su 9:30am-4:45pm.
Banks: Many banks and ATMs dot the downtown area. BNZ (☎824 8607), across Victoria St. from Garden Pl. Open M and Th-F 9am-4:30pm, Tu-W 9:30am-4:30pm.
Library and Internet Access: The library, 9 Garden Place (☎838 6826). Internet $3 1st 30min., $5 1st hr., $4 each additional hr. Open M-F 9am-8:30pm, Sa 9am-4pm, Su noon-3:30pm. Or try CITYInternet, 545 Victoria St (☎849 4580). $3 per hr. Open daily 9am-1am.
Police: 6 Bridge St. (☎111 or 858 6200).
Medical Services: Hamilton Pharmacy, 750 Victoria St. (☎834 3444). Open daily 8am-10pm. Anglesea Clinic (☎858 0800), at Thackeray and Anglesea St. Open 24hr.
Post Office: 36 Bryce St. (☎838 2233). Open M-F 8:30am-5pm.

Accommodations

A recent rash of hostel closings have left Hamilton with a serious shortage of budget options. For those craving city living, a few budget options are available, but travelers are better served staying in nearby Raglan. During National Fieldays in June prior bookings are essential.

J’s Backpackers (BBH), 8 Grey St. (☎856 8934; www.jsbackpackers.co.nz). Take bus #10 to Hamilton Garden’s Gate 2. It’s across the street at the intersection of Grey St. and Cobham Dr. From Bridge St., take a right onto Grey St.; it’s 2km on the left. A petite house with a kitchen, lounge, and impeccable restrooms. Free pickup. Linen $2. Dorms $22; twins $25; triples $24. $2 BBH discount. MC/V.
The Commercial Hotel Accommodation (VIP), 287 Victoria St. (☎839 4993; www.hotelcommercial.co.nz). This renovated vintage hotel has private rooms along a long, dim corridor, 2 resident bars, and a restaurant. Lounge has Satellite TV. Linen $2 for dorms. Dorms $25; singles $45-75; doubles $60-90. MC/V.

Food

Universities mean students, and students mean cheap food. Droves of ethnic restaurants line Victoria Street, mostly between Hood St. and Garden Pl. A staple is the $8 set lunch at Masala Club , 237 Victoria St. (☎839 4045. Open M-F 11:30am-2pm, 5pm-midnight, Su 5pm-midnight.)

GelatAmore, at Garden Place. This little hole in the wall serves perfectly textured gelato in classic and Kiwi flavors, like feijoa and, of course, kiwi. Small cups and cones $4, 1L containers $12. Open daily 10am-7pm. MC/V.
Metropolis Cafe, 211 Victoria St. (☎834 2081). “Metro” serves mostly wine and coffee to power-lunchers but offers staples like Thai curry ($14) and a selection of seasonal specialities like pork loin with caramelized apple couscous ($26). High ceilings and metal-framed interior create an urban feel. Open daily 9am-midnight. MC/V.
Gengy’s, 191 Victoria St. (☎838 2924). Choose your own meats, seafoods, veggies, and sauces and watch it cooked at this bottomless Mongolian dinner buffet ($24). Savory pancake lunch meals ($15). Open daily 10:30am-2pm, 5pm-late. MC/V.
Gourmet Sushi (☎838 3500), in The Marketplace off Hood St. Fresh fish to go. Vegetarian rolls under $1. Sushi by the piece $1-2. Inventive tofu-wrapped rice pieces or a small selection of fish rolls and sashimi $1.70-2.30. Open M-Sa 10:30am-4:30pm. MC/V.
Rocket Lounge, 109 Victoria St. (☎834 4365), at the intersection of Hood St. Potent espresso ($3), airy scones ($3.50), and delicious panini (with salad $8) will send you into orbit. Open daily 8am-4pm. Cash only.

Sights And Festivals

A walk through the Hamilton Gardens, on Cobham Dr. 2km southeast of the city center, is a highlight of the many cerebral diversions in town. The 58-hectare historic gardens are more than simple greenery; the enlivening Japanese tea garden has a serene picnic pavilion, and, in the American Modernist Garden, Marilyn Monroe’s visage smiles upon strollers. (☎856 3200; www.hamiltongardens.co.nz. Open 7:30am-sunset.) At the Waikato Museum of Art and History, at Victoria and Grantham St., you can admire Maori carvings, an epic totara wood canoe, and rotating exhibits. (☎838 6606; www.waikatomuseum.org.nz. Open daily 10am-4:30pm. Admission by donation.) Next door, the Waikato Society of Arts showcases local artists at Artspost, 120 Victoria St. (☎839 3857. Open daily 10am-4:30pm.)

Most of Hamilton’s recreation happens along the river, with paths on either side enticing amblers. The paddle-wheel replica, M.V. Waipa Delta, launches three times per day, Thursday to Sunday, from the Memorial Park Jetty. The lunch (12:30-2pm; $45) and afternoon coffee (3-4pm; $20) cruises are cheaper, though the dinner trip (7-10pm; $59) features live entertainment. (☎854 7813 or 0800 472 335; www.waipadelta.co.nz. Bookings essential.)

Accommodations in Hamilton fill a year in advance for June’s National Fieldays; in 2007 and 2008, roughly 150,000 people will descend on tiny Mystery Creek (15min. away, toward Cambridge) for the Southern Hemisphere’s largest A&P (agricultural and pastoral) show. With chainsaw demonstrations, head-to-head tractor pulls, a fashion show of recycled farm material clothing, and a rural bachelor-of-the-year competition, stereotypes of the simple farmer will be uprooted. (☎843 4497; www.fieldays.co.nz. Book hostels at least 1 mo. in advance. Tickets $12, children $6.) Balloons Over Waikato (☎839 6677; www.balloonsoverwaikato.co.nz), an awe-inspiring hot-air balloon festival, takes place in early April. For information, contact Events Hamilton (www.hamiltonevents.co.nz).

Entertainment And Nightlife

With live music venues, university bars, Irish pubs, two movie theaters, and several live theaters, there’s plenty to do at night in Hamilton. For those wanting to see the effects of higher education at its best, stop by the city at the beginning of March for Waikato U.’s O-Week, a non-stop party throughout the city. The most impressive venue is the Meteor, 1 Victoria St. (☎834 2472), a versatile space for performances, raves, and other community events. The Riverlea Theatre on Riverlea Rd. (☎856 5450 or 0800 800 192; www.riverlea.org.nz) features a more diverse theatrical schedule. When in doubt, tap into the scene with City Happenings, a brochure available at the visitors center.

The Outback Inn, 141 Victoria St. (☎839 6354), in the Marketplace off Hood St. Waikato U’s students try to memorize all 100 shooters ($6 each), but forget after a few drinks. Outback turns into a veritable meat market on weekends, with more techno than ambience. Happy hour 7-11pm. Open M noon-late, Tu-Su 9am-3am.
Altitude, 30 Alexandra St. (☎838 2221; www.altitude.net.nz). This cavernous nightclub hosts big bands when they come to town, and the weekly cover-free, two-level dance floor is the largest and most popular in town. Wear closed toed shoes. Pint $5. Open W-Sa 10pm-3am.
The Loaded Hog, 27 Hood St. (☎839 2727). Rock, hip hop, and R&B spill out from this hog heaven, rivaled only by rugby on the big screen. Handles $2.50 W-Th. Open M-W 10:30am-late, Th-F 10:30am-3am, Sa 10am-3am, Su 9am-late.
Coyote’s, 171 Victoria St. (☎838 2171). Eclectic array of music in a less eclectic atmosphere of stucco walls and wood floors. Monteith’s on tap ($5). Open daily 8pm-late.