Te Awamutu gardens & parks
Te Awamutu War Memorial Park, seats, restful places, Waikato
Te Awamutu Rose Gardens and Te Awamutu War Memorial Park are outstanding public spaces. Superb family friendly spots where kids can play, jump, slide and test their budding skills on a miniature skateboard park.
Te Awamutu War Memorial Park is a great place for kids to feed ducks their stash of frozen peas and explore the wedding paths among the mature trees and duck ponds. A homage to the wars is framed by a pergola festooned with climbing roses. The sunken garden memorial to the loss of life during times of conflict is shaped in a cross and lined with ornamental stone walls. There is a playground, picnic tables and public toilets… read more Te Awamutu Rose Garden & War Memorial Park.
Te Awamutu rose garden
Opened in 1969, the Te Awamutu rose garden contains over 50 varieties planted in classic curved formal beds and features over 2500 plants. Flowering begins in November and continues until May. The Rotary Club has built a viewing platform which is a great way to get an overview of the rose gardens.
Te Awamutu Rose Garden, Waikato
Children's playground Te Awamutu, Waikato
Te Awamutu Children’s Playground
The playground is one of the best in the country. The superb use of the sloping grounds has created a fun sliding tunnel. There are modern climbing, jumping and skipping areas for children with brightly coloured markers creating safe places for kids to play.
Te Awamutu to Sanctuary Mountain is a mere 28 km short drive past Arapuni Dam and rolling farmland to the Pukeatau turnoff.
Te Awamutu local walks and Waikato walking trails
Must-do walks and hikes in the Waikato region (central North Island) are easily accessible from Te Awamutu. Wander the banks of Mighty Waikato River or briskly climb one of the many volcanic peaks from Mt Pirongia to Mt Te Aroha for panoramic views. New Zealand’s national walking trail from the top of the country to the bottom transverses the Waikato. Te Aaroa (long pathway) weaves its way past historic Mercer, rolling dairy country, interesting hydroelectric dam sites and completes its Waikato jaunt at Te Kuiti, sheep country. For more tips about the best places to walk in the Waikato check out Top 11 favourite Waikato short walks – Best Bits.
Te Awamutu rose garden walk, Waikato
Wairere falls
- Pukemokemoke Reserve (Gordonton). A bush loop trail of 1 ½ walking through a rich diversity of native flora and fauna with great picnic spots
- Mangapohue Natural Bridge walk, a short distance from the Waitomo Caves
- Hamilton city and river walks with the promise of a great cafe nearby
- Morrinsville riverwalk with the opportunity to explore galleries and shops on the main street
- Wairere falls near Matamata of Hobbiton fame
- Bridal Veil waterfalls on the way to Raglan is a natural bush clad amphitheatre with a gossamer sheet of water framed by a sandstone cliff
Putaruru Blue Springs & Te Waihou walkway – Best Bits is a walking trail. The walkway is a distance of 4.7 kilometres, with an average walking time of 1.5 hours (3 hours return). The terrain varies from easy walking to backcountry trekking with stile crossings. In some areas the track has been benched and steps constructed through the gorge area. There are unfenced waterways, electric fences and livestock, children must be supervised at all times.
Putaruru view
Te Awamutu is a ½ road trip to one of New Zealand’s extraordinary places, the Hamilton Gardens.
TIP
Combine with a trip to Taitua Arboretum and don’t miss the Te Awamutu rose garden opposite the visitor centre on Gorst Street.
The best time to visit Te Awamutu is between November to mid April when the roses are at their peak bloom. The roses continue to flourish until early May. The average summer temperature is 24.9c dropping to 15c at night. Te Awamutu Weather Forecast and Observations – MetService New Zealand. In winter the area can experience heavy fog making driving hazardous.
- Quirky, amusing the Sir Ed Hillary Otorohanga Kiwiana walk is a time capsule of kiwi life in the 1950’s to 1970’s. Find out who claims ownership of the pavlova dessert and what brand of soap was a domestic favourite.
- Kihikihi is a must-go destination for followers of the Waikato Land Wars trail with its evocative memorial to one of Aotearoa New Zealand great warriors, Rewi Maniapoto
- Local museums with their collections from pre-European Maori objects to 19th century European settler life to the present are located in Te Awamutu, Otorohanga, Raglan, Piopio and Cambridge
- Te Kuiti is just over ½ hour road trip into King Country, country blues, sheep shearing with sombre stories of Maori resistance to land confiscation and land alienation
Te Awamutu has a modern indoor aquatic centre. The Livingstone Aquatics, indoor facility includes a 25 metre pool, hydroslide, hydrotherapy pool, learners pool, toddler’s pool, spa, sauna and an inflatable obstacle course. Check the facility online for up to date opening hours. Entrance fees apply.
Te Awamutu means the end of a navigable river. Te Awamutu is the administrative centre for the Waipu District, Waikato, North Island, New Zealand. The major natural landmarks are the promontory of Mount Pirongia and Maungatautari Sanctuary Mountain (predator free zone for native species).
Hamilton Gardens
Te Awamutu is close to Cambridge, Otorohanga, Raglan and Hamilton. The town’s central Waikato location is a hub for agricultural services as well as an attractive visitor destination for exploration of key Waikato attractions.
Te Awamutu | Destination | Distance from Te Awamutu |
Te Awamutu | Hamilton | 33 km |
Te Awamutu | Cambridge | 24.6 km |
Te Awamutu | Otorohanga | 29 km |
Te Awamutu | Raglan | 61 km |
Te Awamutu | Waitomo Caves | 43 km |
Te Awamutu | Te Kuiti | 47.5 km |
Te Awamutu | Hobbiton (Matamata) | 48 km |
Te Awamutu is well represented by the Te Awamutu Courier which ably supports the online presence of Te Awamutu.
Te Awamutu, Waikato North Island, NZ is a great hub and spoke destination for a holiday in the slow lane where your bags are unpacked and a series of day trips and nearby exploration offers visitors adventure, natural beauty and the chance to unwind. For more holiday inspiration what to do in the central North Island check out:
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BEST BITS TRAVEL GUIDE
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