Hamilton Gardens but not how you know it
From sometime this year, Hamilton Gardens will start to charge non-residents of Hamilton to enter the enclosed gardens.
And I get it. Because the charge will help fund more cool gardens and putting back into this cool Hamilton location. But at the same time, I think it is a bit of a shame. Because for some, that 20 dollar entrance fee might not be an option, especially for large families.
But, the Hamilton Gardens is more than just the enclosed gardens. Often when I visit this spot, I do not even go into the enclosed gardens, just because there is so much to see and explore outside of those walls.
Lets talk about some of those spots
Turtle Lake
Named, because this lake became a bit of a dumping ground for pet turtles (bring your unwanted pets to rescues, people), Turtle Lake is a nice spot at Hamilton Gardens that is free to explore. There is a boardwalk that goes across it, and you can walk around most of the lake. There is ducks to spot, koi, and sometimes turtles. There is also a cool waterfall that goes into the pond. There are also shags sometimes in this lake.
Stop for a coffee at the Hamilton Gardens Cafe, as it overlooks this pond and is a nice spot to enjoy some caffiene.
Roger’s Rose Garden
Named after an old mayor of Hamilton, Dr. Dennis Roger, the Roger Rose Garden is a sweet delight to walk through. In spring - summer, the place is alive with colour and the sweet perfume of rose. It is a lovely spot to walk through and have a picnic with your friends.
Their are themes for this garden -
The species rose.
The Malmaison roses of Empress Josephine.
The development of the first hybrid tea by Jean-Baptiste Andre Guillot.
The ‘Peace’ rose, Mme Meilland and its descendants.
Recent cultivars, including past and present winners of the New Zealand Rose of the Year trials.
Each year in November, the National Pacific Rose Bowl Festival is held. You can even vote for Rose of the Year.
Rhododendron Lawn
This is a large lawned area hedged by a variety of different shurbs, trees and plants.
Best time to wander around this area is Spring and Summer when all the flowers are in bloom. Though Autumn can also be quite fun, as many mushrooms sprout out from the bark gardens.
The lawn often hosts events, like The Giant Pumpkin Festival where pumpkins that could rival James’s giant peach are abound.
Victorian Flower Garden
This was actually the first part of the gardens to be developed.
Home to well manicured lawns, flower beds that pop with colour and vibrancy and an old greenhouse, that is now closed to the public, but still cool for photos outside of it.
My favorite time to visit this garden is during spring, early summer, when the poppies make an apperance.
Down by the River
Walk through Roger;s Rose Garden, and you will come to a path leading down.
Follow it.
You are now at the Waikato River.
This spot is lush, green and a nice quiet spot, in a place that can often be quite busy.
There are picnic tables, perfect for a sit down or lunch.
The path is a deadend, but I do recommend following it as it is bordered by beautiful kawakawa shurbs, totara trees, and other natives.