Taitua Arboretum - The Best Free Nature Spot in Hamilton
The tree arboretum in the Waikato is a tree lover’s paradise. A sprawling space of 20 hectares, the tree arboretum offers some of the best walks in the Hamilton area. A place to reconnect with nature, while being completely free. Does it get any better than that? Answer no.
History
Before the place was filled with trees, it was open pasture land. Like a lot of the Waikato.
But in the seventies, two green thumbed humans started planting seeds. Bunny and John Mortimer. To provide shade for their animals, they planted trees and shrubs. Hundreds of them, from seeds and cuttings that they had collected around the world.
Even though they are now gone, there legacy lives on at the Arboretum. The park was gifted to the city in 1997 and is open to the public to enjoy without any charge.
WALKS
There are about 3kms of walks that will have you wandering around the Arboretum.
When you enter the Arboretum, you can either go left or right. It doesn’t really matter which direction you go, you will end up back at the start as path loops back.
There is a helpful map at the start of the walk which will showcase some interesting points of interest within the park.
Spots of interest
Redwood Tree Circle
Towering redwood trees form a circle, you can twirl and spin within the middle or have a seat and gaze upwards.
Stone Circle
Think Stonehenge, but the poor man version.
The Ruins
Think the Pantheon, but the Hamilton version.
Oak Walk
Marvel at some ancient and mighty oak trees.
Ponds
Go say hello to the ducks. They are super cute. There are two ponds in the Arboretum, both with seating. They are a great spot for a sit down and perhaps a bite to eat.
Tree Tunnel
This is a great area for photos. A long tunnel made from trees. Run down said tunnel and have someone photograph you or set up your tripod for a cool photo.
Flora and Fauna
There are a lot of birds here mainly because there is a lot of trees. Go figure. There are grey warblers or riroriro, fantails or piwakawaka, silver eyes or tauhou, a peahen that struts around and will randomly pop out when you least expect it.
There are ducks floating around on the water, tuis zooming by, blackbirds hunting out for worms and hawks or kahu swooping above. Kaka are one of the newest additions to this area, and they will be heard before seen normally. They sound like angry flying dinosaurs and it is kind of great.
There is also large gangs of roosters and chickens that live here. You will first meet these guys in the carpark. Where they like to hang out, converge on cars and generally give you a very clucky welcome. In the warmer months, you will see baby chicks. Little fluffy balls of joy following closely behind mum and dad.
Roosters and chickens of all sizes and colours will be dotted around the Arboretum, ready to spring out as soon as you pass. Chasing you down for food. You will become a Pied Piper of chickens as you walk these paths.
Plantwise, there are a lot of plants. Like too many to list down here. Helpfully, the trees and plants have little information plaques where you can see what species they are. The walk has a lovely educational spin to it.
Photo Spots
Bamboo Forest
A thick wall of towering bamboo makes for a grey backdrop for photos.
Tree Tunnel
A tunnel consisting of trees. It is a great place for leading lines and a mysterious photoshoot.
Blossoms
In Spring, the Arboretum is filled with blossoms. The trees adorned with a pretty display. Take some flower photos, or try your hand at snapping some bee shots.
Oak Trees
The mighty oak, look small next to these ancient trees. In Autumn,
Redwood Trees
A photo looking up at the canopy is a great photo to show the scale of these trees.
By the lake
If you like ducks and reflections, then a photo by the lake is a must.
On the bridge
There is a sweet lil bridge at the Arboretum, take a sweet little photo on it.
Under the shelter by the lake
By the lake, there is a little gazebo kind of deal. Take a photo under this structure.
Ways to travel here kindly and with consideration to the environment
Do not litter - There is a rubbish bin at the start of the walk. Either put your litter in there or bring it home. If it is recyclable, then try and bring it home with you to recycle.
Pick up dog poop - If your dog goes poop, pick it up. And please do not just put it in a plastic bag and throw it off the path because that is even worse. M’kay.
Do not trample on wildflowers - There is many flowers at the Arboretum. These are beautiful to look at as well as being food for insects and birds. Please do not trample on them or pick them. When you pick them, you rob someone else of seeing there beauty or an animal from getting food from the flowers.
Do not chase the birds - Chasing birds, or allowing your dogs or kids to chase birds results in a lot of stress towards that animal. How would you like to be chased around? You properly would not enjoy it - so give that same respect to the wildlife.
Do not feed the birds - There is plenty of food at the Arboretum for the birds. Human food does more harm than good and also teaches them to rely on humans.
Important Information.
Toilets - Yes. But only at the start of the walk and they can get a little gross, but hey, it is a public toilet so that is to be expected.
Cost - Free of charge to wander around this awesome place.
Dogs - Dogs are allowed but need to be on leash.
Prams - The paths are pram friendly so bring your cute lil kiddos along.
Parking - Free and carpark at the start of the walk