Tracey & Murray’s guidebook
Sightseeing
These gardens are world class. They are free to enter and you can wander around looking at the all the different gardens. My favourite is the newly opened garden, the Katherine Mansfield Garden. IT is a great place to take a picnic and enjoy a day out. There is a great little cafe too along with a very cool childrens playground.
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Hamilton Gardens
These gardens are world class. They are free to enter and you can wander around looking at the all the different gardens. My favourite is the newly opened garden, the Katherine Mansfield Garden. IT is a great place to take a picnic and enjoy a day out. There is a great little cafe too along with a very cool childrens playground.
There are a various options / caves you can tour in depending on what you would like to see e.g. glowworms. The Waitomo area also offers Black water rafting and zip lining. There are some short bush walks too. One of the best walks is the Ruakuri Walkway. It is beautiful loop walk (about 45 minutes) through lush bush where you will see the river weaving itself through and under rocks. There is also a lovely reserve area next to the carpark, ideal for a picnic lunch.
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Waitomo Glowworm Caves
39 Waitomo Village RdThere are a various options / caves you can tour in depending on what you would like to see e.g. glowworms. The Waitomo area also offers Black water rafting and zip lining. There are some short bush walks too. One of the best walks is the Ruakuri Walkway. It is beautiful loop walk (about 45 minutes) through lush bush where you will see the river weaving itself through and under rocks. There is also a lovely reserve area next to the carpark, ideal for a picnic lunch.
If you love biking you might like to hire a bike and ride out to Lake karapiro from town on the purpose built bike path. Its about a 12 km return trip. Lake Karapiro is the heart of NZ rowing so while looking around you may see rowers training. There is lots of space to wander around and view the lake and there is a great little cafe if you'd like a bite to eat.
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Lake Karapiro
If you love biking you might like to hire a bike and ride out to Lake karapiro from town on the purpose built bike path. Its about a 12 km return trip. Lake Karapiro is the heart of NZ rowing so while looking around you may see rowers training. There is lots of space to wander around and view the lake and there is a great little cafe if you'd like a bite to eat.
Take a picnic with you as there are lots of green spaces at the zoo to stop and enjoy.
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Hamilton Zoo
183 Brymer RdTake a picnic with you as there are lots of green spaces at the zoo to stop and enjoy.
Otorohanga Kiwi House and Native Bird Park
20 Alex Telfer DrFood scene
This is a lovely cafe set just outside of Cambridge. It is set in a rural setting which also has various art works on display and for sale.
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Lily Pad Cafe
1234 Kaipaki RdThis is a lovely cafe set just outside of Cambridge. It is set in a rural setting which also has various art works on display and for sale.
I great contemporary restaurant. I would recommend that you book. During Summer you can sit outside on the sidewalk and enjoy your meal and watch Cambridge go by.
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Alpino Cucina e Vino
43 Victoria StI great contemporary restaurant. I would recommend that you book. During Summer you can sit outside on the sidewalk and enjoy your meal and watch Cambridge go by.
A great little cafe. The perfect spot for a bite to eat if you enjoy bike riding or you are visiting the velodrome
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The Bikery Cafe & Catering
15 Hanlin RdA great little cafe. The perfect spot for a bite to eat if you enjoy bike riding or you are visiting the velodrome
This a a funky little cafe set in Cambridge East. It is the closest cafe driving into town from here.
Suburban Kitchen
25 Robinson StThis a a funky little cafe set in Cambridge East. It is the closest cafe driving into town from here.
A great cafe set on Lake Karapiro. The Boat shed also hire kayaks so you can explore the lake.
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The Boatshed Karapiro
21 Amber LnA great cafe set on Lake Karapiro. The Boat shed also hire kayaks so you can explore the lake.
This is a lovely little local farmers market in Victoria Square on Saturday mornings from 8am - 12pm. It's a great place to buy some yummy local food / produce.
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Cambridge Farmers' Market
67 Queen StThis is a lovely little local farmers market in Victoria Square on Saturday mornings from 8am - 12pm. It's a great place to buy some yummy local food / produce.
Great fish and chips and burgers. All cooked to a high standard and really tasty!
T&S Takeaways Cambridge
36 Lake StGreat fish and chips and burgers. All cooked to a high standard and really tasty!
Adventure
The Waikato River trails are scenic bike trails following alongside the Waikato River. There are different stages and distances to choose from. You can also walk these trails. A highlight of the closest stage to Cambridge is the Arapuni Swing Bridge and if you are in Arapuni, Rhubarb Cafe is a great place to stop.
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Waikato River Trails
The Waikato River trails are scenic bike trails following alongside the Waikato River. There are different stages and distances to choose from. You can also walk these trails. A highlight of the closest stage to Cambridge is the Arapuni Swing Bridge and if you are in Arapuni, Rhubarb Cafe is a great place to stop.
Lake District Adventures offer kayak hire and bike hire. The folk who run are very helpful and knowledgeable. The are located right on the river so you can kayak or ride some of the Waikato River trail.
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Lake District Adventures
396 Horahora RdLake District Adventures offer kayak hire and bike hire. The folk who run are very helpful and knowledgeable. The are located right on the river so you can kayak or ride some of the Waikato River trail.
The Skyline luge is a fun place to spend a couple of hours. Access is up the Skyline Gondola which gives you amazing views over Rotorua. There are 3 tracks to choose from. I like the scenic track where you can amble down but if you like speed I recommend the advanced track!
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Skyline Rotorua
178 Fairy Springs RdThe Skyline luge is a fun place to spend a couple of hours. Access is up the Skyline Gondola which gives you amazing views over Rotorua. There are 3 tracks to choose from. I like the scenic track where you can amble down but if you like speed I recommend the advanced track!
World class mountain bike trails. If you are a mountain biker then this is a must to do! There is a bike hire shop on site. Take a picnic and make a day of it!
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Mountain Bike Rotorua
Waipa State Mill RoadWorld class mountain bike trails. If you are a mountain biker then this is a must to do! There is a bike hire shop on site. Take a picnic and make a day of it!
This is a fantastic mountain bike park which is only 25 minutes from the loft. It is run and looked after by a great group of volunteers. There are a variety of trails from easy to challenging. These can be seen on the website and the information board at the park. Take a picnic too, great spot!
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Te Miro Mountain Bike Park
Waterworks RoadThis is a fantastic mountain bike park which is only 25 minutes from the loft. It is run and looked after by a great group of volunteers. There are a variety of trails from easy to challenging. These can be seen on the website and the information board at the park. Take a picnic too, great spot!
Walks
Maungatautari Mountain is a very special place. It is mainland island with a spectacular aray of native birds ( kaka, takahe, stitchbirds, bellbirds, saddlebacks and more) and bush. The mountain is surrounded with pest proof fencing to keep predators out. On the southern side There is the Southern Enclosure where there are various short walks you can choose from along with a viewing tower where you get to climb up into the canopy of the trees. The information centre is a lovely place to relax and learn more about the mountain and if you choose, have a cuppa too. The enclosure is a 45 minute drive from here. To enter Santuary mountain adults are $22 and children are $10.
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Maungatautari Mountain
Maungatautari Mountain is a very special place. It is mainland island with a spectacular aray of native birds ( kaka, takahe, stitchbirds, bellbirds, saddlebacks and more) and bush. The mountain is surrounded with pest proof fencing to keep predators out. On the southern side There is the Southern Enclosure where there are various short walks you can choose from along with a viewing tower where you get to climb up into the canopy of the trees. The information centre is a lovely place to relax and learn more about the mountain and if you choose, have a cuppa too. The enclosure is a 45 minute drive from here. To enter Santuary mountain adults are $22 and children are $10.
The Blue Springs is a lovely walk near Putararu. The water is incredibly clear as it comes up from an underground Spring. Often you can see trout swimming in the river. The walk is between 3 -4 hours return. There is parking at wither end of the track.
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Blue Spring Putaruru
Leslie RoadThe Blue Springs is a lovely walk near Putararu. The water is incredibly clear as it comes up from an underground Spring. Often you can see trout swimming in the river. The walk is between 3 -4 hours return. There is parking at wither end of the track.
This is a scenic reserve a short drive from here. It has fabulous views looking over Cambridge, Lake Karapiro and the Waikato. It is a great spot for a fish n chip picnic dinner. There is also a lovely 20 minute native bush walk.
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Maungakawa Scenic Reserve Loop Walk
This is a scenic reserve a short drive from here. It has fabulous views looking over Cambridge, Lake Karapiro and the Waikato. It is a great spot for a fish n chip picnic dinner. There is also a lovely 20 minute native bush walk.
Mount Pirongia is about a 45 minute drive from here. There are several tracks up to a great lookout , Ruapane Lookout. The Nature Circuit is also a lovely short walk set in beautiful native bush.
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Pirongia Mountain
Mount Pirongia is about a 45 minute drive from here. There are several tracks up to a great lookout , Ruapane Lookout. The Nature Circuit is also a lovely short walk set in beautiful native bush.
This is a great hike. Wairere Falls are a 50 minute drive from here and it is a 3-4hr return hike to the top through beautiful native bush and past moss covered rocks. There are a couple of bridges to cross as you make your way up. The track is well marked and it is a steady climb to the top where you will have spectacular views over the Waikato. Another option to see the 153m water fall is from a viewing platform half way up to the top. This hike is a great day out from here.
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Wairere Falls
Goodwin RoadThis is a great hike. Wairere Falls are a 50 minute drive from here and it is a 3-4hr return hike to the top through beautiful native bush and past moss covered rocks. There are a couple of bridges to cross as you make your way up. The track is well marked and it is a steady climb to the top where you will have spectacular views over the Waikato. Another option to see the 153m water fall is from a viewing platform half way up to the top. This hike is a great day out from here.
Karangahake gorge is just over 1 hour drive away. The gorge is steeped in gold mining history and offers several short walks which will take you through old tram tunnels and / or over swing bridges which cross the Ohinewai River. The popular Hauraki Rail Trail ( bike trail) also passes through the gorge. It is a good idea to take a torch ( flashlight) for the tunnels. The main tunnel is just over 1km long.
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Karangahake gorge
State Highway 2Karangahake gorge is just over 1 hour drive away. The gorge is steeped in gold mining history and offers several short walks which will take you through old tram tunnels and / or over swing bridges which cross the Ohinewai River. The popular Hauraki Rail Trail ( bike trail) also passes through the gorge. It is a good idea to take a torch ( flashlight) for the tunnels. The main tunnel is just over 1km long.
A great little circuit walk up to a look out tower where you will get fantastic views over the waikato, Kaimais and local landscape. We recommend you walk the circuit anticlockwise. It takes approximately 1 1/2 hours to walk up and about 2 hours to walk down. The reserve is a 50 ,minute drive from here.
Te Tapui Reserve access
1031 Piakonui RdA great little circuit walk up to a look out tower where you will get fantastic views over the waikato, Kaimais and local landscape. We recommend you walk the circuit anticlockwise. It takes approximately 1 1/2 hours to walk up and about 2 hours to walk down. The reserve is a 50 ,minute drive from here.
The is the small lake in Cambridge town. It is an easy flat walk around it. If you park on Thornton Road near the Begonia House you will find there are several d tracks which lead down to the lake.
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Te Koutu Lake Domain
Albert StreetThe is the small lake in Cambridge town. It is an easy flat walk around it. If you park on Thornton Road near the Begonia House you will find there are several d tracks which lead down to the lake.
A lovely small lake in the heart of Cambridge. If you park on Thornton Road near the Begonia House you will find signposted tracks leading down to the lake. It takes about 1/2 an hour to walk around it.
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Te Koutu Lake Domain
Albert StreetA lovely small lake in the heart of Cambridge. If you park on Thornton Road near the Begonia House you will find signposted tracks leading down to the lake. It takes about 1/2 an hour to walk around it.
Hot Pools
A free natural hot water stream where you can enjoy a nice soak. surrounded by lovely bush. I would be ready and changed before you get there as there there are no changing rooms, but there is a tiolet.
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Kerosene Creek
Old Waiotapu RoadA free natural hot water stream where you can enjoy a nice soak. surrounded by lovely bush. I would be ready and changed before you get there as there there are no changing rooms, but there is a tiolet.
Amazing hot pools set in a rural setting. Waikite is a great place to relax and soak up the warm geothermal water. They have a neat little eco walk too, where you can see where the hot water comes from.
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Waikite Valley Thermal Pools
648 Waikite Valley RdAmazing hot pools set in a rural setting. Waikite is a great place to relax and soak up the warm geothermal water. They have a neat little eco walk too, where you can see where the hot water comes from.
Movies
A great little cinema which features art house films. The seating is very comfortable and spacious. You can also buy a wine, beer or a yummy platter to eat and enjoy as you watch a movie.
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Tivoli Cinema
32 Lake StA great little cinema which features art house films. The seating is very comfortable and spacious. You can also buy a wine, beer or a yummy platter to eat and enjoy as you watch a movie.