The Waikato Region

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Café Cruises

Enjoy a relaxing scenic boat cruise and spectacular views of the Waikato River and Hamilton city while enjoying hot and cold meals on board from our Floating Café & Bar.

VACCINE PASSES REQUIRED

River Ferry

Rapid transport for hire

VACCINE PASSES NOT REQUIRED

Group Events

Waikato River Explorer is great for corporate events, client functions, staff dinners and class trips.

Departing from Waikato Museum in the heart of the city

Vaccine Passes not required if hiring the entire vessel

Onboard Cafe Bar

With a fully licensed cafe & bar there are many different dining options aboard the Waikato River Explorer.

Hamilton City

Hamilton (Kirikiriroa in Māori) is the centre of New Zealand’s fourth largest urban area, and Hamilton City is the country’s fourth largest territorial authority. Initially an agricultural service centre, it now has a growing and diverse economy and is the second fastest growing urban area in the country.

Education and research and development play an important part in the modern economy of the city and it is home to approximately 40,000 tertiary students and 1,000 PhD scientists.

Hamilton Gardens

Hamilton Gardens is owned and operated by Hamilton City Council. The Gardens is the Waikato Region’s most popular visitor attraction, attracting in excess of 1 million people and holding over 2,000 events each year. The gardens present the theme of ‘the story of gardens’ and are divided into the Paradise, Productive, Fantasy, Cultivar and Landscape garden collections. Entry is free, with most gardens open during daylight hours throughout the year.

The gardens first opened in 1960 with the first substantial development being Rogers Rose Garden, which was opened in 1971. The most-visited gardens are the American Modernist Garden, Chinese Scholars Garden, English Flower Garden, Japanese Garden of Contemplation, Indian Char Bagh Garden, Maori Garden, The Italian Renaissance Garden, Tudor and Tropical Gardens. Eight new gardens are currently under construction.

Mystery Creek Events Centre

Mystery Creek Events Centre is owned and operated by the NZ National Fieldays Society. The Society operates as a non-profit organisation, registered with the Charities Commission. The Society was developed in 1969, focusing on the development of the NZ National Agricultural Fieldays event.

The NZ National Agricultural Fieldays event remains the cornerstone of the Society, with more and more events now being hosted on site. The Society now owns and manages the property, Fieldays, Equidays, ‘The Expo’ and jointly operates the Waikato Boat Fishing and Leisure Show.

Mystery Creek’s mission is “to be the best multi-functional events organisation, providing quality events and service to our customers”. The Waikato River Explorer is proud to be working alongside the team at Mystery Creek Events Centre.