Cambridge Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Cambridge
Photo by Cheskie's Gap Life
Photo by Cheskie's Gap Life

A visit to this tree-lined North Island town with its peaceful parks, boutique stores, cafés and scenic lakes is a pleasant day trip from Hamilton.

Cambridge is a pretty town that has a calming effect on its visitors. Walk or cycle along the banks of the Waikato River, or try your hand at trout fishing in Lake Karapiro. Afterwards, browse the galleries and boutique stores along Victoria Street. There are more thrilling activities too, if you are afraid you may get bored.Just like its namesake in the United Kingdom, Cambridge has an elegant, distinctly English feel. Its tree-lined streets, Tudor-style houses and numerous well-tended parks and greens pay tribute to New Zealand’s colonial roots. At the many local horse farms dozens of champion thoroughbreds have been raised. While most of the horse riding here is for serious equestrians only, you can still organise trekking tours that will take you around the local area.Just 8 kilometres (5 miles) from the town centre, is the man-made Lake Karapiro. Formed when a dam was constructed for a power plant in 1947, the body of water is now a favourite recreational area for Cambridge residents. Rent a kayak and explore its boundaries, or if you visit in summer you can jump in for a refreshing dip.The central walkways along the Waikato River make for a pleasant stroll. If you feel like something a bit more exciting, jump aboard the Camjet, a V8-powered speedboat that takes you on a thrilling ride up the river towards the Karapiro Dam. If you’re a keen cyclist, make sure to explore the Waikato River trails. Over 100 kilometres (60 miles) of tracks take you past several lakes, and some vast expanses of countryside. The attractive town centre of Cambridge is almost entirely made up of locally owned boutique stores, so if you’re looking for presents or souvenirs this is a great place to shop. You won’t go hungry either, with more than 20 cafés and restaurants serving up a wide range of local and international delights. Cambridge is located 23 kilometres (14 miles) southeast of Hamilton and is easy to reach by car, with ample parking, and bus.

Where to stay in Cambridge

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Leamington

5/5(39 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Leamington, Waikato River and Jubilee Gardens are top sights worth seeing.

Leamington
Hidden Lake Hotel and Apartments

Hidden Lake Hotel and Apartments

5 out of 5
34E Lake Street, Cambridge, Waikato
The price is AU$224 per night from 21 Sept to 22 Sept
AU$224
21 Sept - 22 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Cambridge. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
Hidden Lake Hotel and Apartments
No1 Motels On Victoria

No1 Motels On Victoria

3 out of 5
89 Victoria Street, Cambridge
The price is AU$101 per night from 2 Oct to 3 Oct
AU$101
2 Oct - 3 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star motel in Cambridge. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a business center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the overall value in our ...
No1 Motels On Victoria
Cambridge TOP 10 Holiday Park

Cambridge TOP 10 Holiday Park

3 out of 5
32 Scott St, Cambridge, Waikato
The price is AU$107 per night from 10 Sept to 11 Sept
AU$107
10 Sept - 11 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star holiday park in Cambridge. Enjoy free parking, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Jubilee Gardens and Cambridge Museum ...
Cambridge TOP 10 Holiday Park
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Cambridge Coach House

Cambridge Coach House

4 out of 5
3796 Cambridge Road, Te Awamutu Highway, Cambridge
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly cottage in Cambridge. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Cambridge Farmers' ...
Cambridge Coach House
Charming 3-bedroom cottage in marvellous Cambridge.

Charming 3-bedroom cottage in marvellous Cambridge.

Cambridge
Stay at this cottage in Cambridge. Enjoy a garden, laundry facilities, and air conditioning. Popular attractions Cambridge Museum and Jubilee Gardens are located ...
Charming 3-bedroom cottage in marvellous Cambridge.
Bay Tree Boutique Accommodation Cambridge

Bay Tree Boutique Accommodation Cambridge

Cambridge
Stay at this vacation home in Cambridge. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Cambridge Farmers' Market and Te Koutu Lake are ...
Bay Tree Boutique Accommodation Cambridge
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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