"Hamilton Gardens Part 2" Top 5 Page for this destination Waikato Travelogue by shelnlin

I love this garden in the Autumn/Fall. All the flowers are beautiful at this time of the year and it is sometimes called the "universal" garden because of it represents three religions- Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam.

The Italian Renaissance Garden is gorgeous and like the Indian Char Bagan garden, it backs onto the Waikato river. According to the website this garden was influenced by "Italian Renaissance Gardens evolved from many sources, in particular the Arab garden traditions although Islamic symbolism was given a Christian interpretation. The other major influence was a revival of interest in the cultures of antiquity, and the Renaissance designers constantly tried to emulate and surpass the ancient Greek and Roman achievements. This included accommodating antique sculptures or copies of antique figures like the copy from a mould of the original 5th century Capitoline wolf with Romulus and Remus in the Italian garden. The two babies, Romulus and Remus, were thrown into the Tiber River, which carried them to Platine where they were suckled by a she-wolf and then raised by a shepherd". http://www.hamiltongardens.co.nz/

Hamilton Gardens Lake

These shots were taken in the late afternoon during the Autumn time down by the Waikato River and around the Hamilton gardens.

This photo was taken around 4pm in the afternoon on the Bridge Street entrance of the Waikato River in Hamilton. River cruises can be taken on the infamous Waipa Delta, the city's paddle steamer for lunch and dinner Mon-Sat 7-9pm, Sunday 6-8pm for dinner and Mon - Sun 12 - 2pm for lunch.

Lunch Cruise

$39 Adults (Cruise price) + $20 for three courses

$20 Children 5-12 (Cruise price) + $10 for the kid's menu

$5 Under 5's (Cruise price) + $10 for the kid's menu

Dinner Cruise

$39 Adults (Cruise price) + $30 for four courses

$20 Children 5-12 (Cruise price) + $15 for the kid's menu

$5 Under 5s (Cruise price) + $15 for the kid's menu

This cruise takes us along the Waikato River and shows us many historical places and bridges that are a step back in time to Hamilton's history.

Hamilton Gardens is free to visit and has a cafe and information office on site. There are plenty of spots where you can take a picnic for lunch or dinner and you will always be welcomed by the ducks.