Just south of Auckland lies the Hamilton-Waikato region; a land of lush pastures that was chosen to play The Shire in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films. People love living here for all sorts of different reasons; it's easy to get around, there are lots to see and do, the river and city gardens make it attractive and it's a great place to visit. With more than 1000 hectares of open space, 145 parks and gardens and 63 sports areas, one of the first things you'll notice about visiting here is how green it is and there is something to suit to everyone.
Well known for waterfall hiking, Hamilton is a great destination to discover nature. Do remember, however, that many waterfalls are difficult to hike and are quite challenging for beginners.
