Cambridge (New Zealand)
Cambridge is a tree-lined town with a very English feel, known as the Town of Trees. It is in the Waikato region of New Zealand, 24 km from the city of Hamilton, and the great Waikato River flows through it. Central Cambridge is on the north side of the river, and the suburb of Leamington is on the south side. The town had a population of 15,000 in 2006.
Understand
European settlers established the town of Cambridge in 1864. The town was named after Prince George, Duke of Cambridge, the Commander-in-Chief of the British Army at the time.
🌍 i-Site Information Centre, On the corner of Queen St & Victoria St, ☎ +64 7 823 3456, e-mail: info@cambridge.co.nz. M–F 9AM-5PM, Sa-Su & public holidays 10AM-4PM.
Get in
By car
Cambridge is on State Highway 1. From Hamilton drive 24 km south-east on SH 1. From Auckland you can take SH 1 through Hamilton, or turn off shortly after Taupiri and take SH 1B (the Hamilton bypass), which rejoins SH 1 at Cambridge. Pay attention to the direction signs on 1B, as sometimes it seems like you have to turn off a main road onto a side road.
Get around
Cambridge Taxis operates M–F and can be booked at +64 7 827 5999. There is one car rental firm, Europcar, in Oliver St, +64 7 823 0990.
See
- 🌍 Cambridge Museum, Old Court House, 24 Victoria St. M–F 10am-4pm, Su 10am-2pm. Free, donations appreciated.
- 🌍 Maungatautari Ecological Island (Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari), 99 Tari Rd, Pukeatua (from Victoria St in Cambridge, go over the high level bridge, take first exit on roundabout onto Pope Tce, continue onto Cook St. At the roundabout take the 2nd exit onto Shakespeare St. Turn left onto Browning St for 700m. Turn right onto Carlyle St, go 550m, continue on Roto-o-rangi Rd for 12.3km, turn left onto Parklands Rd for 6.7km, turn right onto Monckton Rd go 2.6km. Turn left onto Arapuni Road for 10.5km. Turn left into Tari Rd and continue to end of road. Set your GPS to the address since Google Maps takes you to the wrong side.). Manu Tioriori Visitor Centre & Southern Enclosure daily except 25 Dec 08:30–16:00. Over the Mountain track & Northern Enclosure are accessible 24/7 but for visitor safety and that of the flora and fauna, not recommended after dark. An area of native New Zealand bush that has been fenced off with 47km of predator proof fence. They are working on clearing all predators from the interior and re-introducing native wildlife to the area including kiwis, kakapo and tuatara. You're free to walk through the main enclosure, but the guided tours around the park are really good. Southern Enclosure $16, 5–16yr $7, senior >65yr/student with ID $10, family of 2 adults and up to 3 children 5–16yr $36 (additional child $7).
Do
- 🌍 Camjet, Riverside Park, Dominion Ave, ☎ +64 27 7758 193, toll-free: 0800 226538, e-mail: camjet2011@gmail.com. Rides in a 450 HP V8 jet boat on the Waikato River. Thrill rides and more gentle scenic rides, including trips up to the base of the Karapiro Dam. From $55.
- 🌍 Tour of Duty Paintball, 300 French Pass Rd (take Thornton Rd east out of town), ☎ +64 7 827 5519, +64 27 481 3109, e-mail: todpaintball@hotmail.com. Daily. Bookings essential. From $25 per person.