Cambridge

Travel 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 organize trekking tours that will take you around the local area.Just 5 miles (8 kilometers) from the town center, 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 favorite 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 60 miles (100 kilometers) of tracks take you past several lakes, and some vast expanses of countryside. The attractive town center 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 14 miles (23 kilometers) 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(1 area review)

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 €129 per night from 19 Jan to 20 Jan
€129
includes taxes & fees
19 Jan - 20 Jan
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 ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (581 reviews)
"Practical overnight stopover hotel"

Reviewed on 8 Jan 2025

Hidden Lake Hotel and Apartments
No1 Motels On Victoria
No1 Motels On Victoria
3 out of 5
89 Victoria Street, Cambridge
The price is €59 per night from 22 Jan to 23 Jan
€59
includes taxes & fees
22 Jan - 23 Jan
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 ...
8/10 Very Good! (561 reviews)
"The kitchen was unique with breakfast basics provided"

Reviewed on 6 Jan 2025

No1 Motels On Victoria
Cambridge TOP 10 Holiday Park
Cambridge TOP 10 Holiday Park
4 out of 5
32 Scott St, Cambridge, Waikato
The price is €64 per night from 27 Jan to 28 Jan
€64
includes taxes & fees
27 Jan - 28 Jan
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified holiday park in Cambridge. Enjoy free parking, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Jubilee Gardens and Cambridge ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (50 reviews)
"it was well kept and communication was great."

Reviewed on 14 Nov 2024

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' ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (148 reviews)
"Lovely cottage set in gardens, there is however a lot of construction happening nearby by"

Reviewed on 13 Nov 2024

Cambridge Coach House
Villa 142 - Luxurious and Centrally Located
Villa 142 - Luxurious and Centrally Located
Cambridge
Book a stay at this family-friendly villa in Cambridge. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and patios. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. Popular ...
10/10 Exceptional! (52 reviews)
Long weekend stopover
"Fantastic property and wished we could of stayed longer"

Reviewed on 3 Nov 2024

Villa 142 - Luxurious and Centrally Located
Cambridge Cottage - the perfect, pet friendly location!
Cambridge Cottage - the perfect, pet friendly location!
Cambridge
Stay at this vacation home in Cambridge. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and patios. Popular attractions Te Koutu Lake and Cambridge Farmers' Market are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (31 reviews)
Quaint Cottage
"This home was good for a 2 night trip. We were in the area to see Hobbiton, glow worm caves, and do a hot air balloon. This was a central location for all three. The lake across the street was pleasant and enhanced the trip. Great for morning workout/walk. Around the corner was a workout station ..."

Reviewed on 29 Nov 2024

Cambridge Cottage - the perfect, pet friendly location!
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.

Popular places to visit

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Reviews of Cambridge

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
1
" "5 - Excellent 25%
4 - Good
3
" "4 - Good 75%
3 - Okay
0
" "3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Great place shame we couldn't stay longer