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Local advice, place guides and suburb guides from around Hamilton.

Coastal Beaches and HarbourNgarunui Beach RaglanSwimming, Surfing and Day Trip from HamiltonRaglan’s main swimming and surf beach, patrolled by lifeguards over summer and home to the Raglan Surf School, an easy day trip from Hamilton.River Beaches and Waikato River AccessMalcolm Street BeachRiver Swimming, Water Quality and Getting ThereA small Waikato River beach in Hammond Park, Riverlea, popular with summer swimmers, with a Good water quality grade and the Te Awa path nearby.Local AdviceRental Car Insurance in NZExcess, Bonds and Cover Options ExplainedThe insurance section is the part of a car rental booking most people skim, then worry about at the counter. Words like excess, bond and liability reduction get thrown around, and it is hard to know whether you need to pay for more cover or whether you are already protected. Here is how rental car …Local AdviceHamilton Airport Car RentalHow Pick-Up Works and What to Sort Before You LandFlying into Hamilton is a quick way to reach the Waikato, but the airport sits south of the city, so most visitors need a car to get anywhere. Hiring one at the airport saves a taxi fare into town and lets you head straight for Hamilton, Cambridge, Raglan or Hobbiton. Airport car hire is simple …Waikato River and Hydro LakesWaikato River FishingTrout and Rudd through HamiltonThe Waikato River runs through the middle of Hamilton, and riverside parks and walkways give anglers access to more than 15 km of it. Fish & Game describes the rainbow trout as plentiful and present all year, with brown trout throughout the river and rudd extremely abundant in summer. Unlike the stretches above the city, …Towns and Villages near HamiltonMotumaoho nearRural Area Guide to Quiet Living on State Highway 26Discover Motumaoho near Hamilton, a peaceful SH26 locality of farms, greenhouses and a village school where open Waikato countryside awaits.Towns and Villages near HamiltonPukemoremore nearRural Area Guide to Farms and Ngāti Hauā HeritageDiscover Pukemoremore near Hamilton, a quiet rural locality of farmland, Ngāti Hauā heritage and country living within easy reach of the city.Towns and Villages near HamiltonKaramu nearRural Area Guide to Lifestyle Blocks on Rolling HillsDiscover Karamu near Hamilton, a peaceful rural locality of lifestyle blocks and rolling hills where Kapamahunga views and country calm await.Northern SuburbsTe Rapa ParkSuburb Guide to Big-Box Retail and IndustryHead to Te Rapa Park for big-box shopping, trade suppliers and industry along Te Rapa Road, just north of The Base.Northern SuburbsNorthgateSuburb Guide to the Shopping Hub and Northern GatewayDiscover Northgate in northern Hamilton, where The Base shopping centre and easy expressway access create a busy retail gateway for the Waikato.Towns and Villages near HamiltonŌhaupō nearVillage Guide to Rural Life on State Highway 3Discover Ōhaupō near Hamilton, a peaceful Waipā village on State Highway 3 where rural living, local parks and easy city access meet.Towns and Villages near HamiltonTaupiri nearVillage Guide to the Sacred Mountain and River LivingDiscover Taupiri near Hamilton, where the Waikato River meets sacred Taupiri Maunga and quiet riverside living awaits.