Cambridge Attractions | Te Awamutu Attractions

ATTRACTIONS TE AWAMUTU

Before setting out to discover the many attractions of the Te Awamutu area, visit the Te Awamutu i-SITE Visitor Centre for the best view of Te Awamutu, the Waipa district and NZ. This will acquaint you with the tremendous variety of things to do and see.
The Te Awamutu i-SITE centre, Gorst Ave is open Monday - Friday 9am - 4.30pm (5.30pm summer months), weekends and public holidays 10am - 4pm.
To start you on your way here are some of the many attractions or visit our website www.teawamutu.co.nz.

HISTORIC TE AWAMUTU

A detailed Kihikihi Heritage Trail map, featuring 17 points of interest, is available from the Te Awamutu i-SITE Visitor Centre.

Battle Sites
Maps and information on local historical battle sites are available from i-SITE.

Old St John’s Church
Built in 1854 of pit sawn heart matai and rimu. Rare coloured glass windows, possibly one of the oldest Victorian figurative painted and fired glass windows in NZ. Casualties of the battles of Rangiaowhia, Hairini and Orakau interred here.

Pirongia
Called Alexandra until the turn of the century, Pirongia is situated 10kms from Te Awamutu. Its history and development centred on the Waipa River, with streets named after British explorers. Steeped in history and scattered with the remains of old redoubts, Pirongia has many a story to tell, through to the laying down of arms by King Tawhiao in 1881.

Te Awamutu Museum
The oldest museum in the Waikato. Tells of the area through a range of permanent and temporary exhibitions. Highlights include the tangata whenua gallery featuring Uenuku, the treasured taonga of the Tainui people. A rare collection of militaria explores the turbulence of the Waikato Land Wars and the True Colours exhibition tells the story of Tim and Neil Finn of Split Enz and Crowded House fame. Open 10am - 4pm Monday - Friday, 10am - 1pm Saturday, 1 - 4pm Sunday and public holidays.

Temple Cottage
Located at the northern entrance to Kihikihi, adjacent to the Anglican Church on a
redoubt site. A restored, furnished cottage typical of 1870s living. Call Beryl Burnside 871 8248 to view. Open 1 - 3pm first Sunday each month.

GARDEN AREAS & PARKS

Anzac Green
Bank St. Green area with picnic tables. Monument to First World War dead. Previous site of public baths (demolished in 2002).

Lake Ngaroto
A 10 minute drive from town on Bank Rd, off Paterangi Rd. Boating, rowing, canoeing. Floating boardwalk, toilets, electric barbecue, picnic tables.

Memorial Park Gardens
The Pioneer Walk with camellias and rhododendrons along each side of the Mangahoe River leads to Memorial Park in Mutu St. Paved walkways, informal green areas, picnic and play areas, weeping fountain. The sunken war memorial cross remembers those who fell in the Second World War, Korea and Vietnam Wars. A popular spot for garden weddings.

Selwyn Park
Corner Arawata St opposite old St John’s Church and Gorst Ave opposite the rose gardens. Previous site of Otawhao Mission Station and boarding school (1839). Popular for events such as craft fairs, circus; site of the annual Food and Wine Festival. Planned park for the Te Awamutu Walk of Fame.

Te Awamutu Rose Gardens
Gorst Ave. This is what Te Awamutu is famous for! Over 1500 magnificent bushes. Created in 1969 with flowering from November to May. Rose Festival held each November. Programmes are available at Te Awamutu i-SITE.

Yarndley’s Bush
Ngaroto Rd. A boardwalk takes you through one of the largest remaining kahikatea stands in the North Island. Information brochure available from Te Awamutu i-SITE.

SPORT PARKS

Albert Park
On the corner of Park Rd and George St. Venue for cricket, rugby, netball. The brass band and pipe band have rooms here. Once the 65th Regiment redoubt.
Anchor Park
Green area. Soccer, cricket.
Centennial Reserve
Off Rewi St. Walks, BMX track, skateboard bowl.
Factory Road Reserve
Smallbore rifle club, pistol club.
Kihikihi Domain
Main entrance Oliver St. Equestrian events, polo, rugby league, cricket, rodeo, speedway.
Memorial Park
Netball courts off Mangahoe St.
Sherwin Park
Green area. Rugby, soccer.
The Stadium
Armstrong Ave. Velodrome, athletics track, soccer field.
Victoria Park
Bank St and Teasdale St frontages. Croquet, bowls, tennis, a toddlers’ playground, band rotunda.

WALKS

Close to Te Awamutu are beautiful areas of native forest with track and picnic facilities. Information on the easy walks around Te Awamutu is available from i-SITE, including a free Kids’ Pack with activity sheets, maps
and safety sheets. "For Mountains of Fun" walking maps now available.
Go bush in Te Awamutu!
DOC maps and information also available.

Kakepuku Historic Reserve
A steady climb of 3 hours. Track information from i-SITE.

Lake Ngaroto
10 minutes drive from town. Lake Ngaroto has been restored and recognised as of international importance as one of the few remaining peat lakes of its type in the world. It now has a continuous walkway including a floating section providing a
6kms recreational walk opened by Dr David Bellamy in 2002. The lake is used extensively for rowing, yachting and windsurfing.
Uenuku, the revered taonga of the Tainui people was found in the lake.

Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust
Northern and southern enclosure walking tracks. Also a two hour walk to Pukeatua Peak on a new even track. Track information available from Te Awamutu i-SITE.

Mt Pirongia Forest Park
Numerous walks and tracks from 1 - 11 hours return. DOC brochure with maps is available from Te Awamutu i-SITE.

Walter Scott Reserve
Scott Rd Ngutunui. 1½ hour circuit of lovely native bush.

Yarndley’s Bush
20 - 30 minutes. Boardwalk. 3kms north of Te Awamutu on SH 3, left on to Ngaroto Rd.

THINGS TO DO

Alpha Lavenders
Gardens, lavender products.
Art and Craft
Pirongia Crafts and Art Gallery, local arts and crafts.
West Waipa Garden and Art Guide, available from Te Awamutu i-SITE.
Threadbear Cottage Crafts and Collectables, Arapuni Rd.
BMX Track/Skateboard Bowl
Rewi St.
CastleRock Adventure
Wharepapa South. A world renown rock climbing area. Adventure activities for individuals and groups. Accommodation. Phone 0-800-225 462.
Clock World
Ohaupo Village.
Golf
Eight golf courses within half an hour of Te Awamutu.
Finn Tour
For the Finn, Split Enz,
Crowded House fan. Get a copy of the self drive tour brochure from i-SITE.
Mountain Biking
At Wharepapa. A network of trails to test even the most skilled mountain biker. Superb scenery, quality bikes.
Old St John’s Church
Key available from i-SITE.
Pirongia Clydesdales
Take a wagon or hay ride.
Enjoy a history tour around Pirongia then have lunch at the stables (groups). Carriage
driving, horse riding, children’s activities, birthday parties,
etc, venue hire. Bookings 871 9711.
PMS Skincare
A range of calendula products.
Pop’n’Good Popcorn
Landscape Ln. Retail shop.
Regent 3 Cinema
Alexandra St. Five theatres, all the latest movies. Also historical memorabilia on display.
Sculpture Park
Albert Park Dr, Te Awamutu.
Te Awamutu District Museum
Roche St, phone 872 0085.
Te Awamutu Rose Gardens
Gorst Ave. A blaze of colour November to May.
The Tree House
Gift shop in Ohaupo Village.
Trust Waikato Events Centre
Selwyn Ln. Pools, spa, sauna, gym, hydro slide, sports stadium. Phone 871 2080.
Waipari Heritage Trail
Information available at i-SITE.

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