Paid entry is here

Sign up online now so you can hit the ground running when you next visit Hamilton Gardens. You can also go to the Gallagher Visitor Centre at the Gardens and the team can help you set up your MyGardens Pass. Proof of address and photo ID is needed when you validate. 

Annual Passes are available for out-of-towners now too! 

Sign up now  

Project summary

Hamilton Gardens introduced paid entry to its Enclosed Gardens on 18 September 2024. 

The Enclosed Gardens are 18 award-winning themed gardens. Visitor-favourites include the Indian Charbagh Garden, Surrealist Garden, Ancient Egyptian Garden, Chinese Scholars’ Garden, and the Italian Renaissance Garden.

Hamiltonians

If you live or pay rates in Hamilton, you can continue to explore the Enclosed Gardens for free with a MyGardens Pass. 

How to get a MyGardens Pass (from 18 September): 

  1. Turn up to the Gallagher Visitor Centre with your Hamilton proof of address and photo ID. 
  2. Sign up and receive a MyGardens Pass. This can be saved in a smartphone. Physical passes will be available on request. 
  3. Use your MyGardens Pass to come back and visit the gardens again and again.  

Visitors under 16 years old can be loaded onto an adult's MyGardens Pass or get a free ticket on the day.

Proof of address is only needed to set up your pass and can include a bank letter, rates notice, power or internet bill.

Visitors from outside Hamilton

If you live outside of Hamilton and do not pay rates to Hamilton City Council, an entry fee will apply to the Enclosed Gardens:

  • $20 single admission
  • $50 annual pass (special intro price of $39 until December 2024).
  • free for under 16s
  • 10% discount for cardholders (e.g. SuperGold, Community Services Card, student ID).   

Outer areas of the Gardens (not part of the Enclosed Gardens) can be visited by anyone without a pass. Everyone, no matter where you live, can continue explore the bush walks, spot fish in Turtle Lake by the waterfall, walk through the rhododendrons, enjoy a picnic amongst the roses, visit the cafe, and play on the playground.

 

Recent media releases

Paid entry to world-class Enclosed Gardens starting soon

Hamilton Gardens named among world's best - again

Prizes on offer for early MyGardens Pass sign up

 

Project factsheet

Download the project factsheet

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if I can get a free MyGardens Pass?

Everyone who lives in the Hamilton boundary can get a free MyGardens Pass. To find out if your home is in the Hamilton City Council boundary, search your address on our online property search. If your address shows up, you are in Hamilton, if your address does not show up then you are outside the boundary. 

Click here to use the search

How many times do I need to show my proof of address?

Once you've signed up (showing your proof of address and photo ID), you can then use your MyGardens Pass to visit the Gardens again and again. You will be required to show your proof of address and photo ID again after two years.

 

What can I use for proof of address?

You can use a household bill, rates invoice, or bank statement which shows your full name and address. It can be a physical copy or you can show a digital version on your phone.

When was the decision made to have paid entry?

Paid entry to the Enclosed Gardens was first included in Hamilton City Council’s 2021-31 Long Term Plan. When developing their 2023/24 Annual Plan, the decision was made to increase the charge to $20 per person, excluding Hamiltonians and under 16-year-olds.  

What will the money be used for?

Charging for entry will help make Hamilton Gardens more financially self-sufficient, reducing the financial burden on Hamilton ratepayers. All money from entry fees will be used for running the Hamilton Gardens and improving visitor services. 

Why is the cost $20?

It's considered a fair price for the Enclosed Gardens that consistently win international recognition for their unique experience and quality. There are also almost 3000 five-star reviews on Tripadvisor from people who have visited and loved what they saw.  

Why isn't there a cheaper price for people who live close to Hamilton?

When deciding on the final price of entry, there were a lot of different options put forward including different prices based on locations. The decision was made to keep it simple, have one price for everyone with the option to buy an annual pass which costs less than three individual visits.  

How much do other garden-based attractions around the world cost?

While it’s hard to compare, here are some of the other well-known garden-based attractions around the world and their single-visit adult entry fee (in NZD): 

  • Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, England - $48
  • Butchart Gardens, Vancouver Island - $47
  • Hunter Valley Gardens, Australia - $41
  • Gardens by the Bay, Singapore - $24-$72 
  • Powerscourt Gardens, Ireland - $21 

When is the next new Enclosed Garden opening?

Hamilton Gardens enthusiasts have the opportunity to support the completion of its Medieval Garden, the next new Enclosed Garden in development. A fundraising campaign to raise $300,000 needed to complete the new themed space has been launched by Momentum Waikato, the region’s community foundation.

To find out more visit momentumwaikato.nz/hamiltongardens 

What if my mail goes to a PO Box?

You should still be able to use a utility bill as proof of address. Bills and statements detail the supply location as well as the postal address, so if you bring in a utility bill or home and contents insurance documentation (addressed to yourself for services/cover at your residence in Hamilton) and explain your situation, it will act as proof of address. 

Most banks will have an option to download a proof of account directly from their online banking or app within "settings" which will include your address. 

Competition terms and conditions

Hamilton City Council, on Hamilton Gardens behalf, is running a competition to win 1 of 40 prizes as part of MyGardens Pass sign ups (“competition”). The competition runs from 9.30am Tuesday 20 August 2024 to 11.59pm Tuesday 17 September.  

How to enter 

To enter the competition, a person needs to sign up for a MyGardens Pass online via the Hamilton Gardens website or in person at the Gallagher Visitor Centre (located at Hamilton Gardens).  

Participants must sign up with legitimate contact details including their real name, address and email address. All Gardens Resident Pass sign ups and MyGardens Annual Pass purchases are valid to enter.  

Only one entry is allowed per person. All incomplete or duplicate entries will be void. 

Prizes 

There are 40 prizes available to win.  

1 x private picnic for two in an Enclosed Garden.  

2 x double passes to the Waikato vs Tasman rugby game at FMG Stadium Waikato.  

2 x double passes to the Waikato vs Hawkes Bay rugby game at FMG Stadium Waikato.  

2 x double passes to The Wiggles at Glowbox Arena.  

1 x double pass to Urzila Carlson at the Heaphy Room, Claudelands Events Centre.  

8 x Hamilton Gardens Audio Tours. 

5 x Waterworld family passes. 

2 x double passes to Hamilton Zoo.  

2 x family passes to Hamilton Zoo.  

3 x family Waikato Museum Exscite passes.  

12 x two hot drink vouchers at Hamilton Gardens Café.  

Prize draws 

The above prize pool will be slit into four rounds of giveaways. Each draw will include some small and some large prizes. Prizes awarded on Friday 30 August, Friday 6 September, Friday 13 September and Friday 20 September. Participants are eligible to win a prize in all of the remaining draws following the date they signed up. (e.g. a participant signs up on Thursday 22 August will be in all four prize draws or until they win a prize). One person may only win one prize. 

Noone from the Hamilton Gardens paid entry project team, or their direct family, is eligible to win a prize. 

Winning the prize 

All winners will be randomly drawn through a number generator without any personal information visible at that point. Hamilton City Council will then contact each winner to arrange to collect their prize. Council will attempt to contact the entrant a maximum of two times. If Council is unable to contact the entrant, the prize is forfeit and Council may select another winner. 

All winners names will be posted on the Council’s Facebook page.  

Confirmation of the prize details will be arranged directly between Council and the winner and are subject to the winner promptly providing Council with all correct information requested. 

The prize is not transferable, negotiable, and non-refundable. The prize may only be claimed by the prize winner. 

Other 

These terms and conditions may be amended and terminated at any time by Council.  

Council’s’ decisions on all entry and competition matters are final.  

Participants grant Council permission to use their name, in connection with this specific promotion. This includes the right to use on Council’s and Hamilton Gardens websites and social media pages. 

Any questions should contact info@hcc.govt.nz  

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Last updated 22 July 2024