The great outdoors is one of the most beloved aspects of Hamilton. The whole region of Waikato is known for its love of nature, showcasing this with a splendid display of gardens and farming. With this in mind, there are several venues throughout Hamilton and the Waikato Region that serve as wonderful outdoor venues. These venues come in many shapes and forms - from the more standard wineries to famed and unique glowworm caves - so we’ve put together a list of some of the best outdoor venues in Hamilton. If you’re looking for our complete guide to Hamilton venues, you can find it here.

Hamilton Gardens

Image by Arrival

By far one of Hamilton’s most famous features, Hamilton Gardens is an outdoor venue that presents itself in a display of colour and greenery. In the midst of this space, the Hamilton Gardens Pavilion is a multipurpose venue that can accommodate any and every event. There are 4 spaces to pick between: Central Court, with a maximum capacity of 540 guests; Exhibition Hall, with a maximum capacity of 280 guests; Chartwell Room, with a maximum capacity of 150 guests; and Huddleston Room, with a maximum capacity of 18 guests. If desired, the Central Court and Exhibition Hall can be combined to host up to 800 guests. Each of their available spaces was designed with a particular use in mind, from intimate meetings to expansive workshops and elegant cocktail parties. Hamilton Gardens also allows for garden events in their themed gardens. They have a host of catering options to choose from and are happy to make your event unforgettable.

 

Waitomo Glowworm Caves

Image by Imgur

Another famous and much loved outdoor venue is Waitomo Glowworm Caves. With such uniqueness and beauty, amazing and awing your guests will be a piece of cake. They’re happy to host team meetings and corporate events, with plenty of exciting activities to boot. This Hamilton venue was awarded The New Zealand Architecture Medal and has a capacity of 700 guests, with 3 breakout rooms for conversation and mingling. They are 70km outside of the city centre and offer complete event management, the option of on-site catering and high-speed internet access. Waitomo Glowworm Caves is a gorgeous outdoor venue, offering unparalleled beauty and the chance to visit one of New Zealand’s greatest tourist attractions.

 

Henley Hotel

Image by Henley Hotel

There’s nothing like perfectly manicured gardens surrounding a stately mansion to make for the perfect outdoor venue. Henley Hotel is a luxury venue that resides within a Georgian-style manor. The entire hotel is available for exclusive hire and has numerous gardens, lawns and outdoor spaces at your disposal for your event. This outdoor venue can host up to 250 guests and has a total of 5 breakout rooms, all filled with natural light. Henley Hotel is located on 29 acres of private land and is a breezy half-hour drive from the centre of Hamilton. They have hosted a myriad of events, be it a fashion show or a Great Gatsby ball, and have a team that is dedicated to making your function stand out from the crowd. They offer on-site catering, a miniature cinema, historic chapel, and even a helicopter pad for guests that want to arrive in style. Henley Hotel does luxurious like none other in Hamilton.

 

Vilagrad Winery

Image by The Great NZ Food Show

Vilagrad Winery invites you to sip on the wine of Waikato at their outdoor venue. Established in 1922, Vilagrad Winery is an outdoor venue that specialises in fine wine, food and entertainment. It is Waikato's most beloved winery destination, with a series of multi-award-winning wines, all hand-crafted and hand-harvested at the winery itself. They offer superb Mediterranean cuisine for your on-site catering options, as well as on-site accommodation for any guests. Their venue space is large and flexible, accommodating anywhere from 300 to 500 guests, making it an ideal choice for conferences, gala dinners, cocktail parties and so much more. You can dine in the original cellar, tucked away amongst the barrels and golden light, or in the reception area as you overlook the picturesque vineyards. Vilagrad Winery also offers private tours and tastings of the winery, making for a relaxing and fun experience for all of your guests.

 

Woodlands Estate

Image by Zero Fire Limited

Woodlands Estate is a historic New Zealand Homestead and Garden Estate established in the 1870s, Woodlands Estate is an outdoor venue surrounded by 8 acres of blossoming gardens and flourishing farmland. Over the years, the homestead has been carefully restored and preserved. It now serves as a purpose-built function centre, with an ambience that makes it ideal for hosting all events. The Gardens, awarded a 5 star Garden of National Significance rating by New Zealand Garden Trust, are the perfect place to stroll through or hold an outdoor event in. 15 minutes from Hamilton, Woodlands Estate is nestled in the heart of Waikato, with a capacity of 150 guests and multiple spaces to choose from. Their Wisteria Room opens into the adjoining lawn, providing an easy indoor/outdoor flow. Partnered with Kerr & Ladbrook Catering, Woodlands Estate has catering options as well as nearby accommodation options to choose from.

 

The Narrows Landing

Image by Rambo Estrada

The Narrows Landing offers stylish surroundings and outdoor venue options alongside their eclectic menus. With their seasoned and professional team on hand, this Hamilton venue can cater for up to 200 guests. There are 5 spaces to choose from with The Narrows Landing. The Pirongia Deck is their largest space, with high ceilings and plenty of natural light, great for anything from gala dinners to seminars with their in-house audiovisual supplies. The Observatory is much more intimate, an organic space ideal for meetings, much like The Matangi Room that offers more space but the same cushy atmosphere and its own bar. Their Main Dining space is open plan and bathed in light, with a lovely indoor-outdoor flow to the main deck and manicured gardens. Finally, The Escape Room is their most informal space, perfect for relaxing featuring a private bar, full dance floor, pool table and so much more. The Narrows Landing is steeped in nature and offers a truly pretty Hamilton venue for all.

 

Seddon Park

Image by Trip

The home of cricket in Hamilton, Seddon Park has been recognised as one of the cricket world’s best “boutique” grounds and is available for hire as an outdoor and indoor venue. They are the headquarters for Northern Districts Cricket Association and the Northern Knights. This outdoor venue is surrounded by tree-lined grassy banks and, in 2012, was rated as one of the 20 Best Test Cricket Venues in the world. As a Hamilton venue, Seddon Park offers a trio of spaces: the Oaks Lounge, Willows Lounge and Boundary Club. The Oaks Lounge hosts anywhere from 30 to 110 guests, with a modern and spacious feeling. The Willows Lounge is more ideal for smaller gatherings, accommodating 12 to 40 guests, whilst the Boundary Club is an informal space on the edge of the green and can host up to 100 guests. Seddon Park offers bespoke menus for your outdoor event, as well as event management and any assistance you should need.

 

Te Rapa Events Centre

Image by Te Rapa Events Centre

Te Rapa Events Centre is an outdoor venue that embodies one of Waikato’s favourite pastimes: professional horse racing. Experienced with all event types, this Hamilton venue has 6 function spaces on 3 different levels: Fosters Lounge, Kentucky Lounge, Herbie Dyke Lounge, Centennial Lounge, Flemington Lounge and Colours Lounge. They can host up to 500 guests and offer amazing on-site catering options courtesy of their private chefs, as well as on-site parking for 750 vehicles. With its central location, Te Rapa Events Centre also epitomises convenience, offering easy access to a host of nearby accommodation and dining options. They are happy to provide audiovisual assistance, with expert suppliers on hand, and are sure to make your event run as smoothly as possible no matter the occasion.

 

Ferrybank Conference Centre

Image by Kerr & Ladbrook Catering

There’s so much to adore about the Ferrybank Conference Centre, one of Hamilton’s favourite outdoor venues, that sits on the banks of the Waikato River. They specialise in hosting gala dinners, fundraisers and conferences, with a team committed to delivering excellence. They have partnered with Kerr & Ladbrook Catering to offer you and your guests a truly divine experience. Ferrybank Conference Centre has a capacity of 250 guests, with 3 main spaces to choose from: the main venue, catering for up to 250; the canapé function venue, catering for up to 100; and, finally, the Casual Lounge, which caters for up to 25 and is often used as a breakaway room or a meeting space. Close to central Hamilton, and equipped with WiFi and a range of audiovisual tech, Ferrybank Conference Centre is an ideal Hamilton outdoor venue for hire.

 

The Grandstand

Image by Waikato Pop Up Weddings

Settled in Claudelands Park, The Grandstand is one of Hamilton’s historic outdoor venues, carefully resorted over the years and sure to lend your outdoor event a touch of charm. They offer special event and catering services, as well as a lovely indoor/outdoor flow. They can host up to 120 guests in their main space. Surrounded by green, manicured lands, The Grandstand is part of an authentically historic experience and is ideal for corporate functions such as weddings, private events and corporate functions. The venue has on-site parking and high-speed WiFi, with plenty of natural light and a flexible layout.