It’s easy to view new surroundings through rose-tinted glasses. The routine of life at home has been broken; the views are more picturesque, the air more invigorating, the coffee stronger.
All this was true on a road trip from Auckland to Cambridge with my partner and young son. The quaint Waikato riverside town, dressed in a cloak of autumnal oranges and radiant reds, has an air of prestige. Many successful racehorses are bred in Cambridge so maybe its equine prowess provides that edge. Things just seem brighter here.
I watched another of Cambridge’s legacy sports – rowing – from the window of our weekend accommodation. Set on a grassy bank complete with grazing sheep and sweeping views of Lake Karapiro is The Oar and Paddle, an collection of intimate suites oozing lakeside lodge luxury. We were perfectly positioned to watch the action on the water and enjoy the charming rural setting, while being just a short drive from Cambridge township.
Relaxing at The Oar and Paddle on the shores of Lake Karapiro. Photo by Monica Tischler.
Earlier, we had made our way from Auckland via Hamilton in a rented all-electric vehicle – the BYD Atto 3. Clicking into cruise control, the EV effortlessly handled the new Waikato Expressway that bypasses Huntly and connects directly to Hamilton and, further south, to Cambridge. We cruised through the rolling Waikato landscape and past beautiful, culturally significant sculptures marking historic sites that the new road cuts through. A series of pou stand over a section of the four-lane highway marking the place of a pivotal conflict in the 1863 Waikato land wars, The Battle of Rangiriri.
We arrived in ‘The City of The Future’ in time to pick up local produce at the Waikato Farmers’ Market, held every Sunday in Hamilton and in Cambridge on Saturdays. The hum of shoppers was accompanied by the gentle melody of live music; we made a beeline for stalls brimming with our favourite staples: Over the Moon cheeses and Volare breads and pastries.
Discovering the out-sized features of Hamilton's Surrealist Garden. Photo by Monica Tischler.
The nearby Hamilton Gardens provided a botanical setting for morning tea and we reacquainted ourselves with old favourites including the Japanese Garden of Contemplation and the Indian Char Bagh Garden. New additions since our last visit included the Ancient Egyptian Garden, the first recreation of this type of garden complete with intricate hieroglyphics, sacred plants and pergolas evoking the land of the Pharaohs 4,000 years ago. The Surrealist Garden captured our imaginations with its oversized objects and trees with moving limbs; it’s a garden that needs to be seen to be believed.
With a range of 420km, the EV would have easily covered our 300km return trip, but wanting to be prepared we’d downloaded the ChargeNet app so we could plug in to one of the nearby public charging stations. Besides, the charging time gave us a chance to explore the town centre.
Charging the EV in Cambridge was a breeze. Photo by Monica Tischler.
Growing up in Hamilton, a daytrip to Cambridge was a favourite pastime – especially for shopping. My mother and I traditionally visited on birthdays to enjoy the cafés and boutiques. It was a pleasure to return to familiar favourites like Rumor and Repertoire with their tempting garments, but this time with a convienent pushchair to store my purchases.
Of course, with an almost two-year-old in tow, retail therapy had be balanced with toddler therapy: the playground.
We found a space designed for fun on the edge of Lake Te Koo Utu Reserve, then trekked down the steep pathway to trace the edge of the lake itself, amidst fallen leaves and a scattering of ducks.
Rumbling stomachs led us to the town’s historic post office, now home to Italian restaurant Alpino, where our takeaway pizzas awaited. If we didn’t have a restless toddler as our plus one, the charming space would have been the perfect spot for a date night. Although the comfort of The Oar and Paddle with its radiant fireplace was equally enticing.
Cycling the Te Awa River Ride. Photo by Monica Tischler.
One of the other popular things to do in Cambridge is cycling. Clipping on our helmets at Riverside Adventures in the Grassroots Trust Velodrome – the same place New Zealand’s top track cyclists train – we mounted e-bikes and set off along a short section of Te Awa River Ride. Our toddler was wide-eyed and cooing with excitement from his seat on the back of the bike.
The purpose-built Te Awa River trail is the longest concrete path in New Zealand, winding for 65km from Ngāruawāhia to Lake Karapiro alongside the Waikato River. We zipped past equestrian arenas and spotted horse riders on the other side of the mighty swathe of river. We stopped to say hello to grazing cows and admired rows of fruit trees from a neighbouring nursery. While there was nothing to be picked that day, in late summer cyclists are welcome to pluck Luisa plums – a variety that originated in Hamilton – from the trees overhanging the trail.
The river’s steady current guided us onward until, replete with fresh air and exercise, we packed up our rose-tinted glasses and turned back for home.
Story and photos by Monica Tischler for the Winter 2023 issue of AA Directions magazine.
What is your dream road trip route in New Zealand? Share your thoughts!
Explore more from AA Directions magazine while you're here:
- Visit the largest pest-fenced area in the South Island – The Brook Waimārama Sanctuary
- What happens when small towns are bypassed by new highways?
- Discover the famous street art in Christchurch on a city walking tour
