Maungatautari Visitor Centre is around 30 minutes drive from St Peters.

The trip begins with a presentation in the brand new visitors centre from the education team.

Depending on numbers, the delegation will then be split into two groups for rotations.

The rotations on the day will depend on weather and availability of staff but could involve visiting the wetland to see takahee and tuatara, a walk through the enclosure or an insight into the pest monitoring within the sanctuary.

To fully experience this field trip, participants should have walking shoes and good mobility for the gravel tracks and some hills.

Hamilton Gardens Highlights Tour - Join the friendly and knowledgeable tour guides for a journey of hidden stories, secret symbols, interesting snippets, and new insights into some of the most popular gardens. 

Tour lasts 75 minutes.

Carry on your visit by exploring the gardens further or re-visiting your favourites. 

Hamilton Zoo  is part of Te Kaaroro Nature Precinct along with Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park, the Observatory and the Everyday Eatery. Nowhere in New Zealand or the world can you experience exotic animals and native flora and fauna in such a close urban setting. 

Come and take a stroll through New Zealand’s largest walk-through aviary dedicated to native birds, including cheeky kaka who may land close by.  

Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park is New Zealand’s largest inland restoration project. It is the largest, most important biodiverse area of land in Hamilton. The entire 65.5 hectare park was once farmland before restoration began. Come along for a walk and enjoy a visual journey through the wetland and lowland forest. It’s an easy graded walk, allow 1-2 hours to explore.

Explore the city self guided.  Lots to see and do from shopping, sightseeing, statues - Riff Raff, Tongue of the Dog, Sapper Moore-Jones memorial, walk along the river,  and taking a stroll through memorial park. 

Waitomo Glowworm Caves tour:  Known as one of New Zealand’s best natural attractions, take a boat ride through the glowworm grotto, marvel at thousands of magical glowworms and become part of over 130 years of cultural and natural history.

The Waitomo Glowworm Caves tours are made up of two levels. The upper chamber is dry and decorated with stunning, delicate cave formations, and the lower level consists of stream passages, glowworms and the Cathedral, the tallest chamber in the cave.

The Waitomo Glowworm Cave is accessible to those with reasonable mobility, with good handrails and paths. Please wear comfortable footwear suitable for walking. Some areas of the cave can be wet and slippery. The Waitomo Glowworm Cave does not have wheelchair access. 

Enjoy a leisurely Waikato River cruise up the mighty Waikato River, taking in the sights as your driver also shares with you the stories of the area. This 60 minute tour takes you upstream through the narrow Cambridge gorge also whilst capturing a glimpse of stunning waterfalls, fish and birdlife.  

Along the way you will also learn about the history of the river, all from the comfort of one of our jetboats. But don’t worry, no spins, unless you ask for one or two spins. In addition, you will visit the base of the Karapiro Dam and power station.

Refer to the website for FAQs.

Collect an e-bike or mountain bike from the Velodrome and explore the river trails.  Head north towards Hamilton Gardens or south towards Cambridge and Lake Karapiro. 

Self-guided.  View the website for trail information and grading. 

Meet with Jo Sheridan, demonstration farm manager at Owl Farm and learn why this farm is unique. From data collection, genetics, bio diversity, wetlands that are managed, what makes Owl farm a demonstration farm.

Owl Farm is a 160-hectare dairy farm between the St Peter’s School Cambridge campus and the Waikato River.

The farm was always an integral part of the school and supplied its kitchens with produce for many years, while also giving the students opportunities for learning farming skills.

In 2015, a joint venture between the school and Lincoln University, and with funding partners Ballance, DairyNZ, Fonterra, PGG Wrightson Seeds and Westpac, created Owl Farm as one of three demonstration farms in New Zealand – the only such farm in the North Island. The name is derived from the school’s motto: the owl signifying wisdom. 

Owl Farm is a short walk from the boarding rooms. 

Note: this field trip is approx. 2 hours, the rest of the time is free time.  You'll have time to have a walk along the river; stroll around St Peters; or walk to the Velodrome for a look at the facility.

Cambridge is a majestic tree-lined town that sits at the heart of New Zealand’s rural heartland. Its proximity to many of the North Island’s main towns and cities makes it the ideal location for visitors, businesses and the 22,000 residents who chose to call it home. 

HERITAGE WALKS - The Cambridge Museum website has maps of a number of local walks with landmarks described. These walks guide you through different aspects of local life – a Business Walk, A Tour of Churches, the Cambridge Domain, Leamington, Waikato River and the Suburbs Walk.

If you fancy a gentle stroll, check out Cambridge’s tribute to our equine and sporting heroes. Wander along Duke St to find 25 plaques honouring the achievements of local stars in the town’s Sporting Walk of Fame, and as you turn into Victoria Street, look for 18 mosaics set into the footpath of prominent local horses. On the wall beside the ANZ in Victoria St, you’ll find a special collection of plaques honouring our 13 (and counting) Melbourne Cup winners.

Wander around the town and you’ll see classic colonial buildings such as Cambridge Primary School (1879), the Town Hall (1909) and the Old Court House (1909) which now houses our local museum. The town’s original Post Office (now the restaurant called Alpino) was built in 1908 but its clock tower was removed in 1934 (after the Napier earthquake sparked fears it could topple) and it now stands in Jubilee Gardens.