Hamilton Gardens, Hamilton

Hamilton Gardens was the highlight of my visit to Hamilton City. Located a few kilometers away from the city centre, there are public buses (about 5 a day) but a car is definitely more convenient.

Basically a large botanical garden, the thing that sets it apart is the focus on gardens as a historical/cultural concept rather than particular flora. Yes, there are the usual "here's 15 different types of roses for you to mull over" areas within its huge 50 hectares, but the part that I liked the most is the Paradise Garden Collection, which features themed gardens from the Italian Renaissance, Chinese, Japanese, English, American Modernist, and Indian era. Separated by high hedges, taking just a few steps transported me from a pagoda to a tea house to a mini Taj Mahal!

More pics under the fold...