New Zealand’s Cambridge - The Town of Trees and Champions
Perhaps the North Island’s greenest town, Cambridge has an air of elegance about it thanks to its tree-lined avenues and the great Waikato River running straight through the centre. It’s a small place that has produced a staggering number of Olympic gold medalists and Melbourne Cup winners, earning it the nickname of the Town of Trees and Champions. There’s no denying the English heritage here, in fact the residents embrace it, and with that an affinity for sports and recreation. With so much outdoor space in Cambridge, you don’t have to stray far from your hotel to find adventure!
Delight in Some Old English Charm
This New Zealand (NZ) town takes it’s name from Prince George, the Duke of Cambridge, who was the Commander-in-Chief of the British Army when colonists settled here in the middle of the 19th century. Perhaps it’s the affiliation in name with the prestigious university over ten thousand miles away that gives the town such an English feel. The abundance of parkland, quaint village greens, and trees providing shade along the roads make Cambridge a wonderful place to simply wander around. Perch on a park bench to watch a game of cricket, visit a cafe for tea and scones, or pop in to Cambridge Museum and find out about the history of this traditional town. If you want to dig even deeper into the past there are a number of heritage hotels in Cambridge, along with traditional English institutions like the Bowling Club Pavilion on the Cambridge Domain, so get exploring!
Discover Cambridge’s Equine Heritage
Cambridge is often considered the equine capital of NZ, thanks to its many thoroughbred stud farms and the racing stallions that have brought home trophies to the town. It’s hard not to notice the public sculptures around the town centre commemorating the racing horses that have come from Cambridge. Ask at the reception in your hotel to find out about the thoroughbred stud tours that operate here, where you can see exactly how a champion horse is trained! If simply seeing horses isn’t enough, you can arrange to visit a stable where horse riding lessons are available, or even go on a horse trekking expedition. Lots of other equine activities can also be enjoyed by experienced horse riders, from playing polo to show jumping. To top it all off, a number of other equine related services have grown in the town, from painters specialising in horse artwork to jewellers who craft equine-themed jewellery!
Get Adventurous in the Great Outdoors
While the town of Cambridge itself is prim and proper, just outside is a much wilder countryside where you can experience some truly exhilarating activities. If adrenaline is what you crave then a speed boat ride along the Waikato River should be right up your street. For something a little less intense head to Lake Karapiro and try some kayaking or stand up paddleboarding. Another truly unique experience you can enjoy here is a tour of the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Hop aboard a boat and drift through the darkness with thousands of illuminated invertebrates dotted over the limestone walls. A visit to this popular tourist attraction can easily be arranged at any of the hotels in Cambridge, just make sure you book in advance. To get up close and personal to the amazing natural world in NZ, head to Maungakawa scenic reserve, where you’ll see plenty of birds in the exotic trees that have been planted here over the years.
Explore on Two Wheels
Cambridge lives and breathes cycling, whether it’s a leisurely ride to work, a race around the velodrome, or extreme downhill mountain biking in the woodlands. The world class Avantidrome indoor cycling track in the north of the town was opened by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2014, becoming the new home of Cycling NZ and cementing the towns ties to the sport. You can book a time slot to ride the velodrome and hire all the equipment there, so why not give it a go. There are also plenty of opportunities for off road mountain biking, particularly at the Te Miro Mountain Bike Park. For something a bit more relaxing, simply hire a bicycle for the day and head out from your hotel to explore the town and beyond, with the Te Awa River Ride being an excellent cycle trail to try out.