New Zealand Walk: Lake Rototoa a jewel in Hamilton city

An easy walking or cycling trail situated in the heart of Hamilton City, the Hamilton Lake Domain Walkway is popular with walkers, runners and cyclists alike. The esplanade walkway around the lake is a popular fitness circuit and walking route.

The walk around the edge of Hamilton Lake (Rotoroa) covers 3.8 kilometres and winds through natural lakeside vegetation, past playgrounds and grassed parkland as well as the Verandah Cafe

which is the perfect place to relax with a coffee after some exercise.

Hamilton Lake (also known as Lake Rotoroa) walkway includes varied natural lakeside vegetation, grassed parklands perfect for a picnic, a boardwalk section, playgrounds and a café. The walkway is mostly flat making it suitable for pushchairs and is also a popular dog walking spot.

Birdlife also flourish in the Hamilton Lake area with ducks, pukeko, geese and other birdlife all easily spotted around the lake.

The Hamilton Lake Walkway can be accessed from various points, with the main carparks off Ruakiwi Road and Lake Cresent (Innes Common).

It’s a great option for less mobile people as there is seating available regularly around the entire lake.

Hamilton Lake Domain has a long history as one of Hamilton’s premiere parks. It is a significant recreational facility for residents of Hamilton City and beyond within walking distance from the CBD. Hamilton Lake Domain provides a focal point for a variety of water and land based activities as well as offering a unique ecological environment in the heart of Hamilton City.

Lake Rotoroa caters for water based recreational activities such as yachting, wind surfing, canoeing, paddle boats, model boats, dragon boating, waka ama, raft racing and a range of informal activities.

The major destination playground beside the Verandah Cafe provides kids a place to play while their minders enjoy a coffee with a view of the lake, which can also be enjoyed from the covered picnic area in the refurbished amenity block.

Lake Rotoroa a jewel in Hamilton

Above: Yachts make a pretty picture on the lake.Below left: The pathway at the waters edge.Below right: A pukeko and young.

Above: There are many pukeko around the lake shore.Above right: The pathway is popular with cyclists.Below left: There are a number of tracks leading from the road above to the lake. Below right: A popular section of the pathway.

Above: Looking down over the lake from one of the hilltop paths.Below left: The pathway goes past the sailing clubhouse.