Cambridge: River, Culture and Cycling Routes

Cambridge can be explored through several distinctive themes: the bells of St Andrew’s Anglican Church, the Te Awa River Ride, the Waikato River and the area’s history. There is also a museum in the old courthouse and a market in the town centre. This gives travellers a range of ways to connect with the place – from culture and local history to outdoor activities and regional produce.

Bells, church and local history

At midnight in the year 2000, six cast-steel bells at St Andrew’s Anglican Church were the first bells in the world to ring in the new millennium. The church also has stained-glass windows and an organ dating from the 1890s. The bells, windows and organ each give the historic building a distinctive character.

The Cambridge Museum is housed in the old courthouse. It presents artefacts, photographs and taonga about the people and passions that have shaped the area. Alongside the church’s history, the cultural offering also focuses on the people and their stories.

Cycling route and river activities

Cambridge is at the centre of the 65-kilometre Te Awa River Ride. The route runs from Ngaruawahia to Lake Karāpiro; the path is three metres wide and has a smooth concrete surface. For a shorter section, the route from Cambridge to Karāpiro is described in detail: it is eight kilometres long and accessible via Leamington Rugby Club on Carlyle Street. Check local access arrangements before setting out in case they have changed.

Cambridge is also home to the Grassroots Trust Velodrome, where visitors can book a “Have-a-Go” session. Check before your trip whether a session is available on your chosen date.

The Waikato River flows past Cambridge and offers opportunities for jet boating and walking. A 60-minute jet boat tour travels upstream through the narrow Cambridge Gorge. During the trip, participants learn about the river’s history; the tour also includes a visit to the base of the Karāpiro Dam and Power Station. Here, riverside scenery and historical insights come together in a single outing.

Market and regional produce

The Cambridge Farmers’ Market has been a year-round outdoor market at Victoria Square in the centre of Cambridge since 2010. It offers fresh local produce from growers and businesses across Waikato. The market brings regional products into the heart of the town. As operating details may change, check the latest information before visiting.

More nature experiences in the Waipa District

In the wider Waipa District destination, Maungatautari Ecological Island Reserve is a notable natural attraction: it is the largest ecological “island” on New Zealand’s mainland. A 47-kilometre predator-proof fence surrounds Maungatautari and encloses 3,400 hectares of Mount Maungatautari.

Also in the wider Waipa District destination, a 5.9-kilometre loop track at Lake Ngā Roto is open to walkers, runners and cyclists. Track conditions may change seasonally. The loop offers a different route option from the 65-kilometre Te Awa River Ride and its eight-kilometre section from Cambridge to Karāpiro.

When looking for a hotel in Cambridge, you can first consider which themes will shape your trip: church and local history, the museum’s collection, cycling, river activities or a visit to the market.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Ohaupo, Te Awamutu, Te Miro, Pirongia, Karapiro.

Back to the overview of the wider destination: Waipa District.