Local Hamiltonian tip

Checkpoint: Hamilton Gardens

Navigate to Hamilton Gardens on Cobham Drive and check in at the Visitor Centre.

Checkpoint: Victoria Street

Walk west into the CBD and check in on Victoria Street between Bryce and London Streets.

Checkpoint: Waikato River walk

Drive or rideshare to the central Waikato River walkway and check in by the riverside path near Cobham Bridge or Victoria Bridge.

Cow nod (Waikato dairy)

The Waikato is dairy country, with the world's biggest dairy cooperative (Fonterra) headquartered nearby. Find a cow sculpture, a Fonterra sign or a dairy-themed cafe and take a group photo with the team mooing for the camera.

Garden Place shot

Garden Place is Hamilton's central pedestrian square, with the Founders Theatre and ANZ Centre on either side. Find the square, line the team up and take a group photo with the team posed in the centre.

Hamilton finale

Final challenge. Find a beautiful Hamilton spot (the Waikato at golden hour, Hamilton Gardens at dusk, Victoria Street lit up at night) and take an amazing closing group photo. Kia ora from the city on the Waikato!

Hamilton kick-off

The hunt begins! Find a classic Hamilton backdrop (a Waikato River bridge, a Hamilton Gardens entrance, the Riff Raff statue in the distance) and take a group photo with the whole team in shot.

Hobbiton nod

The Lord of the Rings Shire set (Hobbiton Movie Set) is a 45-minute drive from Hamilton. If you cannot visit, find any Lord of the Rings or hobbit-themed reference in Hamilton (poster, postcard, gift shop window) and take a group photo with the team in barefoot hobbit pose.

Riff Raff statue pose

On Victoria Street stands the Riff Raff statue, a bronze of Richard O'Brien's Rocky Horror character (O'Brien lived in Hamilton as a teenager). Find the statue, line the team up and take a group photo where everyone does the Time Warp pose alongside him.

Riverbank picnic moment

Hamilton's riverside lawns are picnic-friendly. Find a spot on the bank, grab a coffee or a bakery roll from a nearby cafe and take a group photo with the team picnicking, river behind.

Surrealist garden chess

The Surrealist Garden in Hamilton Gardens has a giant chess set and dripping clock features. Find the chess pieces and take a group photo where the team poses as if mid-game, two pieces deep into a draw.

Themed garden pose

Hamilton Gardens has a series of paradise gardens that recreate famous historical garden styles (Italian Renaissance, Japanese, Chinese Scholar, Indian Char Bagh). Pick a theme, find its entrance and take a group photo with the team posed inside in keeping with the style.

Trivia: Hamilton Gardens free

Hamilton Gardens has been ranked the world's best garden multiple times. The general entry fee is what amount in NZ dollars?

Trivia: Riff Raff musical

The Riff Raff statue commemorates Hamilton-raised Richard O'Brien, who wrote which cult musical (three words)?

Trivia: Waikato River length

The Waikato River is New Zealand's longest. How many kilometres long is it (within 25)?

Victoria Street busker shot

Victoria Street is Hamilton's main shopping and dining drag. Find a busker, a street mural or an art installation and take a group photo with the team in the scene.

Waikato Museum / ArtsPost

The Waikato Museum sits on the riverside between Victoria Street and the river. Find the entrance facade (or step inside if open) and take a group photo with the team in front. Free admission for most exhibitions.

Waikato plate

Order a Waikato classic (a Hamilton beef pie, a dairy-fresh flat white, a kumara bowl) and take a group photo with everyone taking the first bite at the same time.

Waikato River walk shot

The Waikato is the longest river in New Zealand and runs straight through Hamilton. Find a stretch of the riverside path and take a group photo with the team walking toward the camera with the brown river leading the eye.