We check out and head over to Sisterfields Hamilton for a couple of coffee and morning bun deals and cross the road to find Victoria On The River

To kickstart our day, we ride in the car to Taitua Arboretum

Upon arriving, we’re welcomed by a flock of chickens and ducks as well as a sign informing visitors that rooster dumping is prohibited – we only see one rooster so it seems like the sign has worked so far!

The arboretum covers 20 km of trees and open pastures with 2.3 kilometres of walking tracks

We follow the two paths to take us around which allows us to see cows, a heron, ducks and two hens each with their own set of chicks – it is spring here after all

Next, we head over to Hamilton Gardens where we grab lunch at the café first: ham & cheese and a breakfast toastie to share

Sadly, we find out that the gardens were actually free… until literally today ????

Regardless, we pay the $20 entry and explore the collection of inspired gardens – this includes Italian renaissance, a snapshot of Edwardian Wellington, and the Alice in Wonderland-style illusion (see the featured image)

After, we make the journey to where we’re staying tonight: Rotorua, at another Haka House

We check in and head out to explore the town; we notice a bunch of places here are doing super cheap happy hour beers so we choose the historic English-style pub, The Pig & Whistle

Hunger strikes and we go to Rotorua Social for their meal special today: burgers and chips for $15

The owner is nice and gives us some recommendations about the local area as well as opening the pool table so we can play a game

Tired, we call it a night