Cambridge Town Hall. Photo / Hamilton & Waikato Tourism
Should Cambridge be ranked among the world’s most romantic getaways? Karl Puschmann certainly thinks so.
Paris, Venice, Rome … Cambridge? Telling your significant other that you’re going to whisk them away to Cambridge for the weekend might not leave them swooning, but once you’re there, it doesn’t take long for the town’s old-world charm to work its magic.
The once sleepy village has undergone something of a Renaissance in recent years, with a wave of sophisticated eateries, accommodation, day spas, wineries, distilleries and destination boutiques breathing life into its historic streets.
It makes for a timeless backdrop that encourages you to leave the kids at home and enjoy some adult time away.
Nothing sets the mood like a romantic walk, so our first stop was the Sculpture Park at Waitakaruru Arboretum.
On this sunny afternoon, we had the park to ourselves as we wandered along the gentle 2km trail, discovering art installations and sculptures tucked into every corner.
With over 100 artworks ranging from delicate native insects made of cogs and wire to life-sized, stone swimmers, and a towering timber installation crafted from the park’s own fallen trees, there was plenty to delight in.
The looping path led us through the forest and up a hill to spectacular views, before dropping down to a large, scenic pond. It’s hard to believe that just 32 years ago, this lush 17.5ha sanctuary of over 20,000 trees was a barren, rocky quarry.
After stretching our legs, it was time to check into the Clements, a recently restored five-star boutique hotel.
Housed in a historic 1911 Art Deco building, it sits right in the heart of town, providing a luxurious and perfectly central home base. Since the hotel was also our dinner destination, we headed to the Galley restaurant with an appetite.
Though the lingering daylight saving sun was still a bit too bright for candlelight, the atmosphere was warm and inviting.
My beef eye fillet in cognac peppercorn sauce was exceptional, as was the bite of glazed duck breast I nabbed from my wife’s plate — sharing is caring, after all.
To cap off the night, we snuggled into a plush two-seater couch at Tivoli Cinema. This independent theatre, a short 10-minute walk from our hotel, is a real gem, drawing film lovers with its curated screenings and cosy couch seating.
The following morning, we moseyed over to the famed Cambridge Farmer’s Market in Victoria Square to grab coffee and breakfast.
A jazz guitarist set the mood, as people hustled and bustled around. Some were doing their weekly pick-up of farm fresh produce, while others, like us, simply browsed the stalls and soaked in the vibes.
After brekky, we had a look around the shops. And while a few of the boutiques appeared quite perilous to the holiday budget, I managed to escape with only light bruises to the wallet.
Shopping is thirsty work, so after picking up the car, we zipped over to the award-winning Takapato Estate for a wine tasting.
I’ll confess ignorance in knowing that the Waikato even produced wine, but as head winemaker Alex Coldicutt explained, the region has a dedicated viticulture scene that’s centred around small-scale boutique producers.
While its batches may be small, the estate itself is anything but. The winery sits on a wonderfully manicured 242ha property on the waterfront of Lake Karāpiro.
Wanting to soak up the sunshine, we settled onto outdoor couches to sample the winery’s flagship pinots, chardonnays, and roses, some so popular they had already sold out.
We paired a cheese platter with their Forager’s gin, aptly named as the botanicals are gathered from the estate’s restored forest, which now thrives with over 800,000 native plants and trees.
After the morning’s indulgence, it was time to work some of it off.
We picked up a pair of e-bikes from Riverside Adventures at Cambridge Town Hall and set off on a section of the Te Awa river ride. While the full trail stretches 65km from Ngāruawāhia to Lake Karāpiro, we tackled the final leg, a cruisy 8km stretch that winds through town, over scenic boardwalks, and alongside the lake.
It’s a relaxed ride, made even more effortless by the e-bikes, but no trip is complete without a stop at the Karāpiro Berry Box for a real fruit ice cream. After being picked up at the lake and dropped back at our car, there was time for just one final stop. And we’d saved the best for last.
The Cambridge Distillery Company is a boutique micro-distillery in the heart of town that was started by two mates during the Covid lockdown as a hobby project.
It grew bigger than they expected, and now the pair produce award-winning gins and liqueurs using foraged local botanicals. Our tasting session was relaxed and inviting, offering us the chance to sample whichever gins piqued our interest.
Between the sophisticated branding and the appealing tasting notes, it was difficult to choose, so we ended up sampling the entire range before getting a “backstage” look at the distilling room to see their handcrafted process first hand.
When you think of the world’s great romantic destinations, the town of trees and champions doesn’t usually get a look in. But, after this weekend, I’m thinking that, perhaps, it should.
The writer travelled courtesy of Waikato Tourism and The Clements Hotel.