Hamilton NZ Cherry Blossom Festival 2025: Experiencing Spring in New Zealand

After a long, rainy winter, spring has finally arrived in New Zealand.

Although the mornings and evenings are still quite chilly, from around late September the days have become sunnier and warmer, making it a pleasant season to spend time outdoors.

This time, I visited the Cherry Blossom Festival held in Hamilton, New Zealand, where the cherry blossoms were in full bloom.

I’d love to share some beautiful photos from the event along with the sights of spring flowers that colored the festival grounds🌸.

Also I've shared some video clips from the festival on my YouTube channel, so feel free to check them out if you’d like.

What Is the NZ Cherry Blossom Festival in Hamilton?

When people think of cherry blossoms, Japan usually comes to mind.

However, there are actually many beautiful spots to enjoy cherry blossoms right here in New Zealand.

From Auckland to Hamilton and Rotorua, I try to visit different places each year when the timing is right.

This year, I went to the Cherry Blossom Festival in Hamilton for the first time.

🔗NZ Cherry Blossom Festival Website https://www.blossfest.com/

*Note: The information on the website hasn’t been updated since 2023, so I recommend to check their Facebook or Instagram pages for the latest details.

According to the website, the venue is privately owned by Anne Cao and Paul Oulton.

When Paul moved to this property in 1996, it was mostly open grassland with hardly any cherry trees or flowers. Now, after years of care and dedication, the area—named “English Cherry Tree Manor”—has been transformed into a stunning garden filled with colorful flowers, cherry blossom lanes, ponds, and even waterfalls.

Anne and Paul, the event organizers seem to have a love for fantasy.

In addition to the cherry blossom viewing event, they also host unique themed activities such as the Bridgerton Spring Ball inspired by the 1800s, live jazz performances, and cultural showcases featuring traditions from countries like China and India.

There’s even a photo on the website showing Japanese taiko drums, suggesting that in past years they may have held events celebrating Japanese culture as well.

It’s truly impressive that such a vast and beautifully maintained garden is privately owned.

I feel deeply grateful to Anne and Paul for opening this enchanting place to the public and sharing its beauty with the local community, Hamilton, through the Cherry Blossom Festival :)

Do We Need to Book Tickets Online for the Cherry Blossom Festival?

This time, a friend of mine had reserved tickets online in advance, and it seems that online booking is required for entry.

The festival operates within specific time slots—mainly during the daytime on weekends from September to October.

I visited during the final weekend of the season, on Sunday of the first week of October, between 12 PM and 3 PM.

Near the venue, the road turns into gravel, and cars are parked on the grass along the roadside.

Thanks to several staff members who were managing traffic, parking went smoothly without any issues.

At the entrance, there was a reception tent where visitors showed their pre-booked QR code tickets.

Staff members scanned the codes and checked each visitor’s name and number of guests before allowing entry.

Admission to the Cherry Blossom Festival is free (2025), but I highly recommend keeping an eye on their Facebook or Instagram pages for the latest updates and reserving your ticket online in advance to ensure a smooth entry.

Lovely Cherry Blossoms and Spring Flowers in New Zealand

Right after checking in at the entrance, a large cherry tree came into view.

Compared to the ones commonly seen in Japan, the blossoms here were slightly smaller but had a deeper pink color—absolutely beautiful.

I’m not sure about the variety, but no matter how many times I see cherry blossoms, I never get tired of them.

They always make me feel that spring has truly arrived. 🌸

Just past the entrance, there was a tent-like space set up with a sofa, bed, and even a microwave inside, creating a cozy glamping-style area.

As I walked further along the path, I found not only cherry blossoms but also many vibrantly colored spring flowers in full bloom.

Among them, I especially loved the delicate light purple to bluish flowers.

I don’t have much knowledge about plants, so I couldn’t tell what kind of flowers they were.

But even though I’m usually not that interested in flowers, I couldn’t help taking photos. There were so many charming and colorful blooms all around.

Near the center of the garden stood a large house, with its ground floor open to visitors as a restroom area.

Right next to the house, there were stalls selling drinks and hot food such as dumplings.

I couldn’t help but wonder what it must be like to live in such a spacious garden with a grand, beautiful cozy house.

Maintaining such a large garden must take a lot of effort, yet there was a real sense of peace and beauty in this place. Waking up every day surrounded by a big cherry tree, open lawns, and quiet homes nearby must be such a tranquil way of living.

Walking past the house and continuing further, I came across an open field and a lane lined with cherry trees.

In the open field, various performances were taking place, including traditional Chinese music and children dancing in costumes.

Since it was around noon and the performances were in progress, the cherry blossom path was relatively quiet, which allowed me to take plenty of beautiful photos of the scenery.

In Japan, cherry blossom spots are usually packed with people everywhere, so being able to enjoy a full bloom walkway at a relaxed pace felt like a truly luxurious experience unique to New Zealand.

It was the first week of October, and although the forecast had predicted cloudy skies and rain, we were blessed with clear blue skies and warm spring sunshine.

There was a bit of wind, but the way the petals danced through the air was so beautiful that it made me feel genuinely happy to have come to the Cherry Blossom Festival.

Above us, the cherry blossoms formed a canopy of pink, while at my feet, soft purple flowers were blooming beautifully.

The combination of light blue, lavender, and pink hues created a truly magical, almost fantasy-like atmosphere that was simply stunning.

Once again, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Anne and Paul, the organizers of the Cherry Blossom Festival, as well as to all the staff members who made this wonderful event possible. :)

Meeting Fluffy Alpacas in Hamilton, New Zealand

After walking around the cherry blossom lane and returning to the main house in the center, I decided to explore the path on the opposite side.

There, I found a small stream, a pond, and beautiful weeping cherry trees gently swaying in the breeze.

When Paul first moved here, the land was said to be nothing but grass, so I couldn’t help wondering how they created such a beautiful pond and stream.

Perhaps it’s the result of the dedication and passion of skilled gardeners—or maybe of Paul and Anne themselves.

As I continued walking, to my surprise, I suddenly found myself at an alpaca farm!

Out of nowhere, a group of fluffy white alpacas appeared.

Many people associate New Zealand with sheep, but in reality, there are plenty of cows, goats, horses, and alpacas as well.

Even in Hamilton, if you drive just a short distance from residential areas, you’ll find vast farmlands where horses and cows are a common sight.

I had never seen an alpaca this close before, but as I approached the fence, one of them started walking toward me—so friendly and curious!

Then I noticed a sign that read,

“Feel alpacas. They’re friendly. " "Enter through the gate if you like but be sure to lock it."

Just outside the fence, there was a bucket full of pellets for visitors to use, so it seemed that feeding the alpacas was allowed.

That is probably why they came so close.

Some were munching peacefully in the shade, others were taking a relaxed nap, and a few came right up to the fence to eat straight from my hand.

Each alpaca had its own personality, and they were all so adorable.

It was such a heartwarming experience!

What Is the Spring Weather Like in New Zealand?

That wraps up my visit to the Cherry Blossom Festival in Hamilton, New Zealand, and my full-bloom cherry blossom report.

Depending on the year, spring in New Zealand usually starts to show around mid-September.

The mornings and evenings are still quite chilly, but during the day, especially on sunny days, the sun can feel surprisingly strong and even make your skin tingle a little.

Now that it is already October, New Zealand is moving from spring into summer. Since I love summer, I am already excited for the warmer days ahead.

In spring, not only cherry blossoms but also many other flowers bloom across the country.

Even just driving around, you can see colorful blossoms everywhere, which makes the season feel cheerful and bright.

The temperature is pleasant, not too hot and not too cold. You no longer need thermal wear, but if the wind picks up, it can feel cool in short sleeves. It is best to carry a light jacket or hoodie.

The sunshine can be quite strong during the day, so sunglasses are also a good idea.

By the way, the weather forecast is not very reliable. People often say that you can experience all four seasons in a single day.

The weather can change suddenly, with heavy rain coming out of nowhere or even light rain while the sun is shining. Interestingly, most people in New Zealand do not use umbrellas.

Things to Enjoy in New Zealand During Spring and Recommended Spots

Spring in New Zealand is not only about cherry blossoms. It is also the season of new life for animals.

You can see fluffy baby lambs and calves running around on farms, and colorful birds appearing everywhere across the countryside.

For those visiting New Zealand on a working holiday or study abroad, this is a wonderful time to experience farm stays or WWOOF programs, where you can meet and interact with animals that are only around during this special season.

As for cherry blossoms, the best viewing time is usually from mid to late September.

Because the wind in New Zealand can be quite strong, even the fully bloomed cherry trees in early October, like this time, can lose their petals quickly.

I am already looking forward to seeing cherry blossoms again somewhere next year.

But for now, I am excited about the upcoming southern hemisphere summer that is just around the corner!