Hamilton Gardens visitors face a 37.5% increase price
Visitors from outside Hamilton are paying more to enter the Enclosed Gardens at Hamilton Gardens, after a $7.50 price increase took effect on October 1.
The new fee of $27.50 applies to visitors aged 16 and over who are not Hamilton residents or ratepayers. Hamilton residents and ratepayers, and children aged 15 and under, continue to enter for free.
Hamilton City Council expects the higher fee will generate between $550,000 and $900,000 in additional revenue each year. The increased revenue would lower the overall cost of the Gardens to the Council.
However, council has also estimated that visitor numbers could fall by between 5% and 15% following the increase.
One visitor was surprised and expressed uncertainty when learning about the price spike from $20 to $27.50. They felt people might now think twice before coming at all. “People who are coming from outside want to enjoy something that Hamilton locals can enjoy for free, now they have to pay extra.”
The new fee applies specifically to the Enclosed Gardens, which now include all 19 themed gardens following the opening of the Medieval Garden last week. The wider Hamilton Gardens site still remains free to access, including areas such as the children’s playground, Turtle Lake and other outdoor gardens.
