A popular Hamilton walk is to circle Hamilton's Lake Rotoroa. At around 4km, the off-road walkway with nothing between you and the lake takes you around its edge on boardwalks and paths, through stands of bush and past myriads of wading and free flight birds.

A cafe and extensive children's playground lie at the eastern end of the lake, while many types of boating from yachting to waka paddlers enjoy being on the lake.