The Waikato Balloon Festival is held in mid April at Hamilton Lake. This year there were 38 balloons from around the World, The weather was calm and fine just right for Flying. 50 Miles SW from Hamilton is a small coastal town of Kawhia and over the sand hill at Ocean Beach Hot Water Bubbles through the sand at low tide and with a shovel one can dig a hole to form a nice hot pool.- and it is Free!!