Staying active in your golden years is easy in Cambridge.

For those looking to stay active into their retirement, Cambridge might be the outdoor mecca with endless opportunities to get outside, move and try a new sport or activity.

More and more people are choosing to stay active in their retirement and make the most of our great outdoors. Cambridge has established itself as an idyllic setting for nature lovers and active retirees seeking a vibrant lifestyle packed with recreational opportunities and a warm community spirit. 

There’s plenty to keep you moving, from badminton, bowls and ballroom dancing, to pickleball, pétanque and paddleboarding – that’s just scraping the surface of accessible activities in the wonderful Waipā district.

Joining a sports club or group is a fantastic way of staying active – both physically and mentally – and is a perfect place to meet like-minded people. Strength and balance classes can help to improve overall health and wellbeing.

Te Awa cycle trail

Imagine cycling along the banks of the Waikato River, surrounded by lush greenery and the gentle sounds of nature. The 65km Te Awa River Ride is one of the most scenic cycling and walking trails in New Zealand, and you can hire an ebike and cycle all, or sections of it from Cambridge. Boasting the longest concrete trail in the country, and at three metres wide, it’s
accessible to a huge range of users and abilities. The multipurpose trail is also perfect for leisurely strollers and invigorating joggers.

Move in nature

A short drive from Cambridge and overlooking Lake Karāpiro is the majestic Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, with a mix of walking tracks from easy to advanced gradients. Stay connected to nature while staying active by volunteering at Maungatautari. The project relies on hundreds of volunteers and there are a range of projects you can contribute your skills and knowledge too from guiding to planting and building trap boxes.

The Sculpture Park at Waitakaruru Aboretum offers a charming blend of art and nature, creating an opportunity for the perfect quiet day out, or take the grandchildren along for an adventure! Wander along the 2km art-in-nature trail, set amongst a landscape of ponds, cliffs, rocks and thousands of trees as you take in over 100 sculptures and installations.

Active adventures with family

If you’re a keen adventurer, organise for the family to come and stay and take them on an adventure they won’t forget. Glowworm kayak tours on Lake Karāpiro at sunset (see page 58), organise for everyone to ‘give it a go’ at the Grassroots Trust Velodrome with Community Trikes that are great for anyone, whether new to cycling and fitness, living with limited mobility or undergoing rehabilitation following illness or injury. 

Enjoy our rolling landscapes via horseback on a horse trek for the whole family or introduce everyone to bowls at one of the local clubs.

Take it at your own pace

Join a club or try new activities at your own pace. Swimming enthusiasts can enjoy the Perry Aquatic Centre with its indoor 25m x 25m pool, learner/hydrotherapy pool and upgraded 50m outdoor pool, open during the summer months. 

Keen golfers can enjoy 9 or 19 holes at Cambridge Golf Club or at the new, world-class course at Tieke Estate just 20 minutes up the road in Rukuhia.

Regular community events and classes promote connection among residents and enhance the overall vibrancy of Cambridge. For those considering a relocation here for retirement, the charm is undeniable. Here, an active lifestyle awaits, beautifully complemented by access to nature and the close-knit community. From walking and cycling through scenic trails to active volunteering, trying a new activity, joining a club or organising an adventure for the family, you’ll never be bored.

Gone are the days of giving up things you enjoy as you get older. Spend time doing what you love, actively embrace your golden years and enjoy the freedom and choice Cambridge has
to offer.