[5] It is the most southerly of the parks in the original Belt[6] and on the edge of the Wairere Drive extension to Peacocke.

[7] The first Royal Hotel was opened on the southwest corner of Grey and Cook Streets in July 1865, by Lewis Bassiere Harris, of the 4th Waikato Militia Regiment.

[13] In 2000 the suburb was extended over a former part of Ruakura Experimental Farm,[14] by Grasshopper East Ltd. and Chedworth Properties Ltd adding 321 houses[15] at Sherwood Park.

Although the streets are named with a Sherwood Forest theme,[16] it required a campaign to preserve a shelter belt of redwood trees from the development.

Hamilton Gardens, a 58 hectare public park, is located along the banks of the Waikato River.

[19] Hayes Paddock, an enclave in Hamilton East developed between 1939 and 1945, was planned and built according to the philosophies and ideals of the First Labour Government and the Garden City Movement.

It includes curved street patterns, open plan garden layouts, low density development, and the provision of walkways and reserves.

Hayes Paddock contains over 200 classic state houses built along seven streets named mostly after New Zealand governors general.

[22] Thanks to Hamilton heritage enthusiasts and local council processes, Hayes Paddock has received protection in the city's district plan.

[23] The purpose of this protection was to safeguard the unique and special heritage of the Hayes Paddock area.

[25] A final hearing of proposed changes was held in July 2008 and on 24 September 2008 a full Council confirmed the changes, subject to some amendments.

[26][27] Graham Island is a small islet of about 0.2 ha (0.49 acres), separated from the main river bank south of Hayes Paddock by about 5 m (16 ft) of shallow water.

Most of the island is covered in raspberry, with alder and silver and golden wattle as the main trees.

The park and cenotaph were created in memory of First World War soldiers on what was previously called Kowhai Bank.

It was originally called Sydney Square, after the New South Wales city where members of the 4th Waikato militia enlisted.

The Loyal Hamilton Lodge of the Independent Order of Oddfellows was built by Edward Pearson in 1874 on the perimeter of Steele Park.

[63] Pearson's sandsoap was advertised from 1882,[64] took out a patent in 1884,[65] started a factory in Sydney in 1892[66] and later moved production to Penrose.

It was built between 1910–1912 for a prominent Hamilton businessman and New Zealand Liberal Party MP, Henry Greenslade.

[71] It remains a private residence, was given Historic Place Category 1 listing on 21 September 1989,[72] is a large 490 with 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms[73] and has been sold many times since restoration in the 1970s.

Located at the entrance to Hamilton Gardens, Nga Uri o Hinetuparimaunga is a sculpture created by two internationally renowned artists, sculptor Chris Booth and Diggeress Te Kanawa.

The woven Hinuera stone cloak sculpture honours natural creative processes.

[79] It was replaced by new offices to the rear of it, which had a foundation stone dated 4 February 1971 and were first used for a meeting on 21 March 1972.

Before the 2023 census, Hamilton East had a slightly larger boundary, covering 4.74 km2 (1.83 sq mi).

[93] Sacred Heart Girls' College' is a single sex state-integrated Catholic day school (years 9–13).