Kaipara Coast Sculpture Gardens
★★★★
The Kaipara Coast Sculpture Garden - a pleasant 45 minute drive northwest of Auckland - is perched on undulating west facing slopes above the sparkling waters of the Kaipara Harbour. The garden is relatively young with tree planting begun in 1994 and shrubberies even later. Never the less the planting has reached a stage where vegetation now defines garden rooms and frames both internal and external vistas.
The gardens are an easy 1 kilometre walk on gravel paths which are accessible for mountain buggies, but not for wheelchairs. Children are welcome with a number of interactive activities throughout the gardens.
There are also longer walks in the gardens, with 2.5km of native forest trails to follow.
Natives wrap around the outside of the garden and merge with a variety of themed planting that provide interest and variety throughout the gardens. These include avenues of trees over a hydrangea walk, edibles including a mature orchard, formal areas, ponds and native bush. However it is the sculpture that sets this garden apart. Over 40 selected pieces by New Zealand artists are carefully tucked into their own niches around the garden. The exhibition is completely refreshed annually with careful thought given to the location of each piece and its relationship with the landscape. The result is a stimulating experience of some of the best of New Zealand's art in a tranquil garden setting.
The gardens are accessed through the Kaipara Coast Plant Centre which sells natives, fruit trees and other edibles, hedging plants and groundcovers that have proven to grow well in Auckland, with a cafe which adds yet another dimension to the visit. For plant lovers this is a great day out
Facilities and Amenities
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Nursery and Garden Centre with a lovely ambience
Brochure/map available
Children welcome
Garden tours available by appointment
Garden tour groups catered for
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Open 7 days, 9am to 5pm, last admission 4pm (Closed Christmas day and Anzac morning)
Adults $15
Children 5 – 16yrs $7.50
Family pass - $35.00
Groups 15+ - $10
Seniors and students $12
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Driving Travel north of Auckland on SH1
Take exit 398 at Silverdale and merge left on to Dairy Flat Highway.
Turn right in to Pine Valley Road adn travel to the end.
Turn right at Kahikatea Flat Road.
Travel around 14km to the 'T' intersection and turn right on to Kaipara Coast Highway/SH16.
Travel around 5km and the entry to Kaipara Coast Plant Centre and Sculpture Gardens will be on your left at the top of the hill.
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Physical Address: 1481 Kaipara Coast Highway, Kaukapakapa
Phone: 09 4205655
Email: info@kaiparacoast.co.nz
Website: https://kaiparacoastplantcentre.com/
