Woodlands Homestead, Gardens & Cafe
★★★★★
Full of history and timeless charm. Come and take a self-guided tour of this national treasure. Step back in time and discover the memories and stories of our historic homestead and garden estate, the heart of Gordonton’s history.
Woodlands is a garden of rare historic, and landscape interest. The Homestead is a category 1 Historic Place with Heritage New Zealand. In 1870 it began as the centre of a vast 98,000 acre farming enterprise from whence the first butter was exported - under the Anchor brand. The neo-Gothic homestead was built in 1875 and the many fine trees planted a year later. Camellias imported from England are amongst the oldest in the country. A tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera), a eucalypt and several plane trees have reached gigantic proportions and lend the garden a dignity not often found.
To one side of the house the formal totara hedged Long Lawn displays the New Zealand flag and together with the Village Green provides a restful counterpoint to the extensive woodland areas. A large stretch of water with a wisteria-draped Monet-style bridge lies in the centre of the garden. Woodlands is an atmospheric garden with a rich heritage.
Also located at the Estate is Woodlands Garden Grove Cafe & Bar. Privately owned and operated, the café looks out onto an old-fashioned cricket oval.
Woodlands Estate is looked after by a not-for-profit trust, with the gardens being well-maintained by the Waikato District Council.
Facilities and Amenities
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Children welcome
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Woodland Gardens is open 7 days a week 9am – 3.30pm
Woodlands Homestead is open 7 days a week 10am – 3.30pm (Adults $3, Students and children free)
Woodlands Garden Grove Café and Bar is open Monday - Friday 9am - 3pm (kitchen 9am - 2pm), and Saturday and Sunday 10am - 4pm (kitchen 10am - 3pm).
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From Auckland
Take SH1 south towards Hamilton for around 100km.
At the Gordonton roundabout take the 1st exit to Gordontonon SH1B.
After 11km turn left on to Whitikahu Road Woodlands is on your right.
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Physical Address: 42 Whitikahu Road, Gordonton
Phone: 07 8243687
Email: info@woodlands.co.nz
Website: http://woodlands.co.nz
