Omaio
★★★★★★
Development of the garden began in 2006 when Liz Morrow moved to settle permanently in what was the family holiday home, a log cabin nestled into a stand of native bush on the water’s edge. Islands - Kawau, Goat, Rabbit and The Bee Hive in Kawau Bay - are viewed from the garden. NZ native bush surrounds the cabin and garden, the feature tree, a puriri, is thought to be between 800 & 1,000 years old. While the planting is predominantly native, there is a fusion of other carefully selected plants that suit the location and setting. The garden is laid out in curving, flowing shapes reflecting the waves and coastal shapes beyond.
There is some formality close to the house in the clipped specimens, plant shapes and textures. The repetition of the plantings throughout is effective, providing continuity that does not compete with the natural surrounding bush. The canopy of established native trees provides protective shade where clivia, hydrangeas, arthropodium, bergenia, ligularia, hostas and ferns flourish.
The crushed shell path "Jane's Lane", leads to the raised koru-shaped vegetable garden and small orchard which is situated in a sheltered bush clearing. The koru garden, although small, provides an ample supply of vegetables throughout the year. The path from this area, lined with arthropodium, cream clivias and hostas, leads through bush and a mature stand of kauri, rimu, totara and pohutakawa, to "Johny's Deck" a viewing platform on the water's edge.
Paths lead from the main garden to "Kowhai Coast", “Totara Trail” and "Olioli Way" - easy walking tracks through established and naturally regenerating bush. The trails provide a restful contrast to the highly maintained garden areas. “Omaio” was planted to create calm – the colour palette is soft, tones of green dominate. It is relaxed and easy on the eye. Note: The garden is not suitable for wheelchairs or for anyone requiring support of any kind.
Facilities and Amenities
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Refreshments available by prior arrangement
Accommodation available
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Omaio is a private garden open throughout the year by appointment
Closed on public holidays.
Admission charge
Regret no credit card or EFTPOS facility
Regret no dogs or pets
No smoking
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Omaio Garden, 18 Kereru Lane
Omaio is located only 10 minutes from magical Matakana and 1 hour north of the Auckland Harbour bridge – a journey of 75.5 kilometres.
Travel on State Highway 1 until you reach the Warkworth area.
At the third set of traffic lights on the main road as you come into the Warkworth area, turn right and follow signs to Matakana, Omaha, Leigh. Go straight through the roundabout at Matakana and over the bridge.
Travel about 1km and turn right at intersection which has a sign to Omaha and Point Wells. Turn right again into Takatu Road at the next roundabout and follow signs to Buckletons Beach and Tawharanui. First road on the right is Whitmore Road with sign to Buckletons Beach. Turn right.
Drive for 4.5 km. Slow down here as you are nearly there. You will then see a Tuscan style two storied house on your left painted dark orange, and beyond that a row of 4 letter boxes on the left. You will see the NZ Gardens Trust Omaio flag. Turn left into Kereru Lane - it veers right at the black barn. Drive to the end where you will see the 'OMAIO' sign – it is the last driveway on the left. Cars park at bottom of steep sealed drive where indicated by “Visitor Parking” and “Garden Entry” signs. Do not park at the black shed….that is where coaches park.
GROUP TOUR LEADERS– Please note…
Coaches park in front of double garage where indicated by Coach Park notice – do not go down sealed driveway. There is ample room for coach parking and turning.
Mini vans and cars park in the lower park – in the Visitor carpark at bottom of the sealed driveway at the garden entrance.
It is important to provide these directions to the coach company/driver.
Please advise the coach company that if buses of 13.5 m. in length are used, then extra care is required on one of the corners entering the property. There has been no problem to date for the larger buses.
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Physical Address: 18 Kereru Lane, Matakana, Warkworth
Phone: 09 4227443
Email: liz@omaio.co.nz
Website: http://www.omaio.co.nz
