Eastwoodhill Arboretum
★★★★★
Eastwoodhill is an arboretum of national and international importance. It holds the most comprehensive collection of woody plants in New Zealand and possibly the largest collection of Northern Hemisphere trees south of the equator including 170 species currently on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (I.U.C.N.) world endangered list. The arboretum displays over 4000 different taxa of trees, shrubs and climbers on the 135 hectare property, gathered by the late Douglas Cook, the founder, and since augmented by the Eastwoodhill Trust Board.
Many winter flowering trees herald spring when a one hectare planting of daffodils and prunus, malus, magnolias, chestnuts, maples, cornus, azaleas and many unusual species come into bloom. There is interest all year but the highlight is perhaps in autumn when oaks, ash, maples, cotinus, larch and countless other deciduous trees provide a riot of colour. Many rare and unusual conifers add evergreen form and colour.
The historic one hectare homestead garden dating from 1910 is an integral attraction cared for by volunteers. An ongoing project, the garden provides a fitting introduction to the arboretum and is full of interesting plantings aesthetically combined in a unique setting. Lunches and tour guides are available by prior arrangement.
Facilities and Amenities
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Accommodation Available
Children Welcome
Conference Facilities
Crafts
Product Sales
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Open 9am – 5pm except Good Friday and Christmas Day
Adult $15 - Seniors (over 65) $12
Children under 5 no charge with paying adult; Children 5-16 $2
Students with high school/tertiary I.D. $12
Members free
Can accommodate groups (bookings essential)
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From Gisborne
Travel on SH2 following the signs to Napier out of Gisborne.
At the Waipaoa river bridge roundabout take the 3rd exit on to Wharekopae Road.
An Eastwood Hill signpost is approx 50m along the Warekopae Road after the roundabout on the left hand side.
Eastwood Hill is 23km from this point.
From Napier
Follow signs to Gisborne.
Drive over Waipaoa river bridge straight through the roundabout (do not turn right to Gisborne).
An Eastwood Hill signpost is approx 50m along the Warekopae Road after the roundabout on the left hand side.
Eastwood Hill is 23km from this point.
From Opotoki
Follow SH2 south past Te Karaka to Gisborne.
About 5km on the brown tourist sign will indicate where to turn off SH2 on to Laverham Road.
Travel around 13km and turn right in to Seddon Street.
Take the 2nd left on to Bilham Road.
After 1km turn right on to Wharekopae Road.
Due to past and current weather events in Tair?whiti (Gisborne area) we have a few tracks closed and our Arboretum is not presenting at its best at this current time. Some of our tracks unfortunately took a hit and we are currently in the process of cleaning them up so visitors can experience the whole site.
The good news is the garden part of the site has not been damaged and they are still accessible to the public, so please - still come and visit us.
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Physical Address: 2392 Wharekopae Road, Ngatapa
Phone: 06 863 9003
Email: enquiries@eastwoodhill.org.nz
Website: http://eastwoodhill.org.nz
