Wharepuke Subtropical Garden
★★★★★
Wharepuke means ‘house on the hill’ in Te Reo Maori. The owner Robin Booth has a wealth of experience as a nurseryman and landscaper. He began developing the garden, which sits in a valley running down to the historic Stone Store in Kerikeri, in 1993.
Wharepuke is a plantsman's garden; an eclectic collection of trees and plants that grow naturally in the subtropical conditions. There are also group plantings of bromeliads, many different orchids growing on and under the trees and a huge variety of maturing trees from many different parts of the world. The collection of edible fruiting trees is of considerable interest.
There is a 1km walkway through the plantings and whatever the time of the year you visit there is generally something in flower, fruiting or showing wonderful foliage.
The Wharepuke Sculpture Park, opened in Dec 2015, is a changing exhibition of approximately 40 sculptures by NZ and International artists placed throughout the garden trail. These complement and highlight the garden and sometimes challenge the viewer. Artist residency programmes take place mostly in the winter and spring months.
Facilities and Amenities
-
Also onsite is:
5 self-contained cottages
Maha Restaurant with award winning chef Ming Poon
Art Gallery with work by National and International artists. Specialists in printmaking and ceramics by Richard Parker.
Mark Graver ARE has his non-toxic printmaking studio on-site and teaches printmaking courses by appointment.
-
Open 7 days 10am-5pm or by appointment
An admission fee of $10 for adults, $9 seniors, $5 children, under 5 free.
Pre-booked groups of 8 or more: $8pp
Gardens and Sculpture Park are self guided
Garden tours by appointment- charge applies
Bus groups by appointment
-
From Auckland then SH10
Follow signs to Kerikeri.
Turn off your SATNAV. Kerikeri road does not use consecutive numbers!
Go through Kerikeri township following the one way system and out the other side. (you will be pushed around a “U” bend)
Follow signs to “historic buildings”. Go straight through all (2) roundabouts (Do not follow Stone Store Parking sign - stay on Kerikeri road).
We are just 1km from the centre of Kerikeri half way down the Stone Store Hill on the left. There is a large “Wharepuke” sign opposite a 50km sign.
Drive down into our carpark. Follow the signs (walking) to the left of Maha Restaurant . Ring the intercom phone on the outside of the reception building if no one seems to be about.
-
Physical Address: 190 Kerikeri Road, Kerikeri
Phone: 09 407 8933
Email: info@wharepuke.co.nz
Website: http://www.wharepuke.nz
