Travel Day: Matakana to Tirau

Before leaving the area North of Auckland, we stopped at the Brick Abby Sculpture Trail. This was an unexpected highlight.

The trail showcased 68 sculptures displayed in and among flora, fauna, lakes, open pastures, native forests, and a vineyard. The impressive collection included Gregorian chants coming from hidden speakers around the woods. It sounded like a live concert with individual voices echoing from around the woods. Afterwards we had one of best meals we have had in New Zealand at the museum restaurant, the Glass House. They served local foods and wines from their vineyard. We learned that we were extremely fortunate to get a table without a reservation.  Perhaps it was because we went the day after a national holiday.  No matter the reason, we are glad we got to have lunch.

We made another stop at the Hamilton Gardens.  The space was a garbage dump in the 1960’s and transformed into the pride of Hamilton. The gardens were brilliant.  The 54 hectare is divided into four collections: paradise, productive, fantasy, and landscape.  We could not see all of the gardens, so we started in the rose garden—the smell and stunning colors were intoxicating. 

From there we explored the paradise, productive and fantasy gardens.  Each collection was made up of four-six gardens. We were surprised by the level of detail in each and could have spent many more hours exploring.  It was no surprise we enjoyed the Italian Renaissance, Japanese, Chinese, Tudor, and Herb gardens.  

The Indian Char Bagh garden was an unexpected burst of elegance.  The entrance is through a plain white door into a space filled with color.  The space was designed to represent a 16th-17th century garden built for the Mughal aristocracy.

The Mansfield Garden was a replica of the house described in Katherine Mansfield’s short story ‘The Garden Party.’  It was the newest garden and was still listed as under renovations on the maps.  We will have to return when the surrealist and picturesque garden under construction.