AUCKL AND/ THAMES
Heritage holiday getaways If you’re planning a summer getaway in Auckland or the Coromandel, or simply find yourself road-tripping your way along our stunning scenic roads, here are some Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga gems to check out: 1
1. Alberton
3. Ewelme Cottage
Nestled on the lower slopes of Mount Albert lies Alberton – a romantic Indian architectural inspired house built for Allan Kerr Taylor in 1863 as the centre for the family’s original 500 acre farm. With an extensive collection of family items and sprawling heritage garden, a tour of Alberton’s 18 rooms offers a unique heritage experience. Over the summer, Alberton plays host to a number of exciting summer events. The Alberton Market Day on the second Sunday of the month, from 10am to 2pm (starting November with a break in January) is a summer ‘must do’ in Auckland.
When Vicesimus Lush, the vicar of Howick, wanted his eldest sons to have an education at the Church of England Grammar School in Parnell his solution was to build Ewelme. Situated just off Parnell Road at 14 Ayr Street, this delightful yet modest cottage and garden reflects the restraint and standards of what life was like in the Victorian era for a busy ecclesiastic family. The house is full of treasures collected by the original family and their ancestors. Bring a picnic to enjoy in the beautiful cottage garden and listen to the enchanting sound of tui living in the historic trees surrounding the lawn.
2. Highwic After a quick exit off the southern motorway at Gillies Avenue and up the spectacular tree-lined driveway is Highwic. Located a stone’s throw from Auckland’s premier shopping district of Newmarket, Highwic is set in a tranquil setting. A visit opens the door to life in the colonial ‘boom and bust’ period of Auckland and to the family of Alfred Buckland. Upcoming events and features include the Highwic Christmas Shop, which is open until 23 December, and Highwic’s Christmas Garden Party on Sunday 6 December. The party is a fun day out for all the family with live music, a café and bar, craft, book and plant stalls, and variety of activities for children.
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4. Thames School of Mines Located on the site of a Māori urupā (burial ground), fascinating Māori, industrial and geological history converge at one of New Zealand’s largest and best-preserved mining schools in the heart of the Hauraki gold fields. The Mineralogical Museum houses a comprehensive collection of minerals and fossils from New Zealand and abroad. Guided tours are available at the Mining School and Mineralogical Museum, as well as gold panning, by appointment.
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For more details on these places please visit www.heritage.org.nz n
Writer: Antony Phillips
ALL IMAGES BY GRANT SHEEHAN/HERITAGE NEW ZEALAND POUHERE TAONGA
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heritage.org.nz
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