Onaero, Waitara, Bell Block

Onaero, Waitara, and Bell Block

Mokau

ONAERO Onaero is a settlement in northern Taranaki, located on State Highway 3 close to the shore of the North Taranaki Bight.

WAITARA An impressive natural feature of the largest town in North Taranaki is the Waitara River, which flows through the town’s heart. Waitara was one of the first areas in the region to be settled by Māori; consequently, it has some important heritage sites. The banks of the river were the scene of a significant battle during the Taranaki Land Wars of the 1860s that involved over 2000 people.

BELL BLOCK This rapidly growing beachfront residential town was named after Francis Dillon Bell, the New Zealand Company’s resident agent in Taranaki from 1847–48. In the 1970s, extensive subdivisions expanded the town so that it effectively became part of New Plymouth.

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New Plymouth

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MUST-DO EXPERIENCES INCLUDE:

• Walk over the Bertrand Rd suspension bridge that crosses the Waitara River, linking Huirangi, near

Lepperton and Tikorangi. The original bridge was built in 1897 and rebuilt in 1927 after flood damage. • Enjoy a game of mini-putt based on the layout of the famous Mount Panorama track at Bathurst and view an impressive collection of Holden cars and memorabilia at the Hillsborough Holden Museum near Bell Block.

589 Otaraoa Rd, Tikorangi RD43, Waitara, 4383 Abbie & Mark Jury When the Jurys re-opened last year, the extensive new summer gardens had their first showing. This year, the new project is the Wild North Garden—a 1.6ha extension that has been 30 years in the making. Just as the original park is now a managed meadow, the North Garden is an actively managed wild garden created with beauty and sustainability in mind. The 4ha garden has trees dating back to 1870, with extensive stonework from the 1950s. As the fourth generation, Mark and Abbie have continued to extend and refine the garden, retaining historic elements while incorporating ideas from the new millennium. Open for the 10 days of festival only. No plant sales. Parking on site for small or mid-sized coaches only by prior arrangement. Free guided tours are available Tues 2

Nov, Thurs 4 Nov, at 11am.

EVENT: Mitre 10 Garden Speaker Series (see page 59)

Open 9am–5pm, admission 2 tickets P 06 754 6671 E jury@jury.co.nz W jury.co.nz Tikorangi The Jury Garden @Tikorangi

74 Kairau Rd West, Waitara, 4373 John Wilmshurst & Diana Montgomery This 4ha garden bound by the Waiongana River has many varied spaces, includes a Sunken Garden, Rose Garden, Redwoods, Native River Walk, log walls and a developing produce area to name but a few. The mostly flat terrain has enabled a large variety of easy walking avenues and vista viewpoints. This garden is well known for the herbaceous peonies that usually flower during the festival. Scrumptious savouries, cakes, tea, coffee and cold drinks from The Cake Diary will be on sale in the Pavilion. The garden was featured in NZ House & Garden magazine. Turn off Mountain Rd SH3A to access Kairau Rd West.

Open 9am–5pm, admission 1 ticket P 06 755 0770 / 021 103 1237 E johndianaw@gmail.com WaionganaGardens @WaionganaGarden

2 Joll St, Waitara, 4383 Ann & Maurice Crackett An immaculate award-winning open-style garden that boasts a huge lawn with plantings on either side. The amazing variety of trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants, fruits and vegetables, skilfully planted in this garden provide a wonderful example of what can be achieved in short spaces of time with vision and expertise. The garden itself is entirely flat, and curved beds planted with heuchera and hostas border the immaculate and vast lawn. Other attractions to the garden include the addition of a house conservatory filled with orchids and sub-tropical plants, and a pergola draped with climbers where you can sit and take in the entire garden bursting with life. Complimentary tea/coffee available. Plants for sale.

Open 9am–5pm, admission 1 ticket P 027 250 9181 (Anne) / 021 024 85840 (Maurice)

4. Marcella Point

280 Mountain Rd, Lepperton, 4373 Cheryl & Geoff Burt Surrounding the house are large park-like gardens terraced on the sloping hillside with well-established flora. Cheryl and Geoff have redefined pathways and repurposed materials for low maintenance gardening and hints of quirkiness. Crafts for sale. Collab Catering 10am–2:30pm serving lunches. Coffee/snacks from The Barrell.

EVENT: Mitre 10 Garden Speaker series (see page 60)

EVENT: Night Fine Dining. 5 courses by Collab

Hospitality. For info visit Marcella Point Facebook or email marcellapoint@collab-hospitality.com MarcellaPointNZ

6 Mahoetahi Rd, Waitara, 4382 Vance & Kathryn Hooper Behind the casual entrance is a hidden mature garden that will wow you. A Mediterranean theme of succulents and cacti make a bold statement. Paths flow out naturally to unfold a myriad of magnolia species, the bamboo forest, and a bee garden; just a few of the combinations creating this idyllic sanctuary maturing to a forest setting as part of the original plan. A must see for rare and unusual plants and trees with a wide range of plants available.

Open 9am–5pm, admission 1 ticket P 027 439 7207 E budder@xtra.co.nz W magnoliagrove.co.nz

Magnolia Grove_NZ

486 Manutahi Rd, Lepperton, 4373 Robyn & Graeme Lepper Now in its sixth generation, this family homestead and 100-year-old garden is filled with treasures. Large mature English trees and native bush boundaries surround this one-hectare garden. Clivia, hostas, ligularia, roses and rhododendrons are some of the varieties in this rural country garden. There are also spacious lawns, curved beds, garden rooms and a large variety of bright flowers. Off road parking, complimentary tea/coffee.

Open 9am–5pm, admission 1 ticket P 06 752 0821 / 027 473 6262 E glepper@xtra.co.nz

7. Frog Lodge

NEW

39 Bishop Road, New Plymouth, 4372 David & Noeline Sampson After selling their nursery Cedar Lodge 10 years ago, these plantspeople have transformed 7ha of rural farmland into Frog Lodge. David and Noeline’s passion for conifers feature throughout this “tree garden”. A long driveway and a substantial-sized lake offer a great opportunity to see how tree varieties thrive in these conditions. A newly developed area features a restored Railway Station nestled amongst the young trees and a hillside planting of young natives. Visitors will also see two forms of weeping blue Atlantic Cedars, four cultivars of yellow New Zealand native trees, and new forms of miniature conifers.

IMAGE: JANE DOVE JUNEAU

8. Riverlea (Ann & Vince’s Garden)

367 Corbett Road, Bell Block, 4373 Ann & Vince Naus This peaceful, large, and diverse garden flows around a relocated and restored 120-year-old villa. Since 2003, Ann and Vince, owners of Big Jim’s Garden Centre, have poured their talents and passion into creating Riverlea. To form varied vistas, they have engaged an array of ideas, including establishing a perennial border, woodland garden and maple walk. Also, a boardwalk to the river starring native plants, opens to a new area with rimu, kauri, nikau and more. Buses by arrangement.

Open 9am–5pm, admission 1 ticket P 06 755 2205 / 027 447 3950 (Ann) 027 471 6474 (Vince) E ann.vin@xtra.co.nz