Botanical Soda Workshop | Highwic When: Saturday 25 July 202. 10.30am -3pm. Cost $225
Join craft distiller Jill Mulvaney at Highwic for an exciting new botanical soda workshop. Learn to craft elegant, naturally fermented, zero-alcohol sodas using aromatic herbs, warming spices, and seasonal fruit. Make several refreshing recipes to take home and discover how these sodas deliver uplifting, sophisticated taste along with vitamins and prebiotic benefits for gut health.
To book contact Jill directly at Botanical Sodas at Highwic – The Alembics Lab.Highwic is a self-guided experience. The grounds include a selection of specimen trees planted in the late 1800s, a spacious manicured lawn for croquet, an orchard and cottage garden. On arrival our team will introduce the house and family before leaving you to explore the property independently.
• Explore the house and delve into Auckland life in the late 19th century.
• Learn more about businessman Alfred Buckland, his two wives and their 21 children.
• See a rare local example of Carpenter Gothic architecture.
• Explore the collection of Victorian children's toys, decorative arts, furniture and paintings.
• Buy a gift in the Highwic shop.
• Explore the art trail and learn more about Auckland’s history and landscape.
Grounds
• Wander through the delightful orchard garden and explore the heritage grounds.
• Bring a picnic to enjoy on the croquet lawn.
Events
• A range of regular and special events are held at Highwic, see What's On for details.
• Sample baking from our coal range on the first Wednesday of the month.
We have a wonderful group of volunteers who work at Highwic on a range of activities such as object conservation, hosting visitors, working in the garden, helping at events, and baking on our coal range once a month. If you are interested in knowing more, please contact us.
Weddings at Highwic often combine many of our unique and charming spaces. The Drawing Room, built in the early 1880s, is a truly elegant space with kauri panelling and an 1890s grand piano that can be played. It is the perfect backdrop for an intimate wedding ceremony or reception seating up to 50 people. The historic Billiard House is a more informal space to make your own. It seats up to 50 people for a formal dinner and can accommodate up to 70 for a cocktail reception.
The Croquet Lawn, surrounded by stunning heritage gardens, is perfect for an outdoor ceremony. For larger weddings, a marquee for up to 100 people can be set up on the Tennis Lawn. There, it is surrounded by beautiful gardens and mature trees. The main house provides the picture-perfect backdrop for your big day.
Highwic’s wedding package includes full access to the historic house and grounds for your guests to explore, Victorian lawn games including croquet and parking for up to 20 cars.
If you would like to visit our stunning venue, send us an enquiry and we can organise a time to show you around the house and grounds.
Cost: Normal entry (Free for HNZPT Members, Adults $10, Children free)
Bookings: Please email or call Highwic to book.
There is limited free visitor parking on site. If you find the carpark is full, we recommend parking next door at Westfield Newmarket.
For larger events the walking bridge linked to the Westfield Newmarket carpark is opened. (Best parking in the Green Carpark, Level 3.).
There is a designated accessible parking space available.
Bus Parking
Group drop-off and pick-up from bus stop 8602 on Gillies Avenue.
Space is available on site for minibuses
Highwic is a multi-level building, with several changes of floor level.
There is wheelchair access to the ground floor areas of the house via a ramp (arrange with staff)
There is a designated accessible parking space for visitors with limited mobility.
Note many of the paths around the site are uneven and care must be taken.
Well-behaved dogs are welcome on the grounds.
Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic with them to enjoy in the grounds.
There is a great range of local cafés and eateries in Newmarket, just a short distance from Highwic.
Visitors are welcome to visit the garden during opening hours (free entry). Bring a picnic to enjoy on the lawns.
For children
• Explore the property with the House Hunts available from the front desk.
• See What's On for information about school holiday programmes.
• Highwic offers a range of education programmes that align with the NZ History curriculum.
• Schools are welcome to visit for self-guided tours (please book in advance).
• Contact Highwic for more information or to make a booking
The Highwic Gift Shop stocks a great range of quality, heritage themed products, including homeware, cards, Aotearoa New Zealand history books, heritage games, and much more.
40 Gillies Avenue Epsom
Gardens to visit is a collection of New Zealand's most beautiful gardens that open to the public.
