The Omaka Gardens

The Omaka Gardens are a Garden of National Significance set on over 10 acres of land amidst New  Zealand’s Forgotten World. Some of our grounds are fenced off for sheep paddocks, but 3+ acres are home to our stunningly beautiful grounds featured in NZ House & Garden magazine, online and on TV.  A taste of what to expect is introduced by fifty-plus Liquidambar trees lining our 300-metre-long sealed driveway.

The gardens consist of a variety of different areas, including The Champagne Lawn, The Knoll, The Dell, The Woodland Garden, The Secret Garden, The Wedding Garden, The Rill, and The Second Husband Garden (find out why this is so-named when you visit us!). There are plenty more unnamed parts of the garden, and all areas have unique characters.

Many large, mature trees surround the Garden, providing a structural backdrop to the gardens. Numerous varieties of Rhododendron, Camellia, Azalea and Maple abound, and there are plenty of other species, including centre stage in the courtyard, a gorgeous yellow Gleditsia (Gleditsia ‘Golden Sunburst’) that sits near an enormous Kalmia (Kalmia latifolia). Filling the numerous garden beds are thousands of plant species, including Bergenia, Hosta, Euphorbia, Rose, Astelia, Hydrangea, Astrantia, Heuchera and Alstroemeria. Several plants – including Deutzia, Nandina, Star Jasmine and red Berberis – are clipped into spirals, pillars, balls or clouds.

The wide variety of plants ensures year-round colour and interest in the gardens – from Hellebores in winter to Bluebells and Daffodils in spring, Jasmine and Lillies in summer, and the fiery red Maple and golden-orange Liquidambar leaves in autumn.

Accommodation is available on site, ranging from bed-and-breakfast rooms in Omaka Lodge, to separate luxury accommodation in The Gardener's Folly cottage.

To Whenua is 1 km away.  

When you make the journey to The Omaka Gardens, you’ll be met by the owners and hosts, Chris and Scott, and the resident pets – Grayson and Katie, American Cocker Spaniels, and cats Baz and Mrs Poulouvitska (known as Mrs Poo in honour of the character in The Manor Born). A qualified landscape designer, Chris has two decades of experience in hospitality management, wedding planning and management, and, more recently, interior design. Scott, meanwhile, followed up a History degree with two decades in sales and marketing. Given his landscape and interior design expertise, it’s only fitting that Chris spends his time maintaining the extensive gardens at The Omaka Gardens, and Scott takes care of sales, marketing and administration – before joining Chris on the grounds.

We are a large country garden of over 3 acres set on our 10+ acres of land amidst New Zealand’s Forgotten World.

If you’re seeking a picturesque garden setting for a wedding, The Omaka Gardens is a beautiful choice. Accommodation is available on site, ranging from bed and breakfast rooms in Omaka Lodge, to separate luxury accommodation in The Gardener's Folly cottage. As well as accommodation for wedding guests; our expansive grounds offer plenty of space for ceremonies and marquees; and our beautiful country gardens offer an enormous variety of photo locations.

For those staying in our accommodation, we have lawn croquet, a sealed tennis court, and a swimming pool. Adventure tourism is an integral part of the New Zealand way of life, and the district around The Omaka Gardens offers ample opportunities for adventure. The central mountains of Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe are within easy reach and have plenty of adventure experiences on offer.