Halford Hideaway
This stunning expansive garden spans more than seven hectares including three wetland ponds, a sunken garden and a QEII Trust covenanted area of open space. It’s a restful sanctuary to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature.
54 Cootes Road
Matahiwi
The owners have beautifully maintained the garden designed and built more than a decade ago. The garden was known then as ‘Tidsfordriv’ – meaning ‘activity to pass time’. Halford Hideaway encompasses this embodiment with its tiny house built by the current owners for an Air B&B to take in the peace and tranquility that radiates from every aspect of this property.
The three large wetland ponds were created to welcome wading birds, native waterfowl and invertebrates. Now fully mature, the water attracts a variety of birds each year and the constant chirping of frogs is a common sound on warm summer evenings. Along with the birds is a complete ecosystem of insects including a huge variety of dragonflies. Colourful waterlilies nymphaea open en masse from September to March.
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A formal sunken garden is framed with a low buxus hedge and mature rhododendrons, camellias, and azaleas – leading the eye towards the deep mauve foliage of a team of Japanese maples framing a wide-stepped entrance in the distance. It’s the ideal setting for formal celebrations.
The fairy hillock is being developed and has a small path leading up and over the top of a mound, hidden around the top are some fairy and garden statues.
Sweeping lawns and well-formed paths around the ponds will guide you around the garden. You are also able to wander through the canopy of the QEII Trust protected area of introduced and native trees.
Bring cash for Hobby Home Crafted who make handcrafted homeware from recycled New Zealand rimu – bar stools, chopping boards, bird feeders etc. There will also be refreshments as a fundraiser from Fernridge School on-site.
GALLERY
