Rapaura Watergardens

Tapu, Coromandel Peninsula
Owners: Sally Sank
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Address: 586 Tapu-Coroglen Rd, Tapu, Thames Coast, Coromandel Peninsula
Phone: 0-7-868 4821
Fax: 0-7-868 4821
Email: rapaura.watergardens@xtra.co.nz
Open: All year, daily, 9am-5pm; tearoom & craftshop: open from September to June only
Groups: By appointment
Fee: $8 per adult, $3 per child; discount for groups 10+
Size: Large - over 2ha (5 - 6 acres)
Terrain: Sloping & steeper bush walk
Facilities: Trellis Tearoom & Craft Shop on site
Rapaura, a Maori word meaning “running spring water”, is a woodland watergarden in a native bush setting. Developed in the late ’sixties by the Loeniggs from a derelict farm, Rapaura was extended by the Lowes and is being further expanded by Sally. She is dedicated to the philosophy that “The best garden is a well-kept wilderness”, one of the sayings on the Poet’s Walk which meanders through the garden past the 14 waterlily ponds.

Three streams and a cascading waterfall are also incorporated into Rapaura, reached by a bush walk through the native forest park that surrounds the watergardens. Many native species are further used in the garden, including kauri, rimu, rewarewa, cabbage trees, toothed lancewoods, and hebes. More predominant are varieties of native ponga tree fern and kanuka. These are interplanted with exotic species such as the ginkgo, taxodium, oaks, maples and weeping elm that provide autumn colour.

The waterlilies flower from November, after the spring features of the gardens such as camellias, rhododendrons, azaleas, and orchids. Spring pondside plantings include primulas, irises, and calthas, followed by pontederia and hostas in summer. These are accompanied by hanging baskets of annuals. In winter the hellebores and plectranthus come to the fore, with the garden sculpture and mountain views year-round features.

Directions:


From SH 1, take Thames exit & travel on SH 25 for 30 mins. Turn right into Tapu-Coroglen Rd & travel 6.5km to Raupaura Watergardens on right. From Coromandel, travel south for 45 mins. to Rapaura Watergardens on left.