Oraka Wapiti Deer Park

Tirau, Waikato

Owners:

Linda and Ian Scott

Click images to enlarge

Address:

71 Bayly Road, R D 1, Tirau

Phone:

+ 64-7-883 1382

Fax:

+ 64-7-883 1384

Email:

oraka@xtra.co.nz

Open:

All year, by appointment only

Fee:

$7 pp, for groups fewer than 6 - $40

Size:

Medium - 1.2ha (3 acres)

Terrain:

Flat - easy access

Functions:

Facilities:

Deer tours by arrangement; garden shop on site; quality cottage available for accommodation

Just five kilometres out of Tirau is Oraka Wapiti Deer Park. This 56-hectare farm includes 48 hectares for the wapiti deer and just over a hectare of landscaped garden. Although the garden has only been developed since 1995, some of the trees were planted around 1930. These huge trees are Linda’s favourites, providing structure for the underplanting. Walks have been established in the garden, through the eight-hectare pine forest and beside Oraka Stream that borders the farm. Spring features include the bulbs lining the driveway, daffodils followed by forget-me-nots, magnolias, azaleas, rhododendrons and camellias. Then in summer the old-fashioned roses flower, along with penstemons and delphiniums.

The maples turn lovely colours in autumn, and the bark of the trees and structure of the garden are of interest in winter, with the tranquil views of the surrounding countryside. The garden is predominantly mauves and pinks, with yellows and brighter colours by the restaurant and shop. Ian is also developing a native area, with rimu and kauri trees planted in the 1960s. English trees include weeping willows, scarlet oaks and copper beeches. The wapiti provide year-round interest for visitors, from the growth of deer velvet in spring to the birth of fawns in summer and bottle feeding pet fawns, then the noisy mating roar of the stags in autumn. A self-contained cottage is available.

Directions:

From Hamilton take SH 1 or from Rotorua take SH 5 to Tirau. Take SH 27 north for 3km. Turn right into Langlands Rd. Travel 2km & turn left into Bayly Rd. Travel 710m to Oraka Wapiti Deer Park on left.