Waitakaruru Arboretum and Sculpture Park

Carved into a Waikato hillside, this formerly derelict quarry has been transformed into a 42-acre garden and arboretum. Planting, which started in 1991, has been designed to use and enhance the landscape of rocky outcrops, ponds, flowing water, and broad vistas toward Mt. Pirongia.

The Arboretum has been awarded the prestigious ‘Garden of Significance' status from the New Zealand Garden Trust. It is the location of New Zealand's most extensive sculpture gallery.

Features include:

• ponds, lakes, waterfalls and a stream
• collections of more than 18,000 trees and shrubs located in:
• a fernery and native NZ bush gullies
• American, Latin American, Asian, and Australian sections
• a rock garden of succulents and cacti
• a two kilometre long trail leads through the sculpture park
• all weather walking track, ample parking, bus bay
• most sections are accessible by wheelchair- advice should be sought ahead by ringing first (07) 824-0733

The Waikato Sculpture Trust (see right hand tab [Trust] above) runs successive sculpture exhibitions and a gallery area in the Park. There are three new exhibitions annually. Commissions from sales help run future exhibitions. A catalogue and map provides a guide for your visit.

The Park is open every day of the year from 10am until sunset.

Café     

Leaping Frog Cafe is open at weekends and public holidays from 10am until 4pm. The café closes June, July and August. 

Refreshments lakeside: the Leaping Frog Cafe is open at weekends and public holidays through until May for lunches or morning and afternoon teas.

For groups of between 20 - 45 people, we can cater for lunches any time of the week provided we have four days notice.

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