Development of The Waterlily Gardens began in the 1940’s thanks to retired farmers, Tom and Mabel Gordo. It celebrated 60 years of opening to the public in 2011.  The gardens host an abundance of hardy water lilies in the lake and ponds, lush trees, native forest walks, waterfalls and formal lawns.

Wander through the gate, onto the formal lawns, past the café, Giant Oaks, liriodendrons, maples, liquid ambers, meta sequoias and swamp Cyprus.  Here you will find a small lake full of hardy water lilies, local sculptures with a backdrop of ornamental cherry trees.

Walk over the stream, through some casually arranged ponds awash with colour, before heading through a path of native New Zealand flora and fauna. Exit the bush, past cascading water, past the ginko trees and the copper beech. The gardens now open to an expansive two-acre lake, overlooked by a weeping willow, and surrounded by giant flora.  Sit and relax, or play under the trees then amble back up through the bush, on the other side of the stream.