Whangārei Quarry Gardens
Whangārei Quarry Gardens
Whangārei Quarry Gardens
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Whangārei Quarry Gardens is a subtropical oasis created by volunteers in the remnants of a former quarry in Te Tai Tokerau (Northland), Aotearoa (New Zealand). The Gardens are open to the public and feature subtropical gardens, rare plant species, waterfalls, and streams. Ruins from the original quarrying days create an interesting backdrop to plantings and serve as a reminder of the site's industrial heritage. Whangarei Quarry Gardens holds a 5-star rating from the New Zealand Garden Trust, and the unique scented Camellia collection makes it a Camellia Garden of Excellence with the International Camellia Society. The Gardens have been created through the blood, sweat, tears, and laughter of volunteers. Entry is by DONATION, with all proceeds used to maintain and develop our gardens.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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4.5
458 reviews
Excellent
311
Very good
132
Average
12
Poor
3
Terrible
0
OhJoy
Manchester, UK29 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
Beautiful gardens to spend an hour or so.
Great selection of trees and plants. No specific charge, leave a donation as you enter.
Great selection of trees and plants. No specific charge, leave a donation as you enter.
Written 18 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diane H
Folkestone, UK108 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
We were looking for somewhere to stop to stretch our legs and have lunch whilst driving from Pahia to Orewa. We found the quarry gardens by researching the area around, Whangerei.
What a great place! Free entrance but with a donation box. Friendly staff and , beautiful gardens. Several different trails around the gardens (one closed due to the floods). We loved how the quarry has been transformed Some beautiful plants.
The restaurant was excellent, great staff and very tasty food. Spotlessly clean everywhere.
Thoroughly enjoyed our few hours here. Well done to all the staff and volunteers.
What a great place! Free entrance but with a donation box. Friendly staff and , beautiful gardens. Several different trails around the gardens (one closed due to the floods). We loved how the quarry has been transformed Some beautiful plants.
The restaurant was excellent, great staff and very tasty food. Spotlessly clean everywhere.
Thoroughly enjoyed our few hours here. Well done to all the staff and volunteers.
Written 30 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary W
8 contributions
Feb 2023 • Friends
A lovely, amazing place to spend an hour or two. The quarry has been morphed into a beautiful sanctuary by dedicated volunteers.
No charge. They request a very small donation. Feel free to donate more to keep the place flourishing.
And make sure to get a Ginger Crunch at the Quail Cafe. It is delicious!
No charge. They request a very small donation. Feel free to donate more to keep the place flourishing.
And make sure to get a Ginger Crunch at the Quail Cafe. It is delicious!
Written 7 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jody G
Jenkintown, PA145 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
This was a highlight of our New Zealand tour. Beautiful, varied and all done by volunteers. They ask for a donation. So many interesting areas like the 5 senses garden and the blue garden. It's not very big so you can spend an hour and see most of it or many hours if you take some of the longer paths.
Written 7 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ken H
Ipswich, UK1,059 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
Hats off to the community who built and maintain this beautiful quarry landscape. Complete with waterfalls, graded pathways and an abundance of planting that will take your breath away. Easy access off state highway 1 with ample parking, coffee shop and bathroom facilities. No entrance fee but donations welcome. Definately a place to see if in the Whangarei area.
Written 13 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
johncookie001
Brisbane, Australia27 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
Went when overcast and wet but still great to visit. The amount of volunteer work involved is astounding
Written 6 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Di W
McLaren Vale, Australia21 contributions
Nov 2022
Enjoyed my walk around the gardens, and the waterfalls that were flowing very well after a lot of rain! Definitely worth a visit. Just had a coffee at the cafe which was also good, the food looked great too.
Written 13 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
grahammaryh
Auckland Central, New Zealand7 contributions
Oct 2022
This was recommended to us by a gardening friend. While we aren't gardeners we thoroughly enjoyed our visit and could appreciate the amazing work that has gone into creating these gardens. All the volunteers we met were friendly and engaging and told us a lot more about the place. Definitely worth a visit.
Written 20 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dreamer14561189998
4 contributions
Jan 2022 • Family
Great foresight from one man and an awesome community to make these magnificent gardens. We thoroughly enjoyed our well ome from Alan, wander through the gardens and greetings from the volunteer gardens and appreciate the amazing space, plants and environment.
Easy to stroll and enjoy for a well deserved donation contribution. We probably spent a little over an hour but could have explored more, but went to enjoy morning tea at Quails cafe on site. (Good food and coffee.)
Definitely recommend a chilled visit here
Easy to stroll and enjoy for a well deserved donation contribution. We probably spent a little over an hour but could have explored more, but went to enjoy morning tea at Quails cafe on site. (Good food and coffee.)
Definitely recommend a chilled visit here
Written 28 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Where in the world is Marina
Auckland, New Zealand1,249 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
Can’t believe I hadn’t been here before. So peaceful and beautiful. Loved walking around with the fresh air and seeing all the different plants and flowers from around the world. This place is magical with small waterfalls too and a lake. So much to see. We walked around twice because we didn’t want to leave. Donation entry or $20 membership for the year. Delicious Quail Cafe on site and ample parking.
Written 23 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carolyn W
Auckland, New Zealand2 contributions
What sort of facilities are there for the disabled there please?
Quarry_Gardens
Whangarei, New Zealand
Kia ora Carolyn,
There is disabled parking at the rear of the Visitors Centre, disabled toilets, and easy wheelchair access into the Visitors Centre/Quail cafe (cafe open Wed-Sun 9-3).
The Gardens are hilly in parts, motorised wheelchairs manage OK. Alternatively, we have an electric golf cart available for guided tours. The cart carries up to 5 passengers and is charged at $10 per person (minimum charge $30). For this you receive a full 1 hour guided tour of the Gardens in the all-weather golf cart, with all proceeds going towards plants for the Gardens.
Bookings are essential for the golf cart. Please call (09)4377210 to arrange a day and time. Leave a message if unattended, we will return your call asap.
Kind regards,
David McDermott
General Manager.
MassaHari
Acton, MA9 contributions
Are the gardens open on Christmas and New Year's?
Quarry_Gardens
Whangarei, New Zealand
Hi there,
Yes! The gardens are open, but the Cafe is closed from Xmas day until the 4th. So feel free to bring a picnic for your walk :)
Thank you
good morning.
do we have to pay to enter Garden?
and is garden open on this Labour's day?
thank you.
wellingt0nkirby
Wellington, New Zealand313 contributions
The gardens are open daily, including public holidays from 9am. So yes should be open on Labour Day.
There is no set fee but they do ask for a gold coin ($1 or $2) per person. You are of course welcome to give a larger donation.
JuneStrokeclub
Whangarei, New Zealand
Is there an entrance fee?
Quarry_Gardens
Whangarei, New Zealand
Gold coin donation :)
JuneStrokeclub
Whangarei, New Zealand
What is the entrance fee now.We come in a group of about ten from the local stroke club?
June Cross
Quarry_Gardens
Whangarei, New Zealand
Hello June,
We ask for a gold coin donation ($2) for entry to the Gardens. All proceeds go directly into developing our subtropical oasis!
WQG Crew
Kath B
8 contributions
What days and times is the cafe open?
Quarry_Gardens
Whangarei, New Zealand
Hi Kath,
Quail Cafe is open from Wednesday to Sunday (closed Mon/Tue) from 9am - 3pm.
Cheers
WQG Crew
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Claim your listingWHANGĀREI QUARRY GARDENS: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Whangārei Quarry Gardens
- Whangārei Quarry Gardens is open:
- Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near Whangārei Quarry Gardens:
- (0.54 km) Whangarei Views Bed and Breakfast & Apartment
- (1.60 km) Lodge Bordeaux
- (0.45 km) Unique cottage, Central Whangarei in Bush Setting
- (1.74 km) Whangarei TOP 10 Holiday Park
- (0.50 km) Central Townhouse/Apartment in Rural Setting Whangarei
- Restaurants near Whangārei Quarry Gardens:
- (0.06 km) Quail Cafe
- (1.22 km) Suk Jai Thai Restaurant
- (1.22 km) Khane Bahar Indian Restaurant and Bar
- (1.85 km) Turmeric Indian Whangarei
- (1.87 km) Fat Camel