Perpetual Guardian Sculpture on the Gulf
Perpetual Guardian Sculpture on the Gulf, Oneroa: Hours, Address, Perpetual Guardian Sculpture on the Gulf Reviews: 4/5
Perpetual Guardian Sculpture on the Gulf
Perpetual Guardian Sculpture on the Gulf
4
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Our much-loved biennial exhibition is back! The Maitiatia Coastal Walkway will once again be transformed into an Artscape like no other for Perpetual Guardian Sculpture on the Gulf! Perpetual Guardian Sculpture on the Gulf is arguably the most influential of all New Zealand’s ‘galleries without walls’, and has gone on to inspire similar exhibitions around the world. Set amongst some of the most magnificent coastal landscape in the world, the undulating walkway, which snakes its way around the headland from above Matiatia towards Church Bay on Waiheke Island, has served as a temporary home for pieces created by a who’s who of New Zealand art. From 4 – 27 March 2022 a world-renowned art & nature experience awaits. Sculpture on the Gulf is only a 35 minute journey by ferry from downtown Auckland. Our Matiatia headland is tūrangawaewae – a place for all artists to stand tall.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
75 reviews
Excellent
27
Very good
31
Average
10
Poor
4
Terrible
3
Larissa K
Auckland, New Zealand60 contributions
I have done this other years and was happy this was running again this year. Fantastic display of sculptures and the walk has great views of Waiheke. Well organized with the ferry from Auckland, bus shuttle to the start of the walk, the actual walk and the return ferry back to Auckland.
Written 27 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Pam
6 contributions
Couples
A great walk . Volunteer helpers very friendly . Spectacular views . Well worth it for the interesting art works and views over Auckland
Written 8 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gay G
Auckland, New Zealand92 contributions
Such an awesome setting for so many great works of art. So lucky this could go ahead in Covid environment. Well organised. Great helpful volunteers.
Written 7 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Susan M
Auckland, New Zealand33 contributions
Friends
Never miss this wonderful world-class event and 2019 did not disappoint. Terrific site- specific works, especially by master sculptors at the top of their game producing consistently thoughtful, brilliantly executed works.
Written 1 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
SandLexia
Auckland Central, New Zealand110 contributions
Couples
We thought the selection of sculptures was greatly improved this year with a return to sculptures that look like sculptures, It's a glorious walk at any time anyway. The organisers had added an additional area in the courtyard by the library in Oneroa which we thought was a bit of a waste of time as there was no facility to make the $10 "donation" and get the armband there and little information about the sculptures displayed, Other than that, a big improvement in quality. Highly recommended for the active - there are quite a lot of steps.
Written 19 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
AKL-Chris
Auckland, New Zealand16 contributions
Couples
I have visited this art trail few times previously and it was always a great experience, amazing artwork on display, some with captivating interacting features or playing with the surrounding light and land in very clever and amazing ways. Sadly in 2019 it looks like the new standard is rubbish bags on a string high up in the wind.
Glass, stainless, rusted steel pieces or encrusted woodworking with extensive hours of labour behind them appear to be long gone. Vast majority of the pieces this year appear to be put together over a weekend (at the most). Very few pieces would be accepted as art which most people would agree to display on the front lawn.
Maybe the organizers should have a board appointed to select the art to be displayed, rather than just opening the field to whoever arrives there first to claim their plot, which appears to be the case for the 2019 edition. If they have a board appointed for this purpose, then those people did not do their job.
Instead of larger number of small shuttles which I recall to be used the previous years now there is one large bus only, we have waited approx 30 min for the bus to come back. Not sure everybody in the cue got on the bus...
Hopefully the 2019 edition will not set a trend or become a new norm. Definitely planning to get there next time but I will be reading the reviews with interest, before getting on the ferry... I gave it two stars and not one, as the island has so much more to offer apart from the art trail.
Glass, stainless, rusted steel pieces or encrusted woodworking with extensive hours of labour behind them appear to be long gone. Vast majority of the pieces this year appear to be put together over a weekend (at the most). Very few pieces would be accepted as art which most people would agree to display on the front lawn.
Maybe the organizers should have a board appointed to select the art to be displayed, rather than just opening the field to whoever arrives there first to claim their plot, which appears to be the case for the 2019 edition. If they have a board appointed for this purpose, then those people did not do their job.
Instead of larger number of small shuttles which I recall to be used the previous years now there is one large bus only, we have waited approx 30 min for the bus to come back. Not sure everybody in the cue got on the bus...
Hopefully the 2019 edition will not set a trend or become a new norm. Definitely planning to get there next time but I will be reading the reviews with interest, before getting on the ferry... I gave it two stars and not one, as the island has so much more to offer apart from the art trail.
Written 17 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
christine c
Auckland, New Zealand81 contributions
Friends
Previous experiences were fabulous but sadly not this time. So many pieces didnt even appear to be sculptures at all. More like bits of existing things put together rather than an artistic creation of form. The majority we looked at and thought 'why' ? ie why did somebody choose this for this exhibition and often... why is it deemed a sculpture? Quite a number were more like installations than sculptures ( & not great ones) which was not what we expected or wanted to see.
The Liberace piece is a standout and we generally agreed about 6 - 7 pieces were very good. We'd heard last year's exhibition had been disappointing but surely it cant have been worse than this years? Art is of course subjective but I have to ask 'When is a Sculpture not a Sculpture?' Answer: Check out Gibbs Farm Sculpture Park to see what real SCULPTURES are ! On the positive, the walk is fabulous with great views.
Please next year can we have sculptures??
The Liberace piece is a standout and we generally agreed about 6 - 7 pieces were very good. We'd heard last year's exhibition had been disappointing but surely it cant have been worse than this years? Art is of course subjective but I have to ask 'When is a Sculpture not a Sculpture?' Answer: Check out Gibbs Farm Sculpture Park to see what real SCULPTURES are ! On the positive, the walk is fabulous with great views.
Please next year can we have sculptures??
Written 16 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gay G
Auckland, New Zealand92 contributions
Couples
The views are magnificent; the organisation thorough; transport to the island easy. This is the fifth time we have visited the Sculpture on the Gulf exhibition over ten years and each time we are blown away. (Not literally!) 2km walk over undulating terrain. Would recommend for older children although many people were toting younger children in back packs. Easy access also to the township of Oneroa where there are lots of Cafes. Open till 24 March
Written 2 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Neville O
Auckland68 contributions
Family
Whether you are an art lover or not, this is a must-see. Nothing on display is what you call traditional art and some are even quite hard to figure out, but it is challenging and fascinating.
Written 4 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sandracmcgrath
Seattle, WA85 contributions
Not open again until next year. That’s a shame. We would have liked to have gone. Check their website for dates.
Written 20 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tina
Auckland Central, New Zealand
Do we need book?
Hi, thank you for your email and apologies for the late reply. The next event will be held in March 2022. One does not need to book in advance.
Jeanette71_24
Auckland Central, New Zealand31 contributions
The Auckland city magazine advertises sculpture on the gulf as one of its free events. But people are being barred from taking the sculpture walk if they don't pay $10. Which is the correct position please?
conniefrances
5 contributions
And why is an entry charge labelled a donation?
Frequently Asked Questions about Perpetual Guardian Sculpture on the Gulf
- Perpetual Guardian Sculpture on the Gulf is open:
- Sun - Sun 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Mon - Thu 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Fri - Sat 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Hotels near Perpetual Guardian Sculpture on the Gulf:
- (0.04 km) The Cottage on Waikare, Oneroa | Be My Guest
- (0.12 km) Oneroa B and B
- (0.10 km) Santa Fe
- (0.15 km) Panoramic Paradise on Waiheke
- (0.33 km) View43 & Citylights
- Restaurants near Perpetual Guardian Sculpture on the Gulf:
- (0.13 km) I Love Crêpes
- (0.18 km) Solar Eating House
- (0.19 km) The Island Grocer
- (0.19 km) Zenzero Cafe
- (0.37 km) Island Gelato Company