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Ideally situated as a base from which to explore the Coromandel, we offer comfortable self-catering accommodation in a boutique lodge or garden cottage. While the estate is open to the public during the hours of 9-5, in the evening it becomes your private playground. Take a bush walk, swim at the waterfalls, barbeque and experience nature at its best. No TV, just peace and the sound of running water
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Will never drive past this area again without stopping in for a walk around the gardens! We had the most wonderful time exploring the gardens, so much to see and enjoy. The gardens are very well maintained and everything is so beautiful and well placed. Lots of ducks wandering around, clear paths to follow to make the most of the visit. The waterfall is amazing and worth the little walk. Definitely worth taking a picnic and enjoying some time there!
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Date of stay: September 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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.
Enjoyed the night in the cottage, very quiet with peaceful gardens and bush walks. The cottage interior was a bit tired and dated but clean and spacious. Breakfast supplies left for us included home made marmalade which was lovely but no other choices and some herbal teas would also have been appreciated, especially it being such a natural kind of setting. Could be an amazing place with a few updates but a good value for money.
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Date of stay: April 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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.
Fantastic afternoon, although the weather was gloomy the atmosphere inside made up for it. Great local cuisine cooked by an amazing chief. Highly recommend the lamb burger. Looking forward to returning soon.
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Date of stay: April 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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.
A nice walk but a lot of money to pay for the experience. Over priced in my opinion. There are two parts to the walk, one side signposted in yellow is an easy amble along paths and around lily ponds. The second part seems to me more natural forest growth with a waterfall at the top of the walk. This side of the walk takes longer but anyone able to walk a kilometer or two should cope easily with this.
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Date of stay: January 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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.
My experience here was horrific to say the least. My family and I decided to go for a stroll as a nice way to start our day. We were confronted by the owner about donations after walking around for 10 mins and kicked out and shamed for not donating more.
If it is going to be a mandatory entry fee they need to be upfront. They list it as a suggested donation in the "honesty box". This means they don't have to pay the same taxes as somewhere that charges admission.
Unless the owner plans to make serious changes to the way she runs the business the garden will continue to struggle for patronage and to be properly maintained. If you want a nice relaxing place you can attend harassment free I suggest choosing a new location.
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Date of stay: September 2017Trip type: Travelled with family
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.
It's not very often you get to feel like the Governor General of some far flung colonial outpost but for three nights my wife and I did just that!
The "Lodge" at Rapaura Water Gardens is without doubt the most unusual B & B we have ever stayed in, the house when built was obviously finished to a very high standard and is very spacious with balconies on every aspect. Nestled in the trees and foliage of the water gardens it really feels as though you have been transported into another world.
Inside the house the art work, objets d'art and curios are of such quality they emphasise the uniqueness of the building and add to the feeling of being privileged to be able to share the space they inhabit if only for a few days.
The owners of the Lodge and Water Gardens , Sally and Sasha ( mother and son) could not have been more welcoming and informative, politely answering the same questions they had probably been asked a thousand times before.
So, if you are looking for somewhere to stay that will live in your memories for a long time this is such a place.
As for the practicalities:
It is an ideal spot to explore the Coromandel Peninsula but our GPS couldn't find Tapu-Coromoglen Road so best to download the directions off the website.
If, like us, you arrive late after a long trip it's best to have some provisions for your first nights meal. The nearest restaurants are back in Thames and that would feel like a long slog there and back. There is a fully equipped kitchen and BBQ so it's not a problem for one night.
If visiting Whitianga you have two choices. Turn left out of the Gardens and follow the coast road. Longer but recommended, or, turn right onto the 25km gravel road. Shorter but scary!
There is no TV or wifi in the Lodge but if you need access to emails etc then a very short walk to the Visitor Centre allows you to upload / download before returning to the Lodge.
A uniquely different experience that should be on everybodies itinerary when visiting the Coromandel.
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Date of stay: January 2017Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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.
We felt so lucky to have found Rapaura (thanks to Tripadvisor) and spent a wonderful week there. The lodge is much more gorgeous than than the photos - a relaxed charm with interesting art work and collectables everywhere. It has an Asian/Bali feel and is extremely spacious. Being one level up, we looked over the most beautiful gardens through the trees. It was totally private and quiet - the only noises being the stream and birds. Self catering suited us and it was the perfect place to relax after energetic walks in the Coromandel area. It's remote - with no wifi, mobile signal, nearby shops - but if that's what you're after you couldn't do better. The restaurant in the Gardens, which opens during the day, wasn't yet open for the summer season - but gearing up to open and we saw their delicious menu. Breakfast supplies were provided. The owner Sally and her son Sacha were charming and helpful but never intrusive. We plan to return!
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Date of stay: October 2011
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â The Lodge is better than the cottage and probably worth the extra $'s
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.
Having visited this garden in 2005 was keen to revisit and share it with my Tasmanian man .. we took lunch because we were not sure if there was a restaurant .. on arrival a very pleasant lass told us there were tables outside for picnicers. We unpacked our goodies and were immediately welcomed by very insistant ducks onviously used to being hand fed.. with whom we shared a few bits of meal mate .. from the reception area a woman snapped at us from the stairs in a tone and manner that startled us both .. to not feed the ducks .. she marched over to where we were eating and placed .. 'reserved for restaurant patron' sign without a word of explanation or apology. We were both rather shell shocked by this lack of hospitality that we just wanted to leave .. I returned the $15/person entrance sticker and explained to the nice young girl that we didn"t feel welcome by such rudeness .. the rude one immediately denied her rudeness in the same tone and manner. We left without further debate ..
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Date of stay: March 2017Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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.
just 3 guest rooms making this place a very quiet and relaxing one. you enjoy the gardens fully on your own when it is not open to the public. Home away from home and you have Sasha's skill to make pastries hard to choose from.
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Date of stay: February 2017
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â the cottage is mid-range when the 2 other apartments are on the luxury side
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.
Rapaura is a great place to go to enjoy some tranquillity among the gardens and to enjoy a lovely lunch or morning or afternoon tea.
We go often and have enjoyed everytime we go. Try it. Hopefully you'll enjoy it too.
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Date of stay: December 2016
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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.
There are more places to choose from in the Tapu area.
PRICE RANGE
$183 - $223 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
New ZealandNorth IslandWaikato RegionCoromandel PeninsulaTapu
NUMBER OF ROOMS
2
Prices are provided by our partners for one room, with variable occupancy rules as provided by the property, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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