New Zealand’s Hamilton Gardens, from rubbish dump to paradise

As I walk through Hamilton Gardens in the Waikato region on New Zealand’s North Island, it’s hard to imagine this award-winning tourist attraction as a sand quarry, go-kart track and rubbish dump.

But that’s exactly what it used to be until the 1950s when the Hamilton Beautifying Society began to lobby for a public garden on the site.

A modest rose garden opened in the 1970 but things really got going when visionary garden lover and landscape architect Peter Sergel arrived at the site in 1978.

Thanks to the tireless work and dedication of Dr Sergel and several community groups, the Friends of the Hamilton Gardens was formed and subsequent successful fundraising efforts managed to get the ambitious project off the ground.

There are now 18 enclosed themed gardens, connected by a maze of walkways and courtyards.

The gardens are divided into three categories, Paradise, Fantasy and Productive gardens. Each garden is a point in the history of human civilisation, and each garden represents an idea or a pivotal moment in the evolution of human cultures, ideas, and beliefs.

I’ve stopped here by chance on my way back to Auckland after a short road trip around the North Island, and I’m loving it.

Entering each garden is a revelation that transports me into a different time and place.

The first one I enter is the Japanese Garden of Contemplation. As the name suggests, it is designed to evoke contemplation and aid meditation. The first space is a zen rock garden with carefully arranged rocks and raked gravel that is designed to express the movement of wind and water — and then, as I walk through a beautiful wooden pagoda, it reveals a tranquil lake with lovingly shaped and pruned trees that are reflected in the still water. It’s a beautiful place to be and a place you just want to linger but there is much more to discover so I continue my journey.

The next garden is a Chinese Scholar’s Garden designed for contemplation and artistic pursuits. This type of garden evolved in the 10th to 12th century during the Song Dynasty and was designed as a miniature universe where rocks become mountains and water features create a landscape of rivers and lakes.

All the gardens look immaculate all year round but some of the gardens obviously look best at certain times of the year.

The English Flower Garden, a symmetrical Victorian-era garden with mixed borders and cottage-style plantings looks nice now but will really come alive with colour around springtime.

By contrast, the Indian Charbagh Garden is a little oasis of colourful plants and water. Charbagh gardens spread across the Muslim world from the 8th to 18th centuries and are inspired by Eden’s four rivers of paradise and generally filled with abundant perfumed flowers arranged to resemble a living Persian carpet.

It is hard to pick a favourite garden. Each one I enter is a real wow moment.

The Italian Renaissance Garden is a thing of beauty, but so is the Ancient Egyptian Garden. Even the productive gardens are beautiful with many playful details such as a pair of herb-filled gumboots in the Herb Garden and a fun statue of a scarecrow in the Kitchen Garden.

I also like the view of the Hamilton Club Summerhouse I get when peeking over a hedge. It’s quintessential British. Under a blue and white striped marquee on the tennis court there’s a table and chairs set for a garden party and the opposite corner is set up with a piano, cello, flute for the musicians.

If I had to pick one, it might be the Surrealist Garden which is inspired by 1920s surrealism with oversized tools and giant creature-shaped trees.

Hamilton Gardens is a great place to visit for a few hours. It’s beautiful, fun and educational and it will appeal to people of all ages.

fact file

Hamilton Gardens is just south of the city centre and next to the Waikato River. It is easily accessible via State Highway 1, with free parking available at both Gate 1 and Gate 2 carparks off Cobham Drive.

Hamilton is about a 90 minutes’ drive from Auckland.

To find out more visit hamiltongardens.co.nz