Waimauku

Waimauku combines a history of winegrowing with special experiences at Franklin Farm: millions of sunflowers, monarch butterflies and opportunities to see animals up close. There is also a working winery with a restaurant and a historical connection dating back to the 1860s. Which of these themes you want to shape your stay can provide a good starting point for planning your trip.

Winery, history and landscape

The Hunting Lodge is a notable point of interest for anyone interested in wine and local history. According to its own account, the history of the property dates back to the 1860s; The Hunting Lodge describes it as the first house in the Waimauku area. Its history of winegrowing is also distinctive: the site was where New Zealand's first commercial Sauvignon Blanc vines were planted. Historical connections and a working winery thus sit side by side here.

The winery includes a restaurant, the Lawn Bar and the Cellar Door. The Lawn Bar and Cellar Door offer tasting paddles featuring wine and other drinks. From the Lawn Bar, you can look out over the 80-acre vineyard and the gentle hills of Waimauku. Those interested in wine will find several specific aspects here: the history of winegrowing, the working winery today and views of the landscape.

As you plan your stay, consider whether wine and local history are among the experiences that interest you most. This gives your trip a different focus from an outing centred on flowers, animals or butterflies.

Sunflowers and animals at Franklin Farm

Franklin Farm's Sunflower Fields are home to millions of sunflowers and, in addition to the fields, a farmyard. Visitors can pet and feed various farm animals there. If your group is interested in close contact with animals, this experience is quite different from the wine and history themes associated with The Hunting Lodge.

There are also several ways to enjoy the sunflowers: you can pick flowers yourself for an additional fee, hire cutting tools or buy pre-cut sunflowers. Depending on your preferences, decide whether you want to do the picking yourself or choose one of the other options available. This means you can enjoy the flowers in different ways without having to choose just one approach.

Franklin Farm's Butterfly House offers butterfly releases and is home to hundreds of monarch butterflies. It also includes a corn maze. Butterflies, releases and the maze make for a different kind of outing from the farmyard or picking sunflowers. If you are travelling with children, you can choose among these activities based on whether your family is more interested in animals, butterflies or exploring a maze.

Another historical point of interest

The Waimauku Dairy Factory is also among the town's named historical sites. It is located at 81 Waimauku Station Road and is listed in Auckland Council's Schedule 14.1, “Schedule of Historic Heritage.” This adds a distinct heritage connection to the themes of winegrowing and agriculture. Along with the history of The Hunting Lodge, it offers another point of interest for travellers interested in Waimauku's history and cultural heritage.

Which holiday home suits your travel interests?

When looking for a holiday home in Waimauku, it's best to start by noting your travel dates and the needs of your group. This will help you choose accommodation that fits your specific requirements.

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