Hamilton Gardens

As I waited for the ticket office to open, it was the heavens that opened first. Oh well, so I bought an umbrella! The rain eased to a light drizzle.

It took about three hours to see all 17 gardens. I was pleased that I opted for the informative audio commentary. The English Flower Garden was closed for renovation but you could look through a window – so that makes 18 gardens. A Medieval Garden is planned, as is a Baroque Garden and a Pacific Garden. Signs around the place told me that these gardens are a whole community effort.

There are a number of courtyards between the gardens.

Some gardens were grand, others more down to earth, so to speak.

There was some gorgeous spring colour.

The Te Parapara Garden showed how kūmara are grown in mounds.

I finished in the Tropical Garden which seemed perfectly suited to the rainy weather.

Back in the city centre, I walked along the riverside and discovered this gorgeousness.