The Gardens

Oruawharo is surrounded by 17 hectares, (40 acres) of gardens, parkland, trees and fields, much of it bearing the legacy of original owner Sydney Johnston.

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An avid arborist, he replicated the parklike landscape he’d seen around stately English homes, planting thousands of trees in a woodland behind the historic Homestead. As well as the often almost unique examples of exotic species he collected, the area includes trees notable for having been planted by some of the political and society leaders who were frequent guests at Oruawharo in Johnston’s time. Others were planted to commemorate special occasions such as Dominion Centennial Day, people like Baden Powell and events held at Oruawharo such as the military camp during World War I.