Offering surprises around every corner, Ngatea Water Gardens in New Zealand exceeded our expectations on every level. While the landscape is beyond lovely and the birds and fish plentiful, it is both the owner’s sense of humour and the massive “Can Museum” that caught us off guard.
Ngatea Water Gardens
The five-acre water gardens are the design and creation of owners Roger and Emma Blake, but the humour is all Roger. The grounds are lovely, and their gardening expertise shines through the attention to every detail. The paved walking path makes the facility accessible for everyone.
The large pond filled with lily pads and fish set the scene for relaxation – until you notice the crocodiles in the water. (Don’t worry, they are only floating crocodile heads that can be used as garden art or decoys in the pool).
Visitor Tip: Be sure to get a bag of fish/bird food on your way into the gardens. Feeding the ducks, geese, and fish really added to our fun.
The ducks and geese enthusiastically take food out of our hands.
The waterfall behind the bridge is fed by a massive 10HP pump.
A waterwheel.
One of several fountains on the grounds.
A few birds live in the aviary shown here. In the background, you can see King Arthur’s castle. If you visit it, be sure to heed the warnings on the sign telling you not to press certain buttons.
Can hubby remove the sword from the stone?
There is a variety of flora throughout Ngatea Water Gardens.
Ngatea Water Gardens is home to some of the oldest turtles in New Zealand.
Old, weathered wood was used make this bench as well as several other features at the water gardens. And the humour creeps in everywhere, notice the upside down anchor over the water.
Ngatea Water Gardens’ Sense of Humor
The sign on the door reads: “Warning: Joke Zone, Sense of humour required beyond this point. You have entered a property with high concentrations of jokes and humorous scenes. We are not responsible for any health problems arising from excessive laughter while viewing this amazing attraction.”
The humour is everywhere, but subtle. If one ignored all the signage around the gardens (most of it is jokes) and just looked at the beauty, I imagine one could get through the water gardens without a laugh. But you sure would miss out. My sense of humour matches Roger’s and so I read everything and took time to explore every nook and cranny.
For instance, one might walk past this outhouse and just find it an odd decor, without looking a bit closer at the feet.
I know that co-ed bathroom stalls are common in New Zealand, but not like this. If you’re not giggling, take a closer look.
A few of my other favourite funny spots:
Clockwise: “Boat Parking only”
“Just married, Do Not Disturb”
Fisherman anchored next to “No Fishing” sign
“You are here”
Arthur’s Canny Museum
And then we opened a door and found Arthur’s Canny Museum . . .
With over 11,000 cans on display, this is one massively impressive room. When Arthur Blake began collecting cans in 1989 I doubt he ever thought it would become the only collection of beverage cans on display to the public in New Zealand. This “Can Museum” is like nothing I have seen. There are plenty of labels I recognize, intermixed with antique beer cans and other rare items. This is much more than a beer can collection.
One of three rows of Arthur Blake’s beer and soda can collection.
The women on the cans in the upper image caught my eye, as did all the old coke cans in the lower image.
Practical Information on Ngatea Water Gardens
- In the Maori language, the “g” is silent in the combination of ‘Ng’, therefore, the town name is pronounced “Na-tee-a.” Click here to hear it pronounced.
- Ngatea Water Gardens is on Darlington Street, just off State Highway 2 (SH2) and across the street from the Ngatea gem factory.
- The drive from Coromandel, Hamilton, Tauranga or Auckland to Ngatea is only about one-hour.
- Ngatea is often just a service stop for travellers. Don’t make this mistake, you will be missing out on a real gem.
- The Ngatea gardens are open Sunday to Thursday from 10 am to 4 pm (summer) and only on Sunday in the winter (May to September). They also open by appointment. Check their official webpage for details.
- If you are looking for Ngatea accommodation, may we suggest staying in nearby Paeroa. Just 20 minutes away, in Paeroa, you will find the antiquing capital of New Zealand as well as home to our unofficial national drink, L&P (which stands for Lemon and Paeroa and is now owned by Coca-Cola).
⇒ Check for pricing and availability at Paeroa accommodations
- And while in Paeroa, don’t miss the giant L&P bottle:
The giant L&P bottle in Paeroa is taller than the trees.
Have you been to Ngatea Water Gardens? Will you stop at the water gardens next time you are driving on SH2 to see the nature, the humour, or the cans?
Disclaimer: We were guests of Ngatea Water Garden. However, the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
Oh I love this! This garden looks really relaxing, almost homey. My grandmother’s house kind of give me the same vibes! I love it!
I love a quirky collection! What an unexpected bonus to the beautiful gardens. That can collection is amazing! Thanks for the pronunciation guide – always good to try to say it correctly. Emphasis on the try. Especially in Denmark. Cheers and thanks for sharing with #FarawayFiles.
What a fun place to visit! I would be exploring everything too and reading all the fun signs. Love unique attractions like these that can entertain visitors. That is an impressive collection of cans. This was a great find!
Loved the quirky design…
I could not exactly describe the garden in words… I guess that is why it is quirky… he he…
Somewhere there is a medieval, old world charm to it too…
What a very nice garden this is. This place is so relaxing, indeed perfect to unwind and to breathe in some fresh air. I love the decoration and the animals living in this garden.
Oh I’d LOVE to go here, Rhonda! It looks so much fun. I love a bit of a laugh – even more so in a surprising place like a garden. And some of those cans look absolutely beautiful. Thanks for sharing this on #FarawayFiles
Interesting garden and pool decorations. I thought those crocodiles were real.
Such interesting collections they have. A place worth visiting.
Beautiful photos of pretty places.
I love that its a beutiful place to visit already, but the jokes make it THAT much better! what a cool place! It’s on my list now 🙂
I agree, the jokes made the place really fun.
Love the sense of humour in these gardens. But really want to know what happens if you don’t follow the signs in the castle and push the buttons??
That canny museum is, umm, wow, quite extensive!
Didn’t realise it was located so close to Paeroa. L&P is a great cocktail mixer 😉
We disobeyed two signs, one was a do not stand here, the other was the do not push this button on the castle – both times we got wet, appropriate since it is a water garden.
Lovely place to spend a day. The fountain looks like something from the Halifax Public Gardens. It must be that British influence. Thanks for linking up this week.
Halifax is somewhere still on my bucket list.
I’ve never been to the water gardens, we’ve drive past it plenty of times but keep meaning to stop in, although someone told me recently it’s become a bit run down.
Interesting. I was never there before, but it didn’t feel run down to me. I took the photos in April 2018.
Haha, I did laugh as the coed toilet, gotta love the sense of humour on show here – The gardens do look quite nice and shame I missed them while I was in New Zealand (I spent a year out there.) I like how the humour was put in subtle places making you look that bit harder, and I’m sure as soon as you spotted it you were in stitches 🙂
Perhaps on our next visit. No one can spend a year here and not want to come back some day.
Loving the look and vibe of these gardens! I didn’t know how to pronounce it so thanks for the tip! Also like the sense of humour surrounding the place; i didn’t see the men’s feet in the toilet either!
LOL – I didn’t know how to pronounce it either, and I have lived in New Zealand for 16 years.
I think it would be the can museum that gets me in the door. Anything that is “Biggest” is of some interest, but it looks like there is a legitimate slice of history and culture in there. In particular, what is “cool” and sellable during any particular time. Sometimes, it’s the most sublime items that give you the biggest insights.
Honestly, the can museum was a big surprise to me, I came for the water gardens and was delighted with all the bonuses I got.
Good that part of the 5-acre Ngatea Water Gardens is imbued with laughter. Love the coed outhouse! I have never seen a Can Museum before!
Honestly, at first glance, I didn’t notice the second set of feet. The guy who set up this place has a fabulous, albeit quirky, sense of humour.
I’m not that big of a fan of gardens; I’ll visit if I’m there, but I won’t go out of the way to see them. In the case of Ngatea Water Gardens, though, the visual jokes make it sound worth it!
And don’t forget the can museum.
What a fun, quirky attraction. I love places like this. The gardens looked lovely and tranquil, and then you’ve got the added bonus of the odd can museum. Love it.
Lovely and tranquil are great descriptors for the gardens.
Ngatea Water Gardens look quite similar to the Huntington Gardens in Pasadena. The same kind of landscape and vegetation. Even the same kind of ponds and little turtles. The sword in the stone however I didn’t see at the Huntington Gardens.
Next time I am in LA I will check out Huntington Gardens. I loved Ngatea Water Gardens, so anywhere similar would be a treat too.
Lovely gardens with lovely crocodiles 🙂 I like the sword in a stone, probably waiting for King Arthur.
I have not heard the two words “lovely” and “crocodile” used together before today. 🙂
Hi Rhonda – looks amazing and oh yes … to have some giggles while we admire the stunning gardens … and nearby too (to you granted!) cheers Hilary
I live north of Auckland, so it’s a bit farther for me, but yes it was a great find.
What a lovely place. I love water gardens. They are so very calming.
I would have loved looking through all those cans. A slice of history.
Love the outhouse.
Have a fabulous day and weekend, Rhonda. ♥
Agreed. It is a wonderful place to visit and I am sure you will love it.
What a fun (and truly beautiful) place to visit. I would love to see the Ngatea Water Gardens in person, but your virtual tour by photographs and delightful descriptions is almost as good. Love the places you find on your travels.
I only showed some of it, there are plenty of surprises left for you to find on your own.
I love the can collection. I’d be happy to feed fish and ducks, too.
I was blown away by the cans. I just didn’t expect anything so big when I went through the door.
I don’t believe I would have entertained the idea of visiting a garden when I was younger – and am certain that I missed out on quite a bit. This one looks like a beautiful – and fun – place to visit. Especially the outhouse 😉 And how about the can collection – very impressive!
With the ducks and King Arthur’s castle, Ngatea Water Gardens really are for all ages. The humour, while some a bit of double entendre, was all clean.
A hearty LOL on Roger’s sense of humor Rhonda! Especially the feet peaking out from the outhouse. Up my silly alley. Factor in the beauty of the place, wildlife – some ancient like the turtles – and you have a winning spot. Can museum is the topper as it is genuine. I mean, I never knew can museums existed. Love it.
Ryan
I am with you, we have the same sense of humour. This place is great. If you are driving up the country when you come to Auckland next month, stop here on the way.
All on five acres? Very impressive! Dig the amount of cans. And yes, I caught the feet on the outhouse.
It’s compact, with so much to see. And as for the cans, wow, it was almost overwhelming.