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 or Book Now
- 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.
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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.