One of Hawke's Bay's finest woodland gardens is open this Labour Weekend for its "most glorious" time of the year.
Dating to the 1860s, State Highway 50's Gwavas Garden is one of the largest privately owned collections of temperate woody plants in Australasia. Visitors can wander through the 9ha woodland garden and soak up the colours, fragrances, textures and birdsong.
Gwavas Garden & Homestead is also a venue for groups, catering for Christmas functions, weddings, lunches, dinners and morning and afternoon teas. The homestead can seat 50 people in the nationally recognised totara panelled hall and has a large lawn for a beautiful marquee setting.
For a Bed and Breakfast experience steeped in history there are three guest rooms; the premier room, the Swinhoe Suite, in what was the original master bedroom, with its four-poster king bed and ensuite as well as two other lovely rooms with a shared bathroom, the Cedar room with a queen bed, and Huddy's room with twin single beds.
Dinner is available by arrangement.
