Waiuku: Wonderland

CEDRIC GRAY discovers a park-like property with views beyond a garden-lover's wildest dreams.

Six years ago, Tony and Evelyn Drinkwater set their sights on creating a park on their 2ha property in Pakington Lane, a few kilometres from Waiuku in South Auckland.

Had they known what they were about to achieve they could just as easily have been tempted to declare today's Pakington Park a bird sanctuary.

First, they were surprised how quickly 4000 trees and shrubs became established. Second, they were delighted at the variety of bird life their gardens had attracted. Shining cuckoos, grey warblers, pheasants, quails, kingfishers, swallows and mallard ducks came to feed and nest. Tuis, wood pigeons, kakas and rosellas boost the population still further when there is an abundance of fruit and nectar.

More than 50 species of tree and shrub beautify the rolling, neatly manicured lawns and a cluster of 12 newly fenced paddocks, where another surprise awaits visitors. The paddocks graze a flock of llama-type animals treasured for their fleece.

There is grazing, too, for a few head of cattle, but the magnetism of Pakington is the spectacular landscaping, a central feature of which is a large pond surrounded by canna lilies and a variety of native flora. A second pond is in a corner of the property. Both are fed by a deep water bore, which also supplies an automatic watering system.

A well-established orchard occupies a sheltered site near some outbuildings.

"Visitors might get the impression that the grounds require a lot of work," says Tony, "but that's far from the mark. They are easy-care gardens. The lawns take about 30 minutes to mow on a ride-on mower once a week in summer, and one mow a month in winter. I spend a couple of hours a month on weeding in summer."

The three-bedroom house, built in 1986, commands glorious views across the gardens towards Manukau Harbour. Facing north-west, it features a wrap-around deck for outdoor relaxation and entertaining. The deck is accessed through ranchsliders from an open-plan family dining area and lounge. The master bedroom also opens to the deck.

The farmhouse kitchen has kauri cupboard joinery, Formica benchtops and a stainless-steel extractor hood. There is a central bathroom and toilet, laundry and ample storage. A Kent fire provides winter warmth and there is a full security system.

The property is being marketed by Mobile Real Estate, Papakura. Contact David Slaughter on 296 9009 for details.