Taupo 3063
On Wednesday the Nature Study Walking group spent the day visiting the magnificent Sarnia Park, its beautiful and very extensive Gardens. Some of the group also exploring parts of Cambridge.

The Sarnia Park Georgian style lodge was completed in 2002 and the present owners have been there since 2008. The lodge is a 5 star hotel and the gardens are magnificent and on a large scale. We had planned a route before leaving, which included crossing the lake at Karipiro Dam, that did not work out when we discovered the Dam was closed for maintenance, forcing us to find the Park going through Cambridge. This was accomplished after consulting a map and asking for directions. Our troubles were certainly rewarded with the first view of the gardens and the Lodge itself.
We had ordered morning tea and this turned out to be sumptuous, consisting of tea or coffee and the best scones, I think any of us had tasted, raspberry jam and cream. This was followed by a tour of this 5star boutique lodge/hotel, We were then shown around, what must be one of the finest
gardens in New Zealand, by a very knowledgeable gardener. After enjoying a late picnic lunch seated at a table in the Rose Garden the group dispersed, some of us going to Cambridge to explore Te Koutu Domain and surrounds.

Tap or click on a thumbnail to see the attached photographs.
Cost to visit the gardens only $6.00, cost for morning tea and tour of the garden $7.50. Totally recommended for other groups who want a great day out.