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Where tranquillity and beauty meets warmth and an essence of belonging.

When you make the journey to The Gardener’s Folly, you’re greeted warmly by owners and hosts, Chris and Scott. Since 2025, they have transformed The gardener’s Folly into a bespoke country retreat.

Meet your hosts

In 2016, Scott & Chris began dreaming about moving from Cambridge to somewhere more relaxed; somewhere tranquil. In January 2017, they visited Taumarunui with friends to experience two of the local attractions – a RailCart tour with Forgotten World Adventures and a jetboat tour along the Whanganui River to the Bridge To Nowhere.

Loving their experience, Scott and Chris quickly connected with the sense of community and the unique attractions. They spotted their piece of paradise in a real estate window, viewed it twice in one week and made it theirs shortly afterwards.

Our Experiences
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Such a beautiful spot for us to relax in…

“My wife and I stayed here for two nights in January to ride a part of the timber trail. Such a beautiful spot for us to relax in, gorgeous gardens to stroll through and admire, and Chris and Scott were delightful hosts. Would gladly stay again in the future!”

Scott

Chris and Scott were so hospitable…

“An amazing property which you fall in love with straight away. The host Chris and Scott were so hospitable feel comfortable as soon as we checked in and we enjoyed conversing with them, learning about how they started the beautiful B&B, Omaka Lodge.”

Remela

Magnificent food…

“Stunning location, beautiful gardens to wander in, so so clean and relaxing, magnificent food and Scott and Chris were wonderful funny and inspiring great hosts with great stories.”

Anne-Maree

Your hosts: providing you a stay to remember at The Gardener’s Folly, a bespoke country retreat.

The perfect duo

Their life experiences mean that both Scott and Chris have skills that translate well to creating The Gardener’s Folly.

Chris is a qualified landscape designer with two decades of experience in hospitality management, wedding planning and interior design; while Scott has a history degree and nearly two decades of experience in sales, marketing, and administration.

Chris spends his time maintaining nearby The Omaka Gardens, while Scott takes care of the operations – before joining Chris in the grounds.

Resident pets Grayson, Katie, Baz and Mrs Poulouvitska are always close by, providing moral support and company for whatever the day entails.

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Steeped in history

The Gardener’s Folly Omaka Lodge is now a comfortabe and luxurious two-bedroom retreat, but it started life as something very different.

Built in 1987 in Auckland city, it was next to Western Springs Stadium and was built as the head office of a used car company!  It was empty, unwanted and unloved when Chris & Scott first saw it, but they could see its inner beauty.

Epitomising Chris & Scott’s guiding ethos of sustainability, the building, scheduled for demolition, was moved to Taumarunui and completely revitalised and renovated into the bespoke country retreat you see today.  The unloved, now cherished.

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Whatever you choose, Chris & Scott and the animal helpers look forward to welcoming you to The Gardener’s Folly, a bespoke country retreat and a tranquil oasis amidst New Zealand’s Forgotten World®.

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