Contact
Book now

Experience The Forgotten World

Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe rise just beyond your door. A vast, elemental landscape to explore at your own pace.

At day’s end, return to the quiet luxury of The Gardener’s Folly.

Unhurried, unspoiled, and entirely your own.
A place where time softens and stretches.

Hiking & walking

Explore Tongariro National Park, including the most popular day walk in New Zealand: The Tongariro Alpine Crossing. This walk over a volcano offers spectacular other-worldly scenery, steaming craters, old lava flows, thermal lakes and more.

  • The Omaka Gardens – Wander around the beautiful grounds and garden where you are staying at Omaka Lodge set in an elevated rural faming environment.
  • Cherry Grove – the meeting of the Whanganui and Ongarue Rivers.
  • River Bank Walk – along the banks of the Whanganui River from Cherry Grove to the Taumarunui Camping Ground.
  • Te Peka Lookout – a 15 minute climb through bush on a good track to the lookout (or for an easier experience you can drive to it!).
  • Sunshine Scenic Reserve – a 40 minute uphill walk offering a panoramic view of Taumarunui.
  • Ohinetonga Scenic Reserve – a highly enjoyable walk along tracks and a boardwalk across a lagoon.
  • Kakahi Glow Worms – wander down a pathway with glow worms all around.
  • Taranaki Falls – a 2-hour loop near the Chateau Tongariro and one of our favourites!
  • Silica Rapids – a 7km loop.

Water Adventures

Canoe, kayak, or jet boat on the Whanganui River. For the hardy adventure seeker, there are options to spend 3-6 days canoeing the only Great Walk of New Zealand you don’t have to actually walk! A rugged yet picturesque wonder, only accessible via boat.

In a lovely ‘small world’ way, one of the canoe hire operators is based on what was Chris’ late father’s farm, just down the road from The Gardener’s Folly.

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

Cycling & Mountain Biking

Tackle trails like the Timber Trail and Ohakune Old Coach Road.

Skiing & Snowboarding

Perfectly located for access to Mount Ruapehu’s Turoa and Whakapapa ski fields. Whakapapa offers the Sky Waka, New Zealand’s longest gondola ride, taking visitors to the Knoll Ridge Chalet, New Zealand’s highest-altitude eatery at over 2km above sea level.