Carterton’s Best Kept Secret Garden.
I actually think its a shame that so many people ignore Carterton as a possible place to move to when they consider living in the Wairarapa. The thinking generally goes like this:
- Ill go to Featherston because the commute to Welly is shorter.
- Ill go to Greytown because its posh.
- Ill go to Masterton because its the only place in the area with a population bigger than 10.
But even though I have unashamedly fallen in love with this place – even after 4 years here – I am still discovering some amazing hidden gems. Carterton’s biggest fault is that it doesn’t really like to show itself off.
Last weekend we went to the Italian Day at Richmond Gardens. This is a private house, that opens its doors once a year to the public (and at other times by appointment.). Once in off the street you would not know you were in New Zealand. And it is at the end of a very normal New Zealand town street. A true secret garden.
You can find contact details here, and they also sell their Topiary Box and bay trees – which I may well buy one of for the herb garden my dad is going to build me real soon.
Like what Avalon has to say?
Click Here to buy Avalon's Guide or Click Here to buy the E-Book
Related posts:
Comments
6 Comments on Carterton’s Best Kept Secret Garden.
-
Sarah on
Sat, 14th Nov 2009 10:18 pm
-
Domestic Executive on
Sun, 15th Nov 2009 7:27 pm
-
Avalon on
Tue, 17th Nov 2009 2:07 pm
-
Avalon on
Tue, 17th Nov 2009 2:10 pm
-
Sarah on
Wed, 18th Nov 2009 7:41 pm
-
Avalon on
Wed, 18th Nov 2009 8:50 pm
Exquisite! We were just talking today of the need to get ‘over the hill’ and spend a long weekend in the Wairarapapa. Thinking Wellington Anniversary weekend, with my folks – who will be visiting from the UK (yah!). Now I just need to find a nice place to accommodate the six of us. I’ll be 36 week’s pregnant, but since I’ve never had an early baby I think I’ll be safe in risking a weekend away! Just wondering whether the train or the drive will be the most comfortable for me 
I’ve tried booking this place several times but they never return my calls or emails. I really would love to go but I think they must be allergic to me!
Sarah,
I was at first going to say “Take the Train!” but the problem is that then you cant really get about and explore. Its a beautiful ride – but just not feasible for a day or weekend out Theres not much other public trasport in the area, and you would probbaly end up having to hire a car in Masterton anyway. So my advice would be to drive – just take it slow over the hill if you arent used to it.
The trick is to just pull over if someone comes up behind you fast, and dont feel hasseled to go faster than conformtable.
And – stop at the Caltex Garage just before Akatawara road for a loo stop 
Next ones Featherston – and its a LONG way when you are busting and have a baby squishing yoru bladder
DE -
That is what really makes me mad. Why do they do it???? For the sake of not returning a call they miss out on showing not just thier garden but the rest of the town off.
I filled in one of thier online request forms the other day – for the Topiary Bay Trees (the Herb garden WILL get done this year!). I got a response within a day (unfortunatly it was that the prices start at $250 so the herb garden will have to do with a normal scruffy tree in teh middle).
You could try contacting them through that if you still have the patience.
Cheers Avalon for all the tips on toilet stops etc. going over the hill!
We’re definitely taking the car over, but won’t all be able to fit it with suitcases etc. (have boot seats for running around once we’re there). Half of us will take the train and the other half the drive – think we’ll take it in turns one way and then swap on the way back. I’ve never taken the train before and I reckon the girls would enjoy it.
Would be nice for my folks to experience both ways – and the walk at the top of the drive of the hill is always magic for the sweeping views of the Wairarapa.
Many thanks
You’re very welcome
Just bear in mind that the top of the hill is now a building site. You can still get some nice views, but you ar esurrounded by container crates, concrete and bulldozers. Its quite amazing seeing where they are digging half the hill away though!
Tell me what you're thinking...
and oh, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!
