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Gardens and trailsAcross manicured acres, sweeping views of the Bay of Islands are framed by the flowers surrounding the historic Treaty House, scene of the 1840 signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. As well as the pohutukawas planted by royalty and past Governors General, there is a stand of magnificent old totara together with a huge Norfolk Island pine planted by Agnes Busby, wife of the first British Resident of New Zealand. A small semi-formal garden planted in the manner of the time surrounds the Treaty House. Full advantage is taken of the mild frost free climate allowing tender annuals, fragrant Heliotrope, fuchsias and Bougainvillea to flourish. A small unidentified rose said to be grown from a cutting of the first rose bush to be planted in New Zealand bears small double pink flowers to this day. White picket fences within the garden further convey the impression of yesteryear. Gravelled walks through regenerating bush planted during the last 50 years lead over elevated boardwalks to the visitors' centre. On one of these walks there are two huge multi- trunked camellias planted by the Busbys in 1832 - perhaps the oldest in the country. Extending from the historic precinct, south to the Waitangi River, the estate includes significant tall trees and sub-tropical, natural vegetation. The highest point of the estate is Mt Bledisloe at 105 metres. The shoreline from Ti Point to Wairoa Bay provides a continuously changing panorama of the bay where warriors, whalers, sailors and settlers arrived in Aotearoa (New Zealand). The Haruru Falls 6km bush walk may be undertaken with a guide, or independently. It weaves through mature mangrove "forests" which filter the coastal waters and create an ecosystem favoured by many marine species and shorebirds. Pillbox crab burrow in the mud, snapping shrimp punctuate the distant wave sounds with their jazzy clicks, and overhead fantails, gulls, shags and kingfisher perch and swoop. Allow 1.5 hours for the walk, and contact the Visitor Centre first to enquire about options for return transport to the Treaty Grounds from the end of the walk. |
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