At Seafields:

• Enjoy an evening happy hour with your hosts and other guest
• Luxuriate in the jacuzzi or sauna
• Therapeutic massage (by appointment)
• Swim in the infinity pool
• Relax on the patio area
• Cook up a storm on the barbecue
• Walk around landscaped garden, with paths leading directly to the foreshore
• Kayaking
• Surf casting and net fishing
• Estuary walks
• Wild bird life easily accessible

Local Activities: Other Activities:

• Beach and forest walks
• Fishing charter trips
• Sailing charter trips
• Harbour cruise trips
• Dolphin and marine eco tours
• Wine trails
• Dine at a wide variety of nearby restaurants
• Guided tours on horseback
• Horse riding and polo tuition
• Polo, international and national tournaments (summer)
• Golf – we are within minutes of 2 PGA courses
• Garden visits
• Art galleries
• Museums
• Sight seeing by helicopter
• Skydiving and gliding
• Enjoy being pampered at the Whitford Day Spa
• 30 minutes by ferry to downtown Auckland, visit Auckland museum and experience Maori culture, historic Parnell, shopping and restaurants
• 20 minutes by ferry to Waiheke Island, experience wine trails, beaches, restaurant, local artists and galleries (week ends & public holidays only)
• Whitford Bird Garden and gallery of world renowned wildlife artist Blake Twigden, 2 minutes by car
• Howick historic village, 10 minutes by car

"Gardener's Paradise" tour (please scroll down to itinerary for further information).

Some activities need to be booked in advance, if you know what you would like to do, hosts Stephanie and Doug, will be delighted to arrange the activity for you.

Stephanie can assist with planning your special event or small conference, whilst Doug is the expert on polo and other local equestrian events.

Itinerary

A GARDENER'S PARADISE

Ayrlies Garden: Established 40 years ago, Ayrlies is a 15 acre garden for all seasons which has been sculptured energetically from a bare paddock. This stunning garden is characterised by sweeping lawns and informal but detailed plantings, ponds and waterways and is to be featured in the international BBC series Gardener's world, "Around the World in 80 Gardens" which will celebrate major gardens worldwide.

Haunui Farm: Old growth totaras, rimus, puriris and nikau provide a lush native bush background to the garden and to the working areas of the thoroughbred stud at Haunui Farm. The garden features an extensive collection of camellias, maples, magnolias and a wide variety of shrubs, roses, perennials and annuals providing interest all year round. By request horses are available for viewing on the stable lawn.

Whitford Bird Garden: An aviary of native and exotic plants, birds and reptiles. Renowned wildlife artist Blake Twigden has combined his love of nature and knowledge of plant and birdlife in one spectacular walk through aviary environment, unique to New Zealand and featuring exotic ducks, ornamental pheasants & finches from around the world including the rare and beautiful.

We also recommend a visit to the Auckland Botanic Garden, a 10 minute drive from Seafields and home to New Zealand's famous extravaganza of colour, design and entertainment,"The Ellerslie Flower Show" that blooms for just 4 glorious days annually and is being held this year from 14-18th November. The Botanic garden is open year round and covers 160 acres of spectacular plant collections from around the world, lakes and wandering paths. Special attractions include "The Threatened Native Plant Garden", and the "Potter Children's Garden". www.aucklandbotanicgardens.co.nz

Links