Discover Waimauku

Waimauku combines wine-growing history with experiences that have different conditions: at The Hunting Lodge, history, the winery and tastings are the focus; at Franklin Farm, seasonal offerings shape the visit. If you choose Waimauku as a destination, this distinction can help with planning: season and availability matter for farm activities, while opening hours matter for tastings.

History and heritage

According to its own account, the history of The Hunting Lodge dates back to the 1860s. It says the building was the first house in the Waimauku area. The history of Sauvignon Blanc cultivation is also connected with the site: New Zealand's first commercial Sauvignon Blanc vines were planted here. Architectural history and winegrowing therefore come together in one place—a specific point of interest for anyone interested in the destination's historic side.

The Waimauku Dairy Factory at 81 Waimauku Station Road offers another heritage connection. It is listed in Schedule 14.1, “Schedule of Historic Heritage,” of the Auckland Unitary Plan. Its listed status makes it a distinct historic landmark alongside the history of The Hunting Lodge.

Winegrowing at The Hunting Lodge

The Hunting Lodge in Waimauku is a working winery with a restaurant; its offerings are subject to the operator's arrangements. The Lawn Bar and Cellar Door offer tasting paddles featuring wine and other drinks during opening hours. If you plan to have a tasting, check the opening hours of both venues.

From the Lawn Bar, you can look out over the 80-acre vineyard and Waimauku's rolling hills. Outdoor seating is weather-dependent. A visit can therefore have different focuses: tasting a range of drinks or enjoying views of the wine-growing landscape. The combination of history, vineyard and tasting opportunities makes The Hunting Lodge a specific stop for travellers interested in winegrowing.

Seasonal experiences at Franklin Farm

Franklin Farm's Butterfly House offers butterfly releases and is home to hundreds of monarch butterflies. Butterfly breeding and availability can vary, and farm offerings are seasonal too. The Butterfly House also has a corn maze, which is another seasonal attraction. The butterflies and maze give the visit different points of interest, and seasonal availability matters when planning for both.

The farm's Sunflower Fields contain millions of sunflowers, but flowering times vary. You can pick sunflowers yourself for an additional fee. Alternatively, you can rent cutting tools or buy pre-cut sunflowers; these options are also seasonally available. When visiting the fields, you can choose between picking flowers yourself and buying flowers that have already been cut.

A petting farm is also part of the seasonal offerings. Visitors can pet and feed various farm animals there. This experience differs from the flower fields and butterfly offerings: its focus is on direct contact with the animals. If you want to include several of these farm activities, check their availability before your trip.

Plan the right time to visit

The differences between the two places are also useful when planning your timing. Season, flowering and availability can determine which farm experiences are possible, while opening hours are the key factor for a tasting at The Hunting Lodge. So check in advance which seasonal offerings are available at Franklin Farm, and plan your tasting around the opening hours. This lets you shape your stay around whether seasonal farm experiences or wine-growing history and tastings are more important to you.

Discover more destinations: Papakura, Mauku, Mangere, Devonport, Matakana, Tuakau, Piha, Wainui

For the broader travel overview: Auckland.