Full of history and timeless charm. Come and take a self-guided tour of this national treasure. Step back in time and discover the memories and stories of our historic homestead and garden estate, the heart of Gordonton’s history.
Also located at the Estate is Woodlands Garden Grove Cafe & Bar. Privately owned and operated, the café looks out onto an old-fashioned cricket oval.
Woodland’s Homestead is a Category 1 Historic Place, Heritage New Zealand, built in the 1870's for the first manager Henry Reynolds and his family.
Visit our 5-star Garden of National Significance gardens which are the home to some of New Zealand's largest trees, Eucalyptus, Plantanus Acerfolia (London Plane), the finest Liriodendron (Tulip tree) in the Waikato, and a variety of Camelia, Azealia and Rhododendron species.
View our map and calendar below to help guide you through the Estate and find out what happens in the garden when the seasons change.
Estate MapEstate Calendar
Visiting Hours
Gardens: donations appreciated
Monday to Sunday - 9am to 3.30pm
Homestead: $3 entry (may be closed for a private function)
Monday to Sunday - 10am to 3.00pm
Cafe:
Weekdays - 9am to 3.00pm
Weekends - 9am to 4pm
Welcoming Guests Through Our Doors Since 1872
Woodlands Estate is a beautifully preserved 19th-century homestead and garden located in the heart of Gordonton. Once a working farm and now a vibrant community space, it has evolved into a much-loved Waikato destination — blending heritage, hospitality, and horticulture in a way that’s welcoming to all.
Whether you're walking the gardens, celebrating a wedding, enjoying a meal at the café, or simply letting the kids run on the lawn, there’s something for everyone here. The Homestead offers a glimpse into the past, the gardens provide space to wander and reflect, and our café serves up local flavour with relaxed charm. With seasonal events, garden tours, and peaceful open spaces, Woodlands is a place to visit, revisit, and share.
We’re proud to be community-run and not-for-profit, which means every visit, donation, booking, or helping hand goes straight back into preserving and improving the estate for future generations. Come and explore, get involved, and discover why Woodlands is one of the Waikato’s best-kept secrets — loved by locals, and unforgettable for visitors.
Woodlands Estate is looked after by a not-for-profit trust, with the gardens being well-maintained by the Waikato District Council.
Estate Calendar
IT'S WEDDING SEASON
While the Homestead is open daily, it may be closed weekend afternoons for wedding preparations.
IN THE GARDEN
FLOWERING:
Roses, Hydrangea, Nepta (Catnip), Lavender, Lirriope (both Purple & White), Epimedium, Clivia’s, Hosta’s, Dicentra, Delphinium, Wisteria (front of Homestead), Achillea, Indigofera (looks like Wisteria)
IN FRUIT:
Clivia will be setting the red seed heads, these look stunning against their gloss green leaves.
Sambucus Niagra will in fruit, look for the dark purple berries held in clusters on the branches, birds love these berries