Otahuna Garden Open Day: Picnic in the Garden

On Sunday, 4 March 2012 Otahuna Lodge will again open its historic gardens to help raise funds for the Cancer Society.

The first-ever summer open day at Otahuna offers visitors a rare chance to enjoy the 30 acres of celebrated grounds classified as a Garden of National Significance by the New Zealand Gardens Trust. Highlights include the stone-walled organic potager garden and orchard, which is currently producing more than 120 varieties of nuts, fruits and vegetables. Major renovations within the last few years have seen the restoration and rebuilding of two original outbuildings - the Apple Store and Melon Shed - which today grow mushrooms and tropical fruit respectively. Elsewhere, visitors can enjoy the formal, buxus-lined "Dutch" garden, the redeveloped woodlands or the majestic Great Lawn - perfect for a picnic on a summer day.

Admission for Picnic in the Garden is $15 for adults and $5 for children age 5-12 (children under 5 will be admitted free of charge), with tickets sold at the gate for cash only. The price of admission includes:

• Access to the Gardens (the Homestead will not be open)
• Optional guided tours of the garden throughout the day
• Musical entertainment provided by the Sideline Swing Band and other musicians
• Mini-cooking demonstrations with Executive Chef Jimmy McIntyre
• A donation to the Cancer Society
• Children's treasure hunt
• Bring your own picnic or food available for purchase

During the last open day at Otahuna Lodge in 2009, visitors helped raise $12,000 for the Cancer Society. Cancellations due to weather will be announced on Newstalk ZB. Please no dogs.