After European settlement it was variously used as a rifle range, a dog dosing strip, sand quarry and go-cart track. During the 1960s the central gully section served as the city’s main rubbish dump, covered in blackberry weeds with seagulls circling above. No one could have imagined that such a barren mess could one day become an award-winning public garden and the Waikato’s most popular visitor attraction.
The Gardens are owned and managed by Hamilton City Council and strongly supported by the local community. In the 1950s the Hamilton Beautifying Society lobbied for a public garden on this part of the town belt and initially it occupied 4 hectares. The design of that top area was and still is planted in the gardenesque tradition with specimen trees and flower beds set in flat lawns.
Rather than focusing on plant collections, at Hamilton Gardens the emphasis is on different types of garden design. Traditional botanic gardens concentrate on plant collections, conservation, research and education, while Hamilton Gardens has the unique concept of showcasing the cultural meaning and context of gardens over the past 4,000 years.
Throughout history, gardens have been a way of expressing the important philosophical ideas of their time. In some respects the story of gardens reflects the story of civilisation and attitudes to the natural world.
The collections of gardens at Hamilton Gardens explore the history, context and meaning of gardens. Each tells a story and offers an insight into a different civilisation. There are 17 themed gardens to explore with 4 more currently under construction. You can find more information about these gardens here.
You can choose to either quickly gather your answers for the Virtual, or take your time to explore all the gardens. I highly recomment the latter. You will need to access to themed gardens to be able to claim this Virtual cache. Recently Hamilton Gardens has undergone a change and there is now a fee to visit if you're not a Hamilton resident. Opening times for the gardens varies during Summer and Winter and you can find the opening times here, or visit their website for more information.
To claim this Virtual Cache answer the following questions: The answers can be found between the entrance gate to the themed gardens and the Piazza.
Please message me with the correct answers, no need to wait for a response to log the Virtual. Please do not post the answers, or show the answers in the photos in your log..
1. In the Piazza there is a fairy door, what compass bearing (true) is this fariy door when standing near the centre of the Piazza..
2. How many archways are there in the inner ring of the Piazza.
3. Optional: Take a photo of either yourself/GPS/or another unique indentifyier in your favourite themed garden and uploaded it with your log
Virtual Rewards 2.0 - 2019/2020
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between June 4, 2019 and June 4, 2020. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 2.0 on the Geocaching Blog.