Auckland Domain

Of all the places I've visited so far in Auckland I have to say that Auckland Domain is easily my favourite. It has a little bit of everything that I enjoy. Great location, great architecture, great plants and a uniquely Victorian charm and character that is so refreshing in this modern and at times very hectic city. In this article we take a look around my favourite Sunday morning stroll which includes a temperate and tropical glasshouse and a stunning fernery. In fact I believe the fernery to be something quite special.

A trip to the Domain is not just about the Victorian glasshouse and fernery but encompasses a large area of well manicured park and planting. The view to the right is one of a couple of dozen huge Phoenix Date Palms which scatter the Domain and give the whole place a very exotic feel. The glass structure tucked behind the conifer is the temperate house of the winter garden and the identical structure in the image below is the tropical house at the opposite end.

This image below shows the main entrance to the winter garden with the tropical house at the end. The shape is a simple rectangle with a glasshouse at each end and as you will see it gets more interesting as you step inside.

Below is a slightly more detailed view of the tropical house. It's classically Victorian formal lines, lilly pond and marble statues all placed in perfect symmetry.

As we enter the tropical house the temperature becomes distinctly warmer and more humid. The planting is as formal as the architecture and the main plant species of note is that giant Cycad to the left. It is reputedly the largest cultivated Cycad in Australasia.

In the centre of the Domain between each glasshouse we find the entrance to the fernery. The fernery is planted entirely with native species and is easily the best dedicated fernery that I have had the pleasure of visiting.