Fernery / Conservatory

Whangarei is proud to present a horticultural complex where the public can come and enjoy plants that range from colourful and exotic palms and orchids, bizarre cacti and succulents, fragrant sub-tropical plants, and native ferns and filmy ferns all in one central location.  Located in First Avenue, the complex is open every day from 10.00am to 4.00pm.  Parking is available outside in First Avenue, or in the Forum North carpark through Cafler Park and over the footbridge.  Cafler Park is also the home of the Whangarei Art Museum, Scented Garden, and Rose Gardens.  Admission is free, and please also note that the complex is wheelchair accessible.

The complex is available for wedding ceremonies, photos, and other functions for a small fee, payable when making a booking.  The area will accomodate a maximum of 50 people, and it also has a sound system and public address system available with speakers positioned throughout the complex.  Contact phone (09) 430 4200 for bookings and any other information.

  The Marge Maddren Fernery boasts this country's largest public collection of native ferns found in New Zealand and its offshore islands.  The Fernery has three shade houses and a linking tunnel, ponds and a small waterfall and courtyard area.  This part of the Fernery and Conservatory Complex was officially opened in December 1987, and is named in honour of Marge Maddren, the president of the Whangarei Native Forest and Bird Protection Society who raised funds for the construction of the Fernery.  Some of the history of Whangarei has been incorporated in to the construction of the Fernery.  Kerb stones from the old style Rathbone Street edge many of the gardens and pools, bricks from the former Town Hall on Bank Street have been used as paving, and wall stones used around the town in the 1920's have also been utiilised in the complex.  The Fernery is divided into 5 areas as follows:

• Area 1 - Medium Shade
• Area 2 - Exposed - Semi-shade
• Area 3 - Deep Shade
• Area 4 - Offshore Island Species
• Area 5 - Medium Deep Shade

1995 saw the construction of a purpose built adobe-brick Filmy Fernhouse structure.  It is climate controlled to provide the cool, moist, high humidity conditions loved by the small translucent leaved filmy ferns.  The filmy fernhouse has ponds with waterfalls, a display board with the 'Fern of the Month' information and a photo history of the development of the filmy fernhouse.  This addition was named in honour of Fin Bruce, a local fern enthusiast who continues to give freely of his time and knowledge.

The Snow Conservatory was built in 1970, named in memory of Stanley John Snow M.B.E, a well known local citizen, to honour his valuable contribution to the city over many years in civic and other fields.  The heated Conservatory houses exotic sub-tropical plants including orchids, palms, cycads, begonias, flowering bulbs, coleus, euphorbias, dracaenas, bromeliads, anthuriums, hoyas, coleonemas, ficus, heliconias, philodendrons and ferns, plus there is a waterfall and pond complete with friendly fish.

The Cactus House uses passive solar heating to recreate the hot arid conditions that cacti and succulents revel in.  This House also has stunning murals transforming the walls into a surreal desert landscape, and a collaborative sculpture presented to the Complex by the four artists who exhibited their work in June 1996.