Ardmore & Food Out East

Distance: 
20 kms to Ardmore half hour drive from Howick/8 kms to Hallertau 15 mins drive from Ardmore /21kms to Howick 25 min drive from Hallertau

Approximate time: 
We took all day to make the most of the airshow 

Date: 07/12/2020

Author: Annette Smart

A fantastic day out with friends enjoying the aerobatics of NZ Warbirds then visiting a great local pub, and then dinner at a favorite restaurant on the way home

It was a lovely day with a slight breeze and some clouds promising to be perfect for watching those magnificent men in the flying machines.  

Driving along Chapel Road from Howick to Ormiston in early December is a real treat because the hundreds of Pohutukawa trees that were planted some years ago when this area was developed are now well established and in full bloom.  Just stunning, and definitely showing why Pohutukawas are called the NZ Christmas Tree.  The countryside, once you get onto Redoubt Road heading out to Ardmore, is looking beautiful with green fields, lots of wild flowers and long tall grasses waving in the breeze. 

We set up at a great spot where we can watch the planes and have a good chat and picnic with our friends.  This is a real family event with heaps of youngsters enthralled by the acrobatics they are watching above their heads.   We all love coming to Ardmore to admire these old war machines, and will be back next time they have an open day.  After 4 hours it is time for a relaxing cold drink at a local craft beer pub in Clevedon.

Driving into Clevedon is always lovely – it’s a quaint NZ country town with some really interesting shops and buildings.  Hallertau Clevedon is pretty busy with plenty enjoying the ambience and young family members outside playing games.  It has a good hospitable feel to it, and the staff are really friendly and helpful.  We enjoyed our ice cold drinks.  This is a very popular watering hole, and the manager told us they had had a 4 large groups in during the day, so Hallertau is obviously doing a great job with local hospitality, and providing a fantastic venue for celebrations.

We decided to finish the day with a delicious Japanese dinner in Howick – nice and close to home.  It was a perfect end to a delightful day in the fresh air, and we all went home feeling very content and ready for a good night’s sleep.

NZ Warbirds Ardmore

Our Tip:
NZ Warbirds are open on Sundays, and their open day air displays are a couple of times a year, so check their website for updates.

Things to do nearby:

Enjoy the scenic drive through this stunning countryside as well as the drive along Maraetai and the beaches.  Visit Ayrlies Garden in Whitford (no children allowed because of water hazards).  An entry fee is payable, but these gardens are beautiful and worth visiting for a relaxing stroll through the grounds.