Discover Ohaupo through three distinct highlights: the living TreeChurch in its garden, the Mystery Creek Events Centre with Fieldays, and the Ōhaupō Memorial Hall. They offer different reasons to visit: a garden destination open seasonally, a large events venue, and a distinctive community building with a history. If you are planning a stay, you can first decide whether the garden, an event, or local architectural history is the main draw. The three themes also differ in what you need to consider when planning your visit.

TreeChurch: a living church in a garden

TreeChurch in Ohaupo is a church made from living trees in a garden. TreeChurch and Gardens covers three hectares in the rolling farmland of Ohaupo in Waikato; at its centre is a living chapel. The three hectares and rolling farmland offer views across the garden as a whole, while the chapel provides a clear architectural focal point. The New Zealand Gardens Trust rated TreeChurch and Gardens a garden of national significance with five stars. Those interested in garden design or sacred architecture will find a distinctive focus here: the church and garden are part of a whole, and the church itself is made from living trees.

Mystery Creek and Fieldays

The Mystery Creek Events Centre in Ōhaupō is a large multi-purpose venue for indoor and outdoor events of every size and kind. It is set on a 114-hectare site in a natural setting. Fieldays is held there. At Fieldays, there are several food courts and extensive free parking on Mystery Creek Road and Airport Road. The Events Centre is two minutes from Hamilton Airport. On the same site, Heritage Village provides a historic outdoor setting for day events of all sizes. While the Events Centre hosts a variety of indoor and outdoor events, Heritage Village offers a distinct setting for day events with its historic backdrop.

Ōhaupō Memorial Hall: architecture and community history

Built in 1923, Ōhaupō Memorial Hall is a distinctive community building on Great South Road. Concrete and stucco define the hall, and its distinctive Dutch gabled roof gives the building a clear architectural feature. As a social meeting place, the hall hosted film screenings, sports groups, concerts, and community meetings. Its year of construction, materials, and roof shape describe a tangible example of historic architecture, while its former uses show its role as a place for community life. The Memorial Hall therefore offers a different focus from the living church and the expansive events venue.

Planning: seasonal opening or event dates?

The TreeChurch gardens are open for tours, visitors, and photo shoots from October to May. Fieldays is held at the Mystery Creek Events Centre. These involve two different approaches to planning: for TreeChurch, the seasonal opening period is key; for Fieldays, check the specific event dates before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Te Miro, Karapiro, Cambridge, Pirongia, Te Awamutu

For the broader travel guide: Waipa District.