Gibbs Farm

Never heard of Gibbs Farm before until a friend mentioned it but after researching into it, made an online booking to see it as I was intrigued. Only open once monthly from 10am-​2pm, it is a private farm property with a collection of amazing, large-​sized sculptures by a range of artists including Graham Bennett, Chris Booth, Daniel Buren, Bill Culbert, Neil Dawson, Marijke de Goey, Andy Goldsworthy, Ralph Hotere, Anish Kapoor, Sol LeWitt, Len Lye, Russell Moses, Peter Nicholls, Eric Orr, Tony Oursler, George Rickey, Peter Roche, Richard Serra, Kenneth Snelson, Richard Thompson, Leon van den Eijkel and Zhan Wang.
Set on the coast at the Kaipara Harbour, it is about a 40 minute drive from the North Shore and is made up of a large area of rolling grass hills. Prepare to get walking as there are several sculptures dotted around the property that you need to climb up and down hills for. Bring a packed lunch, water, put on good shoes and enjoy the artworks as well as farm creatures.
Such a great place!

Had a seriously awesome day at Gibbs Farm, so much to see and do and totally free! Gibbs farm opens to the public once a month and all I did to secure my place was go onto their website and email the address provided saying what day I wanted to visit and how many people would be coming with me. It is a wee drive out to the Kaipara Coast but it’s a beautiful drive so I really didn’t notice it, I was too busy looking at all the scenery. When we got there soooo many other people were there also, but they handled it really well with plenty of parking, lots of signage as well as officials directing you. It is a decent walk around the farm so I made sure to wear exercise clothing and running shoes, which I was thankful for! I took a packed lunch and water as they don’t offer food which is totally fair enough. The art is just incredible, such a breathtaking collection, not to mention the natural scenery and views and as though those weren’t enough they also had lots of exotic animals like Giraffes, Alpacca and Ostriches! Please if you only attend one cultural event a year this just has to be it, I want to go again!

I know it’s a bit of a push to classify this as ‘Auckland’ but I’m including it because it’s only a 45min drive from central Auckland (even less if you live on the North Shore) and it is one of the best days I’ve spent in a long time.
Gibbs Farm is a private property, open only one day a month by prior appointment, showcasing the sculpture collection of Alan Gibbs, philanthropist and one of New Zealand’s most successful businessmen. The farm, which takes 2 – 3 hours to walk around includes major works by Graham Bennett, Chris Booth, Daniel Buren, Bill Culbert, Neil Dawson, Marijke de Goey, Andy Goldsworthy, Ralph Hotere, Anish Kapoor, Sol LeWitt, Len Lye, Russell Moses, Peter Nicholls, Eric Orr, Tony Oursler, George Rickey, Peter Roche, Richard Serra, Kenneth Snelson, Richard Thompson, Leon van den Eijkel and Zhan Wang.
And there are giraffes! Real live giraffes! And zebras, emus, llamas and bison.
I was lucky enough to visit this sculpture park and I thoroughly recommend that you try to as well. Beautiful landscape combined with breathtaking international artwork — what more could you ask for!