Harbour Hospice’s Homes and Gardens Tour is making a comeback after a six-year hiatus, much to the delight of the community. The bi-annual fundraiser, last held in 2018, was deferred due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, with popular demand, the tour is back with a fresh new look, offering around 300 ticket holders the opportunity to explore some of Point Wells’ most stunning homes and gardens on Sunday, November 10.
The tour will feature over a dozen properties showcasing a variety of styles, from contemporary to timeless and traditional. According to Harbour Hospice community and events fundraiser Emily Thomas, the homes will provide inspiration and a rare glimpse into some of the area’s most spectacular residences.
One of the highlights of the tour will be the home of retired Point Wells couple Rae and Gavin Hamilton, who have generously agreed to open their doors for hospice. Their home, which was featured in NZ House and Garden magazine in 2022, has garnered attention for its thoughtful design and beautiful garden. The couple designed their house seven years ago, with Gavin’s ease of mobility as a top priority.
Gavin, who uses a mobility scooter due to the effects of post-polio syndrome, needed a spacious single-level home that would allow him to move seamlessly both indoors and outdoors. The Hamiltons designed their four-bedroom home with extra-wide hallways and entrances, ensuring Gavin’s comfort and accessibility.
Before settling in Point Wells, the couple had lived in homes with sweeping views, so creating a beautiful garden became a focal point for them. With the help of Auckland landscape designer Aaron Bell-Booth, they designed a white-themed and elegant garden filled with coastal rosemary, wisteria, hydrangea, camellia, and more. The garden has become a beloved space for the couple, who spend almost as much time outside as they do inside.
Rae and Gavin decided to participate in the tour as a way of giving back to the community. They recognize the importance of hospice care and the potential need for it in the future. All proceeds from the homes tour will go towards hospice patient and family services in Warkworth and Wellsford, supporting those in the community who are in need of palliative care.
The Homes and Gardens Tour will also feature the Point Wells Hall as a central hub, offering coffee and food trucks, plant and Christmas cake stalls, silent auctions, raffles, and more. Tickets for the tour, sponsored by Barfoot and Thompson, will go on sale online on August 20. It promises to be a day filled with inspiration, beauty, and community support for a worthy cause.