Plan Your Visit to Gibbs Farm Sculpture Park: Ultimate Guide

For nearly two years, Jeff had been trying to secure tickets to Gibbs Farm sculpture park, and when we finally figured out how, and we got to visit, I have to say, it was well worth the wait.

This remarkable Auckland sculpture park is not only home to some of the world’s largest outdoor sculptures, but it also offers a unique opportunity to explore expansive grounds filled with exotic animals. The combination of contemporary art and interesting animals made for a truly memorable day, despite the rain.

We loved wandering around the property, marvelling at the towering artworks and enjoying the fresh-air environment.

The collection of sculptures is impressive in both scale and creativity, with each piece seamlessly integrated into the landscape. And, of course, the alpaca, giraffes, and other exotic animals added to the fun.

Below we share our experience and learning lessons, from how to get tickets to how to enjoy the day. If you can get the tickets, it’s one advenure we recommend.

Where is Gibbs Farm sculpture park?

Gibbs Farm, set along the picturesque Kaipara Harbour, is around 50 kilometres to the north and west of Auckland, New Zealand. It’s about a 50-minute drive from Auckland, making it a convenient day trip destination.

If you’re coming from Warkworth, the drive takes approximately 40 minutes, while it’s closer to two hours from the Bay of Islands. The park is set on a vast rural property with plenty of parking for everyone who has tickets.

My favourites at this Auckland sculpture park

Gibbs Farm is home to a collection of monumental sculptures created by world-renowned artists. Here are some of the standout installations:

“Jacobs Ladder” by Gerry Judah

One of my personal favourite sculptures, Jacob’s Ladder, is made from 480 lengths of steel, each a different size, twisting from ground to sky. I found it fascinating from a distance as we approached, from close up, and from looking up from the inside (done with the camera only).

“Horizons” by Neil Dawson

This massive steel structure was designed to resemble a sheet of corrugated iron hovering over the landscape, creating the illusion of floating in the air and capturing my imagination. It’s one of my three favorites here, even though we couldn’t get really close to it.

“Dismemberment, Site 1” by Anish Kapoor

A striking, bold, red PVC membrane sculpture that stretches across a gully between two giant ellipses. It looked like a horn to Jeff and me. You can see Jeff in the first shot, and I centred in the second. I am not sure why I liked this one so much, but it was in plenty of my photos.

88.5º ARCx8 by Bernar Venet

Steel arcs seem to defy gravity as they rise out of the ground, forming a unique interaction between the sculpture and the natural landscape. This one is the favourite of one of my friends, and to her, it is the ribs of the earth.

More great sculptures

A few more of the really cool artworks at this Auckland sculpture park.

• Te Tuhirangi Contour by Richard Serra
  This steel wall ripples along the contour of a hill, showcasing Serra’s signature style of massive, rusted steel installations. It seemed different from close-up as it did from far away.
• Red Cloud Confrontation in Landscape by Leon van den Eijkel
  Based on the primary colours (red, yellow, and blue) pitted against the Pacific colours, according to the artist, who adds it is a dialogue between European modernism and the southern hemisphere environment.
• Transcendence by Rado Kirov
  These five 11-metre tall poles are hand-worked steel that reflect the light in a variety of ways as the day shifts. But even on the super cloudy, on-and-off rainy day that we visited, it was pretty cool.
• A Fold in the Field by Maya Lin
  Yes, those hills are an artwork. A Fold in the Field is much bigger than it looks, and you can start to see it when you realize those little white dots are sheep. The five folds are 105,000 cubic metres earth-fill covering 3 hectres.

According to the map they pass out when you visit, there are currently 23 huge art installations on the property. However, their official web page shows 29. We just featured some of our favourites on this page.

Some of Gibbs Farm’s exotic animals

The presence of exotic animals adds another dimension to the experience at Gibbs Farm, making it more than just a visit to a sculpture park Auckland can boast about. Here are some of the animals you can encounter:

• The giraffes at Gibbs Farm are one of the park’s most popular attractions. Standing tall near the hills, they add an element of wonder as they graze amidst the sculptures. Visitors can often spot them from a distance, their long necks towering above the landscape, or up close near the clean bathrooms located by their enclosure.
• Adorable alpacas add a touch of charm and curiosity to the park. Their fluffy coats and gentle demeanour make them a favourite among visitors, especially as they can be seen roaming freely across the grassy fields.
• Emu are large flightless birds that wander the grounds. Their curious nature and striking appearance add an unexpected touch of the wild, blending in seamlessly with the artistic surroundings.
• Known for their speed and size, ostriches are another interesting animal to encounter at Gibbs Farm. Their powerful legs and large eyes make them easy to spot, and they can often be seen striding gracefully across their huge encoded space.

There are also cattle (Highland, Brahman, and Texas Long Horn) Tibetan yak, North American bison, Merino and Baby Doll sheep, Red and Fallow deer, Boer goat, swans, and peacock.

We had a chat with one of the exotic animal keepers, and she told us that the water buffalo are currently off-site, as the last time the farmers tried to move them, they swam off out to one of the small islands on the property, and getting them back was no easy task.

How to get tickets for Gibbs Farm

Tickets to Gibbs Farm are not sold directly to the public. In fact, according to the staff member we spoke with, they are not sold at all. Instead, they are donated to charities that can use them as a fundraiser.

The tickets are for open specified days, which happen only about five times per month between October and March, during the warmer months.

Unfortunately, the best way to secure tickets is not by checking the official Gibbs Farm website but rather by finding them on Facebook, which is the primary tool used for these charity promotions.

Our best tip for actually getting tickets is to book as soon as dates are announced, as they tend to fill up quickly. Here are a few links you can use:

• The best place is Gibbs Farm on Facebook.
• You can also check Eventfinda, as they generally handle the tickets, and it is where we were directed to from Facebook.
• Finally, you can try the Gibbs Farm official website, but we were told this will not get you public tickets any longer.

Tips for visiting Gibbs Farm sculpture park

1. There are no food vendors on-site, so it’s a good idea to pack a picnic to enjoy during your visit. There are plenty of scenic spots to sit down and take in the surroundings. We noticed just about every group had at least one person with a daypack on their back.
2. Similarly, bring a water bottle.
3. Like most coastal locations in Auckland, the weather can change quickly. It’s wise to wear layers that can be added or removed as needed, and in our case, we needed rain jackets.
4. The grounds are expansive, and we did a fair bit of walking. Sturdy shoes are recommended.
5. We were glad we went in the uphill direction first, as we were still fresh and loaded with energy.
6. With many areas exposed to the sun and limited shade, don’t forget a sun hat and sunscreen.

Readers have asked . . .

Gibbs Farm is not the only Auckland sculpture park

While Gibbs Farm is one of the most famous, there are other sculpture parks in the Auckland area worth exploring:

• Connells Bay Sculpture Park
  (Waiheke Island)
  This private park features a range of contemporary sculptures set against the stunning backdrop of Waiheke Island’s natural beauty. It offers guided tours by appointment.
• Brick Bay Sculpture Trail
  (Snells Beach)
  Located near Matakana, this trail showcases a range of sculptures in a beautiful bush setting. Visitors can enjoy the art along with a tasting at the on-site vineyard and restaurant.
• Sculptureum
  (Matakana)
  A combination of indoor galleries and outdoor sculpture gardens features a diverse collection of art, with pieces ranging from classic sculptures to modern installations. We love this place and wrote more about it here. Check for Sculptureum discounts up to 40% here.
• Te Atatū Peninsula Sculpture Trail
  (Te Atatū Peninsula)
  A smaller, community-focused sculpture trail that showcases local artists’ work along the waterfront, offering a more intimate and casual sculpture experience.
• Kaipara Coast Sculpture Gardens
  (Kaipara)
  Kaipara Coast Sculpture Gardens (at the Kaipara Coast Plant Centre) features a tranquil outdoor gallery where contemporary sculptures are set amidst lush native gardens, offering a peaceful art experience.

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Artwork, exotic animals, or the total experience, why will you visit Gibbs Farm sculpture park?

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