New Zealand’s Taranaki Garden Spectacular & Private Gardens of the North and South Islands

We begin our journey in New Plymouth, situated on the west coast of New Zealand’s North Island. Check in to your hotel and enjoy a Welcome Dinner, where you’ll meet your Botanical Guide and fellow travellers.

Enjoy your first day at the Taranaki Garden Festival, nestled on the slopes of majestic Mt. Taranaki. Explore private and public gardens, recognised for their national and international significance, including Pukeiti. The Taranaki region is renowned for its 11 gardens of International Significance, as well as the rhododendrons which are glorious at this time of the year.

Your botanical adventure continues today as you visit the best private and public gardens of the Taranaki region, including Tupare, Waiongana and Pukekura Park with your Botanical Guide. As we are invited to explore each distinct and inspirational garden, we learn of their respective histories and development.

Visit more festival gardens, including Cairnhill and Gravetye before bidding farewell to Taranaki. Travel on to Wellington. Take in views of the landscape, as you pass pine forests and redwoods, as well as a selection of native vegetation. Travel through the coastal town of Hawera before arriving in New Zealand’s capital, Wellington.

Explore Wellington Botanic Garden, which boasts an array of ancient forests and colourful flower beds. Visit Gillies Garden before taking the afternoon at leisure. You may like to visit Te Papa Tongarewa, New Zealand’s national museum, located on Wellington’s beautiful waterfront.

Today you’ll enjoy one of the world’s most scenic voyages as the Interislander ferry traverses Cook Strait, past the breathtaking landscapes of Marlborough and Queen Charlotte Sounds. Weave through unspoilt islands and admire stunning coastlines punctuated by a series of tiny coves as we approach the South Island and the town of Picton. After a short drive, we visit Longfield garden, a grand formal garden with statues and fountains. Its Corinthian columns are inspired by Tivoli, while its brick walls and hornbeam hedges have been used to create many garden rooms featuring roses, citrus, lavender and olives, alongside an English orangery. This evening, relax and unwind with a dinner in the heart of the Marlborough vineyards.

Today you will experience the beauty of the Marlborough region. We will explore the renowned cottage-style Hortensia House, with its Monet-inspired hydrangea garden. Then visit another of Marlborough’s private gardens before finishing the day with a visit to Welton House Garden for a guided tour and a glass of wine.

Our day has us departing Marlborough as we visit Flaxmere Garden, located at the foothills of Lake Sumner Forest Park. Flaxmere prides itself on being awarded a Garden of National Significance by the New Zealand Garden Trust, which is affiliated with the Royal Institute of Horticulture. Enjoy lunch here before we continue to Christchurch in the afternoon.

Enjoy a full day to explore the picturesque harbour village of Akaroa. Here we visit the incredible Giant’s House, with its colourful sculpture mosaic garden. Then stop at Fishermans Bay private garden, which offers stunning views across the Banks Peninsula coastline, before arriving back in Christchurch.