New Zealand’s Taranaki Garden Spectacular with Contrasts of New Zealand’s Gardens & Natural Wonders

We begin our journey in New Plymouth, situated on the west coast of New Zealand’s North Island. Check into 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 13 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, 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, where we will enjoy lunch 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, where we will enjoy lunch. Afterwards explore the renowned cottage-style Hortensia House with its Monet-inspired hydrangea garden. 

Today you will experience the beauty of the Marlborough region. We will visit a delightful private garden before arriving at Winterhome, perched high above the Pacific Ocean. The property features nearly 10 acres of structured formal garden and park-like grounds. We end our 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. We also visit Casa Rossa, whose house and garden was inspired by the movie, Much Ado About Nothing. Stop at Fisherman’s Bay private garden, which offers stunning views across the Banks Peninsula coastline, before arriving back in Christchurch.

Enjoy a free day in Christchurch to relax or explore on your own.

Today we journey to the historic 19th-century Ohinetahi garden and homestead, the private home of New Zealand architect Sir Miles Warren. Afterwards, enjoy lunch at Frensham, a relaxed private country garden with a huge variety of plants. On our way back to Christchurch, we stop in at a special private garden. The owners are proud of its excellent design, planting and maintenance, set on more than eight acres. It even boasts its own Kauri forest.

Traverse the Canterbury Plains today and admire the stunning alpine scenery of rugged mountain peaks. Travel via Ashburton, Timaru and Oamaru to Dunedin, stopping along the way for a visit at the garden of Alan Trott, which is recognised as a Garden of International Significance and has been awarded six stars by the New Zealand Gardens Trust. Stop briefly at Oamaru Public Garden, one of New Zealand’s oldest gardens, which has a five star ‘Garden of Significance’ rating. Later arrive in the city of Dunedin, which features the best collection of Edwardian and Victorian architecture in the Southern Hemisphere.

Visit Dunedin Botanic Gardens, New Zealand’s oldest botanical garden with over 6,800 plant species. Travel to the Otago Peninsula, home to an array of wildlife, including the little blue penguin, northern royal albatross and New Zealand fur seals. During our time on the peninsula, we call in on Glenfalloch Woodland Garden, whose rhododendrons and azaleas contrast with its native ferns and indigenous trees. Enjoy a delicious lunch at Larnach Castle, which dates back to 1871 and is set within a magnificent private garden.

Today, look out for spring wildflowers en route to Te Anau, in New Zealand’s Southland region. We visit the garden of Castlemaine, set within picturesque countryside. Castlemaine has a distinctive English influence. Here, we see a variety of hedges, roses and rhododendrons, and two small ponds.

Enjoy nature’s garden at its finest as you explore Mirror Lake, Homer Tunnel and The Chasm, then board a spectacular cruise along Milford Sound. New Zealand’s most stunning natural attraction, Milford Sound comprises dramatic mountain peaks, reflective waters and steep forest-clad cliffs. Later, arrive in the picturesque city of Queenstown, set on the shores of Lake Wakatipu.

Take a tour of a spectacular private garden in Queenstown, in the foothills of The Remarkables mountain range. Visit the historic gold mining village of Arrowtown, where you’ll have time to explore the quaint shops along its heritage main street. This afternoon, enjoy free time in Queenstown before reconvening for dinner.

After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight to the North Island. Arrive in the bustling harbourside city of Auckland, where you will have the option to visit its botanic gardens, which comprise almost 160 acres of beautiful gardens and native forests. Afterwards, continue to the city of Hamilton.

Today, spend time at a private English-style garden that borders the Waikato River. From here, travel to Hamilton Gardens, which features 21 themed gardens and was awarded International Garden of the Year in 2014.

This morning, visit the iconic Ayrlies Garden, described by Monty Don as one of the most beautiful gardens in the world. Admire its wonderful plantings, which make full use of the borrowed landscape. The owner’s passion is evident, and they have created a world-class masterpiece here. This afternoon, visit former NZ Gardener editor Lynda Hallinan’s private garden, ‘Sweetgum’.

We travel north to visit the private Mincher Garden, part of the New Zealand Gardens Trust and set against a backdrop of typically Northland podocarp forest. At the conclusion of our journey, we return to the Crowne Plaza Auckland hotel at approximately 1.00pm for your transfer to the airport.