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 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 the grand formal garden of Longfield, whose grounds feature statues, fountains, and Corinthian columns inspired by Tivoli. Brick walls and hornbeam hedges create many garden rooms, showcasing their old-fashioned 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. Explore the renowned cottage-style Hortensia House with its Monet-inspired hydrangea garden. The property features nearly 10 acres of structured formal garden and park-like grounds. We also visit another of Marlborough's private gardens before ending our day at 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 having been 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.

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, set on more than eight acres. The owners are proud of its excellent design, planting and maintenance – 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 at Trott’s Garden, whose acclaimed grounds blend elegant woodland and formal design, with highlights including intricate knot gardens, tranquil pools, and magnificent trees underplanted with rhododendrons and perennials. 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 Garden, 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.

This morning visit Lan Yuan - Chinese Garden, a living work of art, this six-star Garden of International Significance captures the spirit of a traditional Chinese landscape painting, inviting you to wander, reflect, and discover the rich layers of history, culture, and tradition it celebrates. Afterwards, look out for spring wildflowers enroute to Te Anau, in New Zealand’s Southland region.

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, sustainable garden in Central Otago. Then 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 we will visit the private garden of our Botanical Guide, Sarah O’Neil. 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 JW Marriott Auckland Hotel at approximately 1.00 pm for your transfer to the airport.