New Zealand gardens & festival tour – NGF

This area is renown for its magnificent rhododendrons as well as other colourful exotic and indigenous flora.

We invite you to join us as on this wonderful journey for garden lovers, combining famous festivals with private gardens that are rarely experienced on an ordinary holiday. With longer stays, comfortable accommodation, an expert guide and relaxed touring pace, there’s time to truly enjoy the gardens, scenery and companionship along the way.

Tour commences in Auckland (or Wellington) and concludes in Christchurch.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Auckland (or Wellington) to New Plymouth

Depart Auckland this morning and travel south through the green Waikato countryside, enjoying the changing rural scenery as we make our way towards Taranaki.

Arrive in New Plymouth this afternoon and settle into your hotel, your comfortable base for the next three nights. This evening, meet your fellow travellers over our included Welcome Dinner—the perfect beginning to our garden journey.

Accommodation: Three nights at Novotel New Plymouth Taranaki or similar

Meals: Dinner

Day 2 – Taranaki Garden Festival

Today is devoted to the renowned Taranaki Garden Festival, one of New Zealand’s premier garden events.

With magnificent Mt Taranaki providing a dramatic backdrop, this beautiful region is home to an extraordinary collection of private and public gardens. A highlight is Pukeiti, renowned for its spectacular rhododendrons, azaleas and woodland gardens.

Spring is a particularly lovely time to visit, when the gardens are filled with colour.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 – Gardens of Taranaki

Another wonderful day of garden discovery awaits as we explore some of Taranaki’s finest gardens.

Visit the gracious heritage garden of Tūpare, peaceful Waiongana Gardens and much-loved Pukekura Park. Each offers something quite different, from impressive plant collections and mature trees to beautifully designed landscapes and fascinating stories.

Please note: Gardens may vary subject to availability.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 4 – Taranaki & Wellington

There’s still more to enjoy before leaving Taranaki, with visits to two outstanding festival gardens—Cairnhill and Gravetye.

We then travel south at a leisurely pace through attractive farmland and native bush to Wellington. On arrival, settle into our centrally located hotel for a comfortable two-night stay.

Accommodation: Two nights at Copthorne Wellington or similar

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 5 – Wellington

This morning we visit the beautiful Wellington Botanic Garden, with its mature native forest, heritage trees and colourful seasonal displays.

We also visit delightful Gillies Garden before enjoying an included lunch. The remainder of the afternoon is free for you to enjoy Wellington at your own pace.

Perhaps stroll along the waterfront, browse the city’s shops and cafés or visit Te Papa Tongarewa, New Zealand’s national museum.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 – Cook Strait & Marlborough

Today brings one of New Zealand’s great scenic journeys as we sail across Cook Strait and through the beautiful Marlborough Sounds, with their sheltered bays, forested hills and sparkling waterways.

After arriving in Picton, we continue to magnificent Longfield Garden. Inspired by classic European garden design, this impressive estate features fountains, statues, roses, lavender, citrus and olive trees, along with a traditional English-style orangery.

Accommodation: Two nights at Château Marlborough, Blenheim, or similar

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 7 – Marlborough’s Private Gardens

Today we discover some of Marlborough’s delightful private gardens.

Visit charming Hortensia House, known for its beautiful hydrangeas and romantic, Monet-inspired planting. We continue to another specially selected private garden before visiting Welton House Garden.

Enjoy a guided tour through the garden—a lovely way to finish our day.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 – Flaxmere Garden & Christchurch

Leaving Marlborough, we travel south to the award-winning Flaxmere Garden, set in a wonderfully peaceful location near Lake Sumner Forest Park.

Recognised as a Garden of National Significance, Flaxmere is admired for its thoughtful design, mature planting and tranquil atmosphere.

After time to explore the garden and enjoy lunch, we continue through the Canterbury countryside to Christchurch.

Accommodation: Commodore Hotel Christchurch or similar

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 9 – Akaroa & Banks Peninsula

Today we travel through the picturesque landscapes of Banks Peninsula to the charming French-influenced village of Akaroa.

Our first visit is the wonderfully imaginative Giant’s House, where colourful mosaics, sculptures and gardens combine to create one of New Zealand’s most distinctive garden experiences.

Later, visit beautiful Fishermans Bay Garden, where thoughtfully designed plantings are complemented by magnificent coastal views across Banks Peninsula.

We return to Christchurch this afternoon after a memorable day of gardens, scenery and discovery.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Notes

The gardens featured in this itinerary are indicative and are subject to availability. If a featured garden is unavailable, another garden of similar significance will be substituted.