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

Trip Type: Land Journey
New zealand | 9 Days

Experience a range of public and private gardens during the celebrated Taranaki Garden Festival. Thirteen gardens of national significance are f...

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

Experience a range of public and private gardens during the celebrated Taranaki Garden Festival. Thirteen gardens of national significance are found within the Taranaki region, which benefits from rich, volcanic soils and its own microclimate. Absorb spectacular scenery during our journey across Cook Strait aboard the Interislander Ferry. Sample the wine of the Marlborough region, take a private tour of the renowned Flaxmere Garden, and enjoy the French influence of Akaroa.

This journey departs:

  • 2 November 2025

  • 1 November 2026

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.


Accommodation
Stay: Three Nights, New Plymouth, Novotel New Plymouth Taranaki or similar

Meals Included
Lunch

Location
New Plymouth , New zealand

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.


Meals Included
Breakfast

Location
New Plymouth , New zealand

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.


Meals Included
Breakfast,Lunch

Location
New Plymouth , New zealand

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.


Accommodation
Two Nights, Wellington, Intercontinental Hotel or similar

Meals Included
Breakfast,Lunch

Location
New Plymouth , New zealand

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.


Meals Included
Breakfast

Location
New Plymouth , New zealand

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.


Accommodation
Two Nights: Blenheim, Chateau Marlborough or similar

Meals Included
Breakfast,Dinner

Location
New Plymouth , New zealand

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.


Meals Included
Breakfast,Dinner

Location
New Plymouth , New zealand

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.


Accommodation
Christchurch, Rydges Latimer Hotel or similar

Meals Included
Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Location
New Plymouth , New zealand

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.


Meals Included
Breakfast,Dinner

Location
New Plymouth , New zealand

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.


Accommodation
Stay: Three Nights, New Plymouth, Novotel New Plymouth Taranaki or similar

Meals Included
Lunch

Location
New Plymouth , New zealand

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.


Meals Included
Breakfast

Location
New Plymouth , New zealand

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.


Meals Included
Breakfast,Lunch

Location
New Plymouth , New zealand

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.


Accommodation
Two Nights, Wellington, Intercontinental Hotel or similar

Meals Included
Breakfast,Lunch

Location
New Plymouth , New zealand

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.


Meals Included
Breakfast

Location
New Plymouth , New zealand

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 a winery in the Marlborough area; this region is responsible for producing seventy percent of New Zealand’s wine.


Accommodation
Two Nights: Blenheim, Chateau Marlborough or similar

Meals Included
Breakfast

Location
New Plymouth , New zealand

Today you will experience the beauty of the Marlborough region, including the renowned cottage-style Hortensia House with its Monet-inspired hydrangea garden. Next visit the spectacular private and semi-formal country garden of Barewood, with its 100-year-old homestead before visiting Welton House Garden for a guided tour and a glass of wine.


Meals Included
Breakfast

Location
New Plymouth , New zealand

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.


Accommodation
Christchurch, Rydges Latimer Hotel or similar

Meals Included
Breakfast,Dinner

Location
New Plymouth , New zealand

Enjoy a full day to explore the picturesque harbour village of Akaroa. Visit a Garden of National Significance, as well as a historic house featuring artwork, terraced gardens, sculptures and mosaics. Stop at Fisherman’s Bay private garden, offering stunning views overlooking the Banks Peninsula coastline before arriving back to Christchurch.

You may also like to join our Contrasts of New Zealand's Gardens & Natural Wonders journey from Christchurch to Auckland.


Meals Included
Breakfast,Dinner

Location
New Plymouth , New zealand

Departing

Finishing

Availability

This Trip Currently has no Dates & Availability

Provided by
APT
Reference Code:
BTNZTM9
Trip Location
Trip Starts:
New Plymouth → Christchurch, New zealand
Trip Finishes:
New zealand
Countries Visited:
New zealand
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