New Zealand

We begin this morning with a visit to Beverley McConnell’s 12-acre country garden Ayrlies, also classified as being of national significance. Maple woodland complements large ponds connected by a tumbling stream and edged in hostas, irises and other damp-loving plants. There are collections of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and masses of old roses and other climbers twining through trees and over pergolas. Wandering paths lead to some surprises and garden seats take advantage of delightful vistas with distant views of the sea.

Travelling south from Auckland, we break our journey in Hamilton with a visit to the impressive Hamilton Gardens. The unique theme of Hamilton Gardens is 'the story of gardens' which is explored through a series of five garden collections: the Paradise Garden Collection featuring gardens representing some of the most significant garden design traditions; the Productive Garden Collection representing different aspects of the relationship between people and plants; the Fantasy Garden Collection representing different forms of garden fantasy; the Cultivar Garden Collection featuring the story of plants selected and bred for the garden, and the Landscape Garden Collection with areas representing the different historic interpretations of an idealised landscape.

We continue our journey to Rotorua, also known as ‘Sulphur City’ for the distinctive odour that permeates the city (though you do get used to it!). Rotorua has the most energetic thermal activity in the country with bubbling mud pools, gushing geysers, beautiful coloured hot springs and terrace formations created by mineral water. Rotorua also has a large Maori population whose cultural activities are interesting and accessible as will be witnessed tomorrow evening.

Tonight we are treated to a Maori cultural experience.  We are transferred from our hotel and on arrival enjoy a Powhiri, a traditional Maori welcome, followed by a special meal called a Hangi (Hung-ee = feast).

This morning we head south through the small towns of Piopio and Mokau, to the fertile Taranaki region, dominated by Mount Egmont or Taranaki (2518m). On arrival in New Plymouth we visit Tikorangi, The Jury Garden, home to world-renowned plant breeders, the late Felix Jury (holder of the Veitch gold medal from then RHS) and now Mark Jury. This large landscaped garden has one of the best plant collections in the country and has been rated as a Garden of National Significance.

En route to the hotel visit the amazing structure that is the Te Rewa Rewa Bridge for a photo stop.

Today, following breakfast, we will take in a sightseeing tour of New Plymouth, featuring the gardens and beaches of this unique city. The gardens include:

Te Popo is richly under-planted with many rate and beautiful shrubs, bulbs and flowers to complement the shady and sun-filled borders and dell. Ponds, waterfall, fern gully plus a 30m suspension bridge also feature.

Hollard Gardens, the achievement of a lifetime's work by Bernie and Rose Hollard. It is a monument to patience and horticultural skill. It features intimate gardens, hidden paths, expansive lawns and swamp gardens.

Pukeiti (meaning ‘little hill’), which boasts the largest collection of species and hybrid rhododendrons in New Zealand, in flower all year round. Founders Garden features native planting with countless complementary shrubs and plants. One of the pleasures of New Zealand gardens is that they often adjoin the native bush and Pukeiti is an excellent example of this, with bush walks throughout the surrounding natural rainforest.

Today, following breakfast, we visit a selection of the gardens featured in the Taranaki Garden Festival.

Te Kainga Marire is the only private native garden sanctuary in New Zealand to be rated as a Garden of International Significance. Keen outdoor adventurers, the owners wanted a bird friendly garden design around the ecological groups they had observed in the wild.

Tupare is a beautifully restored garden that surrounds a classic arts and crafts era Chapman-Taylor home, near New Plymouth. Sculpted from a hillside overlooking the Waiwhakaiho River, it is one of the Taranaki region's premier landscaped gardens and features many large mature trees

Nikau Grove – hundreds of nikau palms set the South Pacific theme. Native plantings and lush exotics create splashes of colour and interest throughout this developed 1.5-acre garden.

We return to our hotel where the evening is free for you explore the local dining options at your leisure.

We will transfer today to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city. En route we will visit the outstanding Paloma Gardens at Wanganui, which has four distinct areas. The first contains foliage, bamboos, palms, alocasias, ferns and cycads. The second has many species of cyads, e.g. Dioons from Mexico, and species from Madagascar, the Solomon Islands and beyond. Also growing here are Pachypodiums (related to frangipani) with different species flowering most of the year, Euphorbias, and oddities like Welwitschia mirabilis and Dioscorea elephantipes, the climber with the way-out base. The third area is on the north-facing hillside and features succulents, cacti, palm forest and a giant African Lobelia tree. Finally, there is the Paloma Arboretum, with extensive tree plantings.

Today, following breakfast, we start with an informative sightseeing tour of the city, including the Parliament Buildings, Old St Paul’s Cathedral, a fine example of 19th century Gothic Revival architecture, the lovely Botanical Gardens, Victoria University and the views from Kelburn. We continue to Otari, or Wilton’s Bush, New Zealand’s only native botanic garden, devoted solely to the cultivation and preservation of indigenous plants. Predominant native trees include mahoe, tawa, kohekohe, rewarewa, hinau and northern rata. Other features at Otari include a fernery, a small Alpine garden, rock garden with adjoining fish pool and a wild garden, all easily accessed by a network of paths and boardwalks.

Later today, we visit the Zealandia Ecosanctuary (formerly the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary). Home to over 225 hectares of regenerating native forest and 40 species of birds, Zealandia is a unique, world-first eco-attraction, providing an excellent opportunity to experience New Zealand’s natural environment just minutes from the capital. On our return to the city we visit The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, affectionately called simply ‘Te Papa’, where there are some wonderful exhibits and interactive displays. The rest of the afternoon and evening is free to explore New Zealand’s capital city. Take the opportunity to wander the waterfront area or sample some of the excellent shops; visit the vibrant Cuba Street or Courtney Place precincts for a coffee or dinner in a top fine-dining restaurant or quirky café. The Crab Shack and the more up-market Shed 5 on the waterfront are highly recommended for sea food lovers.

Today we leave the North Island as we board a ferry in Wellington harbour out onto the Cook Strait through New Zealand’s only true sound, the picturesque Marlborough Sound into Picton. The bustling port of Picton is the terminal for inter-island ferries, and gateway to the ‘Mainland’, the South Island’s self-proclaimed nickname. Reboarding our coach we continue to Blenheim, the principal town of the Marlborough district. Forty years ago there was hardly a commercial grape grown in this area — today, Marlborough is the top wine-producing area in New Zealand, with its wines winning awards around the world. We visit the sumptuous tasting room and cellar at Wither Hills Vineyards, producers of award-winning Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Today we enjoy a full day Marlborough Garden tour - East Coast & Awatere Valley. This always popular tour features a selection of large gardens, diverse in climate but all framed by spectacular scenery, from the rolling Pacific to the rugged Kaikoura ranges. The tour includes the well-known gardens of Barewood, Winterhome and Paripuma, all recognised as ‘Gardens of National Significance’ by the New Zealand Gardens Trust. Morning and afternoon teas and a delicious packed picnic lunch complete the experience. Tonight dinner is included at Arbour, a modern and relaxed restaurant with innovative seasonal cuisine with a focus on local producers and purveyors – a real taste of Marlborough.

This morning we enjoy another Festival garden tour – this time a half day Urban tour featuring clever and thoughtfully designed smaller gardens. Often brimming with a profusion of luscious foliage and a myriad of spring flowers, this selection of Blenheim’s town gardens provides inspiration aplenty for gardeners wanting to exercise their creative talents on a smaller scale. This is a chance to get behind the hedges and fences and enter a private world of scent and colour.

This afternoon visit Omaka Aviation Heritage Museum to visit the Knights of the Sky and Dangerous Skies exhibitions. The development of aviation and the stories of the men that flew them are brought to life in two distinctive exhibitions. The first features the extensive collection of World War One aircraft and rare memorabilia belonging to Sir Peter Jackson and showcases the talents of WingNut Films and Weta Workshop in Knights of the Sky. The second exhibition, the story of aviation continues with Dangerous Skies in World War II. The aircraft, some exclusive to Omaka, are given the trademark theatrical treatment for which the museum has become famous.

Tonight dinner is included at Arbour, a modern and relaxed restaurant with innovative seasonal cuisine with a focus on local producers and purveyors – a real taste of Marlborough.

This morning time is available for anyone wanting to do a whale watch tour (additional cost, not included). Then travel down the coast towards Christchurch. On arrival in Christchurch enjoy the sights of the ‘Garden City’, including a visit to the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, where land was first set aside in 1849. The first oak tree was planted in 1863 to mark the marriage of Edward VII and development has continued over the years, including a native New Zealand garden, the Cockayne garden of native alpine plants, the renowned central Rose Garden, extensive herbaceous borders, a floral conservatory and a fernery. More recent additions include an alpine house and a house for bromeliads and orchids.

This morning travel out to Governors Bay, to visit Ohinetahi. Originally owned by one of New Zealand’s first botanists, Mr. Thomas H Potts in 1865, the garden was restored to its former glory by Sir Miles Warren and gifted to the City of Christchurch in 2012. Today, Ohinetahi is as well known for its displays of art, architectural works and sculptures as it is for its magnificent grounds.

Our next garden visit is to Akaunui Historic House and Gardens. The Akaunui garden was originally designed by Alfred Buxton, established over 100 years ago. During the last 15 years major developments have taken place. The garden now covers 6 hectares and includes magnificent old trees (both native and exotic) and a wide variety of recently planted species. There is a pond, a creek and a bog garden, a woodland garden with a large collection of rhododendrons and associated plants; formal and less formal gardens, many roses and a productive vegetable garden. The garden complements the imposing century old double storey brick homestead.

On our return to Christchurch we visit Trott’s Gardens. The Woodland area was developed around a series of gently curving paths. Later the water gardens and finally the English inspired formal gardens. The layout is such that the garden areas are integrated yet contain elements of surprise as the visitor explores.

A day for spectacular sights as we say farewell to Christchurch and travel through Geraldine and Fairlie, over Burke’s Pass into the vast Mackenzie Basin and the magnificent blue waters of Lake Tekapo. We visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and the statue of the Collie dog, before continuing on through Twizel, Omarama and arriving in Cromwell where we visit Mrs Jones’ Fruit Shop. This amazing shop is a Central Otago icon which also has a lovely rose garden attached – an unmissable stop along the way for quite literally a taste of Central Otago! From Cromwell we follow the Kawerau Gorge Road, into Queenstown – ‘a town fit for a Queen’.

This morning we visit Chantecler Garden, a twelve acre garden that was supposed to be a 'hobby' in retirement, but has gone beyond that and just keeps expanding. Mike and Maureen have created a themed garden with specific aspects based on plants and garden styles from around the world, thereby giving visitors a unique and rewarding experience. 'Chantecler's' gardens are complimented by mature Redwood, Oak, Beech, Ash, Rowan, Maple, Willow, Birch and many other trees including exotic Conifer. The backdrop of the garden is the magnificent Remarkables mountain range. Next, we visit Gibbston Valley Winery and join a guided tour of the vineyard and winery, completing the experience with a tasting in the caves.  Travel 76 metres underground into the Gibbston Valley Wine Cave.  The rocky schist walls within the cave are lined with barrels of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay still reaching their prime.  With constant humidity and a temperature of around 14 degrees Celsius, the cave provides a perfect haven for the maturation of these wines as well as providing a unique atmosphere for wine tasting.  The afternoon is at leisure. This evening we take a cruise across Lake Wakatipu on the steamer TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak Station to dine at the Colonel’s Homestead – this has proved to be one of the absolute highlights of this tour.

Today we have a most rewarding day when we enjoy one of the undoubted highlights of our tour as we depart for Milford Sound. The journey there is an experience in itself as we travel through the breathtaking alpine scenery of the Milford Road. On arrival at Milford Sound we will join our boat for a 2½ hour cruise, which will take us the 16km from the head of the fjord to the open sea and back again, with a picnic lunch on board included. The Maori attributed the creation of the fiords to a “titanic mason”, Tute Rakiwhanoa, who hewed out the steep sided valleys with keen edged adzes. No other explanation seems to fit, as it is impossible to comprehend the scale of the geological events that created this seemingly perfect sculpture, as sheer cliffs rise vertically from the ocean. We advise you to take spare memory cards today as the photo opportunities are simply endless! Return to Queenstown.

Sadly our tour of New Zealand comes to an end today as we join our homeward flight from Dunedin.