Taranaki Garden Festival

Friday 06 November

Depart Auckland on Air New Zealand, arriving late morning.  Transfer to your hotel for a three night stay.

This afternoon take the opportunity to visit the RESET 2020 – the covid delayed Taranaki Arts Festival.

Dinner at the hotel tonight.

Saturday 07 November

Today we have planned the day around New Plymouth.  All visits will be guided.

Pukekura Park starts the day - Taranaki’s premier botanical garden.  Bush walks, rhododendrons and azaleas merge into more formal gardens.  The Fernery house is a must see with ferns as well as orchids and many vibrant indoor plants.

Te Henui Cemetery walk is an inner city treasure.  Along with the beautiful garden, hear some of the history behind the gravestones.

Lunch is in the garden oasis of the Nice Hotel.Lush palms and tropical foliage surrounds the deck.  An outside fire is also there in case of a cooler day.

Pukeiti is the pinnacle of rhododendron collections.  Collected over seven decades with a backdrop of lush native forest, this is a sight to be seen.

After a break at the hotel head away to The “botanical experience”at Nikau Grove garden. Enjoy a JUNO gin cocktail and gin tastings along with canopes and nibbles.  The private collection of classic American cars also available to admire.  Return to the hotel at approx. 7.30 pm.

Sunday 08 November

Today we head out of town for our garden visits.

Waiongana Gardens – a mostly flat garden with varied spaces, a sunken garden, rose garden, Redwoods and a developing produce area.  The herbaceous peonies usually flower at this time of year!

A chance for a coffee from the Pavilion before departure.

Titorangi – the Jury’s Garden in Waitara is open for the first time in seven years.  See a unique subtropical garden, the Avenue Garden and the sunken garden alongside the rockery.

The recent development is the activity managed Meadow

We have a lunch break in Waitara before driving back to the outskirts of New Plymouth to visit.

Bublitz Garden – A plant collector’s paradise filled with plants from around the world – including Rhododendrons.  A little plus is Lynn also sells Italian linen from Willo.

Return to the hotel for a rest and dinner

Later this evening, we have included a lighted garden. Visit

Sequoia Steps – This inner city hideaway is planned for outdoor living.  Structures are softened by planting and the garden lights up at night.  Garden art and water features are also for sale.  This is a “weather permitting visit”.

Monday 09 November

After breakfast, head to June and Colin Lees garden – Cairnhill – on the way to the Forgotten World Highway.  A garden framed by a canopy of deciduous trees. Rhododendrens, peonies, viburnums flower in abundance. We travel onto Whangamomama for lunch at the historical hotel. This afternoon continue on the Forgotten Highway to Chateau Tongariro for an overnight stay.

Tuesday 10 November

After breakfast, head north, stopping in Te Kuiti for a break.  Continue onto Auckland for the conclusion of a tour to remember.