Taranaki Rhododendron Festival and Garden Tour

Sunday 30   Auckland to New Plymouth
Dinner             
Departing from Auckland we travel via Hamilton to collect fellow passengers and on through to Otorohanga, Te Kuiti and through the Awakino Gorge. Shortly before arriving in New Plymouth we stop (time permitting) at one of the smaller festival gardens for a taste of what is instore for the next few days.
Arriving at the hotel, unpack for our 3 night stay.
Devon Hotel, New Plymouth
 

Monday 31       Town Gardens & Pukeiti
Buffet breakfast & dinner           

Tuesday 01   Country Gardens
Buffet Breakfast & dinner                          
Today we visit some of the regions most beautiful and outstanding country gardens including King's Garden with sweeping lawns, azaleas, rhododendrons and roses creating a delightful spring garden. The 1.5 acres features a small stream with hostas, iris and primulas. This afternoon we visit the Jury's Garden – Tikorangi. A founding "Garden of National Significance", Tikorangi treats the visitor to a vast plant collection in a variety of settings from a sunny rockery, both sub tropical and cool woodland and park.
 

Wednesday 02      New Plymouth to Wanganui
Buffet breakfast & dinner        
In Stratford we visit Mountside. A fun garden with a touch of fantasy. Features include formal and informal rooms, interesting plantings and an outstanding topiary fantail. We stop at Hollards garden and this afternoon visit Lockinge. The gardener’s flair for floral art is apparent with rhododendrons, azaleas, camelias, roses and perennials in woodland and bog areas. At Mary's Place a delightful town garden in Hawera there is a feeling of space and tranquility. Her love of plants is clearly illustrated in this setting.
This evening we overnight in Wanganui.
Collegiate Motor Inn, Wanganui
 

Thursday 03     Wanganui to Whakapapa
Cooked breakfast & dinner             
This morning we travel to Kimboulton where we visit Crosshills Gardens. These gardens feature New Zealand's largest and most comprehensive collection of flowering rhododendrons and azaleas. Plenty of time is allowed to explore the 7 hectares of gardens or you may like to join a guided tour (own expense) – "The Magic Mini Tour". The tour is well worth the effort and you will learn so much more about the gardens than if you were on foot.
Tonight we stay at Whakapapa.
The Grand Chateau, Whakapapa Village
 

Friday 04   Whakapapa to Auckland
Cooked breakfast              
Weather dependant we venture to the `Top of the Bruce' for fabulous views of the plateau. Leaving National Park we travel to Hamilton and the Hamilton Gardens. The gardens have a unique theme, `the story of the garden' and are explored through a series of five garden collections. From roses, camelias and rhododendron to an English Flower Garden and Italian Renaissance Garden, there is something of interest for everyone. Late this afternoon we return to Auckland. Approximate arrival time 6pm.

Note: This years list of festival gardens are yet to be release. Above itinerary is a brief outline. A total of 12 festival gardens will be visited and listed in the final itinerary when the festival programme is launched late July.
Itinerary maybe altered at any stage of the tour due to weather conditions and unforeseen circumstances.

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Includes: