31st October - 6th November 2024 |
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Day One: Auckland to Taupo Lunch, Dinner Departing from Auckland, our first stop is at Woodlands Historic Homestead and Gardens on the outskirts of Gordonton. From Woodlands we head to Zealong Tea Estate for a tea tasting experience followed by a delicious High Tea. Our first night is on the shores of Lake Taupo. Suncourt Hotel Taupo 1 nightDay Two: Taupo to Palmerston North Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner This morning we continue south to Kimbolton, north of Feilding where we visit Cross Hills Gardens. Cross Hills are ablaze with colour from October to November. Explore the 7 hectares of gardens featuring New Zealand's largest and most comprehensive collections of flowering rhododendrons and azaleas. Tonight we stay at Palmerston North. Distinction Hotel Palmerston North 1 nightDay Three: Palmerston North to New Plymouth Breakfast, Dinner Today we travel north to the Taranaki region via Whanganui and Hawera. We stop at a variety of small and large gardens, all with interesting plantings and some unique design features. Late afternoon we arrive in New Plymouth for our 4 night stay. Devon Hotel, New Plymouth 4 nights |
Day Four: Town Gardens
Breakfast, Dinner Visiting New Plymouth's town gardens we see just how a small space can be transformed into a delightful and peaceful little garden. The town gardens all vary in size, layout and contour. Day Five: Country GardensBreakfast, DinnerToday we visit some of the regions most beautiful and outstanding country gardens including Cairnhill - a vibrant, colourful garden framed by a canopy of deciduous trees underplanted with hosts and heuchera, and Stanleigh with views to both the coast and mountain on fine days. Day Five: Pukeiti & Country Gardens
Breakfast, Dinner This morning we head out to Pukeiti one of the worlds biggest and most diverse rhododendron collections developed over eight decades along with other exotics amidst the native rainforest.
BreakfastDay Seven: New Plymouth to Auckland Leaving New Plymouth we head north to Hamilton Gardens. Explore the collection of gardens that showcase some of the greatest gardens of history. From ancient Egypt to the modern day, you will enter a world of beautiful and inspiring gardens on a unique journey through 4000 years of culture and creativity. We then return to Auckland, arriving approximately 5.30pm. |