DAY 1 WED 29 OCT

HOME TO AUCKLAND (D)

Meet your Tour Leader, Angie Thomas, in the departure lounge at Sydney Airport for your flight to Auckland. Or meet this evening for a Welcome Dinner at our hotel in Auckland City.

Accommodation: JW Marriott, Auckland

DAY 2 THU 30 OCT

AUCKLAND GARDENS (B)

Two very different gardens today. The first is Beverly McConnell’s large country garden, Ayrlies, one of the most celebrated gardens in New Zealand. Lush woodland planting complements

her large ponds connected by a tumbling stream and edged in hosta, iris, and other damp-loving plants. Festooning old roses scent the air and tumble over their supports. Garden seats take advantage of planned vistas with distant views of the sea. Time for lunch (own expense) then afternoon visit to a lush tropical ‘jungle’ garden where the house seamlessly connects to the garden.

Accommodation: JW Marriott, Auckland

DAY 3 FRI 31 OCT

MATAKANA (B/L)

Two of Auckland’s fine gardens today with ideas for your own garden. Travel north this morning to Matakana and Omaio Garden on the Takatu Peninsula for an understanding of New Zealand’s plants. Omaio is a fusion of native and exotic plants, well designed to suit their coastal landscape. Lunch is served in the garden. Mincher Garden with a Chestnut lined driveway, parterre, perennial borders, loosening to cottage garden around a classic Georgian styled home, one of New Zealand’s finest. 

Accommodation: JW Marriott, Auckland

DAY 4 SAT 1 NOV

AUCKLAND - NEW PLYMOUTH (B/L/D)

We are heading to New Plymouth with a lunch stop in Hamilton Gardens, the brainchild of Dr Peter Sergel in 1979. A surreal collection of gardens here, each one carefully designed as an immersive experience. Travel south this afternoon to New Plymouth. Check into our hotel for the next three nights with dinner included this evening.

Accommodation: Novotel Hotel, New Plymouth

DAY 5 SUN 2 NOV

TARANAKI GARDEN FESTIVAL (B/L)

Three ‘festival’ gardens today, all immaculately presented by passionate plantspeople. Both Hurworth and Riverlea Gardens open specifically for the festival. Hurworth Country Garden is a

graceful country garden with flourishing beds and borders developed around a 1910 villa. Riverlea Gardens uses a well-chosen plant palette. There is a good balance between flowers, hedges and trees. Te Henui Cemetery is remarkable; the result of the dedication of a small band of volunteers led by Susan Oliver. It’s a riot of flowers all year round with a fine collection of perennials and bulbs. 

Accommodation: Novotel Hotel, New Plymouth

DAY 6 MON 3 NOV

TARANAKI GARDEN FESTIVAL (B/L)

Three more ‘festival’ gardens today! Tikorangi is the famous Jury Garden, home to the extraordinary magnolias that the late Felix Jury and now his son Mark, have hybridised. Gravetye is next, the passion project of a couple who are living the dream in their retirement, creating their own paradise. Finally Pukeiti, on the slope of Mount Taranaki with a famous collection of rhododendrons in full bloom!

Accommodation: Novotel Hotel, New Plymouth

DAY 7 TUE 4 NOV

NEW PLYMOUTH - WELLINGTON (B/L/D)

A travel day with two exciting gardens. Paloma near Whanganui is the vision and energy of two plant collectors with a passion for exotic plants. Lynne Atkins’ garden Greenhaugh, in Palmerston

North, is quite exquisite with deep beds of roses and iris, perfect partners! 

Accommodation: James Cook Grand Chancellor, Wellington

DAY 8 WED 5 NOV

GREYTOWN (B)

Historic Greytown is our destination this morning. Afternoon travel to Upper Hut and Gillies Garden in the ‘Arts and Crafts’ style, designed around a heritage Chapman Taylor Arts and Crafts style cottage.

Accommodation: James Cook Grand Chancellor, Wellington

DAY 9 THU 6 NOV

WELLINGTON (B/D)

Take the historic Cable Car from Lambton Quay to the highest point of Wellington Botanical Gardens. Spectacular views as we walk back down through a beautiful series of gardens to finish in the Rose Garden. Time for coffee in the café (own expense) before we meet up with our coach and driver for a city tour. Option to visit Te Papa National Museum this afternoon (included) for an overview of Maori culture. Farewell Dinner at Logan Brown Restaurant tonight.

Accommodation: James Cook Grand Chancellor, Wellington

DAY 10 FRI 7 NOV

WELLINGTON TO HOME (B)

Free morning to explore Wellington. Transfer to Wellington airport for your afternoon flight back to Sydney