DAY 1 MON 7 APR

HOME TO QUEENSTOWN (D)

Meet your Ross Tour Leader at Sydney Airport for our flight to Queenstown. Check in to your  hotel on the waterfront of Lake Wakatipu. Meet up with your fellow travellers in our hotel for a Welcome Dinnerin the restaurant.

Millennium Hotel, Queenstown

DAY 2 TUE 8 APR

ARROWTOWN (B)

Morning city tour then visit a private garden in Glenorchy in its beautiful setting on Lake Wakatipu and ablaze with autumn colour. This is ‘Middle Earth’ location for Lord of the Rings. Discover Arrowtown this afternoon, a picturesque settlement on the gold-bearing Arrow River, just 20 minutes from Queenstown.

Millennium Hotel, Queenstown

DAY 3 WED 9 APR

CRUISE LAKE WAKATIPU (B/L)

Morning walk through Queenstown Gardens, and onto the Lake Wakatipu waterfront. The best way to see Queenstown’s superb landscape is on board the century-old steam-powered TSS Earnslaw. Travel across to Walter Peak High Country Farm (1860), a working high country sheep station on the southern shore of Lake Wakatipu. Lunch is included.

Millennium Hotel, Queenstown

DAY 4 THU 10 APR

QUEENSTOWN TO WANAKA (B/L/D)

Travel across Cromwell Basin to Wanaka. First stop is Stoneridge Estate in its sublime position above Lake Hayes. Cromwell Heritage Precinct is next then lunch at Carrick Winery. Meet Jo Wakelin this afternoon in her extraordinary garden at the foot of the Pisa Range in Central Otago. Travel on to Wanaka, check in to your hotel with dinner included this evening.

Oakridge, Wanaka

DAY 5 FRI 11 APR

WANAKA (B/D)

Travel along the west shore of Lake Wanaka to the Glendhu Bay nestled amongst Wanaka’s finest mountains. Visit Alpha Burn Station, family owned and farmed by organic and biological methods. Return to Wanaka in the afternoon, with the remainder of the day at your leisure. Dinner is included this evening.

Oakridge, Wanaka

DAY 6 SAT 12 APR

WANAKA TO DUNEDIN (B/L/D)

We are travelling to Dunedin today with a photo stop at Patearoa, perched on the edge the Maniototo Basin. Our host for lunch today is Jane Falconer who will show us her country garden, Clachanburn. Travel south to Dunedin and check in to our hotel in the restored Chief Post Office for the next three nights.

Distinction Hotel, Dunedin

DAY 7 SUN 13 APR

OTAGO PENINSULA (B)

Morning visit to Larnach Castle, high on the hills above Otago Harbour. “Sustainable practices, caring for the environment, conservation and planting for birds are central to the way we live,” says Anna, who will host our visit this afternoon at Hereweka Retreat. Final stop today is Dunedin Botanic Garden.

DAY 8 MON 14 APR

WYNDHAM (B/L)

Meet plantsman Rob Davidson this morning at Maple Glen, one of New Zealand’s finest gardens. This enchanting garden boasts a diverse collection of rare and exotic plant species from around the world. Wander through meticulously curated themed gardens, each a testament to horticultural artistry. Lunch in Gore with its significant Public Garden. Return to Dunedin.

DAY 9 TUE 15 APR

DUNEDIN TO CHRISTCHURCH (B/D)

Depart Dunedin travelling north. Coffee stop in the Victorian heritage precinct at Oamaru. Continue to Timaru for lunch stop. Continue across the Canterbury Plains to Ashburton and the famous Trott’s garden. Check into our hotel in Christchurch city centre for two nights. Dinner included this evening.

Distinction Hotel, Christchurch

DAY 10 WED 16 APR

AKAROA (B/L/D)

We are heading across the Banks Peninsula to Fishermans Bay garden that is nestled into a rugged coastal valley. With its fine balance of native and exotic, perennial and prairie, it’s part of the wider landscape that changes with the light. It’s sublime! Lunch is included on the waterfront in Akaroa. Afternoon visit to Josie Martin’s Giant House, a magic mosaic of colour, frivolous and fun! Farewell dinner this evening.

Distinction Hotel, Christchurch

DAY 11 THU 17 APR

CHRISTCHURCH TO HOME (B)

A gentle stroll through Christchurch Botanic Gardens this morning, at its peak of autumn colour; River Walk, Beswick’s walk, New Zealand Garden, and Maple Border. Afternoon private transfer to Christchurch International Airport for your homeward flight.