THE TARANAKI GARDEN FESTIVAL IS IN ITS 37th YEAR AND NOW PROVIDES GARDENS PLUS PLUS PLUS. We have selected for the season, variety and a bit of fun. Our coach company is local, so there will be no “hunt the garden” scenario and for those who love gardens and rhododendrons this tour is a must.
Depart Auckland on Air New Zealand, arriving early afternoon for a five night stay. This afternoon we a have ‘Behind the Scenes at Juno Gin’. You will give you a welcome cocktail, a behind-the-scenes look at how gin is made, the key botanicals, and glorious tastings of a range of their gins. Welcome dinner at the hotel.
Today we have planned the day around New Plymouth:
Pukeiti Gardens The Pinnacle of rhododendron collections. Collected over seven decades with a backdrop of lush native forest, this is a sight to be seen.
Goodin Country Garden Set amidst old coastal lahars, large volcanic rocks lend drama to this country garden
Kahikatea Gardens By November the garden is a riot of colour with the roses making an appearance. Summer means hydrangeas, dahlias and lilies become a feature and by early autumn it is time for the sages. All this against a backdrop of ancient native totara and titoki trees and the very special 900 year old kahikatea which the gardens are named after.
Return to the hotel for dinner this evening.
Today we head out on the Northern Garden Trail .
Winlea Acre The garden is entirely flat, curved beds planted with hellebores, a leucadendron, and hydrangeas border the immaculate and vast lawn.
Magnolia Grove A must see for rare and unusual plants and trees.
Waiongana Gardens A mostly flat garden with varied spaces, a sunken garden, rose garden, Redwoods and a developing produce area.
Hirst Cottage This minimalist garden adopts linear principles and is themed “green and white with a touch of red”.
Nice Garden Lush palms and tropical foliage surrounds the deck. An outside fire is also there in case of a cooler day.
Pukekura Park Taranaki’s premier botanical garden. Bush walks, rhododendrons and azaleas merge into more formal gardens.
Te Henui Cemetery An inner city treasure. Along with the beautiful garden, hear history behind the gravestones.
Sequioa Steps – an inner city hideaway is planned for outdoor living. Structures
and the garden lights up at night. This a “weather permitting visit”
Sanderson Garden Many sculptures and ornaments feature in the garden and there are many spaces to wander through and soak up the wonderful views. Mixed shrubs and herbaceous plantings with roses are found through the entire garden.
Openlands Nearly 60 years ago Openlands consisted of a homestead and two trees.
Tairoa Lodge (lunch included)
History and beauty combine to create the ever-graceful Tairoa Lodge. Surrounded by sweeping lawns, towering kauri and pohutukawa.
King Edward Park This garden has rose beds of both heritage and modern varieties, historic aged trees and a century old model boating pond.
Gravetye is a formal masterpiece.
Dinner included at the hotel followed by an evening at a lighted garden.
After breakfast, head to June and Colin Lees garden – Carinhill
A garden framed by a canopy of deciduous trees. Rhododendrons, peonies, viburnums flower in abundance. This afternoon we fly home after a wonderful five day stay in Taranaki.
• Return flight on Air New Zealand *seat and bag Auckland to New Plymouth
• Five nights New Plymouth
• Daily breakfast
• Three Lunches
• Five Dinners
• Behind the Scenes at Juno Gin
• Entrance to gardens as indicated
• Coach transfer throughout
• Pukekohe Travel Escort subject to 15 persons traveling
Cost Per Person * Auckland - Auckland | Twin Share | Single |
---|---|---|
$2,597 |
$2,997 |
*This is a cash or direct debit price. Credit cards will incur a 1.5% fee
*Itinerary and costs subject to change, airline and fuel charges and currency fluctuations prior to final payment
• Items of a personal nature
• Optional cancellation insurance
• A non-refundable deposit of $250 per person will secure a place on this tour
• Final payment by 15 September 2024
• Final payment – non-refundable
• Deposit – non-refundable
• After 15 September 2024 – no refund
We strongly advise all participants take out suitable travel insurance to cover cancellation costs. - Please ask for a quote.
To ensure the tour is enjoyable for the whole group, a moderate to good level of fitness is required.
We expect you to arrive fit healthy and ready to travel.
For full terms and conditions please visit our website www.pukekohetravel.co.nz/ termsandconditions or ask our tour consultant for a copy
Note:
Pukekohe Travel reserves the right to correct errors and omissions on our website without recourse.
* Itinerary subject to change