Leisure Time Travel: Taranaki Garden Festival

During the festival, a selection of private gardens become open to the public. You'll visit a selection of these gardens, depending on which ones are participating in the festival. As you stroll through these enchanting spaces, you’ll have the opportunity to gather fresh inspiration for your own garden and learn the unique stories that make each one special. On arrival back in New Plymouth, you are free to explore the city and enjoy dinner at leisure at a local restaurant (own cost). 

Your first garden visit for the day is the historical Tūpare Gardens. Developed in 1932, Tūpare is a premier landscaped garden with a unique homestead, originally developed by Sir Russell Matthews and his family. Walking through the winding path sculpted on the hillside overlooking the Waiwhakaiho River, you'll find stately trees, deciduous maples, rhododendrons, hydrangeas, and much more, that were all carefully planted by Sir Russell. After, visit Pukeiti Gardens, a 360-hectare rainforest property located between Mount Taranaki and the coast. Established in 1951, Pukeiti is an internationally recognised garden known for its impressive collection of rhododendrons. Pukeiti also features sub-tropical vireyas, magnolia, pieris, and a diverse array of other plants, ensuring year-round beauty and interest. If time allows, you'll stop at a local garden or two on your way back to the hotel. Tonight, dinner is at leisure to allow you to experience more local culinary delights. 

Your garden adventure continues today as you visit even more private gardens in the surrounding towns of Stratford, Eltham, Hāwera and Manaia. As you travel around this area of Taranaki, enjoy a range of unique and different gardens, with many garden owners on hand to answer questions and talk to visitors about their gardens. After a day immersed in nature’s beauty, you’ll return to the hotel for a special farewell dinner, celebrating the wonderful experiences of our Taranaki getaway. 

Before departing New Plymouth this morning, visit the stunning Te Rewa Rewa Bridge for a photo stop. The Te Rewa Rewa Bridge is reminiscent of a breaking wave or a whale skeleton. On a clear day, the arches of the bridge frame Mount Taranaki spectacularly in the distance. Departing New Plymouth, you'll retrace your journey back through the towns of Mōkau, Piopio and Te Kūiti, where you will stop for lunch (own cost). Following lunch, you'll travel through the King Country into Hamilton and onwards to your destination.