Botanica
Contrasts of New Zealand’s Gardens & Natural Wonders
Christchurch to Auckland
Trip Highlights
Escorted by Botanical Guide Sarah O’Neil
NZ gardening writer, author and passionate gardener Sarah will bring to life all the wonderful botanical aspects of New Zealand flora.
Visit Private Gardens
Join your Botanical Guide and visit a host of the area's best private gardens and meet their owners.
Queenstown and Milford Sound
See the iconic sights of Milford Sound and Queenstown.
Trip Inclusions
- Travel with a small group of 15-20 guests, escorted by an expert Botanical Guide
- Includes 10 nights’ accommodation in centrally located four-star hotels, economy flight from Queenstown to Auckland, return airport-to-hotel transfers, plus 21 meals and select beverages
- Relax aboard a spacious coach with an experienced and informative Coach Captain
- All sightseeing and entrance fees as per the itinerary
- Discover Ayrlies private garden, seen on Monty Don's television series
- Enjoy lunch at the Frensham Garden and tour Larnach Castle & Gardens
- Spend time at the 2014 International Garden of the Year, Hamilton Gardens
- Cruise spectacular Milford Sound and explore Queenstown and Arrowtown
Map & Itinerary
Trip Notes
- Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
- Fitness Rating: Medium - involves walking on uneven surfaces for more than one hour. A good degree of mobility is required
- Group size: 15-25 guests
- Our experience of gardens, their flora, and other aspects of nature, is subject to weather conditions and seasonality, which may vary
- Can be combined with: New Zealand’s Taranaki Garden Spectacular & Private Gardens of the North and South Islands BTNZTM9
Christchurch
Begin in Christchurch, known for its English heritage and for being New Zealand’s oldest-established city. Tonight, you’ll enjoy a Welcome Dinner as you meet your fellow travellers and Botanical Guide.
Stay: Two Nights, Christchurch, Rydges Latimer Hotel or similar
Daily :Ohinetahi and Private Gardens
Today we journey to the historic 19th-century Ohinetahi garden and homestead, the private home of New Zealand architect Sir Miles Warren. Afterwards, enjoy lunch at Frensham, a relaxed private country garden with a huge variety of plants. On our way back to Christchurch, we stop in at a special private garden. The owners are proud of its excellent design, planting and maintenance, set on more than eight acres. It even boasts its own Kauri forest.
Daily :Alan Trott Garden, Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden and Dunedin
Traverse the Canterbury Plains today and admire the stunning alpine scenery of rugged mountain peaks. Travel via Ashburton, Timaru and Oamaru to Dunedin, stopping along the way for a visit at the garden of Alan Trott, which is recognised as a Garden of International Significance and has been awarded six stars by the New Zealand Gardens Trust. Stop briefly at the Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden, a tribute to the author and rosarian, before arriving in the city of Dunedin, which features the best collection of Edwardian and Victorian architecture in the Southern Hemisphere.
Stay: Two Nights, Dunedin, Distinction Hotel or similar
Daily :Dunedin Botanic Gardens, Larnach Castle and Otago Peninsula
Visit Dunedin Botanic Gardens, New Zealand’s oldest botanical garden with over 6,800 plant species. Travel to the Otago Peninsula, home to an array of wildlife, including the little blue penguin, northern royal albatross and New Zealand fur seals. During our time on the peninsula, we call in on Glenfalloch Woodland Garden, whose rhododendrons and azaleas contrast with its native ferns and indigenous trees. Enjoy a delicious lunch at Larnach Castle, which dates back to 1871 and is set within a magnificent private garden.
Daily :Dunedin, Wildflowers, Castlemaine Garden and Te Anau
Today, look out for spring wildflowers en route to Te Anau, in New Zealand’s Southland region. We visit the garden of Castlemaine, set within picturesque countryside. Castlemaine has a distinctive English influence. Here, we see a variety of hedges, roses and rhododendrons, and two small ponds.
Stay: Te Anau, Distinction Hotel and Villas or similar
Daily :Milford Sound Cruise and Queenstown
Enjoy nature’s garden at its finest as you explore Mirror Lake, Homer Tunnel and The Chasm, then board a spectacular cruise along Milford Sound. New Zealand’s most stunning natural attraction, Milford Sound comprises dramatic mountain peaks, reflective waters and steep forest-clad cliffs. Later, arrive in the picturesque city of Queenstown, set on the shores of Lake Wakatipu.
Stay: Two Nights, Queenstown, Novotel Lakeside Hotel or similar
Daily :Chantecler Garden and Arrowtown
Take a tour of the spectacular Chantecler garden in Queenstown, in the foothills of The Remarkables mountain range. This Garden of National Significance boasts 12 acres of mature gardens, including almost 1000 rhododendrons and azaleas, topiaries and sculptures. Visit the historic gold mining village of Arrowtown, where you’ll have time to explore the quaint shops along its heritage main street. This afternoon, enjoy free time in Queenstown before reconvening for dinner.
Daily :Queenstown to Auckland
After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight to the North Island. Arrive in the bustling harbourside city of Auckland, where you will have the option to visit its botanic gardens, which comprise almost 160 acres of beautiful gardens and native forests. Afterwards, continue on to the city of Hamilton.
Stay: Hamilton, Novotel Tainui Hotel or similar
Daily :Hamilton Gardens and Historic Homestead Garden
Today, spend time at a private English-style garden that borders the Waikato River. From here, travel to Hamilton Gardens, which features 21 themed gardens and was awarded International Garden of the Year in 2014.
Stay: Two Nights, Auckland, Crowne Plaza Hotel or similar
Daily :Ayrlies Garden and Private Garden
This morning, visit the iconic Ayrlies Garden, described by Monty Don as one of the most beautiful gardens in the world. Admire its wonderful plantings, which make full use of the borrowed landscape. The owner’s passion is evident, and they have created a world-class masterpiece here. This afternoon, visit former NZ Gardener editor Lynda Hallinan’s private garden, ‘Sweetgum’.
Daily :Mincher Garden, Auckland
We travel north to visit the private Mincher Garden, part of the New Zealand Gardens Trust and set against a backdrop of typically Northland podocarp forest. At the conclusion of our journey, we return to the Crowne Plaza Auckland hotel at approximately 1.00pm for your transfer to the airport.
Daily :Price & Availability
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November 2025 - November 2025
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Deck Plan
Everything was wonderful. There were great sightseeing trips and the guides were very knowledgeable.
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