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 seven nights’ accommodation in centrally located four-star hotels, return airport-to-hotel transfers, plus 15 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
- See spring wildflowers in bloom, enjoy private garden visits and meet their owners
- Enjoy lunch at the Frensham Garden and tour Larnach Castle & Gardens
- Cruise spectacular Milford Sound and explore Queenstown and Arrowtown
- Visit the garden of Alan Trott, which is recognised as a Garden of International Significance
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, as well as for being New Zealand’s oldest established city. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Dinner as you meet your fellow travellers.
Stay: Two Nights, Christchurch, Rydges, Latimer Hotel or similar
Daily :Ohinetahi and Private Gardens
Today, journey to the historic 19th-century Ohinetahi garden and homestead, the private home of New Zealand architect Sir Miles Warren. Afterwards, we 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 private garden set on eight and a half acres. The owners here pride themselves on the excellence in design, planting and maintenance of their garden, which also includes a Kauri forest.
Daily :Canterbury Plains
Traverse the Canterbury Plains today and admire the stunning alpine scenery and rugged mountain peaks. Our travels take us via Ashburton, Timaru and Oamaru and onward to Dunedin. Along the way, we pay a visit to the garden of Alan Trott, recognised as a Garden of International Significance and awarded six stars by the New Zealand Gardens Trust. Visit Oamaru Public Gardens, established in 1876 is among the oldest in New Zealand, 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
Today, we visit the Dunedin Botanic Gardens, New Zealand’s oldest botanical garden, with over 6,800 plant species. We then make our way to New Zealand’s wildlife capital, the Otago Peninsula, where we stop in at Glenfalloch Woodland Garden. The garden features an array of rhododendrons and azaleas, alongside native ferns and indigenous trees. Enjoy a delicious lunch at the hilltop Larnach Castle, set within a magnificent private garden.
Daily :Dunedin, Wildflowers, Castlemaine Garden and Te Anau
Today, look out for spring wildflowers as we make our way to Te Anau. On arrival, we visit Castlemaine garden in Southland. Set within picturesque countryside, the garden has a strong and formal English influence.
Stay: Te Anau, Distinction Hotel and Villas or similar
Daily :Milford Sound Cruise and Queenstown
Enjoy nature’s garden at its finest today as you explore Mirror Lake, Homer Tunnel and The Chasm en route to a cruise of spectacular Milford Sound. New Zealand’s most stunning natural attraction, Milford Sound comprises a dramatic combination of 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 :Queenstown, Chantecler Garden
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
After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight home.
Daily :In all we had a fantastic holiday. We would recommend Botanica to all who'll ask.
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