Botanica
New Zealand Luxury Small Ship Cruise, with Private Gardens & Native Flora
Auckland to Queenstown
Trip Highlights
Visit gardens of significance
Discover the eccentric mosaic sculpture garden at The Giants House in Akaroa.
Luxury Small Ship Cruise
Embark Le Soléal for a 10-night cruise along the eastern coasts of New Zealand’s North and South islands.
Hortensia House & Garden
Explore the Monet-inspired private garden of Huguette Michel-Fleurie.
Trip Inclusions
- Escorted by expert Botanical Guide, Simon Rickard, and a Cruise Director
- 10-night cruise aboard Le Soléal for up to 30 Botanica guests, and three nights’ accommodation in centrally located four-star hotels
- Return private transfers from door to door, tipping and porterage, port taxes, plus 37 meals and select beverages
- All sightseeing, shore excursions and entrance fees as per the itinerary
- Discover the geothermal region in Rotorua to see rare plants
- Explore gardens in the Marlborough region as well as Tauranga and Akaroa
- Learn about the Scottish architecture of Dunedin and explore the botanic gardens, and see the art deco architecture of Napier
- Explore the garden of Chantecler set in spectacular Queenstown
Map & Itinerary
Trip Notes
- Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
- Low Fitness Level - involves walking on uneven surfaces and stairs. You should be able to stand for up to one hour and keep up with the pace of the group
- Group Size: Up to 30 Botanica guests aboard Le Soléal, which has a capacity of 264 passengers. Cruise is in partnership with Ponant. To view deck plans, visit www.botanica.travel/cruise-fleet
Auckland
Arrive in Auckland and be transferred to your hotel. Enjoy a Welcome Dinner this evening as you meet your fellow travellers and Botanical Guide.
Stay: Auckland, Crowne Plaza Hotel or similar
Daily :Private Gardens North of Auckland including Mincher Garden, and Embark Le Soléal
This morning we will visit the private gardens of Mincher a 6 star garden of International Significance. The Georgian styled home is the centrepiece of this large rural garden featuring formal and informal planting, native walkways and waterways. Next we visit a private garden on the Takatu Peninsula set in a native bush setting with the largest of the feature trees being a Puriri estimated to be between 800 and 1000 years old. Later this afternoon we board our luxurious Small Ship, Le Soléal, our home for the next 10 nights. We set sail on our journey and enjoy the captain’s Welcome Drinks and dinner on board tonight.
Stay: 10 Nights: Ponant Le Soléal
Daily :Tauranga, the Bay of Plenty, and Private Gardens including The Elms
From our berth in Tauranga, we explore the beautiful Bay of Plenty region. Here we will visit the private garden, The Elms, one of New Zealand’s oldest heritage sites. Encompassing category one listed heritage buildings and nationally significant collections, all set within a diverse and tranquil garden setting originally created by the Church Missionary Society. We will visit another private garden before returning to the ship for lunch. This afternoon you have free time to explore Tauranga, the largest city in the coastal Bay of Plenty with spectacular beaches, harbour and early Maori and European settlements to discover.
Daily :Waimangu Volcanic Valley
From Tauranga take a morning excursion to the thermal area of Rotorua, known for it’s bubbling mud pools, shooting geysers and hot springs. We will explore the geothermal wonderland at Waimangu Volcanic Valley, home to the now buried Pink and White Terraces, the eighth natural wonder of the world. See rare and unusual plant life, brilliantly coloured microbiology and a wide array of birds. Take a walk around the area before embarking on a relaxing cruise to see the geothermal activity only accessible by boat. Return to Tauranga and reboard your ship as we sail towards Gisborne.
Daily :Gisborne and Eastwoodhill Arboretum
Captain James Cook named Gisborne in honour of one of his crew who first sighted land in 1769. Here we will visit Eastwoodhill arboretum, which holds the most comprehensive collection of woody plants in New Zealand and possibly the largest collection of Northern Hemisphere trees south of the equator, including 170 species currently on the world-endangered list.
Daily :Napier City Tour and Private Garden
This morning, your ship arrives in the beautiful, sunny town of Napier. Here, you’ll join a sightseeing tour of this affluent coastal city. Rebuilt after the devastating 1931 Hawkes Bay earthquake, it reflects the popular art deco style of that period. If you look carefully, however, you’ll also notice a variety of Stripped Classical, Spanish Mission and Maori Deco, which combines Art Deco with Maori motifs. We then visit one of Napier’s private gardens.
Daily :Wellington Private Gardens and Botanic Gardens
This morning, we visit Gillies Garden. The garden is designed around a heritage Chapman Taylor Arts and Crafts style cottage, who played an important role in New Zealand’s Arts and Crafts Movement. We then visit the Botanic Gardens of Wellington, which boasts an array of ancient forests and colourful flower beds. Take your afternoon at leisure. You might like to visit Te Papa Tongarewa, New Zealand’s national museum, located on Wellington’s beautiful waterfront.
Daily :Picton and Gardens of the Marlborough Region
Arrive in the sheltered harbour of Picton. This morning visit two spectacular gardens in the Marlborough region including Welton House. This extraordinary garden is a plant lover's paradise, featuring rare beauties and the clever use of the more commonplace. Unique topiary hedges, oversized wooden steps, platforms, and pergolas provide definition and inspiration. Afterwards visit the renowned cottage-style Hortensia House, with its Monet-inspired hydrangea garden. Afterwards Reboard your ship where we set sail along the coast to Akaroa.
Daily :Akaroa, The Giants House and Fishermans Bay Garden
Located on the south-east shores of the Banks Peninsula, Akaroa is a delightful village that was settled by the French in 1840. Its historical houses and signs displaying French street names add to its charm. From here, we explore The Giants House, an eclectic house and garden noted for its many whimsical mosaic sculptures. Next visit Fishermans Bay Garden, with dramatic views over the Banks Peninsula coastline. With traditional flower borders, herb and fern gardens and exposed rock garden set in 100 hectares of regenerated native bush. Return to your ship where you will enjoy free time to explore Akaroa.
Daily :Christchurch – Casa Rossa, Broadfield Private Garden and Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Dock at Lyttelton, the port of Christchurch. Visit Casa Rossa, the garden received a Silver Tourism honour at the 2021 Selwyn Awards, and is a NZ Garden Trust 5 Star Garden. Continue onto Broadfield Garden, a private garden which aims for excellence in design, planting and maintenance. Later we make our way to Christchurch Botanic Garden where we will enjoy lunch in the Curators House. Enjoy a tour of the gardens before having free time to explore on your own. You might like to visit the Canterbury Museum, the Art Gallery or perhaps take a punt on the river Avon. Return back to the ship this afternoon.
Daily :Dunedin City & Botanic Gardens Tour and Larnach Castle
This afternoon, our ship docks in Dunedin. Known as the ‘Edinburgh of the South’, Dunedin boasts both Victorian and Edwardian architecture, as well as picturesque landscapes surrounded by dramatic hills and rugged beaches. Join a guided tour of the city’s 19th-century buildings and beautiful botanical gardens, which contain over 6,800 plant species. Visit Larnach Castle, which dates back to 1871 and is set within a magnificent private garden. Enjoy a Farewell Dinner on board this evening.
Daily :Disembark Le Soléal, Clyde, Arrowtown and Queenstown
Disembark the ship this morning and we will make our way to Queenstown through the Central Otago region. On the way we will stop in the historic town of Clyde. Enjoy lunch here before continuing onto Arrowtown, historic gold mining village said to be one of the prettiest in New Zealand. Enjoy time to wander the quaint shops before arriving into Queenstown.
Stay: Two Nights: Queenstown, The Rees Hotel, Lake View Room or similar
Daily :Queenstown Chantecler Garden and Lake Wakatipu Cruise
Today we visit Chantecler nestled in the heart of the Wakatipu Basin. Consisting of 12 acres of mature gardens, which have been themed. This is a truly spectacular garden. This afternoon travel aboard the TSS Earnslaw to sail across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Country Farm. Take a tour of the gardens and enjoy afternoon tea. This evening enjoy a Farewell Dinner.
Daily :Queenstown
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.
Daily :Would not hesitate to recommend Botanica and we are already looking into our next adventure.
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