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5 Days
Taranaki Garden Festival - Journey to New Plymouth
Your tour starts today as you travel to New Plymouth along State Highway 3 via Te Kūiti, and the scenic Awakino Gorge Road to Mōkau. After enjoying lunch here (own cost), continue to New Plymouth where you'll visit your first garden; Pukekura Park. Located in the heart of New Plymouth City, this 52-hectare park has an amazing range of both native and exotic plants, all displayed in a natural setting with many wonderful views and vistas of the two lakes. Tonight, enjoy a group dinner at the hotel.
Accommodation
Auto Lodge Motor Inn New Plymouth
Auto Lodge is New Plymouth’s most surprising accommodation. Located just a two minute stroll from the fabulous seafront walkway, you will be welcomed and made to feel at home. With its own unique artistic style throughout the hotel, you will find hidden gems of architectural design and flashes of the hotel's growing art collection.Meals included: Dinner
Taranaki Gardens
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).
Accommodation
Auto Lodge Motor Inn New Plymouth
Auto Lodge is New Plymouth’s most surprising accommodation. Located just a two minute stroll from the fabulous seafront walkway, you will be welcomed and made to feel at home. With its own unique artistic style throughout the hotel, you will find hidden gems of architectural design and flashes of the hotel's growing art collection.Meals included: Breakfast
Taranaki Gardens Continued
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.
Accommodation
Auto Lodge Motor Inn New Plymouth
Auto Lodge is New Plymouth’s most surprising accommodation. Located just a two minute stroll from the fabulous seafront walkway, you will be welcomed and made to feel at home. With its own unique artistic style throughout the hotel, you will find hidden gems of architectural design and flashes of the hotel's growing art collection.Meals included: Breakfast
Taranaki Garden Festival Continues
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.
Accommodation
Auto Lodge Motor Inn New Plymouth
Auto Lodge is New Plymouth’s most surprising accommodation. Located just a two minute stroll from the fabulous seafront walkway, you will be welcomed and made to feel at home. With its own unique artistic style throughout the hotel, you will find hidden gems of architectural design and flashes of the hotel's growing art collection.Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Journey from New Plymouth to Hamilton
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.