Taranaki Rhododendron and Garden Festival

Itinerary

DAY ONE                                        L, D 

Our journey takes us from Tauranga to Taumarunui but fear not, for we will make a morning tea stop along the way, where you can refresh and revitalize. We’ll then continue to our next destination Bradleys Garden a beautiful and serene botanical garden located in Taumarunui. The garden is home to a vast array of plant species, each carefully selected and curated to create a peaceful and harmonious environment. We will indulge in a catered platter lunch and enjoy a short tour of the gardens which will be available after lunch. Next, we will embark on a scenic journey along the Forgotten World Highway, taking in the breath-taking beauty of the landscape. At Cairnhill Garden, Rhododendron, Roses, Clematis and mature trees flourish. Paeonies, Hosta, Heuchera and Iris feature strongly amongst the many perennials that nestle in and around the beds of this ‘one level’ garden. There are more than one hundred mostly named Rhododendrons, some as mature as forty years and others from the later hybrids, with tall varieties up to three metres and others that will not grow much more than a metre. After a day of exploration and discovery, we will check into our comfortable accommodation at The Devon Hotel, where a delicious buffet dinner awaits.

Today we discover the following 2 gardens:

Bradley's Gardens - Lunch.

Cairnhill Garden - Refreshments Available.

DAY TWO                                       B, L, D 

As the sun rises over the horizon, we fuel ourselves with a buffet breakfast before setting out on our journey to discover six more wondrous gardens.

Today we discover the following 6 gardens:

Stanleigh Garden -Refreshments Available

Greenhills - NEW

Beechwoods - NEW

Catered lunch at Tairoa Lodge 

Gravetye  Refreshments available

Christiansen - NEW

As the day draws to a close, we return to the Devon Hotel for a convivial gathering and a delicious buffet dinner. With our bellies full and our hearts content, we retire to our rooms, dreaming of the delights that await us tomorrow as we continue our exploration of the beauty and magic of the natural world.

DAY THREE                                    B, L, D 

Today we prepare to embark on a journey through a veritable Eden of flora and fauna. With a hearty breakfast fuelling our bodies and minds, we set forth on our quest to discover the beauty of nature in its fullest form.

Today we discover the following 8 gardens:

Saxton Sanctuary - NEW 

Hurworth Country Garden 

Oak Valley - NEW - Refreshments Available

Catered Lunch at Piko Piko Eatery 

Tupare Park 

Pukemara 

Te Kainga Marire, Garden of International Significance 

Pukekura Park (public park) 

As the day draws to a close, we bid farewell to the last garden and make our way to the Devon Hotel for a convivial gathering and delicious meal.

DAY FOUR                                         B, L 

We will start the day with a hearty breakfast at the hotel. From there, we will set out to explore three more stunning gardens in New Plymouth, each one unique and beautiful in its own way.

Today we discover the following 3 gardens:

Riverlea - NEW 

Marcella Point 

Waiongana - NEW 

After exploring the gardens, we will make our way to the charming Awakino Hotel and Pub for a delightful lunch. Once we have refuelled let’s continue our travels back to Tauranga. Upon arrival we will bid farewell to one another, but not without taking with us some inspiration for our own homes from all the wonderful venues we have visited over the last few days.