New Zealand Spring Gardens
A spring fling in New Zealand’s North Island. Our tour starts in Auckland, then New Plymouth, Lake Taupo and Rotorua. Gardens chosen for this itinerary are inspiring, the passion and commitment of these garden makers is sure to spark your own creative spirit.
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Day 1
Sunday 8 November 2026
Check into your hotel in Auckland, New Zealand and meet your fellow travellers for our Welcome Dinner at your hotel overlooking Auckland Harbour.
Accommodation: JW Marriott, Auckland
- Day 2
- Monday 9 November 2026
You’ll see two very different gardens today. Morning visit to Ayrlies for a guided visit of Beverley McConnell’s large country garden, one of the most celebrated in New Zealand. Lush woodland planting complements her large ponds connected by a tumbling stream and edged in hosta, iris, and other damp-loving plants. Festooning old roses scent the air and tumble over their supports. Garden seats take advantage of planned vistas with distant views of the sea.
Free time in the city for lunch then a panoramic city tour through Parnell, the waterfront and Viaduct Harbour area.
An afternoon visit to Auckland’s ‘hidden gem’, Eden Garden which is set on the slopes of Auckland’s Mt Eden. This award-winning memorial garden has been developed by volunteers and always provide something in bloom. Their use of eco-friendly methods to control weeds creates a thriving bio-diversity to encourage native fauna, geckos, wetas, insects, birds and butterflies.
Dine at leisure tonight in one of the many fine restaurants near your hotel.
Accommodation: JW Marriott, Auckland
- Day 3
- Tuesday 10 November 2026
Travel north this morning to Mincher Garden, just outside Auckland’s CBD which is a garden with a chestnut-lined drive that winds past apple orchards and streams to a classic Georgian styled home. It’s the centrepiece with flowering cherries, rhododendrons, formal parterre and perennial borders. Nested into its own pretty garden is a walled kitchen garden with Victorian inspired glasshouse and gardener’s cottage.
Continue on to Matakana and Omaio Garden on the Takatu Peninsula, for an understanding of New Zealand’s plants. Omaio, a Maori name meaning “place of peace and tranquility”, is predominantly native, with a fusion of carefully selected exotics. Curved flowing shapes reflect the waves and coastal landscape. Lunch will be served in the garden.
A tour of Totara Waters this afternoon, a large sub-tropical garden which includes bromeliads, cycads, strelitzia and scores of palms that are arranged in island beds and on sweeping lawns in a style evoking the tropics. This tranquil garden has inspired many gardeners.
Accommodation: JW Marriott, Auckland
- Day 4
- Wednesday 11 November 2026
We are heading to New Plymouth today with a lunch stop in Hamilton.
A series of gardens here at Hamilton Gardens, was the brainchild of Dr Peter Sergel in 1979. It has been internationally recognized; each beautifully crafted garden is enclosed for an immersive experience.
The first collection is the Paradise Collection, with a Japanese Garden of Contemplation, a Chinese Scholar’s Garden, an Indian Char Bagh Garden, a Renaissance Garden, an English Flower Garden and a Modernist Garden. There is a Fantasy Collection, which consists of a Surrealist Garden, Productive Garden, Tudor Garden, Tropical Garden, Concept Garden, and Mansfield Garden. It’s all quite surreal!
Then we travel south to New Plymouth where you’ll check-in to our hotel for the next three nights.
Accommodation: Novotel Hotel, New Plymouth
- Day 5
- Thursday 12 November 2026
Your day today – Three Elms is a modern fusion of delightful perennial and subtropical plantings interwoven through elevated courtyards and garden rooms.
Te Kainga Marire meaning “peaceful encampment” was developed in 1972 fom a clay wasteland and is now a private native garden sanctuary.
Pukeiti Garden with one of the world’s most diverse collections of rhododendrons and other exotics. The location on the side of Mt Taranaki means it gets between three and four metres of annual rainfall which results in extraordinary lush growth.
Hurworth Country Garden: a graceful country garden with flourishing beds and borders has been developed around a 1910 villa. Designed as a retirement project, it is immaculately presented with a particularly harmonious management of colour.
Accommodation: Novotel Hotel, New Plymouth
- Day 6
- Friday 13 November 2026
Explore more Taranaki treasures today. We visit Te Henui Cemetery where a small group of dedicated volunteers have put their passion into this remarkable garden. It’s a riot of flowers all year round with a fine collection of perennials and bulbs. Susan Oliver leads this group with her unbound enthusiasm. She will show us this vibrant garden in the oldest public cemetery in New Plymouth.
Riverlea Garden has been created by knowledgeable gardeners, using a well-chosen plant palette. There is a good balance between flowers, hedges and trees. The garden has been designed around a relocated and restored 120 year old villa.
Enjoy lunch before exploring Waiongana Gardens, a 10 acre block bound by the Waiongana River which has been transformed into an elegant country garden which includes a native river walk and sunken garden.
Tikorangi, the famous Jury Garden outside New Plymouth. Plantsman and hybridist Felix Jury (well respected for magnolia hybrids ‘Vulcan’ and ‘Apollo’) laid out much of the garden as it is today. His son Mark continues his father’s grand obsession. Majestic old avenues of rimu trees and Monterey pines are carefully maintained. Abbie Jury will show us the rock garden, kitchen garden, sunken garden and rose garden.
Accommodation: Novotel Hotel, New Plymouth
- Day 7
- Saturday 14 November 2026
Enjoy a scenic journey through some of the North Island’s most picturesque landscapes with views of Mount Taranaki as we head to Taupo. This stunning town is centered around Lake Taupo, the country’s largest lake, formed from a massive volcanic caldera.
Visit the Ora Garden of Wellbeing, this remarkable garden won the gold medal at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2004 and has been rebuilt and replanted at the Taupo Museum.
This afternoon explore the largest crater lake in the world; relax as we cruise the picturesque northern bays of Lake Taupo and view the Maori Rock Carvings up close.
Accommodation: Hilton, Lake Taupo
- Day 8
- Sunday 15 November 2026
You’ll see the magnificent Huka Falls on the mighty Waikato River and the fascinating geothermal borefield at Wairakei then travel through vast pine forests to Rotorua.
Enjoy a tour of Te Puia to visit the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve to see the boiling mud pools, steaming silica terraces and the geyser activity and the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute where young Maori are learning traditional carving and weaving skills.
You can walk high amongst giant 120-year-old redwood trees at the Whakarewarewa Forest for a unique birds-eye view of the forest. This evening enjoy a visit to Te Pa Tu where we feast on Maori song, tradition and divine seasonal cuisine.
Accommodation: Pullman, Rotorua
- Day 9
- Monday 16 November 2026
Today you travel past Lake Rotoiti to Te Puke in the heart of kiwifruit growing country to visit Shalendy Gardens which was established in 1990 from a bare paddock to complement the owners new home and create a piece of paradise to look good all year round. In the main garden you will see the large trees – such as oaks, liquidambers, gingko, amelias and davida.
This afternoon we head to Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty for a tour of The Elms, Te Papa Tauranga. As one of the oldest gardens in New Zealand, the Elm’s spectacular setting, history and thoughtful integration of indigenous and heritage species alongside those introduced by the early missionary gardeners adds to its charm. Established trees, and New Zealand’s oldest oak tree, provide the perfect habitat for native plants and a vibrant birdlife.
Tonight we celebrate at our Farewell Dinner.
Accommodation: Pullman, Rotorua
- Day 10
- Tuesday 17 November 2026
Depart Rotorua and travel across the bush-clad Mamaku Ranges and picturesque farmlands towards Bombay Hills before arriving at Auckland Airport in the afternoon for your onwards flights (own arrangement).
You will be contacted by a Ross Tours Travel Consultant to confirm your details and preferred method of payment.
- Cancellations received prior to departure will incur loss of deposit.
- Cancellations received between 119-60 days prior to departure will incur a 50% cancellation fee.
- Cancellations received between 59-30 days prior to departure will incur a 75% cancellation fee plus any non-recoverable costs incurred.
- Cancellations received within 30 days prior to departure will incur 100% cancellation fee.
- Cancellations must be sent in writing.
- Cancellation fee is based upon the total amounts paid including tours, airfares and all other travel arrangements.
Please refer to the Ross Tours standard terms and conditions
Book This Tour
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Air-conditioned motorcoach throughout tour -
Deluxe accommodation for 9 nights -
Breakfast daily, 4 Lunches & 5 Dinners
Entrance fees to all gardens and sightseeing including;
- Ayrlies Garden, Eden Gardens, Mincher Garden, Omaio Garden, Totara Waters, Hamilton Gardens, Three Elms, Te Kainga Marire, Pukeiti Garden, Hurworth Country Garden, Te Henui Cemetery, Riverlea Garden, Waiongana Gardens, Tikorangi Jury Garden, Ora Garden, Lake Taupo cruise, Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, Redwood Treewalk, Tamaki Maori Village, Shalendy Gardens, The Elms
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Twin Share land only$5,989.73 USD per person
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Twin Share including airfare$1,368.36 USD
- USD prices may vary slightly at booking.
- Prices based on minimum 15 passengers.
26 June 2026 -
Previous Traveller$100
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{Come to New Zealand with us}
A spring fling in New Zealand’s North Island. Our tour starts in Auckland, then New Plymouth, Lake Taupo and Rotorua. Gardens chosen for this itinerary are inspiring, the passion and commitment of these garden makers is sure to spark your own creative spirit.
Tour dates: 8 - 17 November 2026
For the full itinerary, please go to our website: www.rosstours.com/new-zealand
#rosstours #rt_nzspring #newzealand #taranaki #auckland #laketaupo #rotorua #newplymouth #travelwithfriends
{Hamilton Gardens, New Zealand}
A series of gardens at Hamilton Gardens, was the brainchild of Dr Peter Sergel in 1979. It has been internationally recognized; each beautifully crafted garden is enclosed for an immersive experience. The first collection is the Paradise Collection, with a Japanese Garden of Contemplation, a Chinese Scholar’s Garden, an Indian Char Bagh Garden, a Renaissance Garden, an English Flower Garden and a Modernist Garden. There is a Fantasy Collection, which consists of a Surrealist Garden, Productive Garden, Tudor Garden, Tropical Garden, Concept Garden, and Mansfield Garden. It’s all quite surreal!
We will be visiting Hamilton Gardens on our New Zealand Spring Gardens tour this November. For more information, please head to our website: www.rosstours.com
To book, please call the office on 1300 233 200 or go online.
#rosstours #ravelwithfriends #hamiltongardens #nz #newzealand #rt_nzspring
{New Tour}
A spring fling in New Zealand’s North Island. Our tour starts in Auckland, then New Plymouth, Lake Taupo and Rotorua. Gardens chosen for this itinerary are inspiring, the passion and commitment of these garden makers is sure to spark your own creative spirit.
Tour dates: 8 - 17 November 2026
For the full itinerary, please go to our website: www.rosstours.com/new-zealand
#rosstours #rt_nzspring #newzealand #taranaki #auckland #laketaupo #rotorua #newplymouth #travelwithfriends
{Bon Voyage}
We`re on our way to the North Island of New Zealand to meet inspiring and passionate gardeners in Auckland, then New Plymouth and Wellington.
Why not come with us in 2026? Please enquire via the website or call the office on 1300 233 200.
#rt_nzspring #newzealand #rosstours #rossgardentours #travelwithfriends #auckland #wellington #newplymouth #taranaki #taranakifestival #taranakigardenfestival
{Taranaki Garden Festival, North Island NZ}
Experience the Taranaki Garden Festival with a journey through Hurworth Country Garden’s heritage charm, Riverlea’s lush design, and the peaceful beauty of Te Henui Cemetery. Explore Tikorangi’s creative flair, Pukeiti’s rainforest treasures, and the elegance of Gravetye Garden. A rich celebration of nature, history, and horticultural passion across the region.
Enquire with us if you would like to visit the Taranaki Garde Festival and join us on our New Zealand in Spring tour. Call 1300 233 200.
Full itinerary: www.rosstours.com/tours/new-zealand
#rosstours #rossgardentours #rt_nzspring #newzealand #northisland #taranakifestival #travelwithfriends
Images: via Taranaki Garden Festival (Jane Dove & Tetsu Garnett), Pukeiti Rhododendron Trust
{New Zealand in Spring - Bookings closing Friday 15th August 2025}
Don`t miss out on this spring fling to New Zealand’s North Island timed for the Taranaki Garden Festival.
Our tour starts in Auckland, then New Plymouth, and finishes in Wellington. Gardens chosen for this itinerary are inspiring, the passion and commitment of these garden makers is sure to awake and ignite your own.
Tour dates: 29 October to 7 November 2025
For the full itinerary, please click here: www.rosstours.com/tours/new-zealand
To book, please go online or call our office on 1300 233 200.
#rt_nzspring #newzealand #rosstours #rossgardentours #travelwithfriends #auckland #wellington #newplymouth #taranaki #taranakifestival #taranakigardenfestival
{Pukeiti Garens, Taranaki, New Zealand}
Pukeiti has one of the world’s most diverse collections of rhododendrons and other exotics. Due to its location on the side of Mt Taranaki, it gets between three and four metres of annual rainfall which results in extraordinary lush growth.
We will be visiting Pukeiti Gardens on our North Island Tour of New Zealand this Spring. For the full itinerary, please go to our website: www.rosstours.com/tours/new-zealand/
To book, please call the office on 1300 233 200 or go online. We offer a Qantas group flight from Sydney for this tour, but can help with any additional flight arrangements from other destinations.
#rt_nzspring #rosstours #rossgardentours #travelwithfriends #taranaki #nz #northisland
Images provided by Taranaki Regional Council
{New Tour}
A spring fling in New Zealand’s North Island timed for the Taranaki Garden Festival. Our tour starts in Auckland, then New Plymouth, and finishes in Wellington. Gardens chosen for this itinerary are inspiring, the passion and commitment of these garden makers is sure to awake and ignite your own.
Tour dates: 29 October to 7 November 2025
For the full itinerary, please click here: www.rosstours.com/tours/new-zealand
To book, please go online or call our office on 1300 233 200.
#rt_nzspring #newzealand #rosstours #rossgardentours #travelwithfriends #auckland #wellington #newplymouth #taranaki #taranakifestival #taranakigardenfestival
{Bon Voyage}
We`re off to see some of the best gardens on earth - Marlborough and Hurunui gardens. The perfect excuse to visit this beautiful region of New Zealand`s South Island.
Have you ever been to New Zealand in Autumn? It`s equally stunning to Spring time. Why not join us on our tour next April? For the full itinerary, please click here: www.rosstours.com/nzautumn
#rosstours #rossgardentours #travelwithfriends #rt_nzspring
{2025 Tours Programme}
If you are on our mailing list, our printed programme for next year should arrive in your mailbox this week. We have a packed programme full of new exciting tours like Bhutan & Nepal, Spain & Morocco, Ireland and Sabah and old favourites like Japan Spring Festivals, Northern India and Melbourne Flower Show.
You can see all our 2025 tours on our website: www.rosstours.com/tours
Or if you wish to receive our printed programme, please enquire via the website or call us on 1300 233 200.
#rosstours #rossgardentours #travelwithfriends #rt_norfolk #rt_indianorth #rt_mifgs #rt_cherryblossom #rt_nzautumn #rt_bhutan #rt_springfestivals #rt_englandchelsea #rt_spainmorocco #rt_sabah #rt_ireland #rt_singapore #rt_hawaii #rt_wildflowers #rt_flinders #rt_ki #rt_vicspring #rt_tassiespring #rt_nzspring #rt_southamerica #rt_mexico #rt_japanautumn #rt_christmas
{Bookings closing - Friday 13th September}
Bookings for our Spring Gardens in New Zealand Tour are closing this Friday.
Don`t miss out on seeing some of the best gardens anywhere on earth. Throw in a warm Kiwi welcome, Marlborough and Hurunui gardens, and we have the perfect excuse to visit this beautiful region of the south island.
Call our office on 1300 233 200 today or go online: https://rosstours.com/new-zealand/
#rt_nzspring #rosstours #rossgardentours #nz #newzealand #southisland
{Garden Visit: Barewood, NZ}
Picture leaving behind a garden you`ve nurtured for nearly fifty years. New Zealand gardener Carolyn Ferraby is doing just that, leaving a legacy of beauty and dedication. Caroyln has forged a path to put garden tourism on the map for New Zealand. She gathered a group of like-minded gardeners to get ‘Garden Marlborough’ off the ground. Her large country garden, Barewood in the Awatere Valley, is one of New Zealand’s finest, and a huge attraction for Garden Marlborough.
We`re fortunate enough to be visiting Barewood on our New Zealand in Spring Tour this November and are looking forward to meeting the new owners Rosie Broad and her partner Pete.
If you would like to join our Tour Leader Paula Benneian on this fantastic itinerary, please call the office on 1300 233 200 or go online: https://rosstours.com/tours/new-zealand/
Images: Michael McCoy and David Ferraby
#rt_nzspring #rosstours #rossgardentours #newzeland #nz #barewood #gardenmarlborough @barewoodgarden
{Garden Visit: Winterholme, NZ}
Winterholme sits thirty metres above sea level with commanding views over the Kaikoura coast and Pacific Ocean. A shelter belt of trees protects the homestead. The garden was designed on classic French lines with intersecting cross axes creating unexpected views. A series of intimate garden spaces: enclosed canal garden, formal box-edged rose garden, parterre of citrus, and cypress allee, make this an exciting garden.
We will be visiting Winterholme on our Spring Gardens of New Zealand Tour in November.
For the full itinerary, please click here: www.rosstours.com/tours/new-zealand
To book your seat, please call the office on 1300 233 200 or book online.
#rt_nzspring #rosstours #rossgardentours #winterholme #travelwithfriends #nz #newzealand
{Garden visit: Paripuma, NZ}
One of the finest gardens in New Zealand sits on the coastline in Cloudy Bay.
"Paripuma is an outstanding coastal sanctuary, a showcase for planting with natives in a tough environment. Standout features are the seamless transition from sea to shore to garden; the limited palette of plants in mass plantings; and the use of NZ natives in European-style formality."
A huge accolade from judges of the Landscape award for the Marlborough District. Rosa Davison has realised her dream of creating a haven for wildlife on what was once a barren windswept seashore.
We`re visiting Paripuma as part of our Spring Gardens In New Zealand: Marlborough & Hurunui Gardens Tour.
For more information, please call the office on 1300 233 200 or go online to view the full itinerary: https://rosstours.com/tours/new-zealand/
#rt_nzspring #paripuma #newzealand #nz #marlborough #hurunui #rosstours #rossgardentours #travelwithfriends
{Garden visit - Welton House}
Sitting atop an ancient sand dune, Welton House, at 150 years old, is surrounded by rows of vineyards, native plants meticulously clipped to mirror the majestic Richmond ranges in the distance, and sprawling pathways weaving through majestic trees. Wendy Palmer and her brother Ross have created a garden lover’s dream with sustainability guiding at the helm.
“I have been gardening my entire life, it’s in my DNA,” shares garden owner Wendy Palmer. Twenty years ago, Wendy chose Welton House specifically for its mature trees, sparing herself the wait for trees to establish anew.
We`re visiting Welton House on our Spring Gardens New Zealand Tour: https://rosstours.com/tours/new-zealand/
To book your seat, call the office on 1300 233 200 or go online.
#rosstours #rossgardentours #weltonhouse #newzealand #rt_nzspring
{Tour Leader: Paula Benneian}
Paula is a firm believer that you can have a lifetime of career changes and still stay in the Horticulture industry. Garden researcher for Better Homes and Gardens, location manager and designer for River Cottage Australia are just a couple of different highlights of her career as well as proud business owner.
If you would like to travel with Paula in 2024, please see her tours below:
Flinders Ranges: www.rosstours.com/tours/flinders-ranges/
Spring Gardens in New Zealand: www.rosstours.com/new-zealand
#rosstours #rossgardentours #travelwithfriends #paulabenneian @paulabenneian @podgardens_store #rt_flinders #rt_nzspring
{On tour} New Zealand is putting on a show for us this week. Perfect weather conditions for our Spring Gardens tour. #newzealand #southisland #nz #rosstours #rossgardentours #rt_nzspring
Come with me on a rosstoursofficial garden tour of New Zealand this spring! 🇳🇿
We see some of the most magnificent gardens in the North Island, including stunning private gardens that open specially for the Taranaki Garden Festival 🌸
I’d love you to join me! 💚
For more information, visit 👇
https://rosstours.com/tours/new-zealand-spring-gardens/
#rt_nzspring #gardentour #gardentours #taranakigardenfestival #nzgardens
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