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6 days
Taranaki Rhododendron
Tour eight stunning private gardens, cruise by scenic lifeboat to a seal colony, walk the Coastal Walkway, visit Tawhiti Museum. Overnight at Whangamomona Pub!
This year, we have extended the Rhodo Tour to 6 Days to include a night in Taumarunui, so we can travel the full length of The Forgotten World Highway, make a stop in Ohura and have an overnight at the historic Whangamomona Pub! We've also replaced all of our private gardens (except Korito – everyone loves Dee!) to make an impressive total of eight, along with Guided Walks in the showcase gardens of Pukekura Park and Pukeiti Rhododendron Trust. But it’s not all about gardens - Cruise, by scenic lifeboat (launched on Rails!) to a seal colony, walk the fabulous Coastal Walkway, visit Tawhiti Museum (with indoor cruise). Also see Puke Ariki Museum and Govett Brewster Art Gallery PLUS catch the Northern Explorer train home!
Tour Itinerary:
DAY 1: Auckland to Taumarunui
Travel from Auckland to the King Country for our overnight in Taumarunui
DAY 2: Forgotten World Highway to Whangamomona
We begin with Bradleys Gardens then a visit to Ohura and lunch at Lauren's Lavendar Farm and travel the Forgotten World Highway all the way to our overnight destination - Whangamomona Pub. You will love it here!
DAY 3: Tawhiti Museum. Champagne Cocktail. Arrive New Plymouth
This morning we travel to Hawera to see Gabots Garden featuring big trees, colour and quirky garden art. Tawhiti Museum is a regular feature of our Rhodo Tours where you won't be disappointed. We round off the day at Tairoa Lodge with a House and Garden tour, complete with a champagne cocktail. Stay The Plymouth International Hotel 3 nights.
DAY 4: Pukekura Park Guided Walk, English Lifeboat Cruise to Seal Colony and Coastal Walkway.
Today is full of variety - A Guided Walk through Pukekura and Brooklands Parks including the underground fernery. Our English Lifeboat is launched on Rails (same as the tv program 'Saving Lives at Sea'). Puke Ariki Museum and the Govett Brewster Art Gallery and finish with the stunning Coastal Walkway across Te Rewa Rewa Bridge back to Len Lye's Wind Wand. Buffet Dinner tonight at The Devon Hotel.
DAY 5: Windsor View, Hillsborough Hideaway Haven, Korito and Pukeiti Rhododendron Trust. Today is all about gardens!
The open spaces of Windsor View with clean lines and rustic garden cottage leads us onto Hillsborough Hideaway Haven for a private train ride through natives and exotics in this grand scale landscape project. Then we are dazzled by the good folk at Pukeiti Rhododendron Trust, with thousands of rhodos on display in a native, mountainside, rain forest setting. We finish with a real treasure find, as Dee explains her permaculture Food Forest at Korito Gardens.
DAY 6: Chapman Gardens, Jims Garden Centre, Whitebait Fritters and home by Northern Explorer Train.
Homeward bound today, but not before a fascinating look around the compact town-size Chapman Garden. A Taranaki visit is not complete without the opportunity to purchase some garden treasures at Jim's Garden Centre. Traveling north we stop at Mokau (whitebait fritters anyone?) and then meet up with the Northern Explorer train at Otorohanga that takes us through lush farmland and small town NZ till we reach Auckland Railway Station.
PRICES FROM
$1943 pp
TWIN SHARE
+$586 for single room accommodation
Departure Dates:
Tour Inclusions:
- Door to Door Coach Transport
- 5 nights Twin Share Accommodation
- 5x Breakfasts, 1x Lunch and 5x Dinners
- Northern Explorer train - Otorohanga to Auckland
- Chaddy’s Cruise. Tawhiti Museum Indoor Cruise
- All our Garden visits are fully guided.