Your gateway to New Zealand's
most distinctive gardens.
Journey Guides
Dive into handpicked adventures, designed to deliver lasting memories and unique experiences
Explore Gardens
Larnach Castle Garden
Over a century old, this large garden surrounding historic Larnach Castle on the Otago Peninsula is at an altitude of 300 metres. The scenery is spectacular and though the garden is subjected to wind and low rainfall it contains a unique collection of plants seldom seen elsewhere. Some remnants from the original plantings 120 years ago - Cupressus macrocarpa, planted extensively for shelter and a cedar to one side of the castle - give an air of maturity. The plantings reflect the owner's interest in New Zealand plants and in their southern hemisphere relations.
The Giant's House
The Giant’s House sculpture mosaic garden is colourful, exuberant, interactive, romantic, fun and full of surprises. It is set on a sheltered, north-facing, sunny hillside in a valley in Akaroa, 1.5 hours drive from Christchurch. The garden surrounds the large historic house owned by the first BNZ Bank Manager and built from totara and kauri. There are flat areas around the house and terraced gardens gently wind up the hillside. Contrasting historic with contemporary art and balancing gardens with sculptures, it is a unique creation.
Flaxmere Garden
Flaxmere is a North Canterbury high country garden sitting beneath the main rib of Southern Alps. This large 7 acre garden is boldly designed to make the most of alpine views with strong axes and cross axes focussing on the surrounding mountain and pastoral environment. Heavy old bridge timbers and stone walls reflect a country atmosphere, and a feeling of peace & romance abides here, amidst dramatically changing seasons.
Gwavas Garden
Gwavas Garden was laid out in the 1880s by A.S.G. Carlyon. Phyllida Gibson, the present owner, is the 5th generation at Gwavas and she and her husband Stuart live in the homestead, built in 1890, surrounded by 9 hectares of woodland garden.
Paloma Gardens
The garden commenced in 1990 but is maturing rapidly due to the mild, almost frost-free climate. The Higgies have specialized in exotic flora to produce a landscape like no other in New Zealand.
Hereweka Garden
A young garden of 35years, Hereweka is set in a hidden valley below the prominent feature of Harbour Cone on the picturesque Otago Peninsula.
Omaka Lodge
Omaka Lodge is a large country property featuring 3 beautiful acres of landscaped gardens. View a wide range of interesting planting, the 33-metre Rill overlooking Mount Hikurangi, and expansive countryside vistas. Onsite accommodation allows exploration at leisure.
Eastwoodhill Arboretum
Eastwoodhill is an arboretum of national and international importance. It 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 International Union for Conservation of Nature (I.U.C.N.) world endangered list.
Casa Rossa
Casa Rossa has been developed over 20 years around a former shingle pit. The movie “Much Ado about Nothing” inspired the Italian house and garden design.
Wharepuke Subtropical Garden
Wharepuke means ‘house on the hill’ in Te Reo Maori. The owner Robin Booth has a wealth of experience as a nurseryman and landscaper. He began developing the garden, which sits in a valley running down to the historic Stone Store in Kerikeri, in 1993.
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.
Eliza's Garden Cottage
Nestled in the vineyard five hundred metres away from her sister garden Welton House, is Eliza’s which, after a decade of carefully thought out restoration, is ready and open for garden visitors. But better still - stay overnight in the award winning three bedroom cottage and enjoy the garden and swimming pool in total privacy.
Bradley’s Garden
Bradleys garden is a 5-acre country garden with our Paddy Hills Farm as the backdrop. It is a garden of rooms that will surprise and delight you on your journey. Linked by stone pathways, each space creates a different feel, feature, or purpose.
Thackwood Garden
Thackwood Garden, comprising three acres, was given a new lease of life some 20 years ago. The house is built on a hill with commanding views of Tasman Bay and the garden has been extended down a step bank that has been terraced, planted and leads down to a large pond at the bottom of a flat paddock. Near the house the mood is gentle with an emphasis on fragrance and beauty.
Tairoa Lodge
Continuing the legacy of this garden, Linda and Steve Morrison are only the third family to own the property which was established in the late 1800s. Isaac Bayly built the historic kauri homestead from timber milled in Northland which was barged to New Plymouth and arrived in Hāwera on the bullock wagon. In 1902 the property passed to the Lovell family who were responsible for planting the mature trees that form the backbone of this property.
Tasman Village Cottage
Established from a bare paddock in 1996, this is a half an acre garden to nourish the body and mind. Trees, shrubs and clipped forms - both native and exotic - give the garden a good sense of structure. Pathways guide and intersect the subtly separated garden rooms.
Rapaura Watergardens
Rapaura is an example of man in harmony with nature. Abundant native bush and ferns, birds (Tuis, Fantails, Silver Eyes and Wood Pigeons), meandering walks over bridges and streams and a bush walk to a cascading waterfall.