Our Taranaki Rhododendron Gardens tour is always one of our most popular trips and a great way for both our travellers and Kiwi Guides to get back into springtime touring after our winter break.
Everyone always enjoys the magnificent rhododendron gardens of Pukeiti and Tupare, the sights of New Plymouth, visits to Cross Hills Gardens in the Manawatu and overnight stays in Whanganui and Ohakune.
In 2022 we added an additional day of touring Taranaki farmhouse gardens, not far from the coast on the western side of the mountain. Read on to find out more about these new gardens and see our favourite photos from last season and read guest reviews.
Recent additions to our Taranaki Rhodendron Gardens itinerary
Every single one of our tours is a work of art in its own right, an ever evolving creation which is lovingly nurtured by our team to make it better and better each year. Recent additions to our Taranaki itinerary include the following gardens:
Hikurangi Gardens, Okato
Maureen Brophy’s is a large, 7 acre park-like garden, richly planted around a lake with views out to Mt Taranaki. There’s a woodland garden feel to this lovely oasis in the countryside.
Guy and Jenny Oakley’s Garden, Hawera
Fully planted garden rooms linked with hedge-lined pathways are a feature of this New Zealand Garden Trust Six Star garden. Cottage-style borders, early flowering roses, and stunning hanging baskets add to the profusion of colour.
Elaine Sanderson’s Garden, Ōtākeho
Elaine’s New Zealand Garden Trust Five Star garden is just a kilometre from the sea. In this harsh climate with salt-laden winds, Elaine has created an interesting garden with many treasures adorned with sculptures and ornaments to complement the shrubs, herbaceous plantings and roses.
Guest reviews of our Taranaki Rhododendron Gardens tour
The best way to find out what it’s really like on one of our tours is to read what other travellers have said. Here’s a selection of reviews from guests on our Taranaki Rhododendron Gardens tours.
Lynn Steenson
“The tour was fantastic, accommodation was perfect and the food A1. Graeme was our driver, he was excellent. He gave a very informative commentary throughout, was helpful and really made the trip for us.”
Margaret MacColl
“The tour was well organised and a wide variety of gardens were visited. Our driver/guide was excellent and had everything under control . Hotels and meals met all my expectations. The information told by the guide along the way was interesting and we all learnt a lot from him. All my Moa trips have been great.”
Paul Driessen
“First class tour guide and driver, who was very knowledgeable, and gave just the right amount of information without overloading us. The whole tour was a very pleasant experience with friendly company and beautiful scenery. I did the tour seven years ago as well and this time saw many new sites I had never seen before.”
See our favourite pictures of the Taranaki Rhododendron Gardens tour
Here’s a selection of our favourite photo
