7 – 12th November 2015
A showcase of outstanding gardens and other must do experiences of the Taranaki region.
This province is the garden grandeur of New Zealand, blessed with high sunshine hours and plenty of rain. Taranaki has rich volcanic soils and subtropical conditions conducive to the cultivation of a huge variety of gorgeous plants.
The itinerary includes a feast of gardens (large and small) scenic attractions, bush and coastal walks, garden centre visits and free time for retail therapy.
As well as Pukeiti (NZ’s premier Rhododendron Park) we visit Tupare House & Garden, Pukekura Park, Te Kukumara, Boxwood and many more.
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What’s Included
- Return Airfares CHC-NPL with Air NZ
- Four Star Accommodation – Devon Hotel
- 5 nights
- 5 Full Cooked Breakfasts
- 2 Lunches
- 5 Dinners
- 3 Morning/Aft Teas
- All Entrance Fees
- Share-twin basis
Book now: $2,199 Member
$425 single supplement per person
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Itinerary
SATURDAY 7 NOVEMBER
CHC-NPL Depart 9.25am AirNZ | Arrive 10.’50amAfter transfer to accommodation City Sights Tour followed by a visit to Puke Ariki Museum and Govett-Brewster Art Gallery. Afternoon free time.
SUNDAY 8 NOVEMBER
Oakley Garden visit with morning tea. Tawhitti Museum, Whalers & Traders Restaurant lunch. Afternoon visit to Boxwood and Gravetye gardens.
MONDAY 9 NOVEMBER
Visit to Anne & Vince’s Garden followed by Armstrong Garden with lunch at Stanleigh Garden. Also visits to King Garden and Te Kumara garden.
TUESDAY 10 NOVEMBER
Tupare House & Garden Tour follwed by Pukekura Park and Te Kaianga Maririe Garden.
WEDNESDAY 11 NOVEMBER
Pukeiti followed by visits to the Crafty Fox and Big Jim’s Garden Centre.
THURSDAY 12 NOVEMBER
NPL-CHC Depart 11.00am | Arrive 12.25pm
ACCOMMODATION: THE DEVON HOTEL
4 Star Heritage Hotel, New PlymouthDinner, Room & Full BreakfastExtensive Hotel amenities include complimentary internet access, mountain bikes, gym access and a fantastic spa and pool complex.390 Devon Street East Tel: (06) 759 9099
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Highlights from the Itinerary
Oakley Garden – Jenny & Guy Oakley
Shelter has been an important factor in the development of this large family garden. Situated over 2kms on the exposed west coastline Jenny’s garden features a series of rooms with hedge lined paths interspersed with warm brick walls.
Jenny has called upon her love of gardening and background in landscape design to construct a charming cottage-style garden with carefully selected trees, shrubs, roses and perennials plus a vegetable potager.
A group of pots are often a focal point in the Oakley garden rooms and you are sure to glean some great ideas from the choice of plants and placement. I was particularly taken with her potted Xeronema, racemes of red brush-like flowers, a specie from the Poor Knights Islands made a “right plant, right place” statement.
Jenny is well known for her amazing hanging baskets which are grouped near the house and also hang from a large tree.
The tour will conclude with morning tea and a demonstration of how to be successful with hanging baskets; covering things like potting mix, plant selection, feeding and watering. This is an inspirational garden created by a passionate gardener.
Armstrong Garden Alanthea & Bill Armstrong
In this cottage style garden flowers, flowers and more flowers will wow you. Herbaceous borders are full of Spring colour and fragrance, featuring a large range of perennials and annuals.
There are roses in abundance to add scent and colour.
Te Kukumara Bryce & Delwyn Barnett
In this landscaped garden there are many different areas, including wide open vistas and garden rooms. The plant selection pushes the boundaries with what can be grown in a temperate climate, while native plantings and deciduous trees in the greater garden anchor the garden to its Taranaki roots. Features include a magnificent palm-lined driveway, a lake, raised vegetable gardens, bird aviary and an enviable collection of sculpture from local and international artists. Also there is a collection of cars on view.
Anne & Vince’s Garden Anne and Vince Naus
This couple have combined their love of gardening to create a riverside haven featuring traditional, formal and modern plantings. Various hedge combinations provide background shelter and structure. This is a garden with a large variety of natives, trees, shrubs, roses and perennials creating a striking effect set around a lovely restored 100yr old villa.
Art & Gardens
The latest addition to the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, the Len Lye Centre is New Zealand’s first institution dedicated to a single artist, the pioneering filmmaker and kinetic sculptor, Len Lye.
Overlooked by the majestic Mount Taranaki, the centre opens t
his month, perfect timing for our visit in early November.
The Govett-Brewster Art Gallery/Len Lye Centre, with its curved exterior walls of mirror-like stainless steel, is the country’s first example of destination architecture linked to contemporary art.
The Govett-Brewster presents innovative and provocative work by New Zealand and international artists, supported by a significant and growing permanent collection of paintings, video, installation and photography.
The exhibitions and residency programmes – presented through three seasonal suites annually – include the commissioning of new and site-specific projects by national and international artists.
The Len Lye Centre building adjoining the Govett-Brewster, as a combined art museum, is an example of innovative thinking in both engineering and architecture.
The external stainless steel façade echoes the artist’s use of the metal in many of his kinetic sculptures and the futuristic style of the building acts as a counterfoil to the neighbouring Govett-Brewster’s more traditional lines.
The architects are Pattersons, one of New Zealand’s most internationally recognised architectural firms.
A temple for art, the space creates a sensory experience of light that Len’s legacy inspires.
The Len Lye Centre will feature Lye’s work in kinetic sculpture, film, painting, drawing, photography, batik and writing, as well as related work by contemporary and historical artists. It also houses a state-of-the-art 62-seat cinema – a welcoming environment for audiences to experience Lye’s films, local and international cinema, arthouse and experimental films and regular film festival programming.
The Taranaki Spectacular tour runs 7-12 November and includes return airfares CHC-NPL with Air NZ and four star accommodation.