NEW ZEALAND GARDENS – INTERESTING FACTS
- New Zealand is an elongated series of islands, north to south 1,600 kms (1000 miles). Many gardens are coastal in nature due to the long, narrow country’s exposure to a marine climate.
- Incredible amount of coastline adds picturesque views as you stroll around many gardens. The approximate length of New Zealand’s coastline is 15,000 km (9,300 miles).
- Some of the best gardens have free entry
- Join the passionate locals who love their gardens (rated as one of New Zealand’s favourite hobby)
- Romance doesn’t get any better than a garden in bloom (remember you don’t pick the flowers)
- New Zealand gardens offer visitors a diversity of garden styles from lush subtropical palm filled gardens to alpine tussock parks
Find out more about the weather and climate with a Month by month comparison: best things to do in Zealand. Four seasons, four opportunities to experience what New Zealand has to offer visitors. The climate, the daily weather forecast and the distinct seasons add to the rich palate of attractions from spring festivals to winter ski resort activities.
NORTHLAND, FAR NORTH OF NEW ZEALAND GARDENS & PARKS
Let’s start our garden tour in the subtropical North of New Zealand. Lush warm temperatures and an annual rainfall of 1500 to 2000 mm are the heady ingredients for Northland’s luxuriant gardens. Abundant native and exotic subtropical plants create a sensory flourish as you explore the far north of New Zealand.
Explore Northland’s gardens with a trip planner at your fingertips. Enjoy an itinerary discovering the best of New Zealand’s subtropical gardens and parks.
Waitangi Treaty Grounds
Monto Gardens
Wharepuke Sculpture Trail and Garden
Whangarei Gardens from Botanica Fernery to Quarry Gardens
Pompallier Mission & Printery Victorian heritage kitchen garden
Butler Point Whaling Museum ancient trees, kauri groves
AUCKLAND, GARDENS & PARKS
Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city and home to the outstanding Auckland Botanical Gardens. Auckland offers an awesome introduction to New Zealand native plants awaits in the flax or harakeke collection. Visit the Harakeke Collection and discover some of the beautiful stories of harakeke.
CENTRAL NORTH ISLAND
Imagine one of the world’s top dairy / farming landscapes and the glorious gardens often nestled within rolling farm hills. Waikato, central North Island New Zealand is home to the outstanding Hamilton Botanic Gardens. The east coast, Taranaki is where rhododendrons thrive with an award winning highlight, the annual Taranaki Garden Festival.
- Waikato top 10 unmissable gardens to visit – Best Bits
- Hamilton gardens attractions, things to do
- Hamilton Taitua Arboretum
- Te Awamutu Rose Garden & War Memorial park attractions and things to do – Best Bits
- 10 Taranaki Gardens & Parks worth a detour, travel guide: Best Bits
- Pukekura Gardens attractions, things to do – Best Bits
- Pukeiti Gardens attractions and things to do nearby
- New Plymouth Festival of Lights, attractions, and things to do – Best Bits
- Gardens and Parks in the Hawke’s Bay – Best Bits
Enjoy sheer water power and the might of a stunning waterfall.
Find out More about the Incredible Waterfalls of Epic New Zealand
LOWER NORTH ISLAND, WELLINGTON (COOL CLIMATE CAPITAL)
Wellington, New Zealand’s capital has magnificent public parks (free entry). The best time to visit gardens in the lower North Island is Spring to late Autumn (October – April).
Winter can be very chilly with wind whipped bare branches and a lack of shelter while wandering around the hilltop parks and gardens of Wellington. Public gardens are open throughout the year, however remember to check for up-to-date details and public notifications.
TOP OF THE SOUTH ISLAND – MARLBOROUGH & NELSON
Sunshine, large rural gardens and glorious beaches sums up one of New Zealand’s premier scenic attractions.
Marlborough with its temperate growing climate offers visitors heritage Victorian garden styles, clipped ornate gardens, wild gardens, native gardens, and parks galore to linger in. Nelson is an outdoor heaven. Image azure blue waters lapping on gold tipped sandy beaches and pop the Abel Tasman National Park on your bucket list.
- Marlborough gardens and parks places to go – Best Bits
- Pollard Park & Gardens, Blenheim Marlborough scenic attraction – Best Bits
- Three gardens, three short Nelson city walks
- Queens Garden – Nelson City – Best Bits
- Church Hill Gardens & Christ Church Cathedral – Nelson City Places to Visit – Best Bits
- Isel Heritage Homestead & Garden – Nelson Attraction – Best Bits
- Washbourn Garden, Richmond, Nelson – Places to Visit
- Best Short Walks in the Abel Tasman National Park
CENTRAL SOUTH ISLAND NEW ZEALAND
Unmissable is Christchurch Botanic Gardens showcasing the best of Canterbury Gardens. Must visit places in Christchurch include 11 favourite public parks and gardens to visit in Christchurch – Best Bits from a superb public park, Hagley Park attractions, things to do and places to visit in Christchurch to several historic homesteads with extensive plantings reflecting the history of plantings from the 19th century onwards.
LOWER SOUTH ISLAND – DUNEDIN & BEYOND
Dunedin has two Gardens of International Significance. Larnach Castle Garden is a study in Victorian elegance with its kitchen garden, trellised tree arbor and mature rhododendron beds. Larnach Castle gardens flourish at more than 300 metres above sea level.
The oldest public botanical garden is nestled in Dunedin’s north valley, Dunedin Botanic Garden. There is a café and an outstanding Edwardian Winter Garden Glasshouse providing a dash of the tropics.
BOTTOM OF THE SOUTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND GARDENS
Spring through to autumn what to see and do among cool climate gardens and parks
Cool climate gardens galore with a brisk winter deepening the sparkle to spring blooms. Autumn is glorious with the leaf colour of gold, bronze and tints of yellow making for great photo moments.
For rose lovers the cool climate is ideal to plan a spring visit. Stop and smell the Southland roses. Then there is the vegetable tour. Southland has reimagined the vegetable. Plants as a sustainable and enduring food source are the new cool.
Learn More about 8 Fabulous Southland Gardens and Parks – Things to Do & See
Make sure to visit Invercargill’s Queen’s Park, Invercargill Southland. Queen’s Park is officially a Regional Park indicating the gem located in the heart of Invercargill. Walking trails, glorious gardens, playgrounds and even an 18 hole golf course. For rose lovers there is the treat of Jessie Calder’s Old Rose Garden in Queens Park with the largest public collection of heirloom roses in New Zealand.
SEASONAL GARDEN DELIGHTS – WHERE TO GO IN NEW ZEALAND
- Spring flowers, blooms 11 places, where to go and what to see
- Where To Pick Daffodils on The North Island – Best Bits
- Autumn in Auckland, 9 inspiring places – Best Bits
- 6 stunning autumn South Island places, things to do & see
New Zealand is a world-class destination for its national parks and outdoors spaces combined with gardens and parks visitors are spoiled for choice where to go and what to see.
BEST BITS TRAVEL GUIDE
