New Plymouth top attraction
Tupare is a premier landscaped garden of 7 acres with a unique homestead, originally developed by Sir Russell Matthews and his family from 1932.
Sculpted from a hillside overlooking the Waiwhakaiho River, the plantings and landscapes remain true to its heritage.
Tupare is an Art & Crafts garden with a restored Chapman-Taylor designed house nestled within the outstanding English style gardens. In addition to the beautiful hard landscaping, stately plantings of trees create shelter and a magical atmosphere in the property. This special garden is also in 10 Taranaki Gardens & Parks worth a detour, travel guide: Best Bits.
As you walk the winding paths cut into the hillside, you’ll find mature exotic trees, deciduous maples, copper beeches and dawn redwoods, as well as a stunning collection of rhododendrons, azaleas, and hydrangeas that were all carefully planted by Sir Russell and the family.
In spring mass plantings of bulbs create a nodding field of colour around massive trees in a meadow setting.
The gardens are a popular venue for picnics and leisurely strolls.
Can you take wedding photographs at Tupare Gardens, New Plymouth?
Yes, it is a popular place for celebration photography however details need to be checked and approved beforehand with the Taranaki Regional Council. You can do this online, check Tupare.
Tūpare is is available for hire for private functions by arrangement with the Taranaki Regional Council. Tūpare is an ideal venue for weddings and other private functions, and the house is also available for private bookings. Just bear in mind that there can be no more than two house functions a week and no function can overlap with garden workshops and events. The property is open to the public all day, every day.
GUIDED TOURS OF TUPARE GARDENS
Free Guided Tours of the house start at 11am every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday from the beginning to October to the end of March.
You’ll walk through some of the gardens changing aspects as you head down to the Waiwhakaiho river that edges the property. There you’ll find a swimming hole, a BBQ area. some seating and a huge space to picnic or read a book.
LOCATION
487 Mangorei Rd, New Plymouth
- Open 9am – 8pm seven days a week
- Admission free
- Plant database
- No dogs allowed
Tupare is a stunning example of the drawing power of Taranaki gardens and parks. For more information about what to do and see in New Plymouth check out New Plymouth travel guide.
BEST BITS TRAVEL GUIDE
