From the Hurunui to Mt Somers and Banks Peninsula country hospitality flows. Numerous highlights include lunch at Flaxmere Farm, the Hanmer Springs Fete, Akaunui Farmhouse, Giant’s House in Akaroa and Ohinetahi at Governor’s Bay.

Highlights

• Wander the farmhouse gardens of The Hurunui
• Visit the Hanmer Springs Fete
• Meet Sara and Blair Gallagher at Rangiatea Farm garden and gallery
• Visit Sara and Paul Grigg’s Surrey Hill Station garden
• Di and Ian Mackenzie’s hospitality at Akaunui Homestead garden
• Coniston Gardens’ collection of vintage cars and farm machinery
• In Akaroa enjoy the boutique shopping and stroll the waterfront
• Josie Martin’s astonishing mosaics at Giant’s House
• Lunch with Richard and Jill Simpson on the cliff top at Fishermans Bay
• Afternoon tea at Sir Miles Warren’s beautiful Ohinetahi

Departure Dates:

29 October 2026

Day 1:  Fly to Christchurch - Hanmer
On arrival in Christchurch we head northwards to Waipara and the alpine village of Hanmer Springs stopping for lunch with Penny Zino at beautiful Flaxmere Farm in the Hurunui, a six star Garden of International Significance. We stay two nights at Scenic Views Motel in Hanmer Springs and dine out both evenings.

Day 2:  Hanmer - Hurunui Gardens - Hanmer
Explore the farm gardens of the Hurunui. Rhododendrons are a feature of Doreen and Mike Dryden's Loch Leven Garden and Vicki Collett and Andrew Dalzell's Coldstream, set around a large pond. Anita and Richard Todd's Saddlewood features a White Garden. Back in Hanmer Springs the hot pools are an option.

Day 3:  Hanmer Springs - Mt Somers - Methven
Stroll down to the Hanmer Springs Fete held beneath the trees in the historic Queen Mary Hospital grounds. Listen to live music, browse over a 100 stalls of fine arts, crafts, local wine and food. We lunch at the Fete before heading south down the Canterbury Plains to Methven for two nights at Ski Time Lodge and dine in.

Day 4:  Methven - Amberside Gardens - Cottonwood Gardent - Akaunui Farm - Methven
See rhododendrons in bloom at Annie and Athol Price’s Amberside Gardens.  Near the coast we meet Grant and Philippa Wilson, a Landscape Architect, at Cottonwood Garden which features diverse native and exotic plantings. Relax over lunch at Akaunui Farm with Di and Ian Mackenzie and explore their garden. 

Day 5:  Methven - Akaroa
We head over to Banks Peninsula to lunch in Akaroa with John and Lesley at historic Blythcliffe built in 1857. We meet Josie Martin at Giant’s House, a six star Garden of international Significance. The garden is alive with her amazing sculptural mosaics. We stay two nights at Akaroa Village Inn and dine out.

Day 6:  Akaroa - Fishermans Bay - Bank's Peninsula
We drive over the other side of the Peninsula to Fishermans Bay to lunch with Richard and Jill Simpson in their dramatic, cliff top garden with stunning ocean views. We lunch with Kathrine Fraser at historic Coombe Farm in Takamatua Valley established by early French settlers.  We return to Akaroa in time to wander this pretty village with its French connections.

Day 7:  Akaroa - Christchurch - Return Flight
We visit the Garden of Tane bush reserve then call into sample the cheeses at Barry’s Bay Traditional Cheese shop. Returning over the hill for lunch at Little River and to visit the Gallery. We take Gebbes Pass to Governor’s Bay for afternoon tea at Sir Miles Warren’s spectacular Ohinetahi en route to Christchurch airport.

• Transport in comfortable, air conditioned coach with a knowledgeable guide
• Quality accommodation chosen for a "sense of place"
• Return airfares from all airport including Auckland and Wellington
• Dailry breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Garden entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary