Tūpare is a premier landscaped garden 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. As you walk the winding paths cut into the hillside, you’ll find stately 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. Landscaped features including the cascade, Elizabeth Garden and the zig-zag walk reveal Sir Russell’s vision and engineering prowess. The river flat at the bottom of the property retains an idyllic pastoral feeling with simple plantings of specimen trees, complemented by the movement of the wind and water. Visitors can enjoy free gas barbecues, picnic areas, and a swimming spot. The distinctive Chapman-Taylor designed house in the heart of the garden is a great example of the Arts & Crafts style of architecture. Free house tours run from 1 October to 31 March at 11 am on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Tūpare is open all day, every day with free entry. For more information, visit https://www.trc.govt.nz/gardens/tupare

Pukeiti hosts one of the world’s biggest and most diverse collections of rhododendrons and other rare and unusual exotics, creating an explosion of colour among lush native rainforest and mountain streams. The garden is stunning all year round; vireya rhododendrons provide vibrant colour and interest throughout late summer and autumn. In July, the enormous flower trusses of the large-leaf rhododendrons begin to bloom, followed by camellias and magnolias. By October, hundreds of exotics start to flower with herbaceous plantings and bulbs, and in December, giant Himalayan lilies up to 3 m tall fill the air with the scent of honey.

The Rainforest Centre sits at the entrance to Pukeiti and features a multi-media interpretation area, function space, eatery, and direct access to covered areas housing the largest public display of vireya rhododendrons in the world. It also offers panoramic views of the rainforest garden and coast, and easy access to a tree-top lookout over Pukeiti’s famed waterwheel. Pukeiti offers a range of garden walks from 35 minutes to two hours. This includes the Rhododendron Stroll (35 minutes), the Valley of the Giants Walk (50 minutes), and the Kids Treehouse Trail. It is possible for people with wheelchairs and pushchairs to enjoy the Rhododendron Stroll and The Valley of the Giants walk. More adventurous visitors can explore the rainforest tracks, which wind through the garden and into the regenerating rainforest with remnant pockets of mature forest and some ancient rimu trees.

Pukeiti is open all day, every day with free entry. For more information, visit https://www.trc.govt.nz/gardens/pukeiti 

Hollard Gardens was established in 1927 by Bernie and Rose Hollard and was developed over several decades with a careful eye. Hollard Gardens is unique in the fact that it is an achievement of almost a lifetime of work by a private individual. It is a plantsman’s garden and a reflection of patience and horticultural skill. Bernie selected plants based on personal appeal and whether they would fill gaps in his collection. The overall design of the garden considered not only the aesthetics, but whether a plant would thrive in its environment. Garden enthusiasts in New Zealand and overseas have, for many years, added Hollard Gardens to their bucket list of places to visit.

Hollard Gardens are informal and intimate, with a huge variety of native and exotic plants. Many are rare and endangered. All year round, the garden buzzes with the sound of insects and birds feeding on seasonal flowers, fruit and seeds. In spring, the vibrant colour of The Swamp is a must-see, and later in the year you won’t want to miss the deciduous trees that provide a bright display of changing colours. Native trees up to several hundred years old are nestled within bush remnants and well-established exotic plantings in the Old Garden, while the New Garden provides dazzling colour, an incredible array of plants, and views to Mount Taranaki. Hollard Gardens features a popular family corner which includes a playground, free barbecues and kitchenette. Bernie’s Home Garden provides a living demonstration of different methods of growing food. A popular place for public workshops, it also has chickens, beehives, compost and worm farms and a food forest.

Hollard Gardens are open all day, every day with free entry. For more information, visit https://www.trc.govt.nz/gardens/hollard-gardens