13 Garden Visits in New Zealand Worth an Early Alarm

1.Larnach Castle and Gardens Admission Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 279 reviews · from $29Our pick

Visit New Zealand’s only castle at your own pace with a mobile ticket, written guides, and maps for the native plant trail. Allow two to four hours for the restored rooms, rooftop lookout, gardens, and views across the Otago Peninsula. The visit is self-guided, though guided options may also be available separately.

“we purchased entry tickets for the castle presuming we would take an Uber or a Taxi to the castle. Unfortunately the cost of transportation would have been in excess of $145 so we choose to pass on the visit. In hindsight probably a better idea to book the entire tour which included transportation”

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2.Garden and City tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 197 reviews · from $37

Join Exploring New Zealand for a 4 to 5 hour Dunedin tour from Port Chalmers. Ride an air-conditioned vehicle with onboard commentary, then explore Signal Hill, Baldwin Street, the Botanic Garden, the Octagon, Dunedin Railway Station, and Toitu Otago Settlers Museum. Guides may include Craig, Damon, Andrew, Rob, Pam, or Sean.

“Craig is wonderful. So much information and caring towards the passengers. We stopped at cathedral and watched a young boy play the organ. Thank you.”

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3.Explore gardens & galleries filled with incredible art, Matakana

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 186 reviews · from $40Top rated

Visit Sculptureum in rural Matakana for three sculpture gardens and six galleries spread along 1.4km of flat paths. You will see more than 800 local and international works, from blown glass and bronze figures to giant playful sculptures. Allow up to two hours, then stop for coffee, a meal, or wine from the on-site vineyard.

“The artwork and glass art inside the building is fabulous. The gardens and the sculptures are beautiful. The driftwood sculptures of the horses and the whale are amazing. The bronze sculptures were just lovely. I loved the boy pushing the girl on the swing. The sculpture of the boy holding the dolphin is apparently an early work by Leonardo Da Vinci and is quite stunning.”

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4.Art-Deco + Te Mata Peak+ Garden Walk + Wine Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 99 reviews · 3h 30m · from $89

This 3.5-hour shore excursion links Napier’s Art Deco center, Bluff Hill, Te Mata Peak, a private garden overlooking Hawke’s Bay, and a seated tasting at Askerne Estate. Guides such as Ross and John lead groups of up to 13 in a small minibus. Expect local history, big views, at least five wines, and a personal touch.

“Wonderful time with a great tour guide! He even took us to his beautiful home so we could see his green thumb at work. Beautiful flower gardens. Got a good introduction to Napier and stopped at many scenic spots. The wine and cheese tasting was so good! Highly recommend.”

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5.Deco Napier, Te Mata Peak, Garden Walk and Wine Tasting Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 92 reviews · from $92

Spend about three hours with Ross, Sandy, Denise, Angela, or Sandi exploring Napier by vehicle. You’ll see Art Deco streets, climb to Te Mata Peak, visit a private garden, and taste estate-grown Hawke’s Bay wines with New Zealand cheese and crackers. The tour meets and returns at the Napier i-SITE and takes no more than 13 people.

“Wine tasting was good and the views were great and amazing.The guide Sandy was very knowledgeable with Napier and the Earthquakes”

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6.Shore Excursion: Dunedin City, Otago Peninsula, Castle Gardens & Olveston Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 81 reviews · from $179

This six-hour tour from Port Chalmers combines Dunedin city sights with Otago Peninsula scenery. You’ll visit Baldwin Street, Signal Hill, the Botanic Garden, First Church, the railway station, Larnach Castle gardens, and Olveston House. Guides including Asta, Teresa, Ross, Warren, and Scott provide local history and flexible help, with groups capped at 18.

“What's a fantastic, intimate tour!! Asta was delightful, friendly and knowledgeable-- she made the day so enjoyable. We saw so many wonderful sights with exceptional overlooks of gorgeous Dunedin. We especially loved the Olveston House (great, rich history) and the Larnach Castle.”

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7.Larnach Castle & Gardens Admission Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 36 reviews · 1 day · from $28Best value

Visit Larnach Castle, New Zealand’s castle, 20 to 25 minutes from central Dunedin. Your ticket includes the castle, historic tower, seven acres of gardens, stables, written guides, free parking, the Ballroom Cafe, and gift shop. Plan 1 to 2 hours, and bring your own transport.

“Needed transportation options seeing it's a 25 ms drive outside of town”

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8.Hobbiton Movie Set and Hamilton Gardens Small Group-from Auckland

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · from $217

Travel from Auckland to Hamilton Gardens and the Hobbiton Movie Set in a group of no more than 11. Guides such as Huzefa and Yam add local stories along the way, while onboard WiFi, water, snacks, and Auckland CBD pickup keep the long day comfortable. You get about 90 minutes at the gardens and a fully guided Hobbiton visit.

“It is a beautiful place to visit. I didn’t watch the movie Lord of Rings. However, our local tour guide, Yen or Yam (originally from Singapore), introduced the place so vividly from the director’s selection of the movie shooting site to the selection of local people as his actors and actresses that I am curious to watch the movie myself.”

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9.Walter Peak Garden to Table Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · 3h 30m · from $92

Cruise 45 minutes from Queenstown to Walter Peak aboard the 1912 TSS Earnslaw. A rural host and horticulturist guide you through the garden, offer fresh produce to taste, and help you plant a native tree or shrub before a generous garden-platter lunch. Allow 210 minutes in all.

“The food was amazing and it was lovely to be able to plant a tree in this beautiful area. The boat is also really cool, you can go down and watch the workers make the engine run!”

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10.Hobbiton & Hamilton Gardens Small Group Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 10 reviews · 9 hours · from $209

Travel from Auckland in a small group to Hamilton Gardens and Hobbiton. You’ll have 1.5 hours to explore themed gardens, then join a 2.5-hour guided tour of the movie set, including Bilbo’s Bag End and a drink at the Green Dragon Inn. Guides such as Joe and Husefa add local and film-making stories along the way.

“Joe was a great tour guide. The van was very comfortable. Hobbiton was fantastic, not to be missed even if you’re not a movie geek. Every group of 40 or so are spaced out over time so you get a chance to see everything up close and take pictures. So many photo ops! Hamilton gardens are beautiful and interestingly designed. Each element is walled off with hedges so the experience is encapsulated. Wandering on your own gives you a great chance to explore each crated space.”

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11.Peninsula with Lanarch Castle gardens & Olveston

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · 6h 30m · from $173

Start at Port Chalmers with a guide such as Asta, Teresa, or Warren, then see Dunedin’s key sights, tour Olveston Home, and follow Highcliff Road to Larnach Castle Gardens. The castle interior costs extra, but the gardens and views are included. Expect a full, scenic day with time for photos and short walks.

“We had a wonderful day exploring Dunedin with Asta. She was a very knowledgeable guide and gave us more than enough time to explore each location.”

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12.Private 2 Day Tour: Hobbiton, Waitomo, Rotorua Geothermal & Hamilton Gardens

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 5 reviews · from $2,047

Travel by private vehicle from Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua, or Tauranga to Waitomo, Te Puia, Lake Rotorua, Hobbiton, and Hamilton Gardens. Your package includes entry tickets, guided visits, bottled water, snacks, WiFi, a professional driver-guide, and one night in a 4-star hotel. The pace is full, but the route packs in major North Island sights.

“Vendu comme une excursion privative avec choix de la langue en francais. La seule chose en francais furent le booklet de 2 pages remis a Hobbiton. Pour le reste un chauffeur muet qui nous a fait faire beaucoup de route pour revenir sur noRead more”

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13.Akaroa & Giants House Garden tour ex Lyttelton (Shore Excursion)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $340

Travel from Lyttelton to Akaroa with a local guide and no more than eight people. Stop at Sign of the Kiwi, Gebbies Pass, Kaituna Valley, and Little River before three hours in Akaroa, including entry to the Giant’s House, morning tea, and café lunch. Guides such as Jared, Gemma, and Michelle know the winding roads and local stories well.

“Was a great day seeing all the sites all the way to Akora, lunch stop was super quaint and the 2 girls leading the tour were informative and engaging. The roads are very narrow and windey but our guide did an amazing job navigating them”

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