Botanical Discovery & Private Gardens of New Zealand by Small Ship

Arrive in Auckland and be transferred to your hotel. Enjoy a Welcome Dinner this evening as you meet your fellow travellers and Botanical Guide. Stay: Auckland, Crowne Plaza Hotel or similar (D)

This morning we will visit the private gardens of Mincher a 6 star garden of International Significance. The Georgian styled home is the centrepiece of this large rural garden featuring formal and informal planting, native walkways and waterways.

Next we visit a private garden on the Takatu Peninsula set in a native bush setting with the largest of the feature trees being a Puriri estimated to be between 800 and 1000 years old.

Later this afternoon we board our luxurious Small Ship, Le Soléal, our home for the next 10 nights. We set sail on our journey and enjoy the captain's Welcome Drinks and dinner on board tonight. Stay 10 Nights: Le Soléal (B/L/D)

From our berth in Tauranga, we explore the beautiful Bay of Plenty region. Here we will visit the private garden, The Elms, one of New Zealand's oldest heritage sites. Encompassing category one listed heritage buildings and nationally significant collections, all set within a diverse and tranquil garden setting originally created by the Church Missionary Society. We will visit another private garden before returning to the ship for lunch.

This afternoon you have free time to explore Tauranga, the largest city in the coastal Bay of Plenty with spectacular beaches, harbour and early Maori and European settlements to discover. (B/L/D)

Arrive into Whakatane and take a morning excursion to the thermal area of Rotorua, known for it's bubbling mud pools, shooting geysers and hot springs. We will explore the geothermal wonderland at Waimangu Volcanic Valley, home to the now buried Pink and White Terraces, the eighth natural wonder of the world. See rare and unusual plant life, brilliantly coloured microbiology and a wide array of birds.

Take a walk around the area before embarking on a relaxing cruise to see the geothermal activity only accessible by boat. Return to Whakatane this afternoon to enjoy some free time and perhaps visit the Rose Gardens. (B/L/D)

Captain James Cook named Gisborne in honour of one of his crew who first sighted land in 1769. Here we will visit Eastwood Hill arboretum, which holds the most comprehensive collection of woody plants in New Zealand and possibly the largest collection of Northern Hemisphere trees south of the equator, including 170 species currently on the world-endangered list. Enjoy free time this afternoon to explore the town, which has a reputation for amazing food and wine. (B/L/D)

This morning, your ship arrives in the beautiful, sunny town of Napier. Here, you'll join a sightseeing tour of this affluent coastal city. Rebuilt after the devastating 1931 Hawkes Bay earthquake, it reflects the popular art deco style of that period. If you look carefully, however, you'll also notice a variety of Stripped Classical, Spanish Mission and Maori Deco, which combines Art Deco with Maori motifs. We then visit one of Napier's private gardens. (B/L/D)

From Wellington we travel to the picturesque Ohariu Valley to visit the private garden Pepped Warbeck, featuring Marlborough daisies, and many native trees and shrubs. We then turn our attention to the Botanic Gardens of Wellington, which boasts an array of ancient forests and colourful flower beds. Take your afternoon at leisure. You might like to visit Te Papa Tongarewa, New Zealand's national museum, located on Wellington's beautiful waterfront. (B/L/D)

Arrive in the sheltered harbour of Picton. This morning visit two spectacular gardens in the Marlborough region including the Victorian homestead Upton Oaks with beautiful garden rooms to explore. Continue to the renowned cottage-style Hortensia House, with its Monet-inspired hydrangea garden. Reboard your ship where we set sail along the coast to Akaroa. (B/L/D)

Located on the south-east shores of the Banks Peninsula, Akaroa is a delightful village that was settled by the French in 1840. Its historical houses and signs displaying French street names add to its charm. From here, we explore The Giants House, an eclectic house and garden noted for its many whimsical mosaic sculptures.

Next visit Fishermans Bay Garden, with dramatic views over the Banks Peninsula coastline. With traditional flower borders, herb and fern gardens and exposed rock garden set in 100 hectares of regenerated native bush. Return to your ship where you will enjoy free time to explore Akaroa. (B/L/D)

Dock at Lyttelton, the port of Christchurch. Visit Ohinetahi Garden, created by New Zealand's first botanist, T.H. Potts. Sir Miles Warren, one of New Zealand's most famous architects has restored the house and garden which consists of several separate garden rooms of differing styles and characters.

Continue onto Broadfield Garden, a private garden which aims for excellence in design, planting and maintenance.

Continue onto Christchurch Botanic Gardens where we will enjoy lunch in the Curators House. Enjoy a tour of the gardens before having free time to explore on your own. You might like to visit the Canterbury Museum, the Art Gallery or perhaps take a punt on the river Avon. Return back to the ship this afternoon. (B/L/D)

This afternoon, our ship docks in Dunedin. Known as the ‘ Edinburgh of the South', Dunedin boasts both Victorian and Edwardian architecture, as well as picturesque landscapes surrounded by dramatic hills and rugged beaches. Join a guided tour of the city's 19th-century buildings and beautiful botanical gardens, which contain over 6,800 plant species. Visit Larnach Castle, which dates back to 1871 and is set within a magnificent private garden. Enjoy a Farewell Dinner on board this evening. (B/L/D)

Disembark the ship this morning and we will make our way to Queenstown through the Central Otago region. On the way we will stop in the historic town of Clyde. Enjoy lunch here before continuing onto Arrowtown, historic gold mining village said to be one of the prettiest in New Zealand. Enjoy time to wander the quaint shops before arriving into Queenstown. Stay Two Nights: Queenstown, The Rees Hotel, Lake View Room or similar (B/L/D)

Today we visit Chantecler nestled in the heart of the Wakatipu Basin. Consisting of 12 acres of mature gardens, which have been themed. This is a truly spectacular garden.

This afternoon travel aboard the TSS Earnslaw to sail across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Country Farm. Take a tour of the gardens and enjoy afternoon tea. This evening enjoy a Farewell Dinner. (B/D)

After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home. (B)