Best gardens of New Zealand..and other tourist advice!

19 years ago

Hey all!

Sorry, I know this is a bit off-topic, but if GW folks in New Zealand don't know the best gardens to visit...who will? = )

I'm going to be in New Zealand for the New Year for a friend's wedding in Christchurch.

I'll have about 10 days in NZ to explore and as I'm a poor college student, I think I'll spend most of my time backpacking/camping/hosteling.

Help me fill my days with great experiences. What free gardens are glorious and what private gardens are so extraordinary they are worth paying a bit to visit?

I have heard that the south end of the island is beautiful. Is there an affordable way to get there without spending all of my 10 days on a bus? Or can I explore the natural world around Christchurch?

I would like to add to my herbarium down there, especially unique NZ plants. I obviously don't want to take the rare or endangered, just the unique. Is this allowed?

Are there public lands equivalent to the US National Forest? The National Forests are public lands where people can legally collect a pinecone or a stone that interests them. (In the US, you can not remove anything from a the National Park.) Even public roadside ditches in the US yield interesting finds...will I be able to find land like this in NZ?

Will I be able to take my herbarium back through customs?

I would also like some time on the beach while I'm there (as I live in land-locked Colorado here in the US). Are there any great places that are off the beaten path? I'm really trying to avoid the expensive tourist traps, but I still need to be able to either camp or stay in a hostel.

Thank you so much in advance for any advice you can give me!

Sincerely,

~becca

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Comments (6)

Kiwi_oz
19 years ago
Here is a start.
Heather

Here is a link that might be useful: gardens to visit
backyardbill
19 years ago
Hi Becca
My wife and I honeymooned on the south island 5 years ago, and the Botanic Gardens in Christchurch is the place to start! You will really enjoy NZ, because they grow things there year around that would be an anual here, thus the size of the plants is huge compared to what you would see here. We traveled to Queenstown from Christchurch, and back to Picton thru Greymouth on the west coast. My wife says that you will not be allowed to bring back live plant material, but you can buy seeds and bring them back. If your looking for a place to stay in Christchurch I highly recommend Buckingham Palace Hotel. Its a mom and pop operation as most hotels are in NZ. A tip on driving in NZ, as they drive on the other side of the road from us, is to follow behind someone........then you won't get into trouble, and watch yourself while crossing the street as you will naturaly look the wrong way when stepping off the curb and you can get run over that way, as I nearly did!
I was told on my first trip that while God was making the world, he saved a small peice of everywhere and put those pieces together to make NZ. If you are luck enough to get to travel NZ you will see that its true. NZ is a beautiful place and so are the people. Bill
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Kiwikym
19 years ago
There's a garden about three hours south of Christchurch (near Invercargill/Gore area) called Maple Glen, I think it's one of the best gardens in the world! Last time I went it was freee and the locals will give you directions. I have some photo's, if you would like to see them, send me an e-mail.
Enjoy your holiday!
GarryK
19 years ago
Becca,

I can't help u much but I do know that the Lady Norwood Rose Gardens and Botanical Park in Wellington is well worth a visit...You can get from Christchurch to Wellington (Bottom of Nth Island) via a train (3-4hrs I think from memory)and ferry across the channel (1-2 hrs). Both are pretty economical and comfortable although the channel can get pretty hairy at times I am told...Great museum also in Wellington and lovely harbour. Christchurch is a gorgeous place and all the people in N/Zealand were terrific during our stay. The place seems to take you back in time a little which is fabulous as far as I'm concerned...I'm sure you'll enjoy it whereever you head...We hired a campervan for 10 days around sth island and it was heavenly..Very similar scenery to Canada (Jasper/Banff which I assume you've seen) however not so commercial in many aspects...Can't help you on the backpacking trail bit though

Good luck

Garry
vleachman
19 years ago
To find out the best gardens in the country the best website is the new NZ Garden's Trust. The Royal NZ Hort. Soc. have recently set up a grading system for gardens. Have a look at their website
www.gardens.org.nz

Lists most of the famous ones with more being added.
kenfra
19 years ago
In the spring, Garden Safaris are arranged in most parts of the country. The gardens visited are private gardens, usually of a very high standard and many are absolutely wonderful, equal to many public gardens. You also get to meet the owners who in most cases are only too ready to talk and discuss items of interest. There is usually a small charge which covers all gardens on safari which is organised by branches of Rotary.

Best gardens of New Zealand..and other tourist advice!

Comments (6)

Kiwi_oz

backyardbill

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