The 15 Best New Zealand Garden Tours

1.Larnach Castle and Gardens Admission Ticket

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

Visit Larnach Castle on the Otago Peninsula with flexible admission from $29.79. Use the written castle and native plant guides to explore restored rooms, gardens, and the rooftop lookout at your own pace. Allow two to four hours, and plan transport carefully because the castle is about 20 minutes from central Dunedin.

“The castle is a beautiful display of history and one family’s efforts to keep the history alive. The story of the original builders/owners efforts to bring beautiful and opulent living to an unstructured land was remarkable.”

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2.Garden and City tour

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

From Port Chalmers, you’ll explore Dunedin by air-conditioned bus with local commentary and stops at Signal Hill, Baldwin Street, the Botanic Garden, the Railway Station, the Octagon, and Toitū Otago Settlers Museum. Guides such as Craig, Damon, Andrew, Rob, and Pam lead the tour, which runs about four to five hours and allows time to explore on foot.

“Some walking involved. Nice comfortable vehicle. Christchurch is amazing considering what has gone through”

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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 indoor galleries spread across 1.4 km of flat paths. You can see more than 800 local and international works, including glass art, bronze figures, giant animals, and unusual garden pieces. Allow 90 minutes to two hours, then stop for coffee, food, or on-site wine.

“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.Napier: Art-Deco + Te Mata Peak+ Garden Walk + Wine Tasting

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

Spend 3.5 hours with a local guide such as Ross or John, traveling in a small minibus from Napier to Te Mata Peak, Bluff Hill, a private garden, and Askerne Estate. Expect scenic walks, Art Deco sights, local stories, bottled water, and a seated tasting of at least five Hawke’s Bay wines.

“Ross was a fabulous guide who drove very safely and was a mine of information about our destinations and the areas in and around Napier, plus many more interesting facts. Stopping off at his place to see his beautiful garden was a fabulous end to the trip. Would thoroughly recommend Ross as a tour guide for this beautiful part of NZ Thanks Ross”

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

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 92 reviews · from $92

Meet Ross, Sandy, Denise, or another Vines and Views guide at Napier’s iSite for a roughly three-hour drive through Art Deco Napier, Te Mata Peak, Bluff Hill, a private garden, and Askerne Vineyards. Expect small groups of up to 13, local commentary, wine, New Zealand cheese, and crackers. The route may change with weather.

“Our Tour of Napier with Ross was outstanding. He showed us the beautiful sites around the city and the stunning views from Te Mata Peak. We ended up the tour with a wine tasting at a local winery- it was lovely. We had a great experience with Ross as our tour guide and we highly recommend this tour of Napier!”

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

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

From Port Chalmers, a small-group guide such as Asta, Teresa, Ross, or Scott takes you through Dunedin’s city sights and across the Otago Peninsula. You’ll visit Olveston Historic Home, stroll Larnach Castle’s gardens, stop at Baldwin Street and Signal Hill, and return to port in an air-conditioned vehicle. Castle interior entry costs extra.

“Hoping off the cruise ship the pick up was right there. Stefan was our guide. Very informative about the history and culture. Gave us a great tour, but the bus they use is a rental so sitting in the back was very rough and the bus needs shocks. The audio was messed up for most of the tour because Stefan change the channel on his FM modulator and we had static for half the tour that we could hear. We continued to tell him that we couldn’t hear him and he would respond louder but then Get quiet again. If they had speakers in back of the bus it would…”

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7.Dunedin: Larnach Castle & Gardens Admission Ticket

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

Visit Larnach Castle, New Zealand’s only castle, on a self-guided day ticket. Read about William Larnach and the Barker family restoration, climb the historic tower for 360-degree views, explore seven acres of gardens, and pause at the Ballroom Cafe. Bring your own transport, as the castle is 20 to 25 minutes from central Dunedin.

“Despite the inclement weather we had an enjoyable time learning all about the castle and exploring the gardens. The turret room was fabulous. Afternoon tea in the grand hall with three open fires all lit was very cheerful on a damp cloudy day. Many thanks.”

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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 Hobbiton and Hamilton Gardens in a small group of up to 11. Your day includes guided Hobbiton entry, 90 minutes at the themed gardens, a Lake Karapiro stop, WiFi, water, and Auckland CBD pickup. Guides such as Huzefa and Yam add local stories and film background along the way.

“Our driver was really friendly, fun and informative on the drive to and from Hobbiton. Water and snacks were provided and we stopped for a coffee break on the way. Would recommend and use again”

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9.Dunedin Shore Excursion – Sightseeing, Larnach Castle, Chinese Garden & Museum

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 13 reviews · from $124

Travel from Port Chalmers into Dunedin and across the Otago Peninsula with a local guide. Visit Larnach Castle, the Chinese Garden, and Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, while also seeing the university, botanical gardens, historic buildings, and the world’s steepest street. Guide Kim has earned praise for lively castle storytelling.

“A great tour of Dunedin and the Larnach Castle. Our tour guide, Kim, was very knowledgeable and gave us a fun and entertaining tour of the castle with lots of stories and history of the house and family. Would highly recommend this tour!”

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10.TSS Earnslaw Cruise & Walter Peak Garden to Table in Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · from $96

Take a 45-minute cruise each way on Queenstown’s vintage TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm. A rural host leads you through the restaurant garden, where you sample produce from the beds and orchard before enjoying a garden platter. You’ll also plant a native tree or shrub as part of the farm’s restoration work.

“The food and the guide were A+++ We love the boat, food and farm experience. Will recommend to everyone”

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11.Queenstown: Walter Peak Garden to Table Experience

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

Take a 45-minute cruise aboard the 1912 TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm. A rural host and horticulturist guide you through the garden, native plants, and restoration work before you plant a shrub or tree and share a generous lunch made with garden produce. The return cruise completes this three-and-a-half-hour outing.

“The tour is amazing and our tour guide name ~ surjane (sorry i must spell wrong) is 100/100!!!”

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12.Hobbiton & Hamilton Gardens Small Group Tour

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

Travel from central Auckland to Hamilton Gardens and Hobbiton in a small group, with hotel pickup, snacks, Wi-Fi, and charging ports. Explore Hamilton Gardens at your own pace, then join a 2.5-hour guided Hobbiton tour with a drink at the Green Dragon Inn. Guides such as Joe and Husefa have led this English-language experience.

“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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13.Dunedin: Peninsula with Lanarch Castle gardens & Olveston

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

Meet your guide at Port Chalmers for a six-hour tour of Dunedin, including the world’s steepest street, Botanic Garden, Railway Station, Olveston Home, and Otago Peninsula. Asta, Teresa, or Warren may lead the day. The tour includes Olveston and Larnach Castle Gardens, but not the castle interior.

“Very good tour guide! Explains everything well. Stopped for scenic views and photos. Not rushed! We were picked up at cruise terminal. Our tour guide Asta went above and beyond . One couple on our tour forgot their cellphone at Lanarch castle . After dropping us off at the terminal she drove them back to pick up their phone. Exceptional!”

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

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

You’ll travel by private, air-conditioned vehicle from Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua, or Tauranga to Waitomo, Te Puia, Hobbiton, Lake Rotorua, and Hamilton Gardens. Admission, a four-star hotel, WiFi, snacks, bottled water, and a Green Dragon Inn drink are included. The tour can be adjusted to suit your group, though French-language support is not clearly assured.

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $340

Travel from Lyttelton to Akaroa with a group of no more than eight. Your local guide leads you past volcanic scenery, Gebbies Pass, Kaituna Valley, Little River, and the mosaic-filled Giant’s House. Morning tea, café lunch, garden admission, and a timely return to the port are included.

“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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