Experience the beauty of New Zealand’s South Island in autumn, from glowing vineyards and vivid private gardens to dramatic golden-hue mountain landscapes.

At a Glance

  • Experience the South Island at the peak of the vivid autumn season
  • Visit outstanding private gardens in Marlborough, Canterbury and Otago
  • Admire the spectacular landscapes of Central Otago including Wanaka, Arrowtown and Queenstown
  • Discover charming historic towns and wineries, and admire awe-inspiring alpine scenery
  • Savour the South Island’s acclaimed food and wines

Travel through the Marlborough and Canterbury regions in the island’s north, where celebrated gardens such as Flaxmere Garden are transformed into vibrant tapestries of amber, crimson and gold. Wander through seasonal garden festivals and gain special access to lovingly tended private gardens.

Spend time in Christchurch, New Zealand’s celebrated ‘Garden City’, where elegant parks, tree-lined avenues and beautifully maintained public gardens showcase the city’s enduring horticultural heritage.

Traverse the inspiring landscapes of Central Otago, where avenues of poplars and willows glow beneath alpine peaks and shimmering lakes, and visit the acclaimed dry-climate garden of designer Jo Wakelin, created to thrive in the harsh Central Otago climate with little or no irrigation. End in Queenstown, surrounded by the rugged grandeur of the Southern Alps and the tranquil beauty of the mighty Lake Wakatipu.

Please click ‘Register Interest’ to receive further information when more details are available.

Dates

April 2027 (14 days)

Tour leader

Elizabeth Swane

Tour Status

On request

More Details

Tour code: GD2710

Fitness level: Above Moderate
Tour members must be able to:
•    negotiate airports and railway stations without wheelchair assistance
•    use combined shower/bath facilities (it is impossible to guarantee walk-in shower facilities)
•    undertake walking tours of 2-3 hours duration, including using stairs, walking over cobblestones and other uneven surfaces
•    climb staircases of 100 or more steps
•    stand for long periods in museums and other sites
•    embark / disembark coaches, trains and other methods of transportation without assistance
•    handle their own luggage

Please see Terms & Conditions for fitness level definitions here.

Stay in touch

Sign up to receive news and updates.

Follow us: