Colorado Master Gardener Program | New Zealand Tour

Inspiring Gardens and Scenery of New Zealand

Thursday, January 28 – Saturday, February 13, 2010

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Join us as we venture down under for some of the most magnificent scenery and gardens in the world.  New Zealand is a remarkable country with fantastic gardens and an exceptionally diverse terrain, from beautiful ocean vistas to steep mountains to volcanic mud pots. 

With many of your most beloved plants being bred and introduced into the New World from New Zealand, how can this garden tour be anything but marvelous!

We will have the memorable once in a lifetime opportunity to spend a night on a boat on Doubtful Sound, one of the most pristine fjords in New Zealand. 

Join us, you will talk about this trip for years to come!

• The Itinerary
• Tour Guides - Jeffry de Jong and David Whiting
• Trip costs and conditions
• Passport and Visa Requirements
• Additional Information and Registration

For additional information and registration, contact Mary at
Hidden Treasures Botanical Tours

• Email: mary@hiddentreasuresbotanicaltours.com
• Phone: 573-881-6316 or 573-445-3975
• Web: www.hiddentreasuresbotanicaltours.com
• Address:
  

  Hidden Treasures Botanical Tours
  PO Box 39
  Rocheport, MO 65279

The Itinerary

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Travel day, depart Los Angeles, USA

Friday, January 29 – En route to Auckland

As we cross the International Date Line we lose a day traveling “Down-Under”.

Saturday, January 30 – Arrive Auckland

Welcome to New Zealand! Early morning meet and greet on arrival at Auckland International Airport by your Tour Manager/Driver. You will be transferred to your hotel where rooms have been reserved overnight for your early check in. This afternoon we enjoy a tour of the highlights of Auckland, the City of Sails and nearby Eden Garden. - Dinner

Sunday, January 31 – Auckland

This morning we travel North of the city to see Muriwai, one of Auckland’s popular surf beaches stopping to view Gannets nesting on the cliff tops. Here we visit stunning Totara Waters Garden and stop at Coopers Creek Winery. We will stop for lunch stop at Carriages Café (own expense).  We then visit the famous Ayrlies Country Garden, one of the most celebrated gardens in New Zealand.  Tonight is free for you to explore the local restaurants, cafes and bars. - Breakfast

Monday, February 1 – Auckland

This morning we board a ferry for the journey across the Waitemata Harbour to the Island of Waiheke. Here we enjoy a tour of local gardens and the boutique vineyards that give the island its unique character. Tonight is free for you to explore the local restaurants, cafes and bars. - Breakfast

Tuesday, February 2 – Auckland to Dunedin

This morning we visit the Auckland Botanic Gardens home to over 10,000 plant types. Later we join our flight to the Edinburgh of the South – Dunedin. This evening we stay at the Lodge, a recreated colonial farm building set in 35 acres of award winning gardens and grounds at Larnach Castle. - Breakfast and Dinner

Wednesday, February 3 – Dunedin

This morning we have a guided tour of the Larnach Castle and 14 hectares of grounds. Then we journey to Natures Wonders for a wildlife tour. Here, amidst truly spectacular scenery, the world's rarest penguins, Hoiho the yellow-eyed, the little blue penguins, the New Zealand fur seals and the Stewart Island Shags all live in harmony. Tonight we dine with a decidedly Scottish air enjoying the Haggis presentation and dinner. - Breakfast and Dinner

Thursday, February 4 – Dunedin

Today we visit Glenfalloch Gardens with its woodland display of many varieties of fuchsia. Doves flutter in the trees and peacocks roam free. The original homestead of 1871 still stands.  After, we take a tour of Dunedin Botanical Gardens before visiting the historic Olveston House. - Breakfast and Dinner

Friday, February 5 –
Dunedin to Te Anau

This morning we depart Dunedin traveling to the incredible private garden, Maple Glen Garden. We then traverse across the south island to Te Anau and our accommodation.  This evening we board a launch and travel across the lake to see the rushing underground water and glow worm grotto of Te Anau Caves. - Breakfast

Saturday, February 6 – Te Anau to Doubtful Sound

A relaxed start to the day before we prepare for our overnight cruise of Doubtful Sound deep in Fjordland National Park. Experience the “Sound of Silence” when the vessels engines are turned off for the night in a remote bay deep in the wilderness.  We will have the opportunity to kayak – so plan to dress warm for this excursion. - Breakfast and Dinner

Sunday, February 7 – Queenstown

This morning returning to the dock at Deep Cove we retrace our steps and reboard our coach for the trip to Queenstown. This afternoon is at leisure. Tonight is free for you to explore the local restaurants, cafes and bars. - Breakfast

Monday, February 8 – Queenstown

Today is completely at your leisure to enjoy local activities of your choosing in Queenstown. This evening we take a cruise across Lake Wakatipu on the steamer TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak Station to dine at the Colonel’s Homestead. - Breakfast and Dinner

Tuesday, February 9 – Queenstown

Today we visit historic Arrowtown - a quaint town with plenty of shops and historic remains from the Gold Rush days. Here we visit Stoneridge Chapel and Water Garden for a guided tour.  Next we visit Gibbston Valley Winery for a wine tasting and cave tour where you travel 76 meters into New Zealand's largest and most innovative wine cave.  This evening we will ride on the Gondola up to Bob’s Peak for dinner, which overlooks Lake Wakatipu and the impressive Remarkables Mountain Range. - Breakfast and Dinner

Wednesday, February 10 – Queenstown to Fairlie

We will have a leisurely start to the day before we head north over the Lindis Pass to travel the vast Mackenzie Basin, to Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd and the statue of the Collie dog. Continuing to Fairlie, we will be met by our New Zealand host families. Tonight we enjoy lodging in Tekapo. - Breakfast and Dinner

Thursday, February 11 – Fairlie to Christchurch

This morning we travel across the Canterbury Plains into Christchurch. This afternoon is at your leisure. - Breakfast

Friday, February 12 – Christchurch

This morning we enjoy the sights of Christchurch, known as the ‘Garden City’.  We will walk through the elegant Mona Vale, a historic Victorian homestead surrounded by English style gardens. This afternoon we visit Gethsemane Gardens, a biblical garden with an ocean view. We then travel over the port hills to one of New Zealand’s most celebrated gardens, Ohinetahi, the private garden of Sir Miles Warren. Tonight we enjoy a farewell dinner at the Curators Cottage in the Christchurch Botanical Garden. - Breakfast and Dinner

Saturday, February 13  – Christchurch - USA

Our last morning in New Zealand, today we board our homeward flight.  Crossing the dateline we arrive back in the United States on the same day. - Breakfast

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Tour Guides - Jeffry de Jong and David Whiting

Jeffry de Jong and David Whiting are thrilled to be your hosts to the newest land on earth, New Zealand. As hosts of the Victoria Spring Garden Tour, they are frequently asked "Where is your favorite place on earth to see gardens and nature's beauty?" The answer is easy, New Zealand!  It is a country filled with amazing gardens, breathtaking natural scenery, clean, friendly, and welcoming.

All pictures on this web page were taken by Jeffry and David on previous trips to New Zealand!

• Jeffry de Jong is a horticulturist, instructor and an avid gardener. He serves as an instructor at Glendale Gardens and for the Vancouver Island Master Gardener Program. He hosts the popular Gardening 101 radio program heard Sunday mornings on CFAX 1070. He routinely writes for gardening magazines and is a fun-filled, engaging speaker at gardening programs around the community.
  
  Jeffry has won several awards for his own garden designs. He is passionate on the topic of garden design and using plant material in combination. His love for gardening has lead him across the world to such places as the Netherlands, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and the United States. He recently pulled up his well established prairie roots of Calgary, Alberta and transplanted himself to the Garden City, Victoria, BC.
  
  Being around Jeffry makes everything fun!

Email: jeffrydj@shaw.ca
Phone: 250-920-7700

• David Whiting is the Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist with the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture at Colorado State University. In this role he served as state coordinator of the Colorado Master Gardener Program. The 1,800 Colorado Master Gardener Volunteers donate $1.3 Million annually in volunteer time, assisting Coloradans with knowledge-based information to foster successful gardening.
  
  David works with volunteer training, curriculum development and also teaches Arboriculture and Introduction to Horticulture on campus. CMG curriculums developed by David are used by Master Gardener programs across the USA and Canada. His areas of specialization in horticulture include tree care, home vegetable gardening and water wise landscaping.

Email: david.whiting@colostate.edu
Phone: 970-491-7030

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Trip Costs and Conditions

This trip has been organized by Hidden Treasures Botanical Tours, L.L.C., which reserves the right to make necessary changes to the itinerary due to unforeseen circumstances.

Land-only package price

• Double occupancy - $4,950 - If you cannot secure a roommate, you will be responsible for single occupancy price.
• Single occupancy price - $6,800



• With the slow economy, prices for international travel are great, being significantly lower than a year or two ago. You may never find a trip of this magnitude priced so low again! As of late August, airlines are offering fantastic prices on airfare to New Zealand.

Tour price Includes

• Private transportation with driver and air-conditioning
• Entrance fees pertinent to itinerary
• All lodging and taxes as specified above
• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner where indicated on the itinerary

Tour price does not include

• Round trip airfare
• New Zealand airfare from North Island to South Island
• Airport departure tax (USD$25.00 per person)
• Optional tours

Refund Schedule

• Final payment is due 90 days prior to trip departure. A full refund will be given up to 90 days prior to the departure date, minus a $250 administrative fee. There are no refunds within 90 days of trip departure as airfare is booked at that time, and hotel non-refundable deposits have been paid.
• We highly recommend trip insurance, which includes cancellation and trip delay coverage, as well as baggage and medical coverage. Most trip insurance policies waive pre-existing conditions if you sign up for trip insurance within 15 days of sending in this registration form and paying your initial trip deposit.
• Upon registration, we will send a Terms and Conditions document for specific refund schedule.

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Passport and Visa Requirements

A valid passport is required to enter New Zealand, visitors from the United States and Canada do not need a VISA. Your passport must be valid for six months beyond the return date of this tour. If needed to renew your passport, please allow several months to obtained the renewal.

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Additional Information and Registration

For additional information and registration, contact Mary at Hidden Treasures Botanical Tours

• Email: mary@hiddentreasuresbotanicaltours.com
• Phone: 573-881-6316 or 573-445-3975
• Web: www.hiddentreasuresbotanicaltours.com
• Address: Hidden Treasures Botanical Tours; PO Box 39: Rocheport, MO 65279



• Registration form.pdf  |  Registration form.doc

The Inspiring Gardens and Scenery of New Zealand Tour is an educational partnership between the Colorado Master Gardener Program and Hidden Treasures Botanical Tours.

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