The Botanic Garden is a garden of great variety with the Leith Stream on the southern boundary and Lindsay Creek running through the middle dividing the garden in two. From the formal, almost level area of the lower garden with its herbaceous borders, rose garden, camellia collection, herb garden and the beautifully planted Lister Garden, to the major collection of plants in the rock garden on the slopes leading to the upper garden, there are features for all to enjoy.

Approached by a chestnut-lined drive which winds past old orchards and streams, Mincher, a large rural garden just north of Auckland’s CBD, is home to many varities of waterfowl and birdlife including Grey Teal, Aylesburys, Kingfishers, Shining Cuckoos, Tui and Kaka.

“If you think of gardening as an art form, Ayrlies is the best expression of that art.” This is a quote by Jack Hobbs, manager of Auckland Botanic Gardens. Situated in the gently rolling country of south-east Auckland, this is one of New Zealand’s best-known gardens, characterised by sweeping lawns and informal but detailed plantings by ponds and waterways

Oakley Garden has carefully planned and fully planted garden rooms which are linked with hedge-lined paths.

Hundreds of Nikau Palms set the South Pacific theme in this moist gully of approximately one and a half acres.

Rather than focusing on plant collections, at Hamilton Gardens the emphasis is on different types of garden design. Traditional botanic gardens concentrate on plant collections, conservation, research and education, while Hamilton Gardens has the unique concept of showcasing the cultural meaning and context of gardens over the past 4,000 years.

The garden commenced in 1990 but is maturing rapidly due to the mild, almost frost-free climate. The Higgies have specialized in exotic flora to produce a landscape like no other in New Zealand.

One of the oldest botanic gardens in New Zealand, this central city garden was established in 1868. The major conifer species which are a feature were planted then as part of a programme to import plant species and assess their economic potential to the new colony. The very large specimens of Pinus radiata that dominate the landscape were grown from the first seed of that species to be imported from California.

One of Auckland Council’s jewels, the Wintergarden at the Auckland Domain is a treasure of great historic interest. It was designed in the early 1900s in the style of the famous English partnership of Edwin Lutyens and Gertrude Jeckyll and opened in 1913.

Auckland Botanic Gardens is a young botanic garden that has been created from gently contoured farmland. The mild temperate climate allows the gardens to display a wide variety of plants. The native plant collections focus on those plants occurring naturally within the northern parts of New Zealand and there is a special garden where threatened plants may be seen.

Wharepuke means ‘house on the hill’ in Te Reo Maori. The owner Robin Booth has a wealth of experience as a nurseryman and landscaper. He began developing the garden, which sits in a valley running down to the historic Stone Store in Kerikeri, in 1993.

The Quarry Gardens are a spectacular sub-tropical oasis in the heart of Whangarei. Since the 1990s it has been transformed from an abandoned commercial quarry into the flourishing garden it is today because of the dedication of local volunteers and gardeners. As an ever changing community project it continues to grow and offers new experiences with every visit.

The garden surrounds the house and extends out across a sloping lawn and planted terraces to a creek. Bold groupings of roses and palms frame the entrance to the house and a paved courtyard and pool area are contained by detailed plantings of palms and cycads.

This extraordinary garden is a plant lover's paradise, featuring rare beauties and the clever use of the more commonplace. Unique topiary hedges, oversized wooden steps, platforms, and pergolas provide definition and inspiration.

TOTARA WATERS is a 2 acre subtropical garden set on the upper Waitemata Harbour. Development began in 1999 by Peter and Jocelyn Coyle, whereby extensive planting of rare and unusual plants have been included in the garden.

The Sky Tower peeking over the palms is the only hint of urban life in Mark van Kaathoven’s dense if diminutive rainforest in Freemans Bay, just 10 minutes’ walk from the central city. Skinks scurry up palm trunks and the chirrups of small green frogs harmonise with birdsong in a backyard that is teeming with life.

At just 5 minutes’ drive from the CBD is a garden in the country which is anything but a country garden. You won’t find beds of cottage flowers or rows of box hedge but you will be enchanted by winding paths through the native bush walk full of contrasting foliage, with extensive collections of Hosta, drifts of Clivia, many different Maples, Bromeliad & garden art throughout.

The gardens of Government House Auckland are a rare survivor from the era when many large New Zealand city estates had landscaped grounds.

The garden comprises of more than 600 glass sculptures, set in an acre of manicured grounds in an idyllic rural setting. A boardwalk takes you on a 500 metre amble around ponds, through fields of glass flowers, and amongst stunning sculptures. You can sit and enjoy the water tumbling down the fifteen-piece glass waterfall, then continue your browse through a native tree bird area. The newest additions to the garden are New Zealand themed, with giant cast glass korus and three colourful glass lancewoods.

Come and enjoy a relaxed art and garden experience strolling along a gentle 1km sculpture & garden trail set in a tranquil and inspirational rural oasis located at award winning Kaipara Coast Plant Centre, just 40 minutes drive from Auckland City.