Top Things to do in South Island
Things to do in South Island, New Zealand: The Best Gardens
Discover the best top things to do in South Island, New Zealand including Maple Glen Gardens, Ohinetahi Garden, Flaxmere Garden, Upton Oaks Garden, Lavender Fields, Winterhome Garden, Glenfalloch Gardens Cafe and Restaurant, Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Mona Vale, The Giants House.
Restaurants in South Island
1. Maple Glen Gardens
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By racheln931 - London, United Kingdom
A little slice of paradise that we heard about by chance and we are so glad we visited. The garden is stunning and the owners are so friendly and passionate about their work. It is free to enter but donations are welcome. Do not skip this place on your trip!
2. Ohinetahi Garden
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By evman00 - Christchurch, New Zealand
We stopped in unexpectedly to this quiet garden not expecting much. This is a hidden gem for Canterbury. We meet the Gardener who was a wonderfully friendly person. The view out to the bay from the car park was amazing, seeing the flat Governors Bay sea, and the suns rays on the water. The range of sculptures throughout the garden was excellent and each one put you in thought. The gardens were immaculately cared for from formal, cottage, hedges and native bush. Each area had a little surprise and the different heights gave me another way to view of each area. A Fabulous garden all should visit. We will be back again.
3. Flaxmere Garden
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By revejardinier
Just this Sunday as Summer makes herself comfortable on the throne, taking over from Spring and filling Nature with her wondrous warmth, I visited Flaxmere for the second time albeit at a different time of year. Proving that her hospitality was not a fluke the first time, Penny Zino was there again to welcome us to her garden. When I visited her garden last it was nearly at the very end of the Summer and even then I found the garden wonderful. This time round it was plus grand(more grand). When I spoke to Penny under the stately Golden Elm; The Silver Elm and the Copper Beech as our backdrop. . .I said to her, I think I have found the secret to the success of Flaxmere. .. That secret lies in the Trees. And she has planted them all herself. These three trees, the light that they exude is simply magical. Even the many Firs or Pines in the garden, they are so delightful, placed just at the correct spot, and as a friend once said to me, "It doesn't blow my mind. Its simply mindblowing" Penny Zino single handedly keeps this garden; an utter feat at her age, without offence, this is said. Her Delphiniums, Roses, aaaah! What a delight. If the reader has not yet gone to see Flaxmere nestled amongst the trees at the foot of the spine of the New Zealand Alps, you need to go now! If have been there before, go again. This garden has much more to offer than just a one time visit. There are so many different nuances one misses with only one visit and I will visit again, though next time I will try first to go in the dead of Winter. According to an ancient Japanese gardener there should be six sublimities to a garden. Although it is most rare to find or achieve this Flaxmere has spaciousness-seclusion and artifice and and water-panoramas. There is one part of the garden close to the pond of the Swan, when one sits on the bench; one looks across the water towards a long section of cut grass that leads the eye over taller grasses in the distance, this further leads to eye onto a set of tall trees at least a mile away and beyond that the blue argon of the mountains. I could sit there all day and create a Monet moment. Sublime... Another sublimity is antiquity, and when one looks at Flaxmere, the way that the light falls through the garden, also the house, the way it resides in the space of the garden, one can only achieve this as a garden matures. . .slowly. . .through the passage of Time. . .
4. Upton Oaks Garden
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 20 reviews
PLEASE CONTACT US TO ARRANGE A TIME FOR YOUR VISIT AS THIS IS A PRIVATE GARDEN. Nestled in grape country, hidden behind high hedges, lies the private but nationally acclaimed garden of Upton Oaks. Surrounding the 1911 Victorian homestead are gardens that have been recognised as a 'Garden of National Significance' as awarded by the NZ Gardens Trust. The colourful gardens comprise of intimate garden rooms contained within a formal framework of hedges and brick walls. The much photographed 17th century style Knot Garden is a favourite for visitors. Relax on a park bench where you can take in views of the herbaceous borders and pond. A small rustic olive grove with a winding path, leads to large raised vegetable beds and espaliered fruit trees. The blue and white gardens surrounding a French iron gazebo compliment our historic guest house, Laurella cottage at the rear of the property which is available to book for accommdation. Upton Oaks Garden has graced the pages of numerous magazines plus television screens and is visited by many national and international groups each year.
Reviewed By DEBTHEBEE
Have been here twice now, many years apart and it is an absolutely wonderful garden. I would recommend it to anyone who is into gardening to visit.
5. Lavender Fields
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6 reviews
Lavender Fields, 20 minutes north of Christchurch, incorporating gardens, nursery and gift shop, is a family owned and operated business. Visitors to 224 Waikuku Beach Road are encouraged to wander around the fields, observe the distillation process (Feb-March), visit the shop, stocked with quality oils and body products, and discover the large range of lavenders in the nursery.
6. Winterhome Garden
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
Winterhome Garden is a proud family run operation that compliments the family sheep and cattle farm. The gardens unique large scale design which incorporates nearly 10 acres of formal garden provides a wealth of atmospheric vistas and settings set above the rugged Marlborough coastline. The garden is recognised as a garden of national significance.
7. Glenfalloch Gardens Cafe and Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 124 reviews
Glenfalloch Woodland Garden is a lush historic garden filled with native birdsong. Imagine meeting an original 1000 year old Matai tree hidden in the native bush while you listen to a piwakawaka merrily flitting amongst the trees. You can enjoy panoramic harbour views as you stroll among the rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias, fuchsias and a profusion of other flower species which integrate with native ferns, exotic imports and indigenous New Zealand trees to showcase 140 years of conservation and expansion of our botanical heritage. Glenfalloch Garden is definitely a four season garden with each season bringing its own special array of colours and fragrances.
Reviewed By anitao906 - Mannheim, Germany
Shortly before 10 am we had the gardens almost exclusively to ourselves. Roses, ferns and rhododendron, exotic plants, colourful shrubs, mighty trees, birds, romantic hidden spots... everything well-kept. A serene and peaceful atmosphere making you leave your cares behind... Make sure to stop there when exploring the Peninsula! It's ever so beautiful...
8. Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,689 reviews
At the heart of Christchurch's reputation as the Garden City, the Gardens are a place of ever-changing beauty. Showcasing flora and fauna of New Zealand and other parts of the world, the Gardens feature one of the finest collections of exotic and local plants in New Zealand. With more than 1.1 Million visitors each year the Botanic Gardens are one of the Christchurch's most popular and well-loved attractions.
Reviewed By Addie1960 - Maroochydore, Australia
I hopped off the city tram across from the gardens, the flowering trees and blossoms were in full bloom, very beautiful and peaceful plenty of seats and green grass to sit and relax, and the waterways were great Very well taken care of, pet friendly park
9. Mona Vale
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 230 reviews
Reviewed By GSL2 - Christchurch, New Zealand
Mona Vale is an old, established garden running alongside the river. Lots of interesting plants and corners to explore including a rose garden and a water-lily pond. There were ducklings when we last visited and it was fascinating watching the mama duck herding her 7 little ones as they dived around the water lilies. You don't need to join a tour; nice to just wander at leisure. There is a restaurant there, but looked very formal, so we didn't get anything there. Would have been nice to have somewhere to get an icecream or a smoothie as it was a warm day.
10. The Giants House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,284 reviews
The Happiest Garden on Earth..! Garden of International Significance.. A Josie Martin creation.. Colourful, beautiful balance between garden and art. Don’t miss the fun DVD playing in the contemporary art gallery. Terraced gardens with sculptures and incredible mosaics. Very Unique. A creative feast and a wonderful experience. Only a few minutes walk from the centre of Akaroa.terraced gardens are full of surprises -expect the unexpected at The Giant's House!
Reviewed By FranG1 - Auckland, New Zealand
What an incredible spot every corner you turn just takes your breath away, how people can comment that the entrance fee is too pricey is beyond us, it’s just incredible and photos don’t do it justice.
