There are collections of rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias. Friday 23 November We drive north from Auckland on a day trip through the rural countryside of Northland to Belleview , Vivienne Papich's private garden. Vivienne has planted her unique garden at Langs Beach with colour and originality. Every turning brings another delightful set-piece composition. Laid out on a hillside on various levels it faces spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean.
Native trees line the driveway over naturalised ferns, cymbidium orchids and bromeliads.
We will stop for tea at the pretty town of Warkworth on our return journey and your dinner will be served in our hotel. Saturday 24 November We start today at Westridge , the garden of Richard Cadness and garden designer Geoffrey Haughey in Titirangi. This is lovely garden with a distinctive New Zealand flavour nestles amongst nikau palms, ferns and native trees in the Waitakere Ranges Scenic Park of forested hills on the outskirts of Auckland city. Native birdsong enhances the sub-tropical background. On our way we take a look at the Muriwai Beach gannet colony, then we continue our discovery of the native environment with a visit to the Arataki Visitor Centre and Scenic Drive Lookout where you can gain an insight of Maori culture.