Port
Picton, New Zealand
Activity Level
Moderate
Excursion Type
All
Wheelchair Accessible
No
Starting At
$259.95
Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
Duration
Approximately 7 Hours
Meals Included
Meals included
Two beautiful Gardens of National Significance are found here in Marlborough -- the wine and garden province of New Zealand.
Travel from Picton to Upton Oaks -- the English-inspired garden of Dave and Sue Monahan developed around a restored 1911 South Pacific villa house. The manicured grounds feature brick walls, ponds, perennial borders and a 17th-century-style Elizabethan 'knot garden', divided into sections by color.
Passing through Blenheim -- the main town of the Marlborough region -- your coach climbs through the aptly-named Wither Hills, whose dry, yellow grasses yield to the rolling farmland of Dashwood Pass and the pretty Awatere Valley. Marlborough's weather is legendary, and a bright, sunny day will afford grand views across the valley to Mt Tapuaenuku.
Your destination is Winterhome -- a stunning coastal farm raising more than 3,500 breeding sheep and 100 head of cattle. Stop near the woolshed for a sheepdog demonstration, where the incredibly talented dogs skillfully muster a small flock of sheep under the guidance of the dedicated farm manager. Look on as an expert shearer swiftly relieves an ewe of its fleece in a matter of moments.
The coach takes you a short distance further to Winterhome Garden. Meet your hosts -- the Macfarlane family -- and explore the gorgeous ten-acre Garden of National Significance. Stroll through the large-scale formal garden and take in the many different vistas, including a mountain range and the rugged coastline. The garden's design structure is world class and its intersecting axes take visitors in many unexpected directions. You will pass fish ponds, water features, a citrus grove, floral avenues, and even an avocado orchard.
The Store at Kekerengu is an absolutely iconic New Zealand institution. It is a highly-regarded café with breathtaking views and delicious fresh food. Situated on the beautiful Kaikoura Coast, The Store is the ultimate coastal experience and a very special place to sit back and relax over a delicious country-style lunch. You will be invited to enjoy a glass of local award-winning Black Cottage wine.
Leaving behind the serene splendor of the farm and the valley, you will return to Picton and the ship.
Notes:
Not advisable for guests using a wheelchair.