Are you a Hortisexual? Time to visit New Zealand...

 

Me and Raoulia mammillaris on top of Mount Southey

If 1) you love Horticulture and 2) are not a eunuch and 3) are not a nut case you are eligible to perhaps becoming a Hortisexual--a very congenial group of passionate plant people (once primarily perhaps predominately LGBTQ however, nowadays the group is diverse and the primary expectation is mutual respect and that participants not be prone judgementalism.

I possess a Hortisexual T-shirt--and have not had the pleasure of going on one of their trips--yet: I know scads of people who have, and all have reported that Hortisexual trips are superbly orchestrated, see the best stuff and are pretty much non stop fun.

Talking to Robin Parer (owner of Geraniaceae*--the best source of plants for that family in the world), who is a dear friend and a national treasure, she mentioned that there are two places left for their tour to New Zealand next November. This is the description of the trip she sent me in an email last night:

"The cost will be approximately $5000US plus airfare - but it is for 18 days. Anyone interested can get in touch with me at my email address <geraniac@pacbell.net>

THE BAY AREA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY TOUR TO NEW ZEALAND, OCTOBER 30 THROUGH NOVEMBER 17, 2024

 B, L, D, CP:  breakfast, lunch, dinner, cocktail party (paid for)

 

October 30 (Wednesday) - Arrive at The Sebel Viaduct Harbour,  85-89 Customs Street West, Auckland, NZ (3 nights) 

7:00 p.m. Welcome Cocktail Party, Soul Bar and Bistro, 16-18 Lower Hobson Street West, Auckland  - a very short walk on the RHS out the back door of the hotel. CP

 

October 31 (Thursday) 

7:30 a.m. Breakfast at Giraffe, 80 Queen St., Auckland (has a separate vegetarian menu). The restaurant can be found by walking through the hotel lobby, past some chairs and tables and through the back door, and can be found immediately on your left. B

9:00 a.m. Take our Bus from The Sebel Viaduct Harbor, 85-89 Customs St. West, Auckland to Auckland Domain Wintergardens and Fernery, drop-off point for bus on Wintergreen Road, Auckland 

10:00 a.m. Bus to Gordon’s Native Plant Nursery, 159A Scenic Drive, Titirangi, West Auckland  Small nursery, plants very well labelled. Talk by Ms. Glenda Gordon or her son Ted.

11:15 a.m. Bus to Auckland Botanic Gardens, 102 Hill Road, Manuwera, Auckland. Explore the native plant section 

12:45 p.m. Lunch at the Botanic Gardens, Café Miko (kitchen closes at 2:30 p.m.)

2:00 p.m. Talk with Barbara Wheeler, Curator 

2:45 p.m. Bus to The Sebel Hotel, Viaduct Harbor

3:30 p.m. You are on your own for the rest of the day. There are many restaurants and cafes around the area of the hotel if you are interested in dinner later on.

 

November 1 (Friday) (Bus is not needed today)

7:30 a.m. Quick Breakfast at Giraffe, 80 Queen St. Auckland. You must be in time for the ferry. (We collect packed lunches). Walk to the ferry dock. B

9:00 a.m. Ferry to Tiritiri Matangi Island  - Departs from the Explore Booking Kiosk in Viaduct Harbor. (80 minutes trip) Bring binoculars.

10:10 a.m. Arrive at Tiritiri Matangi Island - collect lunch; guided tour of the island. L You should pair up, and then you can take many of the well marked trails by yourself, but you must be back at the Ferry Dock at 2.20 p.m. The ferry departs at 2:40 p.m. (If you are late you will spend the night outside on the island - there is no accommodation for visitors!) Ferry arrives back in Auckland at 4 p.m.

You are on your own for dinner.

 

November 2 (Saturday)

7:30 a.m. Breakfast at Giraffe. B

9:00 a.m. Bus from Sebel Viaduct Harbor to Omaio, 194 Whitmore Road. Tawharamui. Matakana Omaio is a private 18 acre garden on the coast of Kawai Bay. 

10:30 a.m. We will receive a Maori welcome, followed by a garden tour and a catered lunch L

1:30 p.m. Bus to Whangarei (2 hours)

3:00 - 4:00 p.m.  Hundertwasser Art Center, (with the Wairau Maori Art Gallery) 81 Dent Street, Whangarei. Visit the roof garden; see a short film on Friedensreich Hundertwasser; visit book store and the art gallery.

4:00 p.m. Bus to Lodge Bordeaux, 361 Western Hills Drive, Whangarei (2 nights) Don’t forget to order breakfast for tomorrow - it will be delivered to your room

7:00 p.m. Bus to Top Sail Restaurant, 206 Beach Road, Onerahi, Whangarei. D Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options

8:30 - 9:00 p.m. Bus returns to Lodge Bordeaux

 

November 3 (Sunday)

8:00 a.m. Breakfast in room. B

9:00 a.m.  Bus to visit Te Wairahi Taiao Native Nursery, 1836 Whananaki North Road, Whananaki or Waimarie Nurseries, 131 Draffin Rd., Poroti(we will make a choice closer to the date)

10:30 a.m. Bus to Hundertwasser Public Toilets, 60 Gillies St., Kawakawa

11:15 a.m. Visit toilets

11:30 a.m. Leave toilets and get on Bus to The Museum of Waitangi, Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Waitangi

11:45 a.m. Museum and Lunch at Whare Wake Cafe at the Museum L

We will have a short walk this afternoon:

1:15 p.m. Bus to Waipoua Forest

3:00 p.m. Arrive at the Waipoua Forest

The Tane Mahuta Walk is approximately a 3 min walk from the Tane Mahuta car park. We will see the Tane Mahuta kauri tree, 2500 years old. If there is time we will explore another of the walks, but the carpark for the Te Matua Ngahere Walk closes at 4:30 p.m. It depends how speedy we are.

4:30 p.m. Bus will return to Lodge Bordeaux, Onerahi.

You are on your own for dinner. Don’t forget to order breakfast in your room for tomorrow morning.

 

November 4 (Monday)

Early breakfast in room B

8:00 a.m. Bus to collect packed lunch DeLucca Cafe, 6/8 Rust Ave. Whangarei 

8:30 a.m. Bus to Ayrlie’s Garden, 125 Potts Road, Auckland 

10:30 a.m. Tour the garden 1 1/4 hours

11:45 a.m.  Bus to Hamilton, 

1:15 p.m. visit town, lunch on your own, shopping opportunity 

2:45 p.m. visit Hamilton Gardens, Hungerford Crescent.

4:00 p.m.  Bus to Huka Falls on the Waikato River, Taupo - visit falls and take a short walk.

6:00 p.m. Bus to Ika Nui Motel, 64-66 Lake Terrace, Taupo - 2 nights) You are on your own for dinner - a short walk to a number of restaurants.

 

November 5 (Tuesday)

8:30 a.m. Walk to breakfast at Cafe Baku, 42 Roberts Street, Taupo B Order ahead and pick up sandwiches for lunch 

9:45 a.m. Bus to Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, 201 Waiotapu Loop Road, Rd 3  Rotorua (1 1/2 hr. walk)

12:15 p.m. Bus to Rotorua and The National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa, 192 Fairy Springs Road, Rotorua for a 45 minute guided tour, starting at 1 p.m.. (The Hatchery closes at 2 p.m.) Eat lunch on bus before or after the tour.

1:00 p.m. Bus to Waikite Valley Hotpools 648 Waikite Valley Road, Rotorua and the Te Manaroa Spring Eco-Trail. Bathe in hot pools and hike to view unique ferns and mosses.L

4:00 Bus returns to Ika Nui Motel in Taupo

Dinner on own

 

November 6 (Wednesday)

8:30 a.m. Walk to breakfast at Cafe Baku, 42 Roberts Street, Taupo B Order ahead and pick up sandwiches for lunch 

10:00 a.m. Bus to New Plymouth (5 hour drive) …45 minutes from Taupo..

10:45 Along the way…Hike - Rimu walk in the Pureora Forest Park -  Kakaho Campsite, at the end of Kakaho Road, off SH32 (Tihoi Road). It's 43 km from Taupo – follow Poihipi Road, then Marotiri Road to SH32, or 26 km from Pureora Village - follow Barryville Road then Link road to the campsite.

12 noon Bus continues to New Plymouth

Stop for picnic lunch on the north Taranaki coast near Tongaporutu - Three Sisters Lookout -  to see the rock formations on the beach L

 p.m. Bus to The State Hotel  162 Devon Street, East New Plymouth and The Nice Hotel, 71 Brougham St., New Plymouth (Hortis may have to be picked up by bus and driven to the Elixir Cafe on Nov. 7 and 8) (2 nights)

On your own for dinner

 

November 7 (Thursday)

8:30 a.m. Walk or Bus to breakfast at The Elixir Cafe, 117 Devon Street East, New Plymouth B Order ahead and collect picnic lunches 

930 a.m. Bus  Te Kainga Marire, the garden of Valda Poletti and Dave Clarkson, 15 Spencer Place, New Plymouth (5 minute drive)

10:30 a.m. Bus to Pukekua Park, 10 Fillis St. New Plymouth, Fernery and Display Gardens

Pukekua Park and early lunch L

12:30 Bus to Mt. Taranaki, Egmont National Park -  Bus to the Potaema Picnic Area, 3 km from the national park boundary on Pembroke Road. Potaema Track - a 30 minute easy access boardwalk that takes you through native forest.

Back on the Bus to Stratford Plateau Car Park and Lookout. Round the Mountain Circuit Track - 1 hour and 20 minutes walk downhill through Wikis Pools to the Dawson’s Falls Visitor Center where we will meet the Bus.

If we have time… Bus for a visit to Environmental Products (NZ) 1103 Opunake Rd. Mahoe, Stratford, Taranaki for possum/wool products - sweaters, socks, etc.

Late afternoon… Bus to hotel

Dinner on own

 

November 8 (Friday)

8:30 a.m. Walk or Bus to breakfast at the Elixir Cafe, 117 Devon Street East, New Plymouth. B Collect packed lunches.

9:45 a.m. Bus to Paloma Gardens, 11 Pohutukawa Lane, off Denlair Road, Fordell, Whanganui

12.15 p.m. Arrive at gardens. (Lunch either in garden or on bus) L

2 p.m. Bus to Waikanae, Kapiti Coast to visit Blue Gecko Landscape Creations (Ben Hoyle)

3:30 p.m. Arrive at Ben Hoyle’s garden, 25 Greenaway Road, Waikanae, Kapiti Coast. He will show us around his own garden and another “down the street.”

4:45 p.m. Bus to Wellington, The Sebel Wellington, Lower Hutt, 15 Queen’s Drive, Hutt Central, Lower Hutt (One night)

7:30 p.m. Dinner at Hotel D

 

 

November 9 (Saturday)

8:00 a.m. Breakfast at The Sebel B

8:45 a.m. Bus to Otari-Wilton’s Bush, 160 Wilton Road, Wellington

10 :15 a.m. Bus to Garden of James Frazer and Biddi Bunzi, Newtown (address to be added)

11:00 a.m.  Bus to Garden of x (to be confirmed)

12:00 noon Bus to  Bluebridge Ferry -  Departs Wellington to Picton at 1:30 p.m. (check on ferry times, may change after October 31). (3 hours) (Buy your own lunch on the ferry)

430 p.m. Arrive in Picton. Take Bus to Hotel d’Urville, 52 Queen Street, Blenheim and the 14th Lane Urban Hotel, 1A Kinross St. Blenheim (2 nights)

Bus pick up 14th Lane Urban Hotel group at 7:15 p.m. and bring to d’Urville for dinner.

7:30 Group Dinner at Hotel d’Urville D

9:30 Taxi returns group to 14th Lane Urban Hotel

 

November 10 (Sunday)

8:30 a.m Continental breakfast at hotel  B

9:45 a.m. Bus pick up group from hotels and then to Welton House, garden of Wendy Palmer, 10 Staces Road, Grovetown, Blenheim

11:30 a.m. Bus to Rosa Davison’s garden, Paripuma, 243 Renners Road, Lower Dashwood, Marlborough.

1:30 p.m. Bus to Allan Scott Bistro, 9 Jackson’s Road, Rapaura (open until 5 p.m.) (distance from our hotel 5.6 miles) L

4:30 p.m.  Bus to return to the Hotel d’Urville and the 14th Lane Urban Hotel 

Dinner, if necessary, is on your own.

 

November 11 (Monday)

8:00 a.m. Breakfast at hotel(s) B

9:30 a.m. Bus to Winterhome Garden, 5781 State Highway 1, Kekerengu (51 miles)

10:30 a.m. Visit Winterhome

12:30 Bus to Kaikoura (60km) Point Kean Viewpoint, 274 Scarborough Street, Kaikoura, Kaikura Peninsula Walkway to visit the Kaikoura Seal Colony. 

2 p.m. Bus to lunch, Cods and Crayfish, 81 Beach Road, North Canterbury, Kaikoura L

3 p.m. Bus to Christchurch

6:00 The Observatory Hotel, 9 Hereford Street, Christchurch (126 miles) (2 nights)

You are on your own for dinner

 

November 12 (Tuesday)

8:30 a.m. Breakfast at The Bean at the Y (on the same side of the street as the hotel - towards the Botanic Garden) B

9:30 a.m. Bus to Fisherman’s Bay Garden (100km), 188 Fishermans Bay Road, R.D. 3, Akaroa

11:30 a.m. Fisherman’s Bay Garden

12:30 Bus to The Giant’s House Garden and lunch at the restaurant L

2:30-3:00 p.m. Bus to Ohinetahi Gardens, 1 The Terrace, Governor’s Bay

4:45 p.m. Bus to The Observatory Hotel, 9 Hereford St., Christchurch

5:15 p.m. The Observatory Hotel - 15 minute visit to the Hotel - followed by a walk in the Christchurch Botanic Garden (half a block away). It's open until 8:30 p.m.

Return to the Observatory Hotel at your pleasure.

You are on your own for dinner. Jaba’s Grill and Bar, 150 Lichfield St. is recommended - it’s a flesh palace but delicious food; reservations suggested - you will need a taxi.

 

November 13 (Wednesday)

7 a.m. Breakfast at Bean at the Y down the street towards the Botanic Garden B 

7:45 a.m. Bus to Broadfields Garden, 1094 Shands Road, Lincoln (garden opens at 8 a.m.)

9:30 a.m. Bus to Lake Pukaki, (go through Methven); stop at Rakaia River and Gorge; short hike; then Geraldine for lunch, Barkers Foodstore and Eatery, 71 Talbot St., Geraldine (call ahead to have lunch ready); Linis Pass short hike for viewing spots L 

 Bus to Jo Wakelin garden, 20B Gilmore Rd, Mt Pisa, Cromwell.

? p.m. Bus to The Dairy Private Hotel, Queenstown, 21 Brecon St. Queenstown and The Central Private Hotel, 4 Sydney St., Queenstown (2 nights)

You are on your own for dinner

 

November 14 (Thursday)

8:00 a.m. Breakfast (included with the room) B

9:30 a.m. Bus to Little Paradise, Wild Dream Garden on Lake Wakatipu (house tour plus garden), and a small hike to Bennett’s Bluff; 25 minute scenic drive from Queenstown at 2600 Glenorchy Rd.

10:45 a.m. Bus continues to Glenorchy

11:45 a.m. Visit Glenorchy Eco Retreat to view Jeffrey Bale’s stoneworks and the Glenorchy Lagoon Walkway - from the waterfront park at the northern end of Glenorchy and follow the DOC signs (30 minutes)

1:00 p.m. Lunch in Mrs. Woolly’s General Store, 64 Oban Street, Glenorchy. L

2:30 p.m. Bus returns to Queenstown. You are on your own for the rest of the day and for dinner. Shopping opportunities!

 

November 15 (Friday)

8:00 a.m. Breakfast (included with room) B

9:30 a.m. Bus to Mike Henry’s garden, Chantecler, midway between Queenstown and Arrowtown in the Wakitipu Basin -  14 Lower Shotover Road, Queenstown.

11:30  Bus to Te Anau, The Sandfly Cafe, 9 the Lane, Te Anau for lunch L

Bus to check in to Radfords on the Lake, 56-58 Lakefront Drive, Te Anau (2 nights) 

Bus at 4 p.m. for the 4:30 tour of the Te Anau Glowworm Caves, 85 Lakefront Dr. Te Anau

7: 00 p.m. Bus returns to Radfords on the Lake.

You are on your own for dinner. Possibilities include the Redcliff Restaurant and Bar, Ranch Bar and Grill among many others, all within walking distance of the motel.

 

November 16 (Saturday)

8:00 a.m. Breakfast at the Sandfly Cafe, 9 The Lane, Te Anau B

9:00 a.m. Bus to Milford Sound and tour of the fjord by boat. Stops along the way include the Mirror Lakes; visit with the Kakas;  a short hike in Gertrude Saddle.

12:30 p.m. Lunch, Milford Sound Information Center and Cafe, State Highway 94, Milford Sound L

1:30 p.m. Join Mitre Peak Cruises, Milford Sound Visitor Terminal, State Highway 94, Milford Sound  - depending on the weather and tides, tour by boat through the Sound to the ocean edge.

3:45 p.m. Bus returns to Te Anau

Dinner on your own

 

November 17 (Sunday)

8:00 a.m.  Bus to breakfast at The Sandfly Cafe B

9:00 a.m. Bus to Queenstown to the airport (Bus service is finished)

Snack lunch at airport

Take early afternoon flight to Auckland

Take bus/taxi to The Sebel Viaduct Harbour,  85-89 Customs Street West, Auckland, NZ (one night) Taxi is $90-$100 NZ from the airport - please share the ride.

7:00 Walk to Farewell Cocktail Party at Bivacco, 115 Customs Street West, Auckland CP

 

November 18 (Monday)

Return Home  

I would jump on this: you'll never have a better trip to New Zealand at a better price. I'd do so myself--but it overlaps with a trip I've already planned to Patagonia (DRATS!)...

This is a special service to my Blog readers. You're welcome!

*If you've never seen Robin's website, go back to the Geraniaceae link I did above and click on it (or on this sentence here: it's a treasure trove of plants are very reasonable prices.