A Day in Akaroa's Gardens

ALL INCLUSIVE GARDEN TOUR

A Day of Gardens, Scenery& Hospitality in Banks Peninsula

Join us for a luxury all-inclusive garden tour of four stunning Akaroa gardens: Trish & Barry Moon’s Garden at Barry’s Bay, Goosebrook Gardens, Fishermans Bay and Jane Hart’s historic gem on Rue Jolie.

Enjoy morning and afternoon tea, lunch, all garden entries, and the expertise of CHS Board Member and tour guide Gail Scrivener.

Programme

8.30am: Pick-up from Princess Margaret Hospital
First Stop: Barry’s Bay Garden (morning tea)
2nd Stop: Goosebrook Gardens
3rd Stop: Fisherman’s Bay Garden
Here we enjoy a delicious lunch provided from The Store, Tai Tapu
Final Stop: Jane Hart’s Ru Jolie (afternoon tea)
5.00pm: Return to Princess Margaret Hospital

Trish & Barry Moon’s Garden, Barry’s Bay

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Tucked away along Barry’s Bay Valley Road, Trish and Barry Moon have transformed a bush-fringed clearing into a haven of flowers, fruit, and vegetables. Trish’s blooms, grown for picking, are supported by Andrew’s clever creations—rusty iron obelisks, stakes, and whimsical sculptures that keep the garden upright and eye-catching. Roses tumble over the house in pinks and whites, including the romantic ‘Burgundy Iceberg’, mingling with vibrant perennials. The vegetable garden is overflowing, with glasshouses brimming with tomatoes, while quails and kereru dart through the garden, adding life (and a little mischief!). A garden of creativity, colour, and abundance—don’t miss it.

Goosebrook Gardens

Julie Whitmore

Set within two acres of landsaped beauty, Goosebrook is embraced by native bush, a gentle stream, and the sound of birdsong. A relatively new gardens, it has been lovingly developed over the past 18 months from open sheep paddock into a series of meandering paths, bridges, dahlia beds and perennial plantings.

Fisherman’s Bay Garden

Jill & Richard Simpson

A haven on the rugged Banks Peninsula coastline, blending native plants with diverse exotics to create a distinct Kiwi ambience. Winding paths reveal a series of garden spaces — from traditional flower borders and herb beds to a farm garden, fern valley, shaded stream walk and exposed rock garden.

An extensive variety of locally sourced native plant species offer visitors a unique snapshot of the rich and varied plants of Banks Peninsula. There is a large collection of New Zealand Hebes as well as many other native plants. While native plants are always at the core of the garden there are large areas of perennial plantings influenced by Northern Hemisphere landscaping.  

The garden has been landscaped integrating old farm buildings such as the woolshed which now houses a visitor area and a place to sit and enjoy tea and coffee. ​

In recent years the Jill & Richard have added non native plants from similar ecological niches to some parts of the native plantings. This is a work in progress and will evolve with time into a blend incorporating many natives with plants from all over the world. Their intention is to create plantings that require little intervention because they are compatible with the native plants, adding flower or foliage interest throughout the year.

This is also our venue for enjoying lunch (catered by The Store, Tai Tapu)

Jane Hart’s Heritage Property, Rue Jolie

115 Rue Jolie sits close to the road on a full suburban section, sharing a family connection and a striking similarity with its neighbour, 113 Rue Jolie. Both houses, once owned by successive generations of the Watkins and Narbey families, are celebrated Akaroa landmarks. Together, they offer a glimpse into the evolution of New Zealand domestic architecture—from colonial charm to mid-twentieth-century style—helping define the distinctive character of the township. A stroll along Rue Jolie is like walking through a living history of Akaroa, with gardens and homes that tell the stories of the people who lived here.

You will note we offer two ticket types: General Admission and CHS Member. A CHS Membership can save you up to 30% off workshops and courses AND provides great discounts at local retailers as well as FREE attendance at our Monthly Meeting, Garden Life.