Why the Hurunui Garden Festival Should Be on Your Spring Calendar

The Hurunui Garden Festival
A Celebration of Colour, Craft and Canterbury Charm

For keen gardeners and casual observers alike, garden festivals offer more than inspiration—they’re an opportunity to learn, unwind, and enjoy visual splendour. The benefits of spending time in gardens are well documented, including lower blood pressure, reduced stress and anxiety, and improved immune function.

Some of New Zealand’s most delightful gardens are tucked away in the Hurunui District of North Canterbury—an area rich in natural beauty, creativity, and history. Each spring, usually around the first weekend of November, this region bursts into life with the Hurunui Garden Festival: a vibrant showcase of lovingly cultivated gardens, character-filled homesteads, talented local artists, and delicious regional food and wine.

The Festival was launched in 2018 by a group of local garden owners seeking to support recovery efforts following the 2016 earthquake. They invited visitors—especially from outside the region—to spend a weekend exploring the area’s gardens and attractions, creating opportunities for businesses and residents alike. The Festival quickly became more than just a celebration of gardens; it evolved into a district-wide promotion of Hurunui’s many charms and its famously warm hospitality.

Over the years, the Festival has expanded to include communities right across the district. Participating properties stretch from Amberley and Waipara in the south, to Greta Valley and Cheviot on the coast, inland to Hawarden and Culverden, and north to Rotherham, Waiau, and Hanmer Springs. Each garden is unique, ranging from whimsical hideaways to expansive formal landscapes and historic homesteads that echo a bygone era.

The 2025 Festival line-up features gardens recognised by the NZ Gardens Trust as nationally and internationally significant, including Coldstream, Loch Leven, and Flaxmere. Also featured are sculpture gardens like Iron Ridge and Karetu Downs, along with magnificent historic homesteads such as Tipapa and Lyndon. In total, 20 properties will open their gates across four days, many offering special activities, events, and food options onsite.

Adding to the appeal is the annual Hanmer Springs Fete, held in the stunning grounds of the historic Queen Mary Hospital. Timed to coincide with the Festival, this popular pre-Christmas event adds another layer of charm to a spring weekend in North Canterbury.

Whether you’re a gardening enthusiast, history lover, or simply someone who enjoys natural beauty and regional hospitality, the Hurunui Garden Festival is a must-visit celebration of creativity, culture, and community.

Experience it all—without the hassle.

Join our hosted tour of the Hurunui Garden Festival and let us take care of the planning. Sit back, relax, and enjoy eight days of gardens, great food, and good company—designed especially for those who love to travel in comfort.