“There is a new world of experiences Downunder,” says Charmaine Edwards, principal manager of Great Tour Experiences. “New Zealand is the rest of the world all rolled into one, and Australia is a big country the land size of the U.S. Both countries are great for groups for sightseeing, adventure, education and music, plus even garden tours.”
Edwards focuses her tours on two of her favorite places: her native New Zealand and Australia. One of her unique offerings highlights New Zealand’s bountiful botanical gardens. As part of the tour, travelers can visit top attractions such as the South Island’s Trott’s Garden and the Larnach Castle and Gardens, both of which are designated as Gardens of International Significance.
“For me, I just love Trott’s Garden in Ashburton,” she says. “When I went to see the garden a few years back for the first time, I was shown around by Allen Trott who, with his family, purchased it in 1978 and started working on it in 1984. From the time you walk through the iron gates of the immaculate and magnificent garden, you can see the love and passion of this garden, which also includes a historical chapel.”
Farther south on the South Island just outside Dunedin, Larnach Castle was derelict and the gardens overgrown before the Barker family purchased it in 1967 and began the restoration. Today, groups can tour the mansion and its colorful grounds, where rhododendrons, azaleas, Scottish Heathers and hundreds of other blooms appear, depending on the season.
Great Tour Experiences also includes other popular New Zealand and Australia stops throughout its itineraries, and has a specifically crafted line of tours for school groups.
To learn more, email Edwards or go to greattourexperiences.com.au.
Top photo: Larnach Castle
Photo by Great Tour Experiences
