Traveller Overview

4.5 241 reviews

Excellent72%
Very good24%
Average2%
Poor2%
Terrible0%

Travellers talk about

“rhododendron garden”(8 reviews)

“native bush”(17 reviews)

“late october”(4 reviews)

About

Explore a wonderland of rhododendrons planted within 360 hectares of rainforest, located between Mount Taranaki and the coast, just south of New Plymouth. Established in 1951, Pukeiti is an internationally recognised garden with one of the most...more

Open Now

Hours Today: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM

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Suggested duration: 2-3 hours

Contact

2290 Carrington Road, New Plymouth 4374, New Zealand

Website

+64 800 736 222

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Reviews (241)

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1 - 10 of 237 reviews

Brian M

Montrose, United Kingdom

895211

Reviewed 2 days ago

Wonderful walks

What a beautiful set of gardens in a rainforest setting. I am sure that this would be a great place to visit at any time of the year with the gardens giving a vastly different view at different times of the year. This is a...More

Thank Brian M

Naomi W

Rangiora, New Zealand

6124

Reviewed 2 weeks ago

A must visit for garden enthusiasts

We visited as part of the Taranaki Garden Festival, and even the rain didn’t detract from the wonderful experience. We did the 11am escorted tour - highly recommended!More

Thank Naomi W

Thanks very much for your review, Naomi. Glad you enjoyed your Pukeiti experience. Please note the guided tours generally only run during the garden festival although they are occasionally offered at other times of the year. Follow our facebook page to keep up with what's...More

dallasanddale

Auckland, New Zealand

8

Reviewed 2 weeks ago

Flower Festival

Beautiful, go during the autumn so you can see the beautiful rhododendrons. The cafe was an added bonus, with hot coffee and good food, prices were comparable. They were very busy and the queue was long. I bought a rhododend at the door, sold by...More

Thank dallasanddale

Thanks very much for your review. Spring is the time to see the best rhododendron flowers (perhaps it might be autumn now where you come from but not here in NZ!?), though we have such a selection of rhodos at Pukeiti that there will still...More

mike385

New Plymouth, New Zealand

6015

Reviewed 3 weeks ago via mobile

Paradise in Taradise

This international class garden has undergone a transformation in recent times with an extensive rebuild of the original lodge and the construction of a large cafe area plus other features which need to be seen to be appreciated . The gardens themselves are resplendent at...More

Thank mike385

Thanks for your lovely review, Mike.

AlisonB3123

183

Reviewed 3 weeks ago via mobile

Wonderful gardens to visit

This was a real treat, it's a lovely drive there, a nice little cafe with really nice counter food, and wonderful gardens full of blooming azaleas and rhododendrens, and many other plants. The variety was impressive. I particularly loved the giant rhodos. The landscaping really...More

Thank AlisonB3123

Thanks very much for your review, Alison. It's great to hear how much you appreciated Pukeiti.

Judy W

Auckland

132

Reviewed 3 weeks ago

amazing gardens

beautiful gardens, and a great day out - take a picnic! Great place to meet friends and family and enjoy the surrounds.

Thank Judy W

Bronwyn H

New Plymouth, New Zealand

9921

Reviewed 3 weeks ago

Spring is a great time to visit.

The gardens are at their best with beautiful flowering Rhododendrons and Azeleas. Lots of work is going on so it will be interesting to see what develops. One thing that was difficult was following the map even though it looked straight forward. It was not...More

Thank Bronwyn H

David T

Auckland, New Zealand

146

Reviewed 3 weeks ago

Public gardens, terrific in spring.

This is an extensive public garden space with a modern cafe and plenty of parking. The access roads are Kiwi back roads so take your time driving in. No entry charge. The park is particularly nice in spring when the enormous collection of Rhododendrons are...More

Thank David T

Mike A

Auckland Central, New Zealand

8519

Reviewed 11 October 2018

Beautiful spot and great cafe too!

Extensive gardens with many superb specimens of Rhododendrons, Azeleas and Vireyas, as well as native plants. Well laid out and informative brochure guides you round various trails. You could spend between 30 minutes and all day if you wanted to - we were in the...More

1 Thank Mike A

Thanks for your review, Mike. Nice to hear that you had a great experience at Pukeiti. Actually the word is just still getting out within Taranaki. Locals are realising what's hidden 20 minutes up the road from the edge of New Plymouth!

ChimpR

6021

Reviewed 7 October 2018

Wonderfull gardens - perhaps best in NZ

One of the best large garden experiences to date. Free entry to this & other Taranaki gardens. Large selection of rhododendrons in flower in early October, still a good section of giants still going. Great sights on the Steed walk. Still working on the gardens...More

Thank ChimpR

Thanks for your review. Pleased to hear you enjoyed Pukeiti. Yes, there are some developments still going on - the areas around the buildings will be completed over the next few months.

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Questions & Answers

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Meredith C

Will the cafe be open on Sunday 16 September

27 August 2018|

Answer

Hello yes it will. It reopens to the public on the 1st September. You may book it for private functions during the closed winter period. I hope this helps.

rhonacanastra

When is the best time to go that all the flowers are blooming?

8 May 2018|

AnswerShow all 5 answers

Hi, the garden is known for its rhododendron collection. You will find rhodo flowers throughout the second half of the year. The big-leafs start in late July and some rhodos are usually still flowering at Christmas. The very... More

dockeryjo

You have maroon for hire how much and do you have catering menu as well

5 November 2017|

Answer

We have a function room called the Rata Room in the Rainforest Centre. In September 2018 the newly rebuilt Lodge will be opening too which will also be available for functions. Catering is usually done by Founders Café but... More