Tupare
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
Experience the beautifully restored garden and Chapman-Taylor home. Sculpted from a hillside overlooking the Waiwhakaiho River, this is a premier landscaped garden. Sense the prestige, lifestyle and stories of the property's original developer, the prominent businessman Sir Russell Matthews, and his family. Enjoy a game of tennis, make use of the free barbeque on the River Flat, find a quite spot to read a book or just appreciate the beauty of Tupare. Owned and managed by the Taranaki Regional Council on behalf of the people of the region. Enjoy it - it's yours.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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See what travellers are saying
- WilsonstravelworldKottayam, India106 contributionsGarden with difference, trees, flowers, river and topographyA beautiful garden developed by a family and given to Council. It a very commendable gesture and the garden is different in its geography with lot of slopes and valley. The variety of flowers is very attractive with river and huge treesThanks for your review and rating. We're glad to hear you enjoyed your visit to Tupare.Written 21 February 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited December 2023Travelled with familyWritten 23 December 2023
- KeenPhotographer-11Birkdale, Australia907 contributionsA 5 star locationAn excellent half day visit with lots to see and photograph. Free entry. The site is on the side of a hill but there are well maintained paths and a main driveway. A late Jan visit probably did not show the flower side of the gardens to their best but I was still very impressed with this gem. The city council should be very proud of owning this historic place. A highlight of my time in the Taranaki.Thank you very much for your lovely review and rating. Yes, Tupare is very photogenic at any time of the year but possibly spring and autumn are the best seasons. The Taranaki Regional Council gardens team are privileged to look after this treasure for the people of Taranaki and their visitors.Written 21 February 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited January 2024Travelled soloWritten 27 January 2024
- SonamoraParaparaumu, New Zealand40 contributionsBeatrix Potter vibes in the fleshCaptivating walk thru of an exceptionally preserved Arts and Crafts home and garden. It’s Beatrix Potter-ville and utterly adorable. The tour by Cliff the guide was informational and clearly he is fond of the Russells and what they achieved. Not just with Tūpare, but also Pukeiti gardens at the foot of Taranaki Maunga. Perfect to-do on a rainy day, even better in the sun.Thanks for your review and rating. We're glad to hear you enjoyed your tour of the house and learning about Russell Matthews and his family.Written 21 February 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited January 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 28 January 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
193 reviews
Excellent
146
Very good
43
Average
4
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Anthony G
Wellington, New Zealand1,467 contributions
Dec 2020 • Family
One of the great spots to stop off at in New Plymouth. There’s a car park at the entrance for about 20-25 cars and you just take it easy and meander down through the various footpaths and walkways to the main house and eventually reaching the serene picnic area at the bottom. From there just grab a tranquil corner and switch your brain to relax.
Love the fact that there doesn’t seem to be many people here ever or even dogs to disturb the peace and quiet.
Love the fact that there doesn’t seem to be many people here ever or even dogs to disturb the peace and quiet.
Written 27 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your review and rating, Anthony. Tupare certainly is tranquil most of the time isn't it? A wonderful place to relax.
Written 31 January 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
KeenPhotographer-11
Birkdale, Australia907 contributions
Jan 2024 • Solo
An excellent half day visit with lots to see and photograph. Free entry. The site is on the side of a hill but there are well maintained paths and a main driveway.
A late Jan visit probably did not show the flower side of the gardens to their best but I was still very impressed with this gem. The city council should be very proud of owning this historic place. A highlight of my time in the Taranaki.
A late Jan visit probably did not show the flower side of the gardens to their best but I was still very impressed with this gem. The city council should be very proud of owning this historic place. A highlight of my time in the Taranaki.
Written 28 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much for your lovely review and rating. Yes, Tupare is very photogenic at any time of the year but possibly spring and autumn are the best seasons. The Taranaki Regional Council gardens team are privileged to look after this treasure for the people of Taranaki and their visitors.
Written 21 February 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sonamora
Paraparaumu, New Zealand40 contributions
Jan 2024 • Friends
Captivating walk thru of an exceptionally preserved Arts and Crafts home and garden. It’s Beatrix Potter-ville and utterly adorable. The tour by Cliff the guide was informational and clearly he is fond of the Russells and what they achieved. Not just with Tūpare, but also Pukeiti gardens at the foot of Taranaki Maunga. Perfect to-do on a rainy day, even better in the sun.
Written 28 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your review and rating. We're glad to hear you enjoyed your tour of the house and learning about Russell Matthews and his family.
Written 21 February 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
roaming_kiwi58
Christchurch, New Zealand2,816 contributions
May 2022
This was our first visit to Tupare, but hopefully it will not be our last!
Even in May the gardens were very pleasant to wander through.
Unfortunately part of the gardens were closed off due to tree work. Also the house was not open to view.
We will have to return in spring to see everything in bloom.
We enjoyed our walk through the gardens, and the free entry makes it even better value! Well worth visiting.
We look forward to returning to Taranaki in the not too distant future, to again visit the fantastic gardens in this region.
Even in May the gardens were very pleasant to wander through.
Unfortunately part of the gardens were closed off due to tree work. Also the house was not open to view.
We will have to return in spring to see everything in bloom.
We enjoyed our walk through the gardens, and the free entry makes it even better value! Well worth visiting.
We look forward to returning to Taranaki in the not too distant future, to again visit the fantastic gardens in this region.
Written 23 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks very much for your review and rating. We hope you're able to return in spring. The free house tours will start again from 1 October at 11am on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. Do you know about the Taranaki Garden Festival (Fri 28 Oct - Sun 6 Nov 2022)? Its a busy time but there are loads more gardens to see and speakers, tours etc on offer all around the province.
Written 28 July 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Leigh R
Auckland, New Zealand3 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
You must visit these gardens, they are beautiful. We didn't get to go thru the lovely house as it only has a free tour at 11am, & not every day.
The hydrangeas were magnificent, colours I have never seen before.i would definitely go back one day
The hydrangeas were magnificent, colours I have never seen before.i would definitely go back one day
Written 10 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks very much for your review. Glad to hear you enjoyed beautiful Tupare. Yes, the free house tours are at 11am, Fri, Sat, Sun and Mon, from 1 October to 31 March. They also run more frequently during the garden festival in November. It is well worth scheduling your visit to coincide with these tours if you can as the house really is amazing.
Written 16 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
kiwi353
Christchurch, New Zealand168 contributions
Nov 2022
If you're in town and the house visits are scheduled go, look and see it`s well worth a trip back in time. the house compliments the garden as that is worth viewing as well. the tour guides are very well informed about the history of the whole site.
Written 12 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much for your review and rating. It's great to hear how much you enjoyed the house tour. For those interested in the tours, they generally run on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from the start of October to the end of March. Feel free to call (0800 736 222) in advance to check as our tour guides aren't always available.
Written 16 November 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
darren2008nz
New Zealand115 contributions
Nov 2021
Born and bred in the Naki, yet I never knew this place existed. Moved away, and took me 40 yrs to see it *LOL* , but worth every bit. Free to get in and wander the gorgeous grounds. It was spectacular. Didn't get to see in the house due to Covid, but still worth the drive there.
Written 23 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much for your great review and rating, Darren. Wonderful to hear that you've finally discovered Tupare. Hopefully we'll be able to offer the guided house tours again one day before too long.
Written 5 January 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
wloo_andrew
Waterloo, Canada879 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
What beautiful gardens! I didn't know what to expect but walking in and seeing the many levels of garden unfold below was amazing. There are several paths and each one brings you a whole new set of plants and flowers to enjoy.
There is a greenhouse, a creek that cascades down, the old home, huge trees... and so many gorgeous flowers. It's incredibly well maintained (by volunteers I think) and was a real treat to visit and enjoy. I highly recommend visiting if you're near New Plymouth.
There is a greenhouse, a creek that cascades down, the old home, huge trees... and so many gorgeous flowers. It's incredibly well maintained (by volunteers I think) and was a real treat to visit and enjoy. I highly recommend visiting if you're near New Plymouth.
Written 25 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks very much for your review and rating. Yes, Tupare is stunning isn't it? It's maintained by three gardeners employed by Taranaki Regional Council with help from volunteers.
Written 2 November 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Rohit Gupta
Auckland Central, New Zealand519 contributions
Nov 2022
This is worth a visit. It is amazing what the owners achieved from what they started with - one tree. Its pretty, and there are many large trees such as Rimu and Kauri. There are many spots suitable for a picnic and there are a few BBQs available too.
Written 2 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks very much for your rating and positive review Rohit.
Written 2 November 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
chrisandbarbara
Dunedin, New Zealand152 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Beautiful formal “English-style” garden close to city. Walking through the gorgeous flowers in manicured pathways - a little steep in places but worth a slow meander! Even if main house is closed you can still see the architectural style in the Cottage. Well worth a visit.
Written 12 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks very much for your great review, Chris and Barbara. We're pleased to hear how much you enjoyed Tupare.
Written 16 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hi, no sorry there is nowhere to buy food at Tupare, apart from during the occasional fairs. Great picnic spot with free barbecues on the River Flat though.
Written 20 October 2019
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