Frequently Asked Questions

Our gardens are all open Thursday 29th October to Sunday 1st November, from 9am to 5pm each day.

Garden entry $12.50 per person.

Historic Homestead entry $25 per person

School aged children accompanied by an adult are free.

The cost of some workshops also includes garden entry. You will find this information listed under each garden.

Entry is by cash or ticket, payable on the day as you enter each garden.

Some people prefer to pre-purchase tickets, and this is especially helpful if you have a large group. It streamlines admission and removes the necessity of carrying cash. Your tickets will be mailed to you and you’ll also receive copies of our very useful 50 page brochure.

However, all gardens and historic homesteads are open for cash on the day.

If paying by cash, please have it with you as we can not process electronic payments.

Tickets are can be bought online from 1 July 2026 until 30 September 2026. ‍

You can book online at www.hurunuigardenfestival.com after July 1st. Your tickets will be mailed to you. You’ll also be sent our very useful 50 page brochure, with everything you need to know as you travel around.

Our website offers easy, secure online ticket purchases, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The Hurunui Region is a large area, so we have grouped our gardens into geographical clusters. We have included Suggested Travel Times between clusters under ‘Map’ in our website menu.

We are a self-drive festival, allowing you to plan your trip in any way that suits you. We encourage you to take in the wonderful sights of the Hurunui Region.

On the website, and in the brochure, each cluster has its own detailed map, showing you the location of the gardens, along with other useful information.

Some of our gardens host events during the festival: stalls, food trucks, workshops, talks and of course, plants for sale!

The details for these events can be found on the website under the individual garden page, and also under ‘Events’ in the menu.

Some events may have a separate charge and some workshops need to be booked in advance.

Events are also included in the brochure, and in the ‘Events’ page at the end of the brochure.

Each year we publish a very popular 50 page brochure, which contains details about our gardens, their events, maps of each cluster and so much more. It is a really handy guide to keep with you as you travel around.

It is released in June, and you’ll find it in many garden centres and shops within the Hurunui. You can also order a copy online Here (tickets purchases are sent a free copy).

You can also order it by emailing info@hurunuigardenfestival.com, after July 1.

The Hurunui is a unique and dramatic region of New Zealand, known for its limestone hills, its wild winds, its wineries, small towns, great eateries and beautiful views.

We suggest you take your time travelling around the region. Under ‘Map’ in the menu we have suggested travel times between key towns. We will also soon be adding ‘Visit Hurunui’ in the menu, with suggested destinations of interest.

There will be large numbers of people travelling around the region during the festival.

We suggest that you book accommodation well in advance of the festival.

Especially if you are a large group, we suggest you pre-book lunches etc beforehand. Some of our eateries are closed on Saturday or Sunday so do check opening times before you head out.

For motor homes who wish to overnight at a specific property:  please ring the owner in advance and pre-book to ensure there is enough space. 

Overnight fees are $15, and this goes towards our Student Scholarship Fund.  Please pay cash to the property owner at the gate.  You must be self-contained and take all rubbish with you. You must follow and abide by all health and safety rules (most properties are working farms).

Please check to see if the property allows dogs or not. Dogs need to be treated for sheep measles (Drontal worm tablet or similar )

Gardens allowing overnight motor home stays are:

Rotherham:

Loch Leven

Woodland Springs

Waihui

Culverden:

Hemingford

The Top Cottage

Coldstream

Hawarden:

Newstead

Flaxmere garden

Saddlewood

Greta Valley:

Toi Toi

Tipapa Historic Homestead

Hanmer Springs:

Lochiel Station gardens

Refunds of tickets will be considered on a case-by case basis, due to extenuating circumstances, and at the discretion of the Committee.

They must be claimed within a month of the event, together with proof of purchase. Options are available to donate your refund to the Scholarship fund also.

Not all gardens in the festival are wheelchair, pushchair or mobility scooter friendly. 

All gardens that are accessible will have a wheelchair icon on their individual page on this website, and in the brochure.

If you have questions regarding accessibility to a garden, give them a call.