Queenstown Plunket Garden Tour gives 'all areas access' to some of Queenstown's must-see gardens

Tickets are now on sale for Queenstown Plunket’s annual Garden Tour fundraiser set to give garden enthusiasts special access to some of the Wakatipu’s most enjoyable outdoor spaces.

To be held on Sunday December 9, the popular event is one of Queenstown Plunket’s major fundraising events for the year. Following its success last year, organisers are sure that garden enthusiasts of all degrees will love the range of gardens that will unveil their delights to the public for a good cause.

Queenstown Plunket President Jane Hamilton said the event would offer an “impressive” range of gardens, sure to excite anyone from the serious gardener to those wanting a great day out around the Wakatipu.

“We have two gardens from last year back by popular demand, including Mike Henry’s incredible Lower Shotover Road property which features over 10 acres of landscaped themed gardens,” said Mrs Hamilton.

“The rest of the gardens are all new for this year.  We really wanted to mix up the gardens on offer this year, there’s a great range to see that’s sure to give people ideas and inspiration to apply to their own backyard.

“The gardens we chose are all about people enjoying their outdoor spaces, whether it’s for formality, or for family living, or for growing your own vegetables,” said Mrs Hamilton.

The full list of featured gardens will be announced on the day when circuit maps are available for collection from Lakes Leisure Events Centre from 9.30am.  Garden tourers can make their own way around the circuit by car with all gardens being open from 10am to 4pm.

All guests are invited to finish the day at Mike Henry’s property for Devonshire Tea, which will also include raffles and a lucky ticket draw.

“It will be a great way to end the day - and look out for the beautiful bunches of peonies we will have on sale, kindly donated by Amanda and John Cushen from Queenstown Country Lodge.”

Funds raised from the garden tour will go towards the completion of the $40,000 upgrade to Queenstown Plunket’s outdoor play area, which includes a new all-weather sandpit, new toys, new safety matting and sun-shades for children using the facility.

“The improvements to our outdoor play area are a vital piece of work to complete as it provides our Queenstown families with a dynamic, safe outdoor play area for children to use while parents use the wide range of free services that Plunket provides by way of clinic visits, help, support and resources.

“Many people don’t realise that Plunket only receives Government funding for nurse services, it is thanks to the fundraising efforts of volunteers and the community that we are able to carry out all the other activities we do such as Plunket rooms, facilities and parent support groups.

”Around 500 people visit the Queenstown Plunket Rooms and clinics each month.  This is a lot of people who will directly benefit from an outdoor play area, especially for many of our Wakatipu families who perhaps don’t have access to sunny, safe spots during winter.”

“Outdoor play is extremely beneficial to mental health and well-being for the whole family,” said Mrs Hamilton.

Tickets are on sale now from Queenstown Plunket as well as Harcourts Queenstown, and BNZ Queenstown and BNZ Remarkables Park.

Queenstown Plunket Garden Tour will be held on December 9th from 10am – 4pm. Tickets are $25 and are now on sale at BNZ branches at Queenstown and Remarkables Park, Harcourts Queenstown and Queenstown Plunket Rooms.  The tour will include a visit to eight special Wakatipu gardens and will conclude with a Devonshire Tea at the Chantecler Homestead between 2 and 4pm.  Circuit maps will be available on the day from Lakes Leisure Events Centre from 9.30am – 12pm.  Enquiries can be made directly to the Queenstown Plunket Room on 03 442 7380 or qtwnplunket@xtra.co.nz