Nothing says spring like cherry blossoms, and there are many places where you can enjoy the pretty pink flowers in New Zealand.
The cherry blossom season is short and sweet, with flowers only blooming for a few weeks before their petals fall to the ground in a blizzard of pink and white.
So don’t miss out – from beautiful botanic gardens to hidden groves, here are some of the best places to see them.
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These hidden gem gardens on State Highway 2 just before the Remutaka Ranges are home to a whopping 300 cherry blossom trees – the most you’ll find in one place in New Zealand.
The secret has got out in recent years, with so many people coming to see the blossoms that they’ve set up an annual Blossom Valley festival.
Tickets are on sale for sessions between September 15 to October 9 (though this is subject to change, depending on the bloom). It costs $10 to see the gardens during the day, or you can book an after-dark session and see the blossoms all lit up for $20.
There are also food and drinks available to purchase, so you can enjoy a picnic beneath the blossoms, and bus transport from Wellington is also on offer. See blossomvalley.nz for more info.
For classic seasonal scenes, you can’t go past our original Garden City. North Hagley Park is where you’ll see the cherry trees in all their glory, with the path along Harper Avenue turning into a boulevard of blossoms. It’s a beautiful spot for a relaxed walk or cycle.
This urban oasis boasts a spectacular spread of bright pink cherry blossoms. There are two locations where you can see them – the largest collection is located down Pōhutukawa Drive, with a smaller collection along Pūriri Drive (tip: this tends to be a much quieter cherry blossom viewing spot).
The main street of this charming village is lined with dozens of cherry trees, which provide natural decoration in spring. The village hosts an annual cherry blossom festival, to be held on September 24 in 2022, with stalls and entertainment adding to the festive atmosphere.
Cherry blossoms have long been a springtime feature of this inner-city park in Palmerston North. The first trees were planted in the 1920s, and became a major attraction, with special trains bringing tourists up from Wellington to see the flowers in full bloom.
While the original trees had to be removed due to old age, 100 new trees were planted in the late 1990s, creating a spectacular cherry blossom avenue that can still be enjoyed today.
Dunedin’s Botanic Garden is famous for its Rhododendron Dell, a four-hectare haven containing rhododendron bushes in every colour of the rainbow. But located in the heart of the Rhododendron Dell is a secret garden full of cherry trees – a picturesque strip known as the Cherry Walk.
Not far from the Botanic Garden is the majestic University of Otago clocktower building, which in spring becomes the backdrop for a small but beautiful grove of cherry trees. The university’s Japanese programme even hosts an annual hanami (flower-viewing) festival here, with attendees getting dressed up in kimono and yukata and enjoying Japanese food and music.
Nelson’s Miyazu Garden, located just outside the city next to the Founders Heritage Park, is a serene spot offering a little slice of Japan – which naturally includes an impressive collection of cherry blossoms.
An annual cherry blossom festival takes place here, but visitors are also encouraged to pack a picnic and enjoy the trees at their leisure during the bloom.
Do you know of a great spot for viewing cherry blossoms? Let us know in the comments.
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