hollard gardens

We just happened upon Hollard Gardens. If you love gardening as I do, then you must go. Admission is free, there is complementary tea and coffee and in the summer, a bottle of sun screen. That aside, the garden is a testament to devoted gardeners with vision. It was stunningly beautiful. It contained many of the plants we have in the UK but they seemed to be more luxurious clearly delighting in the better drier, sunnier climate. There were zones in the garden each one carefully explained and the reason why that particular area had been developed in that way. We spent a delightful couple of hours just slowing wandering around, enjoying the peace, the birdsong and the wonderful borders. Thoroughly recommend a visit.

Wonderful and very interesting gardens. Well laid out and easy to walk round. Good parking, toilets and visitor area. A great playground for children (or adults) very creative with timber.

My first thought was, oh please not an other garden. After being there for 5 min I could not believe how beautiful and stunning the whole garden is. It starts with the visitors centre and goes on and on. Really, really beautiful and such a nice place to spend a couple of hours.

Very interesting with a wide variety of plants originally started by Bernie and Rose Hollard and now owned and managed by the Taranaki Council

The visitors' center was a great looking building with complimentary beverages and information about the garden's history

Very well presented with a lot of flowers in bloom when we went. Lots of pathways you can take to explore the area. The visitor centre is usually open and you can help yourself to a free coffee or tea to take with you! From there it is only a short drive to Dawson Falls. Note that coming from Stratford you have to turn left at the point where you turn right to Dawson Falls. The sign for the Gardens is hard to see and I saw it too late and had to back up.

All credit to Taranaki couuncil and the volunteers who make this such a special place. We must have been there at least a dozen times in the 6 years we have lived in North Island and it gets better every time. New for 2013 was the construction of the excellent visitors facility where they even give a free cuppa. Rare plants abound.

This is a cute park tucked away from people. Fantastic views of Mt Taranaki on a clear day. Can spend hours together. Pack your picnic and your favourite book for some quality time.

Who knew that 'out in the middle of nowhere' was a 10 acre garden? If you are into horiculture, there is a wide array of exotic and native plants (from all around the world) - many were first planted back in 1927 when the garden was started. Very peaceful and quite unique.

Although out of the main flowering season, there was still plenty to enjoy. Routes around the gardens were well signed and the explanation boards were good. There is a newly built lounge building which offers free tea or coffee. Staff were welcoming, friendly and helpful. And there was no entry charge!

Like all gardens this one is better in the spring and summer but something to see year round. There is good picnic facilities i.e. tables and clean public toilets etc -worth the effort to go there

There is something for everyone at Hollard Gardens. Huge variety of plants! Free Clean BBQs, Awesome Playground, Kitchenette available upon request, Food forrest, vege garden, chooks, worm farms, Clean toilets, umbrellas encase of rain, metal & grass paths, easy parking

I visited this garden in the summer and it was really nice, however I believe spring time is when all the colour and flowers are around

We stopped here on an icy cold morning, somehow the heavy frost added to the attraction of the gardens. A lovely old cat joined us on our walk, gardens are well laid out and cared for.

Check this garden out if you want to go for a picnic. Great views of the mountain, close to Dawson Falls and some awesome short walks on the mountain.