Quest New Plymouth

Pukeiti is New Zealand’s internationally recognised premier rhododendron
garden and is one of Taranaki’s most visited attractions. Established in 1951
from rough, cut-over scrubland by the Pukeiti Trust, it has overseen the
20-hectare garden development alongside the restoration of 340 hectares
of rainforest. It's this Taranaki rainforest setting that makes Pukeiti so unique,
as nowhere else can you walk soft grass paths through thousands of
rhododendrons and other plants sheltered by the lush bush environment.

Pukeiti is much more than a spring garden and throughout the year many
other rare and colourful plants are on display, enjoying the mountain
atmosphere and volcanic soils. The same environment provides babbling
boulder-strewn streams with lush ferns and mosses draping the tree canopy.

Covered walk displays mean all-weather interest at any time of year.
Pukeiti provides all the facilities the discerning visitor expects including a
Gatehouse Visitor Centre with café, shop, toilets and disabled access.
Mobility scooters are freely available and the garden is easy walking.
For those wanting a full day’s visit there are 21km of tracks to explore,
including the old logging tramline and the intriguingly named ‘Paint Mines’.