Dunedin Rhododendron Festival, 18th - 26th October
The Dunedin Rhododendron Festival includes garden fetes, garden tours, exhibitions, lectures, workshops, garden parties and other events held in Dunedin and the surrounding area between 18th – 26th October. This horticultural celebration focuses on one of the world’s most significant plantings of rhododendrons, the Botanic Gardens' Rhododendron Dell, which covers over 15 acres of land and has over 3,500 rhododendrons, comprising of 178 species and over 200 named hybrids.
The festival official opens at the magnificent surrounds of Glenfalloch Woodland Garden at 5:30pm. An overview of the many festival events follows:
Workshops, Talks and Demonstrations
- Easy On the Pocket Vegetable Gardening with Dennis Greville – 19th October, 12:30 and 5:30pm
- Demonstration of Rhododendron Care, Dunedin Botanic Garden – 20th October, noon - 2pm
- Joseph Jones Summer Floral Workshop – 20 October, 10am
- Judith Cullen Seaside Cooking Demonstration and Garden Tour – 20th & 21st October, 11am - 2pm
- Open Gardens’ Assessors – 21st October, 7pm
- Painting in the Garden with Janet de Wagt – 24th October, 12:30 pm - 3:30pm
- Gardens of the Sea (Guided Beach Walk) – 25th October, 2pm - 5:30pm
Garden Tours
- Musselburgh School House & Garden Tour – 18th October, 12:30pm - 4:30pm
- Peninsula Garden Tours (including tea) – 18th October, 12:30pm - 4:30pm
- Dunedin Botanic Garden Rhododendron Dell Tours – 19th to 23rd October, 6:30pm, one-hour tour
- Country Garden Tour (including tea and lunch) – 18th October, 8:30am - 6:30pm
- Local Garden Tours with Arthur’s Tours (including tea) – Various
- Tannock Glen (Rhododendron) Guided Tours – 23rd – 26th October, 12pm
- Nichol’s Vege Bus (tea and quiz) – 25th October, 1pm - 5pm
- Discovery World Tropical Forest - Live Butterfly Experience – Daily, 10am - 5pm
- Dunedin Chinese Garden – Daily, 10am - 5pm
Events and Activities
- Art in the Garden – 18th October, 12:30pm - 4:30pm
- Dunedin Horticultural Society 38th Annual Rhododendron Day – 18th October, from 9am
- Dunedin Rhododendron Festival Golf Tournament – 18th October, 11:45am
- Quality Hotel Cargills Rhododendron Breakfast – 18th – 26th October, 7am - 10am
- Port Chalmers & District Lions Club Garden Fete – 24th October, 11:30am - 2pm
- Tastings in the Garden at Larnach Castle – 25th October, 12noon - 5pm
Exhibitions and Displays
- Stuart St Potters Co-op and the Dunedin Floral Art Society Exhibition – 19th – 25th October, 5 - 7pm
- Dunedin Rhododendron Festival Photographic Display – 20th – 26th October
Open Gardens
- Festival Private Gardens (self-drive tour) – 18 th October, 12 noon - 4pm
- Hart’s Black Horse Brewery – Lawrence – Daily, 10am - 5pm
- Dunedin Open Gardens Scheme
- Plus 20 private gardens.
Find out more about the Dunedin Rhododendron Festival 2009.
Dunedin
Dunedin is New Zealand’s oldest city and well-known for its Victorian and Edwardian architecture, as well as its close proximity to penguin and albatross colonies. Highlights include Larnach Castle, Speights Brewery, Otago Museum and the steepest street in the world, Baldwin Street. Find out more by following the links below:
- Dunedin Accommodation
- Dunedin Attractions and Activities
- Dunedin Cuisine and Dining
- Dunedin Tours
- Dunedin Transport
- Dunedin Visitor Information
All Dunedin Accommodation can be booked online.