Overview
This winter has felt like it's dragged on for years, but luckily spring isn't too far away — and once again Aston Norwood Gardens will be welcoming the warmer months with an incredible spectacle of nature during its annual Blossom Valley celebration.
If you've always longed to be in Japan for the annual Hanami celebrations, this might be the next best thing to experience — without boarding an international flight. Each year from mid-September to early October, Upper Hutt's garden centre welcomes spring with acres of picture-perfect cherry blossoms.
This 14-acre private garden is about a half-hour drive from Wellington's CBD and is home to the country's highest and densest population of cherry blossoms in one spot. This makes it an absolute must-see as we welcome the warmer months – something we really, really need this year.
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If you really want to feel like you've stepped into a scene from A Midsummer's Nights Dream, head along once the sun goes down. For the second year running, the Aston Norwood team is bringing back their popular night viewing experience, Blossom Valley After Dark. A light trail through a portion of the gardens will be lit up at night, offering a completely different experience to the daytime.
Whether you go in the day or in the evening, we recommend taking a picnic or just grabbing some snacks from the new and improved outdoor food area at the gardens. This year they're upping the food offering: there will be real fruit ice cream, barista-made coffee, a bar service and even some merchandise for sale.
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The official period of this year's Blossom Valley is Thursday, September 15 until Sunday, October 9 — but of course, when you're banking on Mother Nature, take those dates with a grain of salt. Depending on how early spring has sprung, the blossom trees might not stick to the calendar exactly, but the Aston Norwood team will keep visitors up to date with how the trees are looking on their Facebook page.
Tickets are on sale now, with transport options, accommodation and multi-day passes available. Get set to spend a magical few hours under the blooms — and get that perfect Instagram selfie, of course.
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Blossom Valley at Aston Norwood Gardens runs from Thursday, September 15 until Sunday, October 9. For more information and ticket prices, head to the official website or check out the listing on WellingtonNZ.
Top image: WellingtonNZ