The 'Life-changing Design - Principles from Great Home Gardens' Travelling Masterclass has been meticulously curated by Michael McCoy to take in the best home garden designs of New Zealand's picturesque South Island.

Participants will explore and analyse internationally renowned home gardens including Flaxmere, Paripuma, Barewood and Frensham, plus a number of private hidden gems. The tour will take the form of a travelling masterclass, examining what each garden does particularly well, exactly how it achieves its outstanding qualities, and what we can learn from it for our own designs or home gardens. 

“I couldn't rate this design tour highly enough, it has taught me so much. Michael has so much knowledge to share and in a way that us home gardeners can easily absorb.”

Helen O’Hara | 2022 Tour Participant

“The variety and standard of the gardens we visited was amazing. Michael’s talks in the coach were informative, interesting and thought provoking. Everyone was made to feel included, regardless of their level of gardening expertise, and the duty of care was exceptional. A very well balanced tour from the gardening aspect and food, wine and general good fun!!”

Vicky Rockefeller | 2022 Tour Participant

While the primary goal of this tour, like all of our Travelling Masterclasses, is to simply see and experience truly wonderful gardens, we’ll also take the opportunity to talk to the owners, and amongst ourselves, about what each garden does particularly well, how it achieves its outstanding qualities, and what we can learn from it for our own designs or home gardens.

Michael will be leading this high-impact tour from start to finish, with help from some of the owners and designers of these inspiring gardens.

“What better way to learn principles of home garden design than to visit gardens that display them brilliantly?  And more effective still, to do so within the framework of a fun and intriguing group discussion teasing out what these gardens achieve, and how they go about it? I know of no better place in the wold to do this within a single, convenient area than in the South Island of New Zealand.  World class gardens, each the creation of a hugely passionate owner, are nestled into an unforgettable, breathtaking landscape. If you’re embarking on a garden project yourself, or are well along that journey, I have no doubt that your learning curve will take a steep upward turn, and you’ll be both enormously empowered and greatly enthused about your own garden project. Come and join me in November.  The blend of the gardens, the landscape, the people, the food and the wine will be life-changing! ”

Michael McCoy