Sorry, I know this is a bit off-topic, but if GW folks in New Zealand don't know the best gardens to visit...who will? = )

I'm going to be in New Zealand for the New Year for a friend's wedding in Christchurch.

I'll have about 10 days in NZ to explore and as I'm a poor college student, I think I'll spend most of my time backpacking/camping/hosteling.

Help me fill my days with great experiences. What free gardens are glorious and what private gardens are so extraordinary they are worth paying a bit to visit?

I have heard that the south end of the island is beautiful. Is there an affordable way to get there without spending all of my 10 days on a bus? Or can I explore the natural world around Christchurch?

I would like to add to my herbarium down there, especially unique NZ plants. I obviously don't want to take the rare or endangered, just the unique. Is this allowed?

Are there public lands equivalent to the US National Forest? The National Forests are public lands where people can legally collect a pinecone or a stone that interests them. (In the US, you can not remove anything from a the National Park.) Even public roadside ditches in the US yield interesting finds...will I be able to find land like this in NZ?

Will I be able to take my herbarium back through customs?

I would also like some time on the beach while I'm there (as I live in land-locked Colorado here in the US). Are there any great places that are off the beaten path? I'm really trying to avoid the expensive tourist traps, but I still need to be able to either camp or stay in a hostel.

Thank you so much in advance for any advice you can give me!

Sincerely,
~becca

I can't help u much but I do know that the Lady Norwood Rose Gardens and Botanical Park in Wellington is well worth a visit...You can get from Christchurch to Wellington (Bottom of Nth Island) via a train (3-4hrs I think from memory)and ferry across the channel (1-2 hrs). Both are pretty economical and comfortable although the channel can get pretty hairy at times I am told...Great museum also in Wellington and lovely harbour. Christchurch is a gorgeous place and all the people in N/Zealand were terrific during our stay. The place seems to take you back in time a little which is fabulous as far as I'm concerned...I'm sure you'll enjoy it whereever you head...We hired a campervan for 10 days around sth island and it was heavenly..Very similar scenery to Canada (Jasper/Banff which I assume you've seen) however not so commercial in many aspects...Can't help you on the backpacking trail bit though

Good luck

Garry

Lists most of the famous ones with more being added.