As you turn into the driveway of Terrace Station, transport yourself back to a garden and homestead that date from the 1860s. The naturalistic, 'Capability Brown'-style planting provides trees to frame the striking landscape of the Southern Alps. A tunnel of towering Wellingtonia on one side and Cedrus Atlantica on the other welcome you into the heart of the garden.The framework of the garden has formal design features from the Victorian erawhich have evolved into a relaxed informality. Explore the myriad of trails that braid through 1.5ha of garden. Enjoy the splendour of mass plantings of bulbs and woodland perennials bathed in dappled light cast by the giant trees that stand sentinel over the garden.The Hutch, a one-time summer house of the 1930s, is now a display area for some interesting historical items as well as information about the property.In addition to the memorable gardens, Terrace Station is a place of great historical significance to New Zealand. It was the home of Sir John Hall, a prominent politician of the 19 th century, and his wife Rose, Lady Hall. Thehomestead was one of the first examples of domestic architecture in Canterbury to have a category 1 registration from Heritage New Zealand. It is now owned by the Terrace Station Charitable Trust and still occupied bydescendants of John and Rose Hall.A visit to the homestead is available by prior arrangement but not on ‘Open Garden’ days.