2025: Growing Ideas, Growing Community

This spring, the Taranaki Sustainable Trails returns for its 11th year—bigger, bolder, and more inspiring than ever.
From October 31 to November 16, the region will come alive with 42 open properties and over 50 events designed to spark curiosity, connection, and action. After the success of last year, you'll now find sustainable backyards, builds and farms as part of the lineup.

What began as a community garden trail over a decade ago has flourished into Aotearoa’s longest-running sustainability showcase. In 2025, the event spans backyard gardens, regenerative farms, and eco-conscious builds—each one offering practical ideas and heartfelt stories from locals walking the talk.

Each property and host have their own unique story of trying things a bit differently, perseverance and ingenuity. With a mixture of returning and new properties, our incredible hosts will kōrero with you to share what they have learned, their ideas and tips that have manifested into the backyard, build or farm you will experience. 

We have worked with generous sponsors and supporters to develop an exciting list of events this year. With notable speakers covering topics from growing your own mushrooms to electrifying your farm, our events are affordable and expansive.
Be sure to book your tickets, spaces are limited and they will sell out!

Backyards: Affordable, Family-Friendly, & Full of Learning

Whether you're a seasoned gardener, a curious parent, or just starting your sustainability journey, our Backyards Trail has something for everyone. With a growing number of whānau friendly events, the Backyards Trail is designed to be accessible, welcoming, and packed with opportunities to learn—composting, growing, reusing, resource efficiency and so much more. Pick and choose where and how you’ll learn. 

What you need to know: Key information for Sustainable Trails 2025

Preparation is key when planning your Sustainable Trails adventure this year, so here’s some tips from the our team:

1. Know what’s on and when

  • Backyards Trail (31 Oct – 9 Nov) with 21 backyards open 10am-4pm weekends and various midweek hours, plus 8 community and school gardens with set hours. 

    Explore creative, healthy low-cost garden setups and meet the passionate people behind them. All 2025 properties are listed here.

  • Builds & Farms Trails (10 - 16 Nov) with 11 properties, each offering set tours. All builds and farms tours must be booked through online registration. 

    Builds: Visit eco-conscious homes, businesses and community hubs with sustainability in mind throughout the design and build process. See all builds here.

    Farms: Walk through regenerative farms, organic orchards, and learn how farmers are adopting different measures to be more environmentally minded and sustainable on their farms. See all farms here. 

  • Over 50 events including free and koha talks at host properties. Bookings need to be made in advance. 

  • Info & booking for all events is on the website: sustainablebackyards.org.nz

2. How much does it cost?

  • Backyard visits are $3 cash (or use Backyard Bundle cards $12 for 5 entries plus seeds).

  • Builds and farms tours are mostly free, although some have a small charge and inclusions (all require registration to secure a spot)

  • Backyards, builds and farms events are a range of prices, from free up to $85, and bookings must be made for all events online. 

3. Backyards are for everyone!

  • Dogs. This year, you can visit nine of our backyards with your four-legged friends. Dogs must be on lead, and don’t forget to bring your doggie bag. 

  • Services. Many backyards are wheelchair accessible, have a wharepaku available, or seedlings for sale. 

  • Kids. There are dedicated activities for kids at 13 whānau-friendly backyards, including community and school garden events. 

4. Get around (sustainably)

  • Join an eBike tour around urban backyards or know where you can secure your bike if pedalling independently.

  • Book yourself on a Lil’ Boutique Mini Bus Tour – for a special small-group backyards tour including lunch.

  • Carpool with friends and family if you can.

  • Tag us on socials in a photo of you with your bike helmet at a backyard and get free seeds! 

We want to thank all of our hosts, sponsors and supporters for making this event happen. 

Interested in learning more about Taranaki Sustainable Trails 2025?