The Secret’s Out at Secret Garden Le Bons Bay

You won’t find much about it from a vacation travel guide or in New Zealand travel guide books, but Secret Garden Le Bons Bay is not a secret anymore! This is the perfect little asylum from adventure for backpackers experiencing New Zealand tourism on the South Island, whether in Christchurch or Queenstown or anywhere in between.

As if the serenity of Le Bons Bay itself was not enough, The Secret Garden nestled in the heart of the bay valley offers another peaceful respite for active Blue Mountains backpackers on their New Zealand vacation and a different kind of retreat than what’s found at an adventure hostel, hotel, or other New Zealand accommodations within the south island map or more distant North Island attractions such as Auckland, Rotorua, or Taupo.

Secret Garden Le Bons Bay is a roadside tea and coffee house contained in a former cheese factory from its historical homestead days prior to 1937.

During my visit there, the owner, who serves homemade sweets, coffee, and tea, was eager to share her story of how the Secret Garden came to be. At the urging of friends who remarked that her cookies and cakes were so delicious, she opened up the tea and coffee house as a way to earn income while staying at home to raise her small children.

A quaintly weathered, tiered wooden sign adorned with a polka-dot painted red tea cup plus a yellow polka-dot teapot dangling from the top section announces the hours that Secret Garden Le Bons Bay is “open in fine weather” at the entrance way. The sign beckons backpackers to make this stop well off the beaten path.

Hidden among the garden’s mature trees and colorful flowers are its “secret” ingredients – a piano with an umbrella covering to protect it from rain, pure white doves flying overhead to their small houses set amidst the flowers, friendly kept chickens, a bright blue bench overlooking a kaleidoscope of cottage flowers, secret red bricked garden paths, and a small play area for kids.

Secret Garden Le Bons Bay is a unique, secluded delight. There you can sit and just relax, take in the wonderful cottage garden setting, stroll the secret paths, read a book, or enjoy the company of friends. It’s the perfect reprieve from your tramping (hiking) and New Zealand touring. But it’s hardly a secret anymore!