Discovering all that's new in this year's Bay of Plenty Garden & Art Festival is part of the allure that brings people back time and again.

The charm of stepping down into a hidden private garden, finding distinctive steel sculptures, or seeing the Bay of Plenty from the front lawn of a coastal parkland estate – the festival opens otherwise closed gates to the best of the bay's properties. And 30 per cent of the 2022 gardens are new to the festival.

This year's trail from Katikati to the far side of Te Puke, sponsored by Palmers Bethlehem, has a solid four days' worth of gardens and art to see including plenty of time to spend at the festival hub – Bloom in the Bay – at Tauranga racecourse.

Not only are there more than 70 garden and art stops, but some gardens have artists, some artists are showing their work in their own gardens, and 24 stops also have studios or galleries.

'We have always had studios, but we decided this year to create a trail within the Garden & Art Trail that just includes art studios,” says Bay of Plenty Garden & Art Festival director Marc Anderson, who is delighted that Bayleys are the principal festival partners for 2022.

The festival map, obtainable once a festival pass is purchased, clearly outlines the locations of each garden and art stop on the Garden & Art Trail, with the central hub on the map being Bloom in the Bay.

Purchase a $40 one-day or $65 multi-day Bay of Plenty Garden & Art Festival pass and go exploring the bay from November 17-20.

The Weekend Sun has a ‘Win with the Sun' festival pass giveaway to anyone who can answer the question: 'Which real estate company is the festival's Principal Festival Partner?”

Enter online at: www.sunlive.co.nz

Entries close Tuesday, October 18.