Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Christchurch Overview

Located at the heart of Christchurch and cementing its reputation as the ‘Garden City’, the Christchurch Botanic Gardens extends over 21 hectares. The Botanic Gardens has a wide array of plants endemic to New Zealand and exotic flora. In addition, the Botanic Gardens are home to many gardens, such as the Heritage Rose Garden and the Herb Garden, which contain specific species of flora.

The Botanic Gardens has grown from a single acorn planted in the ground to commemorate the marriage of Prince Albert and Princess Alexandra of Denmark into one of New Zealand’s largest and most diverse botanical complexes. The Gardens also conduct guided tours catering to various needs that offer an in-depth look into the Gardens. Large open spaces with benches overlooking ponds make the Botanical Gardens an ideal picnic spot.

Gardens

The Christchurch Botanical Gardens and its vast expanses of greenery and majestic tall trees lining the landscaped paths make the Botanical Gardens a favourite destination for a leisurely stroll through their many gardens.

The Herb Garden is a collection of many different types of herbs that have medicinal and culinary attributes.
The Rose Heritage Garden has many varieties of modern, old, and wild roses, that bloom with many different colours and fills the air with their fragrances.
The Herbaceous Border in the Botanical Gardens is thought to be the longest herbaceous border in the southern hemisphere. It is a specially curated collection of herbaceous plants of different colours.
The Fragrant Garden is a specially-designed garden for the visually-impaired and includes a selection of fragrant trees and plants.

Tram Tour

For the visitors that aren’t up for walking across the 21-hectare garden complex, an electric tram takes passengers through this expanse. The hour-and-a-half guided tour through the gardens with tour guides aboard the electric shuttles providing commentary about the flora on display.

Art in the Botanic Gardens

The Christchurch Botanic Gardens are also home to permanent and temporary art exhibitions and installations. Mostly accrued through benefections or donations made towards the Botanic Gardens, they provide a different dimension to the experience. The Flora and Otto art installation in particular, has made the Botanic Gardens its home after the Christchurch earthquake. Broken pieces of china plateware was collected by artists and fashioned into an armchair to symbolize Christchurch’s indomitable spirit.

Visitor's Centre

The visitor’s centre of the Christchurch Botanic Gardens allowed visitors to gain a clearer understanding of what goes into the upkeep of gardens. The visitor’s centre also sells plant and gardening-inspired souvenirs and giftware. The visitor’s centre is also the recipient of national architecture awards.

Ilex Cafe

After a long day of walking around on the gardens, head to the Ilex Cafe for some gourmet-level food to keep you recharged. Within the compounds of the Botanic Gardens, the Ilex Cafe is easy to reach from the visitor’s centre.

How To Reach Christchurch Botanic Gardens

Nestled in the bosom of Christchurch, the Christchurch Botanical Gardens is easily accessible by foot, bus, or by private transport. Buses on the Yellow Line regularly ply the route from central Christchurch to the Gardens. Visitors are also welcome to come on their bikes and free-to-use bike racks are situated at the entrance of the Gardens.