Wellington Botanic Gardens, Wellington Overview

Sprawling over 25 hectares of land area, Wellington Botanic Gardens are a green oasis in the middle of the bustling city of Wellington. Boasting an exceptional blend of exotic floral varieties, native bushes, conifers, plant collections, non-native species and a spectacular Rose Garden, the Gardens occupy the land area on the hills between Thorndon and Kelburn. The winding paths on the mountains greatly benefit the residents of Wellington as the picturesque meandering paths are used for jogging, cycling and walking around.

Among the notable features in the garden is the enormous Victorian-style glasshouse, the Begonia House, the Lady Norwood Rose Garden and the Treehouse Visitor Centre etc. In addition, there is a large playhouse for the kids, duck ponds and cutesy little lanes lit up with glow worms at night. Several sculptures and statues are also installed here and there that accentuate the aesthetics of the spectacular garden. Besides, there is a cafe to cater to your hunger pangs and a dainty gift house housed within the premises.

Places to Visit

The Main Garden
- An enormous area replete with vibrant flowers and plant collections. It also has several stemming paths and meandering trails where you the visitors are invited to take a walk. The highlight of the garden is the blazing blooming of over 25000 tulips which attracts a large number of tourist influx.
The Lady Norwood Rose Garden
- A spectacular show of blooming roses and vibrant flower beds groomed to look ethereal and out of the world. This segment is open only between the months of November to May. Boasting of a colourful spectacle of colourful roses, the garden has a total of 106 formal rose beds.
The Begonia House
- Exhibits a beautiful display of tropical and temperate plant species which include orchids, lilies etc. This section also has a gift shop and a quaint cafe adjacent to it.
The Bolton Street Memorial Park
- Houses an ancient cemetery and has a collection of heritage roses in the flower beds.
The Carter Observatory
- An astronomical attraction that has displays on astronomy and science. It lets you take a sneak peek into the night sky and takes you on a ride to the night skies of Southern Hemisphere. Using state-of-the-art digital technology, the volunteers can spot galaxies, black holes and our very own Milky Way etc. It is a popular attraction not just among kids but also among adults.
The Sculpture Trail
- A trail of fascinating sculptures designed by world class artists and sculptors- Henry Moore, Andrew Drummond and Chris Booth. You can stand and watch and touch these famous creations and also capture them first handedly in your cameras.
Botanic Gift Shop
has a number of gifts and souvenirs from New Zealand, gardening products and accessories, handmade jewellery and handcrafted products etc.
Children’s Play Area
- A nice place to relax and unwind. Popular not just among kids, but also adults, the place boasts of several slides, swings, rocktopus, flying fox and other recreational games and activities.

Timings for Other Sections of the Gardens

Treehouse Visitor Centre
Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Weekends from September to April: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Weekends from May to August: Closed

Begonia House
September to March: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
April to August: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Botanic Garden Shop
September to March: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
April to August: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Closed on Good Friday, Anzac Day and Christmas Day

Picnic Cafe
All year: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Closed on Christmas

Carter Observatory
November to April: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturdays : 10:00 AM - 10:30 PM
May to October: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday and Saturday: 10:00 AM - 9:30 PM

Facilities at the Garden

Dogs are allowed in the garden as long as they are on a leash and the owners clean up after them.
The gardens are wheelchair friendly and mobility scooters etc. can be borrowed from the Begonia House.
Guided tours are held every third Sunday and fourth Monday of the month. You can check for the schedule and get the tickets which cost $5 per person.
The garden also allows wedding functions and professional photoshoots. However, a prior permission will be required for the same. Small weddings or private gathering of over 30 guests can be held anywhere in the premises but larger guest list will need specified locations like Dell and Magpie lawns, Puriri and Linden lawns by the Duck Pond, or the Remembrance Ridge.
Marquees are also allowed in the garden. However, they can only be set up in the Dell lawn between November and April and should be done by a professional Marque company. A permission is required from the management for the same.
Begonia House Foyer is also open for weddings and small celebrations after 5:00 pm, once the garden has been closed for the public. The foyer can accommodate a party of 90 seated guests or 120 standing ones.
The Soundshell can hold upto 600 guests and it also has a stage.
For Seminars and workshops, you can book the Seminar Room in the Treehouse Visitor’s Centre. The room can accommodate 35 people in a theatre style seating or 20 people in a round table seating.

Tips

Cycling, mountain biking, camping, or recreational drone operating is prohibited.
Do not litter or leave leftover food in the garden after a picnic.
Come with bedsheet and clean up if you having food items here.
Plucking, or harming the plants is prohibited.

How To Reach Wellington Botanic Gardens

The garden can be reached in the Wellington Cable Car that runs from Lambton Quay and stop overhead at the top of the Botanic Garden.
Alternatively, you can also Karori Bus 3 from Lambton Quay which will drop you outside Founders entrance on Glenmore Rd. Parking on the Glenmore Road.
In case you are walking down here, take The Terrace through Bolton Street Cemetery and the Norwood Rose Garden to the Main Garden.