Wellington Botanic Garden, Wellington
Sprawling over 25 hectares of protected forest, conifers, native bush, plant collections, and seasonal displays on the side of the hill between Thorndon and Kelburn, the Wellington Botanic Garden is one of the city's top attractions.
Sprawling over 25 hectares of protected forest, conifers, native bush, plant collections, and seasonal displays on the side of the hill between Thorndon and Kelburn, the Wellington Botanic Garden is one of the city's top attractions. The easiest way to get here is to take the Wellington Cable Car which runs from Lambton Quay. Admission is free.
Explore the gardens to see the Lady Norwood Rose Garden, Magpie Lawn, James Hector Pinetum, Australian Garden, Threatened Species Garden, Hydrangeas, Succulent Garden, Rock Garden, Puriri Lawn, Herb Garden, Camellia Valley, Vireya Rhododendrons, Peace Garden with a lantern containing a flame lit from the fires of the Hiroshima bombing, and seasonal flower beds. The Begonia House is a large Victorian-style glasshouse with tropical and temperate species. The Bolton Street Cemetery also has a remarkable rose collection, and the adjacent chapel displays burial information. There is also a play area and duck pond for children. Sculptures by artists such as Henry Moore, Andrew Drummond, Dennis O'Connor, and Chris Booth are scattered throughout the grounds. The Remembrance Ridge is a pathway dedicated to World War I veterans.
The garden is also home to the Carter Observatory, Dominion Observatory, Cable Car Museum, and Meteorological Service of New Zealand. The Botanic Garden has 3 sundials – the analemmatic Sundial of Human Involvement near Carter Observatory, the armillary sphere of the Centennial Sundial, and the basic horizontal sundial in the herb garden. The Krupp Gun near Dominion Observatory was a World War I trophy captured by Kiwi soldiers from the Germans.
The Sound Shell hosts free summer concerts and other events. The Treehouse Visitor Centre offers further information about the botanic garden.
Hours
Sun
5:00
22:30
Mon
5:00
22:30
Tue
5:00
22:30
Wed
5:00
22:30
Thu
5:00
22:30
Fri
5:00
22:30
Sat
5:00
22:30
About Wellington Botanic Garden
101 Glenmore St, Kelburn, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
+64 4-499 1400
Wellington Botanic Garden and Nearby Sights on Map
Space Place at Carter Observatory
Space Place at Carter Observatory at the top of the Botanical Gardens has been a Wellington icon since its opening in 1941
Cable Car Museum
Step back in time to rediscover the romance of Wellington's iconic cable cars in the Cable Car Museum, which is located in the original winding house for the cable car system
Adam Art Gallery
The Adam Art Gallery of the Victoria University of Wellington showcases the art collection of the university comprising over 550 works of painting, sculpture, photography and graphics by Kiwi artists
Wellington Cable Car
An iconic symbol of the city, the Wellington Cable Car is a 115 year old funicular railway that runs uphill from Lambton Quay to Kelburn, stopping at Clifton, Talavera, and Salamanca
Beehive
Of all the eclectic Parliament buildings spread over the 45,000 square metre site in Lambton Quay, the Beehive stands out for its unique architecture
Wellington Museum
Occupying the 1892 French Empire style building of the Wellington Harbour Board Head Office and Bond Store, the Wellington Museum is breathtaking from both outside and inside
Sacred Heart Cathedral Wellington
The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Sacred Heart and of Saint Mary His Mother is the parish church of the Thorndon Catholic parish and the Cathedral of the Archbishop of Wellington
Frank Kitts Park
Named after former city mayor Sir Frank Kitts, the park on Wellington's waterfront was opened in 1976 on a site that was earlier used for wharf sheds
Old Saint Paul's
Old St
Cuba Street
Cuba Street is the inner-city cultural heart of Wellington with a bohemian vibe and festive atmosphere