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Wellington Botanic Garden, Wellington

4.6

#1 of 56 in Parks in Wellington

Must see · Garden · Nature / Park

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The Wellington Botanic Garden in Wellington, New Zealand covers 25 hectares of land on the side of the hill between Thorndon and Kelburn, near central Wellington.

The garden features 25 hectares of protected native forest, conifers, plant collections and seasonal displays. It also features a variety of non-native species, including an extensive Rose Garden. It is classified as a Garden of National Significance by the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture. In 2004 it was listed as an historic area with Heritage New Zealand.
The Wellington Cable Car runs between Lambton Quay and the top of the Botanic Garden, and it is the most direct way to get from the top part of the garden to Wellington's Central Business District. The winding hill paths of the Garden are a popular spot for Wellington residents. It is used for walking, jogging and taking children to the playground, and tourists enjoy meandering through the Garden's many collections via the downhill path to the city.

The Gardens feature a large Victorian-style glasshouse, the Begonia House, the Lady Norwood Rose Garden and the Treehouse Visitor Centre. There is a large children's play area, a duck pond, and glowworms visible some nights along paths in the Main Garden – there are monthly tours during autumn–spring (the Garden is otherwise closed at night). Large sculptures and carvings are located throughout the garden. These are by artists such as Henry Moore, Andrew Drummond, Mary-Louise Browne, Regan Gentry, Denis O'Connor and Chris Booth.

The Wellington City Council organises events during spring and summer months, such as free concerts in the Sound Shell.

The Wellington Botanic Garden is home to several organisations, including:

Carter Observatory, the National Observatory of New Zealand

Wellington Cable Car Museum

Meteorological Service of New Zealand

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Tours to Wellington Botanic Garden

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FROM $220 BOOK WITH VIATOR Spectacular Wellington: Full Day Private Sightseeing Tour Spectacular Wellington: Full Day Private Sightseeing Tour

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FROM $218 BOOK WITH VIATOR Wellington and Martinborough Overnight Combo Tour Wellington and Martinborough Overnight Combo Tour

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Wellington Botanic Garden reviews

TripAdvisor traveler rating

3,660 reviews

Google

4.6

By 19LincsTraveller40

The gardens stretch from the top of the cable railway right back to the CBD. Such a variety of interesting plants and tres

The gardens stretch from the top of the cable railway right back to the CBD. Such a variety of interesting plants and tres more »
By 350sueb

Went up from Wellington on the Cable car and walked back down through the Botanic gardens. They were absolutely beautiful! Tranquil and calm and a very easy walk down. We were only in Wellington for..... more

Went up from Wellington on the Cable car and walked back down through the Botanic gardens. They were absolutely beautiful! Tranquil and calm and a very easy walk down. We were only in Wellington for..... more »
By JoeOB

Roses, do you like roses, there are tons of them here as well as other flowers etc. There is also a small waterfall area that is very serene. Worth a stop.

Roses, do you like roses, there are tons of them here as well as other flowers etc. There is also a small waterfall area that is very serene. Worth a stop. more »

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By Elizabeth Hadden

Stunning gardens and nature trails to explore. The garden varies with sights for everyone to enjoy. There are ground level paths through roses and other flora along with more elevated paths. Some are well-manicured and others are a little more rugged but all make for a pleasant walk. There are plenty of benches for taking a break. Keep your eyes peeled for some birds too!

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By Suzanne Bishop

Stunning, stunning gardens in the heart of Wellington. I spent a few hours wandering from front to back & taking photos before heading to the Cafe for a wonderful cold Kombutcha and scrumptious meal. A highlight was a visit to the Space Place on top of the hill not far from the Cable Car which was a fun way to start my day seeing the amazing views of Wellington. It was a beautiful warm & NOT windy day.

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By Arniya Heartford

Love the Wellington Botanical Gardens. We went for the light show and live music. These gardens really are unique. There is lots of trees and random paths to explore. If you are looking for a good photo backdrop, this place is perfect. Lots of spaces for a different look, without having to move too far. Toilets were clean and well lit. Parking can be a challenge. You can push a wheelchair through a bit of the gardens but it is limited before you have hills to deal with

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By George J Mattamana

A beautiful place to relax. There were many flowers and plants. You can spend an entire day there. There are lot of walking tracks and different point of attractions. Play areas are available for kids. Wellington cable car is a walkable distance from the garden. Overall it is a must visit place.

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By Sanjay Ganesan

Wellington is such a beautiful city which looks like a post card from every angle. The botanical garden is amazing place to visit. The ride to top of the hill via a tram is beautiful with breathtaking views of the city and it’s greenery. Easy to visit and just dress warm as the wind is chilly.

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