Wellington Botanic Garden was founded in 1868 and sits on a slope above the city, so the day has a direction to it. The garden’s own suggested route is to ride the Cable Car up the hill, take in the view over the city and Cook Strait, then wander back down through the greenery.
For children, the anchors are the upgraded play area, where two flying foxes run side by side next to the slides, and the duck pond, which the garden describes as a favourite with young children. The more accessible play equipment – talk tubes, musical panels and a sensory play module – sits on synthetic safety surfacing. A self-guided ‘Buzzy Bee’ activity booklet can be downloaded before you go and turns the walk between them into something to do.
The Picnic Café sits in the Lady Norwood Rose Garden, which is also where the only public car park in the garden is, so it works as a base whether you arrive by car or finish there after walking down.
The trade-off is the terrain: the garden is generally hilly, and only the top of the Cable Car, the Lady Norwood Rose Garden and the Glenmore Street main entrance are described as wheelchair friendly – worth knowing if you are pushing a buggy between them.
Family FAQ
What are the opening hours of Wellington Botanic Garden?
The garden grounds are open year-round from dawn to dusk.
Is there parking at Wellington Botanic Garden?
The only public car park in the garden is next to the Lady Norwood Rose Garden (paid, 2-hour limit); there is also paid parking at the top of the Cable Car.
