Wellington Botanic Garden

Great way to spend an hour or two. It was a windy day while we were here but we didn’t let that spoil our day. I imagine this would be absolutely gorgeous on a sunny day. There’s something to see along the main path, fragrant garden, herb garden, duck pond, a bush walk. the rose garden and begonia house were the highlight for me. Such a variety of roses. I was a bit disappointed however, being that I have seen a rose garden in Portland Oregon in the US and being amazed with that. This rose garden was beautiful but not as impressive as that one. I enjoyed taking the cable car to the top of the botanical gardens and the view of the city from the top.

The botanical gardens are a lovely free attraction in Wellington. Ride the cable car to the top and then take a leisurely stroll down the winding pathway to the bottom of the hill. Or get some extra exercise and do your exploring uphill instead. Everything is clearly signposted so it’s easy to make your way to the bottom in 40 minutes or less. Or you can take your time exploring side paths and little themed gardens along the way — stop into the fragrant garden for a sniff or get some inspiration for your next meal in the herb garden. Occasionally the garden offers guided tours as well — check their schedule as the tours only run on limited days. I visited in the middle of winter and enjoyed my walk, but be aware that these gardens are more about Kiwi greenery and not lush tropical flowers. This is an easy place to relax and snap a few photos.

I love walking through gardens, and this one did not disappoint. We did not have a lot of time, so we strolled the Lady Norwood Rose Garden and Begonia House. It was a perfect way to spend a sunny afternoon and enjoy the variety of roses and begonias. I promise you won’t be disappointed!
There is a café, so grab a cup of coffee and pastry while your there!

There is so much to see and explore at the Botanical Gardens, making it one of my favourite (and free!) attractions in Wellington.
Whether you want to walk the garden trails, have a family picnic or simply look at the vast range of flowers and trees, there really is something for everyone! On my most recent visit to the gardens, I particularly enjoyed walking the trails, looking at different sculptures and taking pictures of the flowers, which were all very pretty. The cactus garden was also a highlight, as it was unusual to see so many cactuses right in the heart of the city!
There is also an amazing rose garden, a tropical plant house to explore, cafes, a gift shop and the coolest playground ever (flying fox a big bonus) — it was packed with kids when we went and I can definitely see why!
And to top it all off, just a short walk to the top of the Botanical Gardens (which is also the other entrance to take a ride on the Cable Car) provides the most stunning view of Wellington CBD and the harbour — it is truly a beautiful sight!