Summer lighting in the main garden
The Main Garden contains several major plant collections and seasonal beds. It is at its best in spring and early summer with a blazing mass of 30,000 tulips. The Main Garden begins just inside the Founders gates on Glenmore Street and includes the Duck Pond. There are several walking tracks - many forming circuits - stemming from the Main Garden.
Begonia House
Begonia House
The Begonia House contains tropical and temperate displays, including seasonal displays of orchids, tuberous begonias, cyclamen, ornamentals, and others. The tropical end also features a lily pond containing aquatic plants and a giant water lily.
Botanic Garden Shop
The shop is in the Begonia House. It has an extensive selection of New Zealand gifts and crafts, practical garden products, accessories, books, cards and hand-made jewellery.
Shop Hours
| Summer: | 9.00am - 5.00pm |
| Winter: | 9.00am - 4.00pm |
Lady Norwood Rose Garden
Lady Norwood Rose Garden
This award-winning garden has 110 formal beds, each representing a different variety of rose. It includes newly released roses and traditional favourites. The design is geometric with colonnades on three sides, creating a striking contrast to the backdrop of bush and sloping lawns.
Botanic Garden Café
Picnic café is in the Lady Norwood Rose Garden.
Refreshments, snacks and meals are also available at The Skyline café at the top of the Cable Car - phone (04) 475 8727, or at the restaurants and cafés in nearby Tinakori Road.
Children's Play Area
Children's play area
Minutes from the Treehouse Visitor Centre, the children’s play area is a perennial favourite with generations of Wellingtonians. It is particularly popular with families and school groups.
There are double slides, a rocktopus, flying fox and more. There are also picnic tables, toilets and an enclosed play area for small children.
Duck Pond
The fenced-off pond, with seating, is in the Main Garden.
Glow-Worms
There are glow-worms in the Main Garden, from the Duck Pond up to Glen Road alongside Pukatea Stream.
The best time to spot them is at night after rain, in summer, and at full moon.
Guided Glow-worm tours are available at various times throughout the year. Check the events calendar for details.
Botanic Garden - Events Calendar
Art Work
Sculpture by Henry Moore
There are many sculptures and carvings in the gardens. Artists featured include Henry Moore, Andrew Drummond and Chris Booth.
There are also several unique fountains and sundials gifted from other countries.
Innovation Garden
Innovation Garden
The Innovation Garden is a horticultural ‘installation space’ where new works are produced every 6 to 12 months. It profiles creative designs by local gardeners, landscape architects and artists.
To submit a design contact the Treehouse Visitor Centre. Contact details below.
Peace Garden
The Peace Flame
The Peace Garden's flame comes from fire created by the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima at the end of World War II.
The flame was presented by the people of Japan to New Zealand in recognition of our efforts to halt the spread of atomic weapons.
Joy Fountain
The Joy Fountain
This popular fountain is located in the Main Garden along William Bramley Drive near the Glenmore Street entrance.
The fountain is not working at the moment as it is currently being refurbished and repaired, and the pipes and surrounding pavement upgraded. The fountain is expected to be working again by Christmas.
Carter Observatory
Carter Observatory
The Carter Observatory has astronomy displays which provide a window into the night sky.
There is also a planetarium, shop and audio-visual displays.
The Carter Observatory is currently closed for refurbishment, but will reopen in summer 2008/09.
Carter Observatory website
More Information
Related Links
Department Details:
Parks and Gardens
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