When spring rolls around and the flowers begin to bloom, one of the most relaxing ways to spend a sunny day is strolling through one of New Zealand’s many stunning gardens. Our gardens offer a chance to get in touch with our unique local flora, and often to spot a few special birds of Aotearoa as well. Some gardens see their grounds as canvases for living art, while others treat them as flourishing museums. Read on to enjoy this list of the top gardens in New Zealand!
1. Auckland Botanic Gardens
In South Auckland you’ll find one of the biggest gardens in the country. The Auckland Botanic Gardens provide hours of scenic strolls and fresh air through its 64 hectares of stunning flora. The African plants garden, native forest loop track, and rock garden all offer diverse plants that educate as much as they delight. This is one of the best gardens in New Zealand for visitors who want to keep the kids busy, with the Potter Children’s Garden and Maui’s magical maze.
2. Pukekura Park
New Plymouth has no shortage of activities, and you can bet that they don’t fall short in the garden category. Referred to as “the jewel in New Plymouth’s crown,” Pukekura Park was founded over 100 years ago. The park is known for its instagrammable red “poet’s bridge”, which spans between the main and upper lake of Pukekura Park. Who doesn’t want a pic of a Japanese-inspired bridge with mighty Mount Taranaki as a backdrop?
3. Auckland Domain Winter Gardens
Many of the gardens in New Zealand are best in the warmer months. The Auckland Domain Winter Gardens however, are spectacular no matter the season. A protected Heritage Site, the gardens were established after World War I. They comprise two glass houses containing tropical and temperate plants which give the impression of stepping into a jungle, even in the middle of winter. If you’ve got a quiet afternoon, the courtyard surrounding the pond is a beautiful spot to sit back and read a good book.
4. Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Described as a “living museum,” the Christchurch Botanic Gardens welcome visitors to their thriving grounds year-round. Spread over 21 hectares, these gardens show off the best local flora the country has to offer, as well as stunning international plants. The Christchurch Botanical Gardens welcome over a million visitors a year. Even during the winter, the cozy conservatories offer a botanical experience for nature lovers.
5. Dove-Myer Robinson Park (Parnell Rose Garden)
The Dove-Myer Robinson Park, also known as the Parnell Rose Gardens, is named after Auckland’s longest serving mayor. The many aromas and colours delight the senses as visitors stroll through the well-maintained grounds. The park even hosts the oldest pōhutukawa and manuka trees in Auckland. One of the Dove-Myer Robinson Park’s best features is the view of the harbour as a backdrop to its flora.
6. Hamilton Gardens
The Hamilton Gardens have a wide range of grounds to peruse, including renaissance, Japanese, Chinese, English, and modernist gardens. These are some of the best gardens in New Zealand for a cultural experience, as the Te Parapara Garden is New Zealand’s only Māori production garden. This garden shows off traditional materials, practices, food production and storage ceremonies. If you love blending art and gardening, then the Fantasy Collection gardens are sure to delight!
7. Dunedin Botanic Gardens
Not many gardens in New Zealand offer the chance to admire the local flora as well as a walk up an extinct volcano. The Dunedin Botanic Gardens, however, do. The gardens are over 155 years old, making them the oldest in the country. If the idea of four hectares of rhododendrons appeals to you, then these gardens are sure to please. For those with a passion for birds, the feathered friends that populate their aviary are a real treat for bird-lovers.
