Welcome to the Christchurch Botanic Gardens

With an extensive network of parks, rivers and streams spanning from the freshwater Travis Wetlands to the undulating reserves of the Port Hills, Christchurch and its prolific green space has justly earned the title of ‘the Garden City’. Even with over 1,000 parks to share among our residents, the one that stands out as iconic in culture, history and size – Hagley Park and the Christchurch Botanic Gardens.

Hagley Park stretches over 165 hectares (400 acres). In pre-European times, Māori would camp and fish around the swampy plain that was to be converted into park land by early European settlers. “Officially named in 1855, Hagley Park”

Christchurch is recognised for having the reputation as the Garden City of New Zealand, the Gardens are a place of ever-changing beauty. Showing off the flora and fauna of New Zealand and from other parts of the world, the Gardens feature one of the finest collections of exotic and local plants in New Zealand. With more than a Million visitors each year the Botanic Gardens are one of the Christchurch's most popular and well-loved attractions.

Regarded as a museum with a living collection by those that support the gardens, its displays and plants are always changing, as the seasons change. With a variety of gardens and collections over 21 hectares, the endless array of plants and flowers will activate all of your senses all year round. The relaxed atmosphere along with of abundance of fresh colours, life, and smell brings many visitors back over and over again.

The Christchurch Gardens are home to an impressive collection of exotic and local flora and fauna from New Zealand and around the globe. With over 1 million visitors a year including locals who often visit or use the facilities the gardens have a lot on offer. As such the Botanic Gardens are not to be missed during your visit to the Garden City.

Renowned for its beautiful trees, the Christchurch Botanic Garden which is part of Hagley Park dates back to the early 1860s when the first plantings were made. In 1863 the Gardens started with the planting of a single oak tree and now includes 21 hectares (52 acres).
In 1864 the Canterbury Horticultural and Acclimatisation Society was founded and decided to establish a Botanic Garden in Hagley Park. It was agreed that the land known as the Government Domain would be used, and that plants that might be useful in the colony would be introduced and first established there.
Now a garden of native and exotic collections, a formal rose garden, herbaceous borders, rock gardens, conservatories, playgrounds, paddling pools, outstanding cafes and lovely walking paths.
Mixing with the Avon River along its boundaries with people taking Punts on the river, places to sit and watch the world go by.

The garden is flat and easily explored with an information centre and trolley tour ride for those who want the full experience without the walking.

A new initiative the five-night Botanic D'Lights festival opened in Christchurch's Botanic gardens adding lights to the splendor. In its recent light festival in 2018 it attracted 136,000 people almost double the number that attended two years ago.