Exploring Ōtari Native Botanic Gardens
Located in Wellington, the Ōtari Native Botanic Gardens is a unique destination for those interested in Aotearoa New Zealand's native flora. As the only botanic garden in the country dedicated exclusively to native plants, it provides a rare opportunity to see flowering bushes and trees that are seldom found in the wild or private gardens. The gardens are also connected to the Wilton Bush walks, which feature the last remaining stand of ancient forest in Wellington.
Discovering Native Flora
Your visit to the Ōtari Native Botanic Gardens begins with a treetop walkway situated just a few minutes west of the main car park. This walkway leads you through stunning examples of both rare and common native plants, with a good chance of seeing kākā forest parrots and kererū wood pigeons.
One plant highlight to look out for is the kōwhai ngutukākā, or kākā beak, with its striking red or white parrot-beak shaped flowers that bloom in Spring. Also prominent in the canopy are northern rātā and scarlet rātā vines, which burst into crimson during summer.
The gardens also feature trees such as kauri, tōtara, and rimu, alongside threatened alpine and coastal species such as Hebe speciosa, Ewartia sinclairii, and pingao. The rock garden and fernery showcase native ferns like mamaku (black tree fern) and ponga (silver fern), while the wetlands area supports species such as harakeke (flax) and carex sedges. Overall, the gardens reflect the diversity of Aotearoa’s flora across forest, alpine, and coastal environments.
How to get there
To reach the Ōtari Native Botanic Gardens from Central Wellington, the easiest route is to take Tinakor Road to George Street, Grant Road, and then onto Wadestown Road. Follow Wadestown Road as it winds its way around Te Ahumairangi Hill and through the suburb of Wadestown. The road then becomes Wilton Road, which you follow to the signposted entrance for the Wilton Bush and Ōtari Native Botanic Gardens. The drive takes around 7 minutes and is 4 km.
Other outdoor places to explore around Wellington include the Wellington Botanic Gardens, the downtown harbour walk to Oriental Bay and Mount Victoria.
