The Christchurch Botanic Gardens in Central Christchurch are one of the best-established gardens in NZ. They opened in 1863 to commemorate the marriage of Prince Albert and Princess Alexandra. The gardens cover 21 hectares and sit within a large hook in the Avon River / Ōtākaro, surrounded on three sides by Hagley Park.
The east side is bound by Rolleston Avenue, with pedestrian entrances. It is a short walk from the Art Gallery and Arts Centre and just over the road from Ravenscar, with two tram stops nearby. It is also only a three-block walk to Cathedral Square. There is a vehicle entrance and parking on Riccarton Avenue, at the southwest corner of the gardens.
The gardens are home to diverse exotic and native plants, beautiful woodland gardens, several conservatories, a nursery, rose gardens, a playground, and a Climatological Station. Some exotic trees are substantial in size and amongst the oldest exotics in NZ, including various conifers and an extraordinary twisted eucalyptus tree. The NZ section of the gardens was established between 1910 and 1927 and has the feel of a regrowth forest. However, the selection of plants is excellent, and the identification labels are helpful.
Significant events in the gardens' history include the establishment of the International Industrial Exhibition in South Hagley Park in 1882 and the construction of the Magnetic Observatory complex in the domain in 1901. The observatory was used by explorers Robert Scott and Ernest Shackleton to calibrate their compasses before heading to Antarctica. It was also home to the main public art gallery until the present gallery was established.
The Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre is also of interest. The attractive modern building opened in 2014. It has a café, a gift shop, and an exhibition of Canterbury's history of plants and gardening. A plant nursery is adjacent to the visitor centre, where 10,000 plant species are propagated to supply the conservatories and preserve species. You can view some of the plants through windows in the cafe. At the Rolleston Avenue end, there is also the historic Caretakers Cottage, which operates as a cafe/restaurant.
With its size, the gardens take several hours to explore. The main paths run east/west and along either side of the gardens. Following a loop, you will easily connect with all the significant features of the gardens. You can also walk along the river's edge, surrounded by mature exotics.
