About the Dunedin Botanic Garden
Maps
Please download the map below to findout the carpark near the garden
- Download a map of the Dunedin Botanic Garden detailing where things are in the garden. (2.5MB in PDF format)
- Download a location map of where the Dunedin Botanic Garden is located in North Dunedin. (123k in PDF format)
The Dunedin Botanic Garden is New Zealand's first botanic garden and holds the status of six star Garden of International Significance. ArbNet, the global network for tree-focussed professionals, has accredited the Botanic Garden as level III. The Camellia Collection is rated as a Garden of Excellence by the International Camellia Society.
The Botanic Garden celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2013, marking its position as New Zealand’s first botanic garden. It occupies 30.4 hectares in North Dunedin at an altitude of 25 – 85 metres above sea level. The Garden has hill views from sunny lawns, more than 6,800 plant species and the song of wild native bellbirds, wood pigeons and tui.
Its wide range of horticultural and botanical collections includes roses, the herbaceous and perennial borders, a rock garden, New Zealand native plants and four hectares of Rhododendron Dell with more than 3,000 rhododendrons. An important aspect of The New Zealand Native plant collection is the cultivation of rare and endangered native plant species.
The geographic plant collections are an expression of the Victorian penchant for collection and growing plants from all around the world and displaying them in related groups. This collection has plants from temperate climates of North Asia, the South, Central and North Americas, Southern Africa, the Himalayas and the Mediterranean.
Accessibility
Although the garden includes slopes, it has been awarded a silver rating for accessibility by BE.ACCESSIBLE. The visitor map rates each track as easy, medium or hard.
Open hours
Botanic Garden Playground Closure
The children’s playground in the lower Botanic Garden will be closed for three days from Monday 2 May, reopening on Thursday 5 May while we undertake work on a significant tree. Standing tall above the playground, the 165-year-old Royal Oak Tree was planted on 30 June 1863 to commemorate the marriage of the Prince of Wales to Princess Alexandra. As well as pruning, we’ll be doing maintenance on cables to help support the Royal Oak which could stand for another 160+ years.
The Botanic Garden is open from dawn to dusk every day of the year, and the open hours for each of the public buildings are below. Admission to all areas of the Botanic Garden is free.
The Information Centre and Shop
Open - 10am to 4pm
The Winter Garden Glasshouse
Open - 10am to 4pm
The Alpine House
Open - 9am to 4pm
Croque-O-Dile Cafe
July hours
- Open - Monday to Sunday 9.30am - 4pm
- Closed - Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day and Day after New Year’s Day
Toilets
Lower Garden toilets under the Alpine House open - 10am - 4.30pm
Upper Garden toilets in the car park open - dawn till dusk
CREST Train Tours
Go for a fun ride and at the same time support disadvantaged children.
Garden Cam
This captured image shows a view of the Dunedin Botanic Garden from the top of the Croque-o-Dile cafe. This is a popular area of the Garden that features some beautiful plantings that will change dramatically with the seasons.
Videos of the Botanic Garden
Check out the Dunedin Botanic Garden in these video clips....
Donations and Bequests
If you wish to support projects at the Botanic Garden, you may wish to consider leaving a bequest in your will. For more information or to discuss your wishes, please contact Alan Matchett, the manager of Botanic Garden at botanic@dcc.govt.nz or 477 4000.
Friends of the Dunedin Botanic Garden
We invite you to support us in ensuring the future of the Dunedin Botanic Garden by becoming a member of the Friends of the Dunedin Botanic Garden Inc.
Check out https://www.friendsdbg.co.nz
Strategic Development Plan
A review and update of the Botanic Garden Strategic Plan is underway. Many of projects from the earlier 2007 Development Plan have been implemented.
In 2020 approval was given to review the Strategic Plan to consider the future direction of Dunedin Botanic Garden. This work commenced in early 2021 but soon after suffered the disruptions of Covid -19. It has since gathered momentum and is expected to be completed before the end of 2021.
The review process has sought contributions from staff, specific stakeholders and targeted community groups to get a better understanding of how they as professional organisations and community representatives currently interact with the Botanic Garden. From extended discussions at these meetings the process now is to consider what elements and priorities the Botanic Garden should focus on over the next 20 – 30 years.
Dunedin Botanic Garden Plan Review
Picnic by the Plants
Favourite and hidden picnic spots at Dunedin Botanic Garden.
Dunedin Botanic Garden Biodiversity
iNaturalist
Created originally to document biodiversity observed during the Dunedin Botanic Garden Bioblitz, the project is open for the public to document their own observations from the Dunedin Botanic Garden only.
Check out our biodiversity on iNaturalist.
Pests
About a third of Dunedin Botanic Garden is bush which needs a helping hand to regenerate and become healthy and strong. Garden staff and volunteers actively manage the plant and animal pests living in the bush in a variety of ways.
Website privacy statement
Website privacy statement can be viewed on this page: Dunedin Botanic Garden website privacy statement
