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 Dunedin Botanic Garden celebrates its 160th anniversary in 2023, marking its position as New Zealand’s first botanic garden. It occupies 33 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.
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
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
- 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.
Bookings
To book a space in the gardens for a wedding or community event, please submit via the online booking form.
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 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
In 2021, work started on a new strategic plan for the Botanic Garden to replace the 2007 development plan. The 2007 plan has been an effective planning document to help several significant Botanic Garden developments come to fruition, including construction of a new propagation and nursery facility in 2015.
The plan’s review process began in 2021, resulting in feedback from staff, stakeholders and community groups. We have listened to their points of view, suggestions and previous experiences and now understand how they would like to interact with the Botanic Garden and its resources in the future. We are currently considering the Botanic Garden priorities over the next 20 to 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
