As there is so much to see in the Botanic Gardens you might like to consider taking a tour. There are a number of different options for tours.

Join a fantastic guided tour with knowledgeable and friendly guides showcasing some of our spectacular collections.

Botanic Gardens

  • Volunteer guides from the Friends of the Botanic Gardens offer free guided walks at the Botanic Gardens between October and April, and throughout the year on request.
  • 1.30pm.
  • Meet outside the Kiosk.
  • Botanic Gardens tours are 45 to 60 minutes long unless otherwise stated.

Mona Vale

  • Seasonal walks at Mona Vale are offered throughout the year.
  • 1.30pm.
  • Meet at the Rose Garden car park.
  • Mona Vale tours are 90 minutes.

Special interest group tours

If you have any queries or would like to arrange a special interest tour for a group, please contact friendsofthegardens@gmail.com or phone Pat Whitman at 03 384 3475.

Local groups are $5 per person, international groups are $10 per person.

Botanic Gardens and Mona Vale walks

Date Location Theme
Tuesday 25 April Botanic Gardens Notable trees
Wednesday 26 April Botanic Gardens Curious conifers: Pinetum walk
Thursday 27 April Botanic Gardens New Zealand native garden walk
Friday 28 April Botanic Gardens Biggest, smallest, quirkiest, tallest...
Saturday 29 April Botanic Gardens Plant hunters: Trees and their stories
Sunday 30 April Botanic Gardens Notable trees
Saturday 13 May Mona Vale Gardens Winter walk
Saturday 27 May Mona Vale Gardens Winter walk
Saturday 24 June Mona Vale Gardens Winter walk
Saturday 29 July Mona Vale Gardens Winter walk
Saturday 26 August Mona Vale Gardens Winter walk
Saturday 16 September Mona Vale Gardens Spring walk
Saturday 30 September Mona Vale Gardens Spring walk

 

Caterpillar Tour (external link)

Botanic Garden Tours(external link) operate a guided audio tour of the Gardens in all-weather electric shuttles. 

Tour times:

  • Summer (October to March): 10am to 3.30pm daily 
  • Winter (April to September): 11am to 3.30pm daily 

For more information or to book, contact Botanic Gardens Tours on (03) 366 7830 or info@christchurchattractions.nz.

Meet the shuttle near the Peacock Fountain at the Rolleston Avenue end of the Gardens - look out for the purple flag.

Please contact the Christchurch Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre for more information or to book a tour – phone 03 941 7590 or email christchurchbotanicgardens@ccc.govt.nz

Tour type Duration Cost Description
Guided walking tour for community group
 1 hour Free Groups of local visitors can request guided tours through the Botanic Gardens on a range of topics.
Guided walking tour for tourist group
 1 hour $10 per person Tourist groups can request guided tours through the Botanic Gardens on a range of topics.

 If one or more members of your group has limited mobility, please contact the Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre on 941 7590 or email christchurchbotanicgardens@ccc.govt.nz to discuss accessibility options.