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.

Friends of the Botanic Gardens 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
Saturday 30 September Mona Vale Gardens Spring walk
Sunday 1 October Christchurch Botanic Gardens  Notable Trees
Monday 2 October Christchurch Botanic Gardens General interest walk (90 min)
Tuesday 3 October Christchurch Botanic Gardens Curator’s House Potager Garden
Wednesday 4 October Christchurch Botanic Gardens O Tāne Aotearoa/NZ Gardens: Native plants
Thursday 5 October Christchurch Botanic Gardens Gondwana Collection
Friday 6 October Christchurch Botanic Gardens  Plant Hunters: Plants & their stories
Saturday 7 October Christchurch Botanic Gardens Notable Trees
Sunday 8 October Christchurch Botanic Gardens General interest walk (90 min)
Monday 9 October Christchurch Botanic Gardens Notable Trees
Tuesday 10 October Christchurch Botanic Gardens Rock & Crevice Garden
Wednesday 11 October Christchurch Botanic Gardens Fragrant Garden
Thursday 12 October Christchurch Botanic Gardens O Tāne Aotearoa/NZ Gardens: Native plants
Friday 13 October Christchurch Botanic Gardens Rock & Crevice Garden
Saturday 14 October Mona Vale Gardens Spring walk
Saturday 14 October Christchurch Botanic Gardens Gondwana Collection
Sunday 15 October Christchurch Botanic Gardens Prince of Plants: The noble palm
Monday 16 October Christchurch Botanic Gardens General interest walk (90 min)
Tuesday 17 October Christchurch Botanic Gardens Notable Trees
Wednesday 18 October Christchurch Botanic Gardens Fragrant Garden
Thursday 19 October Christchurch Botanic Gardens History Walk: Armstrong Lawn
Friday 20 October Christchurch Botanic Gardens Curator’s House Potager Garden
Saturday 21 October Christchurch Botanic Gardens Plant Hunters: Plants & their stories
Sunday 22 October Christchurch Botanic Gardens Notable Trees
Monday 23 October Christchurch Botanic Gardens O Tāne Aotearoa/NZ Gardens: Native plants
Tuesday 24 October Christchurch Botanic Gardens Gondwana Collection
Wednesday 25 October Christchurch Botanic Gardens Conservatories
Thursday 26 October Christchurch Botanic Gardens Why Archery Lawn? Its history & treasures
Friday 27 October Christchurch Botanic Gardens O Tāne Aotearoa/NZ Gardens: Native plants
Saturday 28 October Christchurch Botanic Gardens Gondwana Collection
Saturday 28 October Mona Vale Gardens Spring walk
Sunday 29 October Christchurch Botanic Gardens Curious Conifers: A walk in the Pinetum
Monday 30 October Christchurch Botanic Gardens History Walk: Armstrong Lawn
Tuesday 31 October Christchurch Botanic Gardens Notable Trees

 

Botanic Garden caterpillar tours

Caterpillar Tour (external link)

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

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.

Tour times

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

Group walking tours

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.